Someone To Watch Over Me (Harlequin Super Romance)

by Fox, Roz Denny

  But he was involved, and some present knew it. Seven pair of eyes stared at Gabe. Only Isabella’s remained glued to Ruby. He felt like an unknown blob slithering under a microscope. Though no one accused him in so many words, Gabe had the awkward feeling that the women in particular were aware he and Isabella had made love.

  He had no experience of standing up against a family unit. Still, he wasn’t about to let Isabella take the heat alone. “I realize you’re all close and I’m a maketo, but I suggest you let Isabella and me handle whatever’s between us.”

  Her gaze flew from Ruby to Gabe. “Didn’t I just say there’s nothing between us?”

  Gabe left the couch. “They don’t buy it. And I don’t, either. Which makes you a majority of one, honey. But I think at our age, the timetable for buying rings, booking a church and ordering a cake,” he said, tongue in cheek, “should be left up to us.”

  “Exactly. We’re way past the age where—good grief!” Close to apoplectic, Isabella turned red. Then white. Then sort of a sickly gray.

  Gabe directed her to the spot he’d vacated and breathed a deep sigh of relief when she sank down on the couch.

  “Did…ah…you…just propose to me?” Isabella, feeling woozy, put her head between her knees.

  “Yeah. Yeah, I did, as a matter of fact.”

  Isabella heard Gabe’s voice as though from afar.

  “Well, I did if you’ve got no objection to this being such a public announcement,” he muttered, wishing she’d say something in response.

  “I don’t. Object,” she eventually squeaked, obviously close to hyperventilating.

  “That’s good. Hey, did you all hear? She said yes…I think.” Gabe frowned down at her bent head.

  “Oh, but the timing stinks.” She raised her face, then bounded up from the couch. “It’ll leak out. Julian’s lawyers will have a field day trying to make me out as the town slut. Forget it. We must all be delirious.”

  “It won’t leak.” Gabe stared stonily at each member of Isabella’s family, leaving them in no doubt that he’d hammer anyone who dared breathe a word.

  Luisa wiped the grin off her face. She clapped to gain everyone’s attention. “Insurance is always best, yes? While some of us must go home tonight as formerly agreed, someone will stay. Always Bella and Gabriel will have a chaperone.”

  Gabe muttered in disbelief. And yet, Luisa’s plan made sense, given the current climate.

  Since no one else had a better solution, the Navarro family drew toothpicks that Benito broke and shuffled in his hand. Sylvia held up the short stick. She elbowed a confused Isabella. “Well, big sister, at long last the tables are turned. After all the years you bossed me, I finally get to make sure that you behave.”

  “I don’t believe this. None of this. I’m dreaming. Or else it’s a nightmare.” Isabella hung back, still reeling from all that had taken place. The majority of her family started packing to return home.

  “If the judge doesn’t think the trial is near winding down, he’ll probably recess for the weekend. Either way, we’ll spend Saturday and Sunday at home.” Gabe helped carry suitcases out to Joe’s truck. He waved as the two vehicles drove off.

  He nabbed Sylvia before she returned to the cottage. “I’m taking Isabella for a horseback ride. Just the two of us.”

  “Sure. For the record, Gabe, I think you’re a good sport. Mama and Papa and well, Rick and Ruby, too, are old-fashioned. I was twenty-three, yet Angel had to ask Papa if he could marry me.”

  “I like your family, Sylvia. I had folks who didn’t give a damn. I want to fit in.”

  She glanced uneasily toward the house, where Isabella was still in seclusion. “Easy does it talking about the future, Gabe. She’s grieving. That takes time.”

  Nodding, he ran ahead to ask Isabella to join him on the ride.

  A strong moon practically turned night into day as they rode; after half an hour Gabe thought enough time had passed in silence. “Let’s stop here a minute and walk along the lake. Then we’ll go back,” he said, stepping out of his stirrups.

  Isabella slid off her horse, a trim roan mare with a white face. Gabe’s gray gelding was taller, rangier. He adjusted his hold on the bridle and slowed his longer stride to match Isabella’s shorter steps.

