by Lois Richer
“The puppies would be small at first, but they’d grow. Just like you,” Gabe added. Maybe this was all too much for the kid. Maybe he should have done some work on the place first.
“It can’t hunt birds?” the boy insisted.
“We’ll teach it not to.” Was that his imagination or did Eli’s shoulders relax a little?
“There’s lot of trees.” Eli wandered over to a row of poplar trees that lined the driveway. “Birds live here, right?” he asked Olivia.
Gabe’s heart sank. I’m right here, son. Talk to me.
“I don’t know much about birds, Eli.” Olivia hunkered down to look into his eyes. “But your dad has lived around here for a long time. You should ask him.”
Eli looked at Gabe soundlessly.
“Owls, chickadees, robins, swallows, geese on the pond, blue jays. Those are just a few of the birds that live in these parts.” Gabe watched Eli digest that.
“Are chickadees like canaries?” His son’s blue eyes sparked with interest.
“Not exactly. Sometimes they have a bit of yellow on their stomachs,” Gabe explained. “But mostly they’re kind of gray and brown so they can hide in the bush. Sometimes in the summer we get a bird that looks a lot like a canary, though I think they’re a variety of finch. They usually come if you feed them niger seed, but they always leave for the winter.”
“They gotta eat.” Interest flared in Eli’s eyes. “So I can draw ’em.”
“Sure. We’ll build a feeder. No problem.” Gabe heaved a sigh of relief. One hurdle over.
“Then I think it’d be good,” Eli said quietly. “’Cept I don’t like that house.”
“It will be gone. There will be a new one in its place,” Gabe assured him. “But we’ll have to pick it out before they can deliver it.”
“Oh.” Eli fell silent, apparently intrigued by a house moving.
“We’ll have to leave pretty soon,” Olivia said. “The party for Art and Mavis is supposed to start in an hour.” She mussed Eli’s hair with a smile. “I can hardly wait to see your painting.”
“The secret will be over then.” Eli looked at Gabe, his little face very serious. “It’s okay?”
“It looks beautiful, son. You did an amazing job.” Gabe’s heart sang at this first bit of father-son sharing. “Before we leave, let’s walk around where our house will go. You can tell me if you think we need to add some other things.”
Eli turned to survey the road they’d driven in on, then looked at him with a question in his eyes. Gabe burst out laughing.
“I agree. Getting that road graded should be number one on our to-do list.” He caught Olivia’s glance on him. Her gray eyes shone approvingly, and that sent a ruffle of warmth shooting through him.
Surprised by this unusual reaction, Gabe asked himself why. Olivia was a friend, a good friend. He wasn’t interested in anything more. Was he?
They spent the next half hour chatting about possibilities. Olivia had many suggestions, some outlandish, but most extremely practical. She was a natural at organization, at seeing possibilities. She was the one who’d encouraged him to take this step. Gabe needed to think of a way to thank her.
“We’ve got to get a move on if we’re going to make it to the housewarming,” she chided him after he’d fallen into thought.
“Okay. Wait a minute.” Gabe reached out and plucked a leaf from her hair, then brushed a ladybug off her shoulder. “Okay, good to go.”
“Thanks.” She seemed to suddenly withdraw though he was fairly certain she never moved a muscle.
“Olivia?” he asked, confused. “Is something wrong?”
“Of course not. Let’s go.” Whirling away, she raced Eli to his truck, helped the child into the middle and climbed in behind him. The slam of her door made Gabe stir. He gave her a quick glance after he’d started the truck, but Olivia was turned away, her face hidden.
It felt like something had changed between them.
But what?
Chapter Five
“Ta-da.” Gabe ripped away the paper covering their artwork on the outbuilding.
“It’s marvelous!”
As Olivia gushed over their painting at Art’s ranch, Gabe stood with the paper balled in his arms, grinning like an idiot.
“Where did you learn how to do this?” she asked Eli. “Those baby birds in the nest and the little squirrel carrying an acorn—they’re beautiful.” As if aware she’d excluded him, she twisted to smile at Gabe. “Your painting is nice, too,” she offered.
