Free Double the Trouble (Texas Trouble 3) by Becky McGraw Page B

in love and had another chance at a happy life, the life he'd taken away from her two years ago.
     
    Gabe held Karlie's hand and led her to a booth on the right side of the cafe.  Once she slid into a booth , he slid in beside her , and put his arm across her shoulders .   He couldn't help but touch her when she was near.  As wild as he thought she was, touching her soothed something inside of him, made him feel happy for a change. 
     
    Karlie picked up a menu from behind the sugar dispenser and flicked it open. "So, what's good?" she asked running her finger down the plastic covered paper.
     
    "Everything...my sister is a master in the kitchen , but unfortunately Cole won't let her go in there right now."   She raised an eyebrow at him and he told her, "Too hot, she 's pregnant and passed out in there a while back .   Not to mention the smells make her sick."
     
    "She's pregnant too? " Karlie snorted , then told Gabe with a grin, " Remind me not to drink the water."
     
    Sabrina chose that moment to walk up with an order pad in her hand , looking harried and tired.  "Hey, big bro, what'll ya'll have today?"
     
    "Ya'll?" he teased with a quirk of his lips.
     
    "Yes, sugar , ya'll. Now, come on I'm in a hurry," Sabrina told him , then put her hand on her hip .  Her g aze wandered to Karlie and she smiled, then evidently noticed his arm over her shoulders, because she looked back at him with a raised eyebrow.
     
    Gabe flinched, because he really didn't want to put a label on what was going on with him and Karlie, and he didn't want to talk about it with his nosy sister. Without answering the question in her eyes, he asked her, "Bri, you met Karlie Upton in Dallas at the rodeo right?"
     
    Sabrina nodded and smiled then leaned over Gabe and stuck out her hand to Karlie .  " Of course, I remember you... I would have spoken, but I can't tell ya'll apart.  Didn't want to stick my foot in it," she said and laughed, "Good to see you again."
     
    Karlie shook her hand and told her, "Good to see you too...you'll be seeing a lot more of me around here, I'm working at the Double B with Cassie now."
     
    Sabrina's face showed her relief, when she said, " Yeah, Cole told me, and that's such a relief.  Cassie needed the help and I felt so bad about leaving her in the lurch..."
     
    Gabe's stomach growled and he put a hand to it, "I thought you were in a hurry, Sis?"
    Sabrina shot him a look then dragged her eyes back to Karlie.  "Never in too much of a hurry for girl talk.  Cole told me a little, Karlie, but y ou've got to tell me the whole story about how you and my brother met," she said with a teasing glint in her blue eyes, obv ious ly holding back laughter.  Gabe cringed when she added, " We'll have to get together soon, all three of us and have a girl's night ."
     
    "That sounds great , just give me a call at the Double B when you're free." Karlie gave her a thousand-watt smile and Gabe abou t melted to the vinyl-covered seat.
     
    "Hamburger and fries sound good to you, Karlie?" Gabe asked her shortly , desperate to quiet the gnawing in his stomach , and his chatty sister .
     
    "Cheeseburger for me please, side salad instead of fries...and sweet tea."
     
    "Got it, I'll be back in a flash with your drinks , " Sabrina told them , with a wink for Karlie.
     
    "Your sister seems to like what she's doing," Karlie told Gabe then added, "What did she do before she came here?"
     
    "Police detective in Phoenix . .. " he told her and grabbed a packet of saltines from the silver condiment rack.  Maybe the crackers would take the edge off his hunger , he thought.
     
    "Wow, she's so tiny, that surprises me...well not miniature, but not what you'd picture a female cop to be."

"Do not let her hear you say that," he hooted , then informed her, " And don't let her size fool you...she can kick some serious ass , but I'm glad she doesn't want to anymore ."  
     
    Well maybe she didn't want to kick bad guy ass, but Gabe was