  “It’s a beautiful night. Surreal. I—Gabe…”

  He broke in. “Isabella, I’m guilty of keeping things from you. Time was, I hated the night and would never have gone this near water. My mom got into drug use when I was a baby. She drowned in Galveston Bay when I was a boy. Suicide, some said. Others thought she’d dropped a needle and went in after it, and was caught in an outgoing tide.”

  “I’m so very sorry,” Isabella said, reaching up to stroke his face.

  “I…I just thought you should know.”

  “There’s more, right?”

  “Yes. The man I called Dad claimed I wasn’t his kid. The night after Mom died, he threw me out, bag and baggage. I ran away to the East Texas hills and slept in the woods until someone reported me to Child Services. For years I hated dark nights and the smell of pine.”

  Isabella rose on tiptoe and found Gabe’s lips. “I have to confess I asked Colt about your background. It was the night after we argued,” she said, dropping back down. “I know I’m not the only one who’s suffered at the hands of someone evil. We have a lot in common. Maybe that’s why I’ve always felt…I don’t know…comfortable with you. It’s just that I’m a mess with the trial and all. I said yes to your proposal, but…but what if I don’t deserve to be happy?”

  “It’s an inalienable right, Isabella. The right to pursue happiness.”

  “I’ve never told anyone, not even my family, Gabe. I live with the fear that I didn’t present enough facts in family court. I divorced Julian over his growing abuse. He never should’ve been awarded joint custody of Toni and Ramon. I should’ve done more to make the judge see that.”

  “You aren’t to blame,” Gabe assured her. “James nailed it when he called Julian a chameleon. A clever skunk who hid his stripes. Isabella, I won’t pressure you to set a wedding date. I’ll leave it for you to let me know when you’re ready.” Smiling, he boosted her back into her saddle. “I think we’ve probably stirred up enough ghosts for one night, don’t you? We’d better get back to the cottage before Sylvia calls the cops.”

  “She won’t. My family adores you, Gabe.”

  MIDMORNING OF THE NEXT DAY, the judge called for summations. Meyer went first. He sang the same old song for half an hour. James spoke eloquently and briefly on behalf of Isabella and her children.

  “No one could have advocated with greater passion,” Gabe reminded her and Sylvia as they watched the jury file out for the second time.

  “What happens now?” Isabella seemed terribly on edge.

  “Now we go to the cottage and wait. Hopefully this decision won’t take as long as the first one that found him fit to stand trial. In essence they’ve heard the same evidence twice.”

  Still, it was a somber threesome who sat around the cottage trying to pretend interest in television or reading. They all checked their watches frequently.

  Sylvia went into the kitchen to fix a lunch no one wanted. She managed to corner Gabe alone. “Angel is coming to get me. He should be here soon. We’ll both go back into court for the reading of the verdict. No matter how it turns out, I think you and Bella need to be alone during the drive home. Oh, and Angel said your garden’s done, Gabe. He said to tell you Mrs. Kent phoned. According to her, the place is even more than you dreamed. I know from Rick that you planned on the family attending a simple dedication. Take my advice, Gabe. Show it to Bella without anyone else there.”

  “I think you’re right. I can’t believe they finished it so fast.”

  During lunch Isabella didn’t eat a thing. Gabe and Sylvia nibbled.

  Angel blew in on a cloud of dust. “I’m hungry enough to eat a horse,” he said two seconds after he stepped out of his pickup. He scarfed u
p everything they hadn’t touched.

  At two-twenty the phone rang. Sylvia, Gabe and Isabella jumped to grab for it. They pulled back and let Isabella pick it up instead.

  “That was James,” she said, seemingly unable to return the receiver to the cradle. “This feels like déjà vu. We’re to be back there at three.”

  Gabe took the phone from her fingers. “I think we should go pack our things. I don’t see any need to come back here.”

  “What about the sentencing?” Angel asked.

  Isabella gave him a hollow-eyed stare. “They’ll only sentence him if we won. If his team won, he’ll go quietly to a private sanitarium and stay there until Javier and Elena can convince some doctor to declare him cured.”

  “Here, now. Let’s have some positive thinking, shall we?” Gabe urged everyone again to pack their things.

  He’d seen Isabella nervous before, but never like this. No longer caring what Julian’s lawyer might make of it, Gabe slid a bracing arm around her shoulders the moment they sat.

