The Rebel. Jan Hudson

painful.”

      Belle laughed. “Not really.”

      Daisy joined them, offering help. When Belle related her needs, Daisy said, “I know just the thing.” She grabbed a couple of bottles from the shelf, bustled to a rounder of pamphlets and pulled several. “These tell you everything you need to know. And I’d suggest some of our yogurt as well. It’s made just down the road, and it’s excellent. Delivered this morning.” She retrieved two containers from the cooler. “Are you going to be with us long?”

      “I hope not,” Belle said.

      Daisy and Flora both lifted eyebrows.

      “Is that a reflection of our hospitality?” Gabe said, clearly amused.

      “Oh, no. That came out wrong. The hospitality is first-rate, but I’m only here to get back on my feet after an illness. I’m hoping I’ll be stronger in a few days.”

      “Or a few weeks,” Gabe said.

      “Wimberley has a special healing power,” Daisy said.

      “You’ll be back up to snuff in no time. Why, just look at me. When I came here, the doctors said I had less than a year to live.”

      “I’m so sorry,” Belle said.

      “Don’t be,” Daisy replied with a grin. “That was fourteen years ago. I’m fit as a fiddle—except for my middle.” She laughed at her own joke and rang up their purchases. “The ice-cream shop next door is my downfall.”

      “My mother owns an ice-cream shop in my home town,” Belle told her. “I love the stuff, too. Banana nut sends me into ecstasy.”

      “I’ll have to remember that,” Gabe murmured beside her ear.

      A sudden flush warmed her, and Belle glanced quickly at Flora and Daisy, but they hadn’t heard. “Down, boy.”

      Gabe laughed. “Yes, ma’am. And for the record, chocolate does it for me. Want to stop in for a scoop? Or two?”

      “Not today. I’m fading fast.”

      “Damn! Sorry I didn’t pick up on that,” he said, scowling. “Let me get you to the car.”

      From his fierce expression, Belle was afraid that he’d throw her over his shoulder and take off. “Take it easy, Gabe. I’m okay. Just getting a bit tired. I’ve gotten too used to my afternoon nap.”

      “You’re pale as a ghost. I’ve let you do too much too soon.”

      “I’m fine, Gabe. Honestly.”

      He ignored her protests, grabbed the bags of merchandise and steered her out the door, leaving his mother to trail after them. He refused to listen to her objections and installed her in the front seat and began buckling her seat belt.

      She slapped his hands. “I can do that!”

      “Feeling out of sorts, are we?”

      She bit back a snotty reply. She felt six years old again, and she didn’t like it.

      Belle had thought her brothers overly protective, but Gabe could hold his own with any of them. Her brothers’ over-bearing behavior had always rankled, but after years of hissing and spitting on her part, they’d finally learned to back off and keep their mouths shut. Most of the time. She hated coddling. She was tougher than a two-dollar steak, and she didn’t need to be carried around on a silk pillow. The sooner Gabe Burrell figured that out, the better things would be.