“Nice.” He burst out laughing. “Timid praise indeed, Olivia.” In the moment that his gaze held hers, he noticed she was blushing. She quickly turned away. “Eli and I make a good painting team.”
“You sure do. In fact, this whole place looks amazing.” She clasped her hands like a kid awaiting Christmas. Just another thing Gabe appreciated about Olivia. She wholeheartedly delighted in another’s joy. “I can hardly wait for Art and Mavis to get here.”
“Don’t have to wait. Here they come,” he said, just loudly enough for the assembled group to hear. Everyone stilled, watching the elderly couple’s car slow and then stop in the driveway. Eyes wide, Art took it all in before helping Mavis out of the car.
“Welcome home,” Aunt Tillie said as she hurried forward to welcome the pair.
“We hope you won’t mind that we took some liberties,” Margaret added, matching her sister step for step.
“Some? You’ve done so much,” Mavis breathed. “Roses! They’re stunning. And the house.” She took in each of the changes with little gasps of joy. “Look what they’ve done, Art,” she crowed. “Just look.”
“I see it, girl. New paint, new roof, deck’s fixed—oh, it’s too much.” Tears welled and rolled down his weary face. “How can we ever thank you?”
“You don’t thank friends for helping out, Arthur.” Gabe stepped forward and shook his hand.
“He’s right.” Tillie smiled. “You’re our friends. We love you. We don’t want you moving away from us because of a few little problems.”
“A few? Oh, my!” Mavis gaped at the outbuildings that Gabe and Eli had painted. “Who did that?”
Gabe watched as Olivia eased Eli forward and explained. Mavis wrapped her arms around the boy and hugged him fiercely.
“If you knew how often I’ve sat here, wishing for something prettier to look at. I just love those birds, Eli,” she said softly. “Thank you.”
“Welcome,” Eli answered politely, looking, Gabe thought, a little shocked by all the attention.
Duty done, Gabe now encouraged his son to join the other kids, which Eli did, though he stood to one side until Mikey grabbed his hand.
“It’s a glorious day, so come enjoy your deck, my dears,” Margaret enthused. “The men built this ramp for you to get up and down more easily.” She hooked her arm in Mavis’s and, with Tillie on the other side, walked the woman slowly up the incline and escorted her to one of the big wooden chairs with their gaily striped cushions.
“Those cushions weren’t here yesterday.” Gabe glanced at Olivia, knowing they were another of her “ideas.”
“I only finished them last night. Adirondack chairs are comfortable, but according to Aunt Margaret, a little padding doesn’t hurt.” She tilted her head to one side. “Are the fabrics too bright? I pieced from Aunt Tillie’s quilt stash to make the cushions and the hanging.”
“I think they look amazing.” He studied the Welcome hanging for a minute. “You used the dark green of the trim—was that color your choice?”
“The painter asked the aunties. They asked me and, well—” She blushed but nodded. “I heard Mavis loves green. It seemed appropriate.”
“I don’t know how you do it.” He stared at her. “I’ve known this couple for ages and I never knew about Mavis’s preference for green. Yet you’re here
for a couple of weeks and...”
“Something the aunts mentioned.” As usual Olivia shrugged off his praise though she looked pleased. “Aunt Tillie suggested using the same tone for a feature wall in the living room. I checked, and it looks stunning with that wood floor and the cream walls.”
“The cream was also your choice. And perfect,” Gabe added, seeing the truth on her face.
Everyone paused as the pastor asked a blessing over their picnic. He then invited folks to savor the lemonade and fresh cherry pie.
“Adele?” Gabe guessed.
“She wanted to contribute. Since the cherries are early this year and very plentiful...” Olivia blushed again at his knowing look. “I thought it would be a shame not to take advantage of the bounty, that’s all.”
“That’s all,” he agreed with a grin.
“Want to get in line?” she asked, ducking her head in that way she had that hid her expressive eyes.