  The ritual of seating the court secretary and those in attendance being asked to rise for the judge had become commonplace. Yet the process seemed to drift by in slow motion this time.

  Gabe held Isabella tight when the jury filed in. All eyes swung to the rows of jurors.

  Weller let the group be seated before he requested the defendant’s team to ready themselves for the verdict. Meyer wheeled Julian to the table and the team rose. The judge asked the foreman of the jury to stand. “How finds the jury in the capital offense case, the state of Oregon vs. Julian Arana in the wrongful death of Antonia Maria Arana?”

  “The jury finds Mr. Arana guilty, your honor.”

  Isabella slumped against Gabe. He tightened his grip.

  “How finds the jury in the capital offense case, the state of Oregon vs. Julian Arana in the wrongful death of Ramon Benito Arana?”

  “The jury finds him guilty, your honor.”

  Gabe expected Isabella to burst into tears at the joyous news. She remained dry-eyed as the judge brought order to the buzzing courtroom.

  Weller struck his gavel five times, drawing all eyes back to him. “The defendant will be remanded to the Deschutes County Jail until such time as his sentencing will take place. In looking at my calendar, I see thirty days from today is free. All parties will be notified as to time and exact location.”

  Gabe congratulated James, while Isabella remained in some kind of a stupor.

  They were together in the SUV driving home before she spoke. “I thought I would feel better. More relieved. I feel as empty as ever. What’s wrong with me, Gabe?”

  He squeezed her hand, wishing he could stop and take her in his arms. “Give it time to sink in. You’ve lived with this hanging over you for almost a year.”

  “I heard James say Judge Weller isn’t known for giving harsh sentences. So it’s not really over. Not until I know Julian’s off the streets for good.”

  They sank into silence again, Gabe wondering if Isabella could ever move beyond this day. Even after the sentencing, would she forgive herself?

  “I have something I’d like you to see,” Gabe said, rousing himself when they neared the outskirts of Callanton.

  She stirred. “Oh, Gabe. I’m exhausted. I just want to go home and sleep for a week. Maybe a month. Until the sentencing, at least.”

  “This won’t take long.” He turned onto Main Street and parked a hundred or so yards from the garden. As they approached the spot, he saw Jamie Kent attaching a pinwheel to what appeared to be the final stake. She glanced up and noticed them at almost the same moment.

  “Gabe,” she exclaimed, stripping off a glove to extend her hand. “I—oh, gosh, is this Isabella?”

  Gabe made the introductions. The lovely blond landscape architect murmured an excuse and slipped away soon after.

  Taking Isabella’s hand, Gabe led her up a cinder path that wound among a fairy garden. A stiff breeze propelled pinwheels of all sizes and colors. “I’m calling it a healing garden,” Gabe said, urging Isabella to sit on a stone bench, where she could read the simple brass plaque embedded in a rock.

  “In memory of Antonia and Ramon Navarro,” she whispered. “Oh, Gabriel, it’s exactly the kind of place they would’ve loved.” Falling to her knees to trace a finger over their names, she gazed up at Gabe through a sheen of tears. Tears she couldn’t seem to shut off, even though he lifted her up and sat her on his lap. People walked by on the street and still she sobbed. The sun had begun to sink in the west when Isabella finally mopped away the last of her tears.

  “I love you, Gabe. I’ve…been too afraid to admit it.” Sitting up, she took his face gently between her hands, rubbing her thumbs restlessly over his lips. “You understood from the beginning that I haven’t been able to say goodbye to Toni and Ramon. Maybe now… I thank you with all my heart. This truly is a healing garden.”

  He kissed her, letting the warmth from his lips slowly absorb the frost that had permanently invaded hers. “Healing doesn’t happen all at once, Isabella. I’m happy the garden pleases you. I love you. You say you love me. It’s enough for now.” He carried her to the car, not giving a damn about the stares of passersby. He was content thinking they’d spend the next thirty days getting to know each other. Although, even now, when he looked at her huddled in the corner, Gabe felt Julian Arana’s shadow standing between them.

  EPILOGUE

  THIRTY DAYS WHIZZED PAST. Neither Isabella nor Gabe could believe it was time for Julian’s sentencing. But Isabella received a letter from the court, naming the date, time and place. The final phase had arrived at last.

