Chapter 8

It was very late when they got back to the ranch. There, sitting in the driveway, was a beautiful little white car with a big red ribbon tied around it.

Michelle gaped at it. Her companions urged her closer.

She touched the trunk, where a sleek silver Jaguar emblem sat above the keyhole.

“It’s a Jag,” she stammered.

“It’s not the most expensive one,” Sara said quickly when Michelle gave them accusing glances. “In fact, it’s a midrange automobile. But it’s one of the safest cars on the road. Which is why we got it for you. Happy Graduation!”

She hugged Michelle.

“It’s too much,” Michelle stammered, touching the body with awe. She fought tears. “I never dreamed... Oh, it’s so...beautiful!” She turned and threw herself into Sara’s arms, hugging her close. “I’ll take such good care of it! I’ll polish it by the inch, with my own hands...!”

“Don’t I get a hug, too? It was my idea,” Gabriel said.

She laughed, turned and hugged him close. “Of course you do. Thank you! Gosh, I never dreamed you’d get me a car as a present!”

“You needed one,” Gabriel said at the top of her head. “You have to be able to drive to work for Minette in the summer. And you’ll need one to commute from college to home on weekends. If you want to come home that often,” he added.

“Why would I want to stay in the city when I can come down here and ride horses?” she asked, smiling up at him. He was such a dish, she thought dreamily.

Gabriel looked back at her with dark, intent eyes. She was beautiful. Men would want her. Other men.

“Well, try it out,” Sara said, interrupting tactfully. “I’ll help you untie the ribbon.”

“I’m never throwing the ribbon away!” Michelle laughed. “Oh. Wait!” She pulled out her cell phone and took a picture of the car in its bow.

“Stand beside it. We’ll get one of you, too,” Gabriel said, pulling out his own cell phone. He took several shots, smiling all the time. “Okay. Now get inside and try it out.”

“Who’s riding shotgun?” Michelle asked.

They looked worriedly at each other.

“It’s too late to take it out of the driveway,” Gabriel said finally. “Just start it up.”

Michelle stood at the door. It wouldn’t open.

“The key,” Sara prompted Gabriel.

“The key. Duh.” He chuckled. He dug it out of his pants pocket and handed it to Michelle. It was still warm from his body.

She looked at the fob in the light from the porch. “There’s no key.”

“You don’t need one.”

She unlocked the car and got inside. “There’s no gearshift!”

“See the start button?” Gabriel prompted. “Press it.”

She did. Nothing happened.