“Of course.” He panned a droll look. “When have you known me to miss out on pie, Olivia?”
“Right, silly question.” She glanced around. “I love the benches scattered here and there. One under that big maple, another beside the roses and a third near the garden. Who built them?”
“Ben conned me into helping him do it. After he saw a sketch you left lying around.” Gabe’s admiration for the way her brain brimmed with ideas had grown exponentially in the past weeks.
“Not much of a sketch compared to Eli’s work,” she demurred before speaking to a burly man in front of them. “Thanks for making those metal picnic tables, Victor. They’re amazing.”
“Welding part was easy,” the man said with a grin. “The wife painted ’em with enough coats of weather-resistant paint they should be good outside for many years. I’m glad you thought of a way I could help. I can just see Art and Mavis feedin’ their grandkids on ’em.”
“Me, too,” Olivia agreed with a—wistful?—smile. Something glinted in her eyes. Longing? For this? Well, no wonder. He thought a do like this was pretty special, too.
After they’d retrieved their pie, Gabe’s coffee and her lemonade, they found a lush grassy spot under a flowering lilac and sat down together. He ate in contented silence, occasionally glancing around to greet friends and neighbors who’d come to welcome the couple home. For Gabe this was what life was about—communities caring for each other. He was thrilled his two friends would now find life much easier on their beloved ranch.
“Is there anything you don’t think of, Olivia?” Gabe asked, noticing several burgeoning planters strategically placed here and there. That had happened sometime after his departure yesterday, too. Good thing he’d covered Eli’s painting. “You have your fingers in a lot of lives around here. Chokecherry Hollow, The Haven, the church. Our whole community is better off for you being here, receiving your special touch.”
“I haven’t done much, but that’s nice of you to say. You like it here a lot, don’t you, Gabe?” Her silver-gray eyes studied him.
“I do. I chose Chokecherry Hollow because it’s very much like the small community I grew up in. Neighbors caring for neighbors. Like today.” Satisfaction bloomed inside at the sound of laughter and happiness filling the yard. How could Eve not have wanted this life?
The same old flare of antagonism threatened to spoil his afternoon, so Gabe tamped it down. Memories of Eve couldn’t be allowed to tarnish one second of his time with Olivia.
“I’ve loved my holiday here.” She looked around as if she was fixing the scene in her mind to take out and remember later. Her gaze lingered for a moment on Eli, who still hadn’t joined in playing with the other kids. She moved as if she was about to go to him but then the dreamy expression in her eyes drained away. That fear of getting too close to children again, Gabe guessed.
“You love it here, but you’ll still leave The Haven?” It wasn’t really a question. He could see the resolve fill her face.
“Of course. I start a new job in September, remember?” Olivia calmly finished her lemonade.
“September?” Gabe frowned in confusion. “I had the impression it started next month.”
“Nope. September 21,” she said.
“But this is only June. What’s the rush to leave? Summer is very busy at The Haven. They could use an extra pair of hands,” he said with a frown. “Especially your organizing hands.”
“I’ve already stayed longer than I intended to, Gabe. I need some time to organize my new life. I don’t know Edmonton anymore after so many years living in the East. It will take time to find a place to live. Also, I’m not as familiar as I’d like to be with my new employer’s business, so I need time to prepare with some research.”
“You and your research.” He caught her watching Eli’s attempt to befriend a child afraid of Art’s dog.
“Research is what I do, Gabe,” Olivia said absently. A slight smile curved her lips. “Look at your son. He’s making friends.”
“That’s also thanks to you,” he said quietly. “You’ve helped Eli feel comfortable when I couldn’t. I appreciate it. But there’s so much more he needs to figure out and I’m not sure how to help him or what to do to get him to truly trust me.”
“You do know, Gabe. It’s all in here.” She tapped his chest, right over his heart. “Just be his dad, day in, day out. Love him. No matter what. You’ll figure it out.” She shrugged as if it was simple. “Anyway, it’s not like I’m leaving tonight. I have a few more days here.”
