In a Mother’s Arms

by Jillian Hart

  “That was awful!” Luke whined to Gabe.

  Gabe had to agree. They’d spent the day calling on anyone in Guthrie Corners who might have supported Cassie. People had been friendly until he’d stated the purpose of the visit. When he’d suggested Millie could use new table linens and that Cassie had them on sale, the café owner had given a firm shake of her head.

  “It’s not about Cassie,” Millie had said. “I admire the woman for trying. But if I tick off the Drakes, I’ll be hurting for business, too.”

  Next he and Luke had visited Dale and Jenny Archer. Mrs. Archer had looked sympathetic, even irked, but Mr. Archer had given a firm shake of his head and insisted on staying out of the tangle with the Drakes.

  Betty Lou’s dress shop had been locked up tight.

  Pete Doyle didn’t have time for fancy things.

  They’d visited Ian Glebe, Margaret’s father, last of all. Gabe had told the man what had happened and how Luke had come to his daughter’s defense. Mr. Glebe acknowledged Luke with a curt “Thank you,” then he’d been blunt regarding Cassie. “I can’t help her, Deputy. You know the Drakes. I’ll be next on their list. With four children to feed—and no wife—I can’t risk it.”

  Gabe had no right to judge the man, but the decision struck him as gutless.

  Last of all, they went to the bank to speak with William Drake. “Wait here,” he said to Luke.

  As the boy lingered on the boardwalk, Gabe walked into the building. No tellers were at the counter, so Drake himself came out of his glassed-in office.

  “Good morning, Deputy,” he said. “What can I do for you?”

  “I’m here about Billy.”

  Drake looked bored. “What about him?”

  Gabe deliberately kept his hands relaxed and his tone low. “Last night wasn’t as simple as you might have heard. Your son was bullying Margaret Glebe. Luke stopped him.”

  The banker huffed. “I hardly think you’re objective.”

  “Then speak to Margaret.”

  “Is there anything else, Deputy?” His tone reeked of sarcasm.

  “I’ve done my duty,” Gabe countered. “The rest is up to you and Mrs. Drake. But be warned, sir. Your son is headed for trouble.”

  Drake’s hair, slick with pomade, shone in the light. “Boys will be boys. It’s not a problem.”

  “It is if no one teaches them right from wrong.” Gabe didn’t have time for the man’s nonsense. He’d said his piece and he wanted to get to Cassie. He wished the attorney well and left. Outside he found Luke and they headed for Cassie’s shop. The moment of truth had come. The mercantile would be humming with customers, or it would be dead quiet.

  When they reached the front of the store, Luke tried the knob. “It’s locked.”

  Gabe peered through the window. Not a spoon had moved. The bolts of cloth sat untouched and uncut. He didn’t see Cassie anywhere.

  “Go on up,” he said to Luke. “I need to do something before I speak with your ma.” Later today he’d hand her the train tickets with the opal ring.

  After Luke slipped inside, Gabe headed for the depot. He bought the tickets for two weeks’ time, long enough for Cassie to close up the shop and for Gabe to give notice that he’d be leaving his job. If he couldn’t sell his house, he’d rent it out. With the tickets in his shirt pocket, he headed home.

  As he opened the door, he saw an envelope on the rug, face up bearing his name in Cassie’s curly writing. Fourteen years turned into a mist and burned away with the heat of anger. Another goodbye…Another rejection. He relived the humiliation of standing alone in church. He felt the burning in his gut. Once again, she’d lacked the courage to face him.

  Gabe stared at Cassie’s handwriting for a long time. Did he really want to marry this woman? Looking at the curls of his name, large and bold and in Cassie’s hand, he thought of her stubborn pride, her irritating ways…and he knew. He could stand anything except another “Dear Gabe” letter. What she had to say, she could say to his face.

  He set the letter on the side table without reading it. Tomorrow after church, he’d call on her and speak his mind.

