Chapter 5: He Makes Me Feel Safe

Lucy POV

Lucy could not believe her ears. First of all, this gorgeous tan man was being forward and admitting he was attracted to her. Secondly, they were on a date! Lastly, it was her first week officially settled in Arizona and she was already being asked out.

"So… I take it the pause isn't a good sign?" Gabriel's voice sounded defeated as he asked the question.

"Oh! I am so sorry Gabriel I'm just really floored… I'm not usually the one who gets asked out. I'm more of a sidekick for the friends who do get asked out," Lucy stated blushing a deep red as she made eye contact with him.

She looked away, quickly sipping her coffee. Gabriel smiled softly, and Lucy realized he must think her so innocent without much dating experience!

"Well, I just don't ask anybody out haphazardly. I… uh… I feel drawn to you… if you catch my drift. I'd really like to get to know you more. I have a … feeling if you will. I try and follow those feelings," Gabriel said matter-of-factly while nodding in what seemed to be approval.

Lucy bit her lip and saw Gabriel wince as if in pain. Was he alright?

"I won't deny that I am attracted to you. You also give off a good vibe, and I'd be remiss if I did not say I'd enjoy getting together again. We should see our likes and dislikes to see if we are compatible. There is that piece to 'dating' too!" Lucy shrugged with a smile.

Gabriel smiled back at her almost as if he felt triumphant at her words. "It's settled then! I believe we both like hiking and the great outdoors, let's go on a hike sometime in the next few days. Why don't you call me when you are ready? The ball is in your court now."

"Sure… I'd like that." Lucy shivered excitedly. She was enthralled that they both enjoyed hiking and nature, and she was looking forward to where this would go.

"Promise me something… if this doesn't work out between us… Can we still be friends?" she asked, leaning forward across the table and looking him in the eyes deeply.

"Promise." Gabriel nodded, as if in a hypnotic trance, and Lucy wondered if he really heard what she said.

*****

After their afternoon date, Lucy pulled into Aunt Gertrude's driveway ecstatic about how well the date went. Who knew that the incredibly sexy vet found her attractive? She grabbed her purse and water bottle and headed into the house.

"Auntie, I'm home!" she shouted in the foyer, kicking off her shoes as Frank barked and ran to greet her.

"No! No Frank, slow down!" she implored, but he collided with her, sending them both crashing to the floor. "Hey! Stop it!" she laughed as he licked all over her face.

"Frank, off!" Aunt Gertrude's voice came from the stairs. Frank obeyed instantaneously and sat down on the welcome mat panting happily. Lucy's face lit up with pride and looked over at her aunt.

"Yeah, we had time for some training today. Frank is one smart cookie you know." Gertrude hummed and beckoned Lucy into the kitchen. "All right my dear niece, come I have some iced tea awaiting us. I'd like to know all about your first shift at Nadine's Caffeine and your handsome date there too."

"Auntie, you were waiting all day for me to bring you the gossip, weren't you?" Lucy asked, following her aunt into the kitchen.

The kitchen of the homestead was well-lit, with two large windows allowing for a magnificent view of Cathedral Rock. The cabinets were a dull forest green color, with a brownstone counter and an oven with a faux fireplace mantel encompassing it. Pots and pans hung above on a wrought iron chandelier for easy access, and a small dining table stood to the side, with two chairs and another beautiful view of the yard.

It was a wonderful place to sit, relax, and enjoy the view of nature as one would sip their morning coffee.

"I live for gossip. You know this," Gertrude chastised her niece for being stingy with information and poured them both glasses of tea.

"All right, all right. What do you want to know?" Lucy asked as they sat down with their tea after she thanked her kindly for the refreshing drink.

"So, what's his name?" Gertrude smiled, placing her chin in her hand as she leaned across the table awaiting her well-earned gossip.

"His name is Gabriel Herman."

"Aha! Sam's adoptive son… huh who would have thought…" Aunt Gertrude snapped her fingers and looked intently into her tea as if she could see what their future had in store.

"Who would have thought what?" Lucy shook her head, pursing her lips as she watched her aunt.

"Oh! Well… Sam and I go back. That's all… to see our young ones getting together is… an interesting unfolding of events. That's all!" She shrugged and changed the subject saying, "So…. you like them tall, dark, and handsome then?"

"Gosh, Auntie! Stop… Gabriel just happens to have all those traits. He's also very sweet, gentle, and somewhat bashful. I kind of like that… it puts me at ease." Lucy blushed.

Gertrude looked at her niece across the table. Lucy sometimes wondered if her aunt could read her mind.

Lucy had been frightened and shaky when she first landed at the Phoenix airport. Her Aunt Gertrude had seemed worried and concerned when she picked her up there. What had she looked like? A terrified little girl?

Lucy remembered the call with her aunt a few weeks before she had flown to Arizona. "Auntie, can I come live with you at the lodge? I am planning on leaving Colorado for good. There's nothing here for me anymore." She could tell by her aunt's answering tone that she had been shocked to discover Lucy wanted to move in with her.

Then after, Lucy overheard her mother call Aunt Gertrude trying to glean information from her. "Gertie, she's dead set on this. Why so far from us? Why the sudden hasty decision to give up her medical nursing degree and move to a different environment entirely?"

Lucy knew that her aunt and mother had been close growing up, and had stayed in touch over the years as they both took different paths of life. Gertie never had children of her own, and Lucy often wondered if being an aunt had been good enough for her.

Lucy heard her aunt's reply, her voice clear through the speakerphone, "Diana, I have no idea. She didn't tell me much, but it sounds like she needs to be in a different environment. I have a feeling she will tell us when it's on her terms. Let's give her the space and respect now until she is ready."

Lucy smiled while sipping her tea. Her aunt had always had her back, and she was thankful she could stay with her.

"Lucy. Is he respectful?" Gertrude asked, her green eyes darkening a bit.

"Huh, what? Gabriel? Of course, he hasn't tried anything, Auntie," Lucy said taken aback, her face full of shock.

"I have a feeling you are running from something. Is life in Arizona what you truly want?" Gertrude said, getting serious.

Lucy's face paled slightly at her aunt's harsh but true words.

With her voice low, she answered, "Yes. I don't want to go back to Colorado. I've always liked it here - the weather is much more to my preference. I like the trails, I like hiking. I am running. You are right… I came across someone unpleasant at work, and it wasn't safe to stay."

Gertrude grumbled to herself. She looked like she had failed at completing a puzzle she was desperate to solve.

"Fine. That's all you have to tell me now. You are safe here as long as you'd like to stay. Are you sure you are ready to get involved romantically so quickly with someone?" Gertrude asked, once again sounding protective.

"Auntie. Gabriel's different… he makes me feel safe," Lucy whispered quietly, looking down at her fingers intertwined in her lap.

"Good. I like that for you then. He's from good stock anyways." Gertrude cleared her throat as she stood heading back into the kitchen. "Hey, why don't we have a girl's night? Remember when we used to do those all the time when you visited back in the day?"

"Oh my, yes! The popcorn with extra butter, salt, cheese, and m&m's? The caramel with apple slices?" Lucy grinned widely as she followed her aunt into the kitchen.

"Yes!! Ugh, I'd be so sugar high your mom couldn't tell if I was sober or not! Speaking of sober, let's make some margaritas tonight… add a little adult beverage to the tradition!" Gertrude said as she pumped her fists while she searched the cupboards for supplies.

"I got it!" Lucy shouted as she headed to the liquor cabinet.

Lucy was happy to feel the atmosphere change from tension to ease. The evening was made better by bringing back an old tradition they had often done when Lucy was younger. Maybe this time it would be more fun by adding alcohol!