by Tina Leonard
“Why? Aren’t you stopping by to see Josiah?”
Dane shook his head. “I’ve been thinking about that million dollars Pop promised us if we lived in the house for one year.”
“Oh, yeah?” Gabriel kept his face blank. “What about it?”
“Do you think he ever meant to give us any money? Or was he just playing a game? Not that it matters, as far as the money goes. I just resent being jerked around by Pop. Don’t think I can forgive that.”
Gabriel thought about the money that was already in his bank account. His father had sworn him to secrecy, and he figured Josiah knew something about what he was doing. “Can’t say, myself.”
“You’re not going to live there, though.”
“Laura wants her children to stay here where they can keep some stability in their life.”
“Doesn’t bother you to live where her husband lived?” Pete asked.
Gabriel paused. “Can’t say it’s going to bother me.” Pop was right; some things were better left unsaid.
“Sorry. Shouldn’t have opened my big fat mouth.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m not.” He waved goodbye to his brothers and closed the door. Home was where the heart was; he knew that from spending too much time in dangerous places hungering for the promise of home. Penny and Perrin and Laura belonged here. Hopefully he did, too.
“Who was that?” Laura asked, coming into the room. She was freshly showered, her face glowing. He loved seeing her completely natural; he loved being with her in her home.
“Nobody but trouble,” he said.
* * *
WHEN THE DOORBELL RANG an hour later, Gabriel half expected to see another wedding guest who hadn’t yet received the news about the postponement—he refused to say cancellation. He and Laura were simply delaying the inevitable.
It was Ben standing on the porch, looking like he’d rather be anywhere but his own daughter’s house. “Hi,” he said, walking inside. “Can I talk to you, Gabriel?”
“Sure.” Why the hell not? Apparently it was his day for surprise visitors, misery loves company for the jilted groom. He motioned Laura’s father over to where he’d been sitting with the children.
“Hi, Dad,” she said. She walked into the room with her kids. “We’re going outside to play in the new sandbox now that it’s all put together.”
“You do that,” Ben said. “I need to talk to Gabriel for a moment.”
“Oh? About what?” Laura asked.
“Now don’t you worry about that.” He kissed his daughter on the forehead. “Sorry about the wedding, but I do understand. Perhaps it’s a wee bit soon.”
Her glance slid to Gabriel. “I think so.”
“Have fun,” he told her.
She managed a tentative smile for Gabriel and closed the door behind them.
Ben wasted no time getting to his topic. “Gabriel, I’m sorry as hell the wedding didn’t go off like you wanted.”
Gabriel looked at Ben, not completely certain he was being truthful.
“But I hear from your father that you’re planning on moving in here with my daughter. I have to be honest with you, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Because?”
“Son, you’re rushing things. The girl is still grieving for her husband. Not that he was any great favorite of mine, as you know, but I know Laura, and she’s a one-man woman.”
That didn’t make him feel better. “She didn’t seem unhappy to have me here.”
“See, that’s the problem. Laura doesn’t know what she wants. Ever since Laura was a baby, she’s known exactly what she wanted and had no trouble speaking up about it. This is why I think you’re making a terrible mistake.”
Gabriel looked at the man he’d known could be both slippery and untrustworthy. “Why would you try to help me?”
“Because of Perrin and Penny,” he said simply. “I knew Laura wasn’t ready to get married. I believe I tried to steer you away from that.”
That’s not exactly what he would have called it, but whatever. “I think it’s just marriage she was saying no to, not me.”
“Well, it’s all wrapped up together.” Ben raised his hand and waved it airily. “It’s all pressure.”
Gabriel considered that. “I can see your point.”
“I know you want to be here, understand that you want to make a family with my daughter. Truth is, you haven’t even taken care of your own house, son. And now you’re staking a claim on Laura, when maybe you should be giving her some breathing room.”
“I’ll take it under advisement.” Gabriel didn’t like anything he was hearing. He wasn’t certain he could trust Ben.