  Cassie waited all afternoon and long into the evening for Gabe to come to her. She’d poured her deepest feelings into the letter and he’d chosen to ignore it. She didn’t blame him. From Luke she’d learned that they’d made calls and been rejected by everyone except Margaret. Gabe had come face-to-face with the scorn Cassie had predicted, and he’d changed his mind about marrying her. She didn’t blame him a bit.

  By morning, she’d lost all hope that he’d come to her. She wanted to go to church, but she also wanted their next encounter to be in private. Later today she’d go to his house, but right now she had work to do. The unsold merchandise had to be shipped back to Chicago, so after breakfast she and Luke went downstairs. Together they hauled the crates from the storeroom and began clearing the shelves.

  Feeling bereft, she looked at the dishes she treasured. Fragile and pretty, she’d pack them last with extra care. She and Luke worked in companionable silence, each lost in thought until someone pounded on the door. She opened it and saw Gabe. He’d worn his dark suit to church and had pulled his hat low to shield his eyes, either from the sun or from her, she didn’t know.

  “Hello, Gabe.”

  “Cassie.”

  She couldn’t stop staring at his jaw. Clean shaven and hard-set, it reminded her of oak and marble.

  “May I come in?” He’d issued an order.

  “Of course.”

  She opened the door just enough for him to slip inside, then closed it. Luke saw him and stood straight, but he didn’t speak a greeting. Instead the men—Luke had that air today—traded a look of silent understanding.

  Her son headed for the door. “I’m going upstairs.”

  Cassie knew what the next minutes held. Gabe would tell her that he’d changed his mind about marrying her. She’d force a smile and say she understood. They’d part with a handshake and a promise to stay in touch for Luke’s sake. She’d do all those things with her head high.

  As Gabe took off his hat, she looked into his eyes. “You must have gotten my letter.”

  “I sure did.” He spat the words.

  Cassie didn’t understand. She’d expected a hard goodbye, but it wasn’t like Gabe to be cruel. “I’m sorry.”

  “Why, Cassie?”

  He’d asked her that question in Reverend Hall’s office and she’d confessed the truth. This time she didn’t understand it. She’d said everything in the letter. She wrinkled her brows. “Why what?”

  Gabe reached between the pages of his Bible, took out the envelope and held it out with disgust. “You could have at least told me in person.”

  Looking down, she studied the crisp folds of the paper and the unsmudged ink. With her fingers trembling, she took the envelope and felt the wax seal, still unbroken, against her thumb. The fool man hadn’t read the letter! He’d taken it for another rejection. Her heart soared with hope, but she didn’t let it show.

  “You’re right,” she said.

  His eyes stayed hard, challenging. “Read it out loud. We can both hear the foolishness.”

  Cassie popped the wax with her fingernail, removed the two pages and began to read.

  My Dearest Gabe,

  For fourteen years I’ve wandered this earth without you, yet you’ve lived in my dreams and dwelled in my heart. In those secret places where a woman keeps her truest treasure—her love, her family—I’ve kept those memories of you. Today they’re more alive than ever. I love you. I always have and always will.

  “Cassie—” his voice broke and he reached for her.

  She stepped back. “Let me finish.” He’d waited a long time for this moment and so had she.

  “Last night you told me again that you loved me. In a moment of selfish pride, I said I didn’t trust you to take care of Luke and me. This morning, with the help of a child, I came to my senses. Your love is more than enough. It’s everythi
ng a woman could want. If you’ll still have me, I’d be honored to be your wife. Nothing would give me greater joy. I know that Luke loves you, too.”

  She heard his breathing, heavy and unsteady. Her own matched it with a ragged cadence. She wanted nothing more than to go into his arms, but she had to finish reading.

  “I’ll be waiting for you, my love. Tonight and always.

  Love, Cassie.”

