Partly he liked it because it was fun. But mostly he liked it because it was guaranteed to get a rise out of their mother.

“Charlie, don’t pester,” she would say.

“Emma, leave Mr. McBride alone now.”

“They’re fine. We’re all fine,” Gabe protested. “Come on in. Sit down.” He patted the space on the sofa next to him. He knew she wanted to listen to his stories, too. He knew she was interested in them-in him.

Gabe McBride had been attracting women like honey did bees since he was twelve years old. He recognized the signs-even in a woman like Freddie who was determined not to show it.

“How come you’re stiff-arming me?” he asked her the third night he was there. He and Charlie and Emma had become fast friends by then, but Freddie still kept her distance. He’d done his best. He’d been funny and charming and he’d played with her children. No hardship there. He liked them. He’d taken them out to eat last night over Freddie’s protests. He’d gone to Emma’s school program this afternoon because Emma had invited him even though Freddie had tried to act like he wasn’t there.

Now he tracked her down after the children were in bed. She was in the parlor, patching a pair of Charlie’s trousers, and she looked up warily. He came across the room and dropped onto the sofa beside the chair where she sat.

“Stiff-arming?”

“Acting like a prig.”

“Prig!” Freddie sputtered, her cheeks reddening.

Gabe grinned and stretched his arms over his head, easing tired muscles. It never ceased to amaze him how much more tired he got at a desk job than when he rode the range all day. “See. You admit it.”

“I never! I don’t! I’m not a prig!”

“Then you’re giving a damn good imitation of one. Loosen up a little. Let go. You’re beautiful when you smile.”

She scowled at him, her cheeks reddening.