What worried him was wondering if Laura would ever trust him, and want him despite her fears. A cramp hit his gut. He wanted to be here with Penny and Perrin; in fact, he wanted an even bigger family with Laura.
But her father knew her best, and he believed Laura wasn’t ready for marriage.
He saw Ben out, then considered his options. Tonight he was going to spend time with the family he wanted. Later, he’d figure out whether his father-in-law-to-be dispensed helpful advice or not.
From the kitchen window he could see Laura and her kids building a small sand castle. It wasn’t as grand as the knight’s castle Josiah had purchased in France, but big or small, everyone wanted their own castle. He wanted sand castles and Little League and high school proms in his kids’ lives. It did his heart good to see Laura enjoying her family. If he was very lucky, maybe one day they would have a child together.
A child seemed like a faraway dream right now. He went into the kitchen and grabbed some hamburger to make patties, veggies for a salad, a little fruit for a child-friendly dessert. He set the table for four and brewed up fresh tea.
Laura smiled when she came inside. She was tousled from playing with Penny and Perrin, and he liked seeing the happiness in her eyes. “You’re making dinner?”
“I’m at your service. What time does the family normally eat?”
“This crowd likes to be at the table by six. We eat, then play, maybe watch a video for thirty minutes, have our bath and they go right to bed.” Laura seemed uncertain about how much he could stand of kid play. “Feel free to skip the Little Bear video if you want.”
He shrugged. “It all sounds great.”
She smiled. “I’m going to wash the children up. We hosed off outside but we’re still a wee bit sandy.”
He wanted to help with that but Ben’s words held him back. He hated that he felt he had to retrench his emotions; he felt more like a visitor than a part of the family.
Whether he liked it or not, that was exactly what he was, until Laura said yes. Said I do with enthusiasm and true joy.
When Laura came back to the table, she sensed a subtle change in Gabriel. He’d gone from being upbeat to quiet. This was supposed to be their rehearsal dinner night, and here he sat eating burgers and watching Little Bear.
She didn’t want to lose him. He could have had his choice of women, but he’d picked her and her brood. “I’m sorry about tonight, Gabriel. And the wedding.”
“Don’t be. Everything works out for the best usually.”
But she sensed a lack of conviction in his words, as if he was repeating them simply to reassure himself.
Chapter Sixteen
Gabriel had finally figured out his father. Money wasn’t everything to Josiah, though he’d kept a penny-pincher’s handle on every cent until lately. Josiah had given Gabriel his portion of the one-year money because he had made an honest effort to rebuild the relationship with his father. Family was more important to Josiah than money.
Gabriel wanted family, too. This family he was watching play on the floor after dinner. He wanted Laura to want him as much as he wanted her. Ben’s words rang true to him now. Maybe he’d never be certain of Ben’s motivation, but staying here wasn’t the way to find out if Laura would ever want him the way he hoped she would.
He stood.
Penny and Perrin looked up. Laura looked at him, too. This was going to break his heart, but in the end, it had to be Laura who felt sure of what she could handle in life. “I’m going to head to the ranch.”
She hesitated. “I thought you were staying here.”
He nodded. “I had planned on it, but I accomplished what I came here for. We shared our evening together. I don’t need a rehearsal to know how much I want to marry you, but I did want to be with you and the children tonight.” Gently, he ran a palm over her cheek. “I’ll show myself out.”
She followed him to the door. “I don’t know what to say right now. I think I understand how you feel, but part of me isn’t sure.”
He smiled. “It’ll all get straightened out in time.”
He leaned down and kissed her lightly on the lips. “Be seeing you,” he said, and went to his truck.
Leaving didn’t feel good, but it did feel like the only right thing to do. His heart heavy, knowing now the agony his father had felt wondering if his boys would ever come home, Gabriel drove toward the Morgan ranch.
* * *
“WELL,” LAURA SAID TO her children, “let’s pick up these toys. Maybe we should crawl in my bed together and watch a movie.”