  With her heart pounding, she looked into Gabe’s eyes. They had a sheen of love and a spark of possession. Knowing that she’d treasure this moment as much as he would, he kissed her with a tender vengeance. “You scared me to death!” he whispered between breaths. “I thought you were leaving again.”

  “Never.”

  With their cheeks touching, she felt him smile as he murmured into her ear. “I have a surprise for you, too.”

  “What?”

  “I’ve got three train tickets in my pocket. If you want to leave town, that’s fine but I’m going with you.”

  “Oh, Gabe.”

  “We’d get married first, of course.”

  Cassie grinned. “Today?”

  “Sure.”

  She wanted to jump and clap like a child. “Let’s tell Luke. He’ll be so happy.”

  Grinning, he hooked his arm around her waist and kissed her again. Just as their lips touched, the front door opened. A month ago she’d have jumped to make a sale. Today she called to the customer from across the room. “The store’s closed.”

  Gabe’s eyes twinkled. “Go on. Make a last sale.”

  Chuckling, Cassie broke from his arms, looked down the aisle and saw Ian Glebe. After a glance at Gabe, he spoke to Cassie. “My daughter came home yesterday with enough candy for a year. It seems she has better manners than I do, Mrs. O’Rourke.” He held out his hand. “I’ve come to say thanks to you and your son.”

  While Cassie stood in shock, Gabe called up the stairs for Luke. The boy raced down, saw Mr. Glebe and stopped.

  Margaret’s father held out his hand. “Thank you, Luke, for helping Margaret.”

  As they shook, the door opened again. Dale and Jenny Archer strolled in. After a friendly nod to Cassie, they ambled to the drapery display. The Halls walked in next, then Millie and a dozen old friends of Cassie’s father. Cassie was back in business, but at that particular moment, she wasn’t happy about it. Gabe came to her side. “What’s wrong?”

  She wanted to shoo everyone out of the store. “I thought we were getting married this afternoon!”

  “We are.”

  “But—”

  Gabe grinned. “Enjoy it, Cassie. We waited a long time. A few minutes won’t hurt.”

  After two hours the shelves had noticeable holes and she had four invitations to have tea with old friends and new ones. Even Millie had come by. She’d purchased a dozen tablecloths and ordered red-checked napkins. Everyone except the Drakes had called on her today. Cassie knew what she had to do. Unless she forgave Maude, the buzzards of unforgiveness would peck at them both until they had another argument. Silently, Cassie thought a prayer. I forgive her, Lord. I hope she can forgive me. Tomorrow she’d visit Maude and do her best to wipe the slate clean.

  Before the thought left Cassie’s head, the front door opened and she saw Maude with her husband and Billy. The women studied each other from across the room. Instead of steeling herself for animosity, Cassie approached her rival with an outstretched hand. “I know we’ve had our differences, Maude. I was terrible to you all those years ago. If you can forgive me, I’d like to be friends.”

  Maude looked into Cassie’s eyes, then gripped her hand in both of hers. “I’m sorry, too. I’ve been horrible to you. I’ve spread lies—”

  “It’s over,” Cassie said.

  “I came to make it right.” Maude glanced at her husband, then at Billy. “Before we leave, my son will be apologizing to Luke. Thanks to Gabe, my husband had a talk with him.”

  Cassie squeezed Maude’s fingers. “It’s not easy raising a boy, is it?”

  “No!” Maude laughed and so did Cassie. As mothers of sons, they had a lot in common. As the women stepped apart, Maude glanced around the shop. “You have lovely things. I need to do some shopping.”

  “Take your time,” Cassie said, smiling.

  For the next hour, people came and went. When the last customer left, Gabe touched her elbow. “I spoke to Reverend Hall when they came by. He and Thelma are waiting at the parsonage.”

  “What for?” Luke asked.

  Cassie didn’t think Luke would object, but twelve-year-old boys could be unpredictable. He didn’t have a say in this matter, but his acceptance would mean a lot.

