Gabriel Brown: Collection of Short Alaskan Bush People Fan Fics

The Painting

Gabe looked more closely at the small painting hanging on the wall. His blue eyes widened and a grin took over his face.

"That's me." He looked around the small shop to see if anyone had heard him.

Standing in the small souvenir shop in town, Gabe had been impatiently waiting for his brother Matt to finish negotiating with the store clerk. Matt was trying to sell some of his artwork, but seemed to be spending more time flirting than selling. Gabe's attention had wandered and he started looking at all the art hanging on the walls. There were so many similar paintings of the Hoonah dock all jammed together on the wall that he almost missed the small brightly colored painting hung just below eye level. The name painted on the side of the boat was the first thing that jumped out at him. 'The Integrity.' Gabe moved in for a closer look and that was when he saw the five figures standing on the roof deck of the boat. The detail was amazing and he could make out the white bear claw dangling from Bear's necklace and even the gold rims on Bam's glasses.

"This is great." He whispered as his eye fell on his own painted form. The artist had captured his curly hair and his wide grin in great detail. Gabe pulled an embarrassed face when he realized that the artist had also painted the gray paint splotch on his white tank-top.

"Awkward." He mumbled. But he was impressed. He squinted a bit to make out the name of the artist and his smile returned when he saw that the name was a woman's name. He tried not to let his imagination run wild when he saw the name. She could be too young for him, or married. But Gabe couldn't stop smiling and he couldn't stop thinking about the painting either.

"Ready to go?" Matt called out from behind him.

"Yeah. I just need to ask a quick question." Gabe pointed toward you as you stood behind the counter. Matt continued on toward the door to wait outside.

Making eye contact with you, Gabe asked, "Do you know who painted that one right there?" He pointed to the small painting of the Integrity.

"Yes." You answered hesitantly. You had been watching Gabe the whole time Matt was trying to sell you his artwork. Matt had been so focused on showing you the small metal birds and flirting, that he hadn't noticed your gaze constantly moving beyond him to peer at Gabe. Now as he stood in front of you, you chewed on your bottom lip nervously as you glanced up at Gabe's blue eyes. As you opened your mouth to tell him who the artist was, he smiled. Your breath caught in your throat at the sight of his beautiful smile and you almost didn't get the words out.

"I painted it." You felt the heat rise to your face as Gabe's eyes widened. You would never forget that day. It had taken only thirty minutes to finish the painting. Your brushes had practically flown over the canvas. As you watched the brothers move around the deck of the integrity, your eye continued to seek out Gabe. You imagined what a painting of just Gabe would be like. Your mind began to imagine the colors you would use, the brushstrokes you would employ to capture Gabe's likeness.

"I can't believe I didn't see you painting us that day." His eyes dipped down to your bottom lip, still moist from having been trapped between your teeth. "I'm Gabriel Brown." He held out one large hand for you to shake.

"I know." You admitted with a shy smile as you let your small hand be swallowed up in his.

Gabe's hand tightened on yours and your shy smile grew larger and more confident. He leaned closer and you could see the individual curls of his sideburns and your fingers ached to reach out to stroke their softness.

"Your painting is beautiful." His deep voice was sweet but so sexy that you felt your chest start to rise and fall as your breathing accelerated.

"Thank you." It was all you could manage to mutter.

You weren't sure what to say next but Gabe didn't seem to care. He kept looking into your eyes and holding onto your hand and even though you knew you were still in the small store, it felt like the two of you were alone in your own private world. No one and nothing else mattered in that moment.

"I know you've seen the Integrity from the outside." Gabe's voice broke the silence. "But would you like to see the boat from the inside?"

"Yes." You answered without hesitation.

"Now?" Gabe asked with eyebrows raised.

"Yes." You grabbed the store keys and slipped from behind the counter, moving with Gabe toward the front door.

As you walked down the busy street with Gabe, still holding tightly to his hand, your mind began to plan the painting of Gabe you would create. You imagined the colors you would use, the brushstrokes you would employ to capture Gabe's likeness.

The painting would be beautiful.