The children were silent, helping their mother tidy up. Perrin didn’t really help but he picked up a block and handed it to his mother. Penny industriously put the toys in the toy box before turning to look at her mother. “Where is Morgan?”
“He’s gone to his house, sweetie,” Laura said, before realizing what her daughter called Gabriel. She had always called him Morgan—but Laura knew he wanted to be called Dad. He’d gone from calling his father Pop to Dad, a subtle but noticeable shift in their relationship. She liked that Gabriel was stubborn; he hung on to a situation, no matter how unpleasant or awkward, until he had the right answer. He had commitment bred into his soul.
She knew he would always be there for her and her children.
The only thing holding her back was the fear of the unknown.
* * *
“PERFECTLY NORMAL,” VALENTINE Jefferson said the next day when Laura went to thank her for the lovely wedding cake, which had ended up in the freezer. “My path to the altar with Crockett was definitely not easy.”
“It’s a lovely cake.” Laura smiled. “Thank you for everything.”
Valentine smiled. “Believe it or not, you’ll probably appreciate Gabriel more now that you’ve been through this.”
Laura left the shop and went to visit the girls at the Union Junction salon to apologize for taking a day out of their appointments for a wedding that didn’t happen.
“Love is a wonderful thing,” Delilah said. The head hairstylist had married her truck-driver beau, Jerry, and all had been right in her world ever since. “It just takes time and understanding. You’ll know.”
Laura shook her head. “I hope so. I thought I was ready—I just didn’t realize I wasn’t.”
“You have a lot to fit into your life.” Delilah sat her down, pulled her hair into a ponytail, pressed it into some pretty curls. “Where’s my little Penny and Perrin? Perrin should be just about ready for his first haircut.”
Laura shook her head. “Gabriel came by and got them this morning. He said he wanted to get to know them, and that it was a day without Mom. He wanted me to have some time to myself. I have a suspicion that he wanted to get them on the new pony Josiah bought and didn’t want me around worrying.”
Delilah smiled. “He sure does like those kids of yours.”
“They like him, too.” The knowledge gave her a sense of comfort.
“And your father?”
“Ben hasn’t said much lately,” Laura said. “It’s odd for him, because he had plenty to say about Dave, and about Gabriel, too, at first. Once Dad turned over a new leaf, he seems to be determined to stay in everyone’s good graces.”
“I’ve seen people change for the better that I never thought would,” Delilah said. “My sister and I battled for years, but once Marvella decided to make positive decisions in her life, she’s been a completely different person. She’s a joy to be around.”
Laura thought about Delilah’s words for a long time after she left the salon. Then she realized that everybody around her was making changes in their lives—everyone except her. It was as if she were stuck, rooted to one spot, wanting everything in her world to stay completely still and unmoving. She would always love Dave; he was the father of her children. But what she felt for Gabriel was more mature, more balanced. She didn’t need to be ashamed of her feelings or feel obligated to Dave’s memory. He’d always hold a special place in her heart.
As Gabriel did now. The place he had in her heart felt warmed, and loved.
She went home to her house. Hesitating only a moment, she went and pulled out the family photo album, wistfully opening it.
The first pages showed photos of her and Dave on various dates: at the movies, snuggling on the sofa, hanging out with friends. A few wedding pictures followed, both of them smiling with happiness. There were many photos from when the children were born; she’d forgotten how snap-happy Dave had been. He’d spent hours compiling photos in an orderly fashion that chronicled pregnancies, first steps, first teeth. Tears of happiness and sadness jumped bittersweet to her eyes. The last photo was of Dave, taken by Laura, of him holding both the children. When he learned he had a life-threatening disease, he said he wanted a photo of him and the children so they would always remember what he looked when he’d been strong and fit. He wanted them to know he’d loved them.
She closed the album and cried one last time for the innocence of her marriage and the good friend she’d lost.
But Dave would know she had loved him, grieved for him, and he’d also want her to move on with a good life for their children. He would not want her making a silent shrine to his memory. The husband, the father in the album he had put together, was the man he’d wanted remembered.