  Gabe looked at Cassie, then spoke directly to the boy. “I love your mother, Luke. I always have. I’ve asked her to be my wife and she’s agreed.”

  The clock ticked. Dust settled in a shaft of light, then Luke stood tall and looked hard at Gabe. “You’ll be good to her, won’t you?”

  “Yes, son. I will.”

  A lump pushed into Cassie’s throat and wouldn’t slide back. With tears welling, she watched as Luke kept his eyes on Gabe. “Does this mean you’ll be my father?”

  “I’d like that,” Gabe said. “But you’re almost grown. I respect that.”

  “I still need a dad.”

  “Good, because I need a son.”

  Grinning, Gabe held out his hand to shake. Luke took it, squeezed hard, then turned to Cassie. In his eyes, she saw the boy who’d always live in her heart and the man he’d soon become.

  Gangly and awkward, he put his arms around her. “I love you, Ma.”

  “I love you, too.”

  As her son hugged her tight, Cassie looked over his shoulder at Gabe. Tall and strong, he filled her heart with joy, peace and the hope of children. Laughing out loud, she thought of the set of dishes she’d always wanted. They’d look lovely on Gabe’s table, especially when their family grew. She’d love a brother for Luke, and she’d always wanted a daughter of her own. With her heart full, Cassie whispered a prayer of thanks.

  Dear Reader,

  If I’d had a few more pages, I’d have written an epilogue for Cassie and Gabe. I’d have given them two more children, a girl and a boy, and I’d have given Luke the brightest future I could imagine. He could grow up to be anything. An inventor? A doctor? Even president of the United States.

  Mothers work hard to give their children opportunities. We want them to develop strong wings and to fly high. We build nests. We feed them and teach them. Eventually we set them free to find their own way. I’ve had some experience with children leaving the nest. My sons are both grown and living amazing lives far from home.

  Just as poignant is the memory I have of leaving the nest where I grew up. Several years ago, my husband accepted a job that required a cross-county move. I’ll never forget telling my parents. “We gave you wings,” my mom said. “We expect you to use them.” I know it broke her heart (my dad’s, too) when we moved three thousand miles away, but she smiled through it and stayed strong.

  That’s what moms do. They love unselfishly. They do what’s best for their kids. I am blessed indeed to have that kind of mom.

  Best wishes,

  QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

  Cassie O’Rourke has a son who’s on the verge of serious trouble. She’s desperate to protect him from the influence of his “friends.” Do you think leaving Chicago is the right decision?

  Deputy Gabe Wyatt takes a tough but loving approach to Cassie’s rebellious son. How does Luke respond to Gabe’s discipline? Why are Gabe’s efforts effective when Cassie’s efforts aren’t?

  Cassie feels guilty for her past and how her choices affected her son. Is this guilt legitimate? What lessons does she learn about forgiveness? Why is she finally able to forgive herself?

  Gabe wonders if Cassie still loves him. Cassie believes herself to be a pariah and puts distance between them. Is her decision noble or selfish? Who is she really protecting, and why?

&nb
sp; Do you agree with Gabe’s belief that boys need to learn how and when to fight? What character traits mark the difference between boyhood and manhood?

  Disturbed by events between Gabe and Luke, Cassie goes to Thelma, a minister’s wife, for help. What does Thelma do for Cassie? How do Thelma’s actions relate to the Old Testament story of Rizpah?

  Cassie O’Rourke is a prodigal daughter with a prodigal son. Have you had a prodigal child in your life? Have you been one? How did God work to bring you and a loved one into a new place of peace?

  ISBN: 978-1-4268-3186-7

  IN A MOTHER’S ARMS

  Copyright © 2009 by Harlequin Books S.A.

  The publisher acknowledges the copyright holders of the individual works as follows:

  FINALLY A FAMILY

  Copyright © 2009 by Jill Strickler

  HOME AGAIN

  Copyright © 2009 by Vicki Scheibel

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.