  The night before the event, they discussed it under a star-studded sky as they relaxed in Gabe’s newly installed hot tub.

  “It’s hard to imagine I’ve been able to put Julian completely out of my mind since the trial,” Isabella murmured, nestling her head on Gabe’s bare shoulder. “I hope the sentencing doesn’t end up bringing the whole horrid nightmare back to me.”

  Gabe kissed her temple. “You’ve come a long way in thirty days, sweetheart. Ask anyone.”

  “I have you to thank. For so many things,” she said hesitantly. “I’m feeling less and less guilty—I’ve almost stopped thinking I played some part in what happened to my children. Now I’m feeling guilt of a different kind. Not a day passes that someone in my family doesn’t bring up weddings. Rick gives me a certain look when he knows I’m sneaking home after leaving your bed. And you, Gabe. You’ve been more patient than I’ve got any right to expect.”

  He drew her closer, well aware of how much time Isabella spent wandering through the healing garden. Not that he minded her stopping there after work. It was, after all, why he’d commissioned Jamie Kent to build it. Besides, studying for the bar kept him occupied.

  What bothered Gabe was the idea of Isabella stealing across the road in the dawn hours. But he’d promised that he wouldn’t pressure her to set a wedding date. And he’d keep that promise.

  “What time do you want to leave for Bend in the morning?”

  “Six o’clock. Are you sure you can afford the time off to take me?” she asked, rising as Gabe reached to shut off the jets. “I know how hard you’re studying.”

  “The whole family’s going. Even Trini, our new M.A. Believe it or not, Christina found a baby-sitter she trusts, so she and Manny will be backing you, too.”

  “That’s good. I need all the support I can get right now.”

  “It’s only eight. Shall we dress and run over to the church to light a couple of candles? Or is that overkill?”

  “Oh, Gabe. That’s perfect. I should’ve thought of it myself.”

  They went. Gabe almost wished he hadn’t suggested it since Isabella became once again the brooding woman he’d first met. They parted later without kissing. Gabe tried not to attach a whole lot of importance to that fact.

  She didn’t look any calmer the next morning when he picked her up, and they led the Navarro caravan on t
he highway to Bend. His concern deepened.

  “Do you mind if we don’t talk, Gabe? I didn’t sleep at all. I’m too edgy to concentrate. I hope the judge gives Julian a hundred years. A hundred years, or life without parole.”

  Once they disembarked at the courthouse, they went in search of the courtroom. A different, smaller one than last time. And it was packed. There didn’t seem to be good air flow, and for May, it was hot.

  “I almost forgot to tell you, Isabella. Colt phoned last night. He and Summer wanted to come, but she has her ultrasound today. He’s excited about finding out whether they’re going to have a boy or a girl. I think he wants a girl.”

  “She’s brave, having another baby. I’ll never go through that again.” Her eyes weren’t on Gabe when she made the announcement, but were locked on Julian, who’d abandoned his wheelchair to sit next to his attorney.

  Gabe froze. He wanted a family like the ones her brothers and sisters had. Having kids was something they hadn’t discussed, and now he wondered why.

  As before, everyone in the room was asked to stand for Judge Weller’s entry. As before, he got right to it. “I’ve given this case my full attention,” he said, letting his eyes roam from prosecution to defense and back to prosecution. “The prosecution requested life for each child. The defense argues for leniency, given that Mr. Arana’s health has been compromised by his exposure to carbon monoxide.”

  Weller adjusted his glasses, and Gabe found himself doing the same with his. “After much consideration,” Weller said, “I’m ready to sentence Mr. Arana. Will the defendant please rise.”

  Julian shuffled to his feet, helped by Tom Meyer.

  “Mr. Arana, I sentence you to thirty years for the wrongful death of Antonia Arana, and a second thirty years for the wrongful death of Ramon Arana. Both shall be served without option of parole. Do you understand what I’ve said?”

  Julian nodded once.

  Isabella turned to Gabe. “A paltry sixty years is all he’s getting?”

  “Sweetheart, it’s without parole. He’ll be ninety-six by the time he’s released—assuming he lives that long. He doesn’t appear in the best of health.”