She drove to the Morgan ranch, smiling when she saw Penny on top of the white pony. Perrin was held securely in Gabriel’s arm as he walked the pony by halter. Each child wore a cowboy hat. Nearby, Ben took pictures, grinning as he recorded his grandchildren’s first ride for posterity.
Ben was a changed man, no doubt about that.
She got out of her car and walked to the fence. “Hey, cowboy,” she called.
“Hey,” Gabriel said, “you made it in time for the big event.”
“What’s the pony’s name?”
“Sugar.” Gabriel grinned proudly. “Penny says she’s white as sugar. I figured snow was the obvious choice, but she surprised me.”
Laura smiled. “Hi, Dad.”
Ben held up the camera. “Step inside the paddock and let me snap a photo.” He seemed to consider his words. “A family photo.”
Laura ducked under the fence and went to stand beside Penny. Gabriel held Perrin and stood stiffly next to Laura.
“Closer,” Ben said with a wave of his hand. “I can’t fit everything into the picture.”
Gabriel and Laura moved slightly together.
“Closer,” Ben instructed. “It’s hard to get everybody in the shot ’cause Penny’s on the pony.”
They moved together again. Laura was pretty sure they were close enough for the smallest camera in the world.
“Closer!” Ben examined the picture he’d just taken. “Gabriel, you have to—”
Laura tugged Gabriel’s face toward hers and gave him a meaningful kiss. “Close enough?” she asked her father.
“That one’s a keeper,” Ben replied.
Gabriel looked down at her, his gaze questioning. “Am I getting a message here?”
“I don’t know. How are your code-breaking skills?”
“They were always pretty good.” Gabriel grinned. “Try me again to make certain I got the right information.”
She kissed him, and he held her tightly against him, despite Perrin’s attempt to squiggle free and Penny’s giggling be
hind them.
Gabriel’s eyes warmed. “That code was easy to decipher.”
She took a deep breath. “After everything I’ve put you through, do you still want to marry me, Gabriel?”
“You’re worth the wait,” Gabriel said huskily. “You’re talking to a man who waited ten years to be a son. I would have waited forever for you. Fortunately, you come around more easily than I do.”
“Dad, hand me that camera, please,” Laura said. “And if you don’t mind, go stand next to the kids and your future son-in-law.”
Ben hopped over the fence and stood next to Gabriel, smiling proudly. Laura clicked the camera, then checked the photo. Everyone was smiling and happy. Tears of happiness jumped into her eyes. She would treasure this picture of her new family for always.
Gabriel helped Penny down from the pony. “There’ll be steaks and potatoes tonight for dinner,” Gabriel said as they walked toward the house. “Stay and eat with us, Ben.”
“I’m going to put Sugar up and bed down for the night.” Ben grinned at his daughter. “Think I’m going to try to talk my boss into a new bed and maybe some sheets and blankets for the foreman’s house. That plaid stuff is old as the hills, and I’m developing a taste for the finer things in life.”
Gabriel snorted. “Get what you need, Ben. The cottage needs an update and you might as well make it yours for as long as you want it.”
Smiling, Laura took the children upstairs to wash up. Gabriel looked at Ben. “Are you good with me marrying your daughter now?”
Ben gave him a toothy grin. “She came here on her own, didn’t she?”
Laura had, indeed, surprising him. She didn’t seem so spooked anymore; instead, she radiated calm and happiness. “Yeah. She did.”
“I told you you’d be happier if you waited. Good thing you listened to me. Does no good to rush a woman.”
“So, Ben,” Gabriel said, “there’s one thing I have to know. Did you pull a fast one on my father about oil on your property?”
Ben gave him a coy look. “No one pulls a fast one on Josiah Morgan.”
He left, and as he walked to his truck, Gabriel saw the old man jump up into the air and kick his heels. He was celebrating, and Gabriel felt like doing the same.