“Good.” He grinned. “In that case can you come with Eli and me to look at houses tomorrow?”
“What’s the rush?” Olivia said, but he sensed her approval. “I had to nag you to buy that land. You were very reluctant.”
“Now the decision’s made I want to get on with creating a home for Eli.” Gabe arched one eyebrow. “I think it would be good to get him settled before school starts. Don’t you agree?”
“Wholeheartedly,” she assured him with a smile.
Had she agreed only for Eli’s sake? Or did she really believe in his ability to be a good dad?
They spent the next two hours visiting with others who’d stopped by to welcome Art and Mavis home. Then Olivia said she needed to get back to The Haven.
Gabe didn’t want to hear that. He enjoyed her company and didn’t want it to end. Not enjoyed her company in the romantic sense, he told himself, but because he had nowhere to go except back to his bunkhouse, where he’d be alone again since Eli was going to a new friend’s house for something called a playdate, which Olivia had arranged.
Pathetic life, cowboy.
Nevertheless, he asked her, “What’s the rush to leave?”
“I’m rebooting The Haven’s entire computer system tonight so the new programming can take effect. That means going offline,” she explained after they’d said goodbye and Gabe was driving toward The Haven. “Probably at midnight since Vic doesn’t need anything then. But once it’s back up and running, I have to go through everything, make sure there aren’t any glitches before they start using it again.”
“Sounds like a big deal,” he mused, wishing he was more computer literate so he could understand exactly what Olivia was doing.
“It won’t be a big deal if my new program runs as planned. If it doesn’t—” She made a face. “Let’s just say I intend to have everything running smoothly by the time The Haven wakes up tomorrow morning.”
“Meaning you’ll be up all night—again.” Eli had told him how he’d woken last night to see Olivia walking her Aunt Tillie up and down the hall to work off some type of severe leg cramp.
Gabe admired Olivia’s stamina. She couldn’t have had much rest last night. She’d had a full day with Victoria’s office to-do list, and he was pretty sure she’d already made several trips to Art and Mavis’s before he’d met up with her at noon yet still looked fresh and ready to take on more challenges
.
“I’m a little nervous about the reboot. Pray that all goes well, will you, Gabe?” she said quietly as they pulled onto The Haven’s circular driveway.
“Sure.” He wondered about the uncertainty in her voice. “Do you pray about your work a lot?” he asked, then grimaced. “Sorry. Too personal.”
“It’s okay.” Olivia shrugged. “I pray a lot about everything. I just don’t feel like I get answers very often.” She grimaced. “Don’t tell my aunties that.”
“I’m sure they’ve gone through the same thing,” he said quietly, surprised Olivia had doubts about her faith. He’d never have imagined this competent woman doubted anything.
“Maybe when they first became missionaries they had doubts, though I doubt it. I’m pretty sure the aunties’ faith is rock solid now and has been for years.” She tilted her head to one side. “What about you?”
“What about me?” Gabe didn’t want to talk about himself when she watched him so closely.
“When you pray, do you feel like you get the answers you need, Gabe?”
He inhaled. It was an honest question. He couldn’t just brush her off, but he didn’t have a good answer, either.
“Sorry. Too personal.” Olivia shook her head, her face rueful. “Never mind.”
“I don’t always feel like I get the answers I want,” Gabe admitted quietly. He switched off the motor and silence yawned between them. Olivia had asked for his help and he wanted to give it, to give back something in return for all she’d done for him and Eli. “The pastor did a study on prayer a while ago,” he mused aloud. “It really made me think about how I pray, not that I’m great at it, but it did bring a new perspective.”
“Go on.” Olivia studied him as if she needed to hear his answer.
“I don’t know if I can recall everything he said.” She waited, hands folded in her lap, so Gabe shrugged and repeated what he remembered. “Basically, he started with trust. If we trust God, really trust Him, we can live without worry because we’ll expect He’ll take care of us. The ‘cast your cares’ verse figured into that lesson a lot.”
