Kitabı oku: «The Courage To Dream and The Power Of Love: The Courage To Dream / The Power Of Love»

Praise for Margaret Daley and her novels

“Margaret Daley writes an entertaining story with believable characters in The Power of Love.”

—Romantic Times BOOKreviews

“Margaret Daley takes a candid and inspiring look at a child severely wounded and the two people who’d do anything to make her happy in A Family for Tory.”

—Romantic Times BOOKreviews

“When Dreams Come True has a unique plot with realistic dilemmas. Margaret Daley gets to the heart of family issues and Dane’s struggle to reconnect with his wife and children.”

—Romantic Times BOOKreviews

“Many romances deliver basic love-at-first-sight plots, but nuance is key in Margaret Daley’s Tidings of Joy. Chance and Tanya gradually discover friendship and love in a book that offers strong family values.”

—Romantic Times BOOKreviews

The Power of Love
&
The Courage To Dream
Margaret Daley

CONTENTS

THE POWER OF LOVE

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Epilogue

THE COURAGE TO DREAM

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Epilogue

MARGARET DALEY

feels she has been blessed. She has been married more than thirty years to her husband, Mike, whom she met in college. He is a terrific support and her best friend. They have one son, Shaun.

Margaret has been writing for many years and loves to tell a story. When she was a little girl, she would play with her dolls and make up stories about their lives. Now she writes these stories down. She especially enjoys weaving stories about families and how faith in God can sustain a person when things get tough. When she isn’t writing, she is fortunate to be a teacher for students with special needs. Margaret has taught for over twenty years and loves working with her students. She has also been a Special Olympics coach and participated in many sports with her students.

The Power of Love

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

—1 John 4:16

This book is dedicated to the staff at Jenks High School and all the students I have had the privilege of teaching.

Chapter One

“What now?” Rebecca Michaels pulled back from the peephole, a frown marring her tired features.

When she opened her front door to the large policeman, tension whipped down her length. Standing next to the stranger was her son. The policeman’s solemn expression told her the next few minutes wouldn’t be a welcome-to-the-town exchange. She braced herself. “Is there something wrong, Officer?”

“Ma’am, is this your son?”

She nodded, her throat tightening.

“I found this young man behind the grocery store, loitering. He should be in school.”

“That was where he was supposed to be.” Rebecca directed her attention to her nine-year-old, whose features were set in a sullen expression. “What happened, Peter? You left an hour ago for school.”

He dropped his gaze. “I didn’t wanna go.”

“That’s not an option.” Rebecca looked toward the policeman. “I’m sorry to have inconvenienced you. I’ll make sure he gets to school when my baby wakes up.”

The man stuck out his hand. “I’m Gabriel Stone. I haven’t had the opportunity to welcome you to Oakview yet. Sorry it had to be this way.”

Rebecca shook his hand, comforted by the firm feel of his fingers around hers. His handshake conveyed an impression of directness and no-nonsense that was refreshing. “I’m Rebecca Michaels.” She relaxed the tense set of her shoulders.

“Well, ma’am, if you don’t mind, I can take your son to school for you.”

“I wouldn’t want to put you out.”

“No problem. That’s part of my job, making sure the kids stay in school.”

Grateful for his offer, she smiled. “Then great. My other son, Josh, just went down for a nap, and I hope he sleeps for a while.”

The policeman returned her smile, the lines at the corners of his eyes deep as if he smiled a lot. “If you need any help, don’t be a stranger. I live on the next block. I’ve known your grandmother for years.”

As her son and Gabriel Stone turned to leave, Rebecca called, “Come right home after school, Peter. We need to talk.”

The pout that graced her son’s mouth made her wonder if she would have to go out looking for him after school. She started to say something further when Gabriel Stone said, “He’ll be here. I’ll make sure of that, ma’am.”

Rebecca leaned against the doorjamb and watched her son and the policeman walk to the squad car. Gabriel Stone might bring Peter home this afternoon, but who was going to give her the strength to deal with this new problem? She squeezed her eyes closed and wished for the wisdom she would need to handle her eldest. He hadn’t wanted to come to Oakview. He’d let her know that he hated his new school and wanted to go back to his old school in Dallas.

Had she made a wrong decision about coming to her grandmother’s to live? She hadn’t had much choice after her husband walked out on her and the children. Taking a deep breath of the spring-scented air, she relished the quiet of the moment, only the occasional sound of a bird in her grandmother’s large oak tree breaking the silence.

“Rebecca, who was that?”

“Gabriel Stone.” She closed the front door and turned toward her grandmother, who came from the back of the house, her cane tapping on the hardwood floor. She stopped, and with her shoulders hunched leaned on her cane, something she only did when she was really tired. Granny had been up part of the night with her and Josh. The doorbell must have awakened her. “Everything’s okay. You should go back to sleep, Granny.”

“I needed to get up. I never sleep past seven, and here it is nearly nine.”

“You probably never stay up to all hours of the night, either. I’m sorry Josh was so fussy.”

“My child, never apologize for that.” Her grandmother waved her hand toward the door. “I wish you had asked Gabriel in for some coffee. I don’t get to see him nearly enough, especially now that he’s the new police chief.”

Police chief? She’d had no idea she had been talking to the person who ran Oakview’s small police department. He hadn’t said a word. “He’ll be back this afternoon.”

“Did he come over to welcome you to Oakview? That would be just like the boy.”

“No.” Rebecca wished that had been the case. “Peter skipped school.”

“I knew he wasn’t happy, but I never thought he would do that.” Rose Bennett headed for the kitchen. “I think you could use a cup of coffee. You’ve been up quite a while with Josh.”

Massaging the tight cords of her neck, Rebecca followed her grandmother into the most cheerful room in the house. Sunlight from a large bay window bathed the kitchen. The yellow and powder-blue flowered wallpaper, the white cabinets and the polished hardwood floors lent a warmth to the room that Rebecca loved. She remembered spending a lot of wonderful childhood days in this very kitchen, listening to her grandmother’s stories of her family during the Oklahoma land rush. If she could, she would spend most of her time in this room, cooking. She rarely had that kind of time anymore.

Granny retrieved two mugs from the cabinet and brought them to the pine table situated in front of the bay window. “Sit before you collapse. You look exhausted, my dear.”

Rebecca started to argue, then realized her grandmother was right. Weariness clung to every part of her. She could easily slump over on the table and go to sleep. She needed the caffeine to keep her awake so she could finish unpacking. Even though they’d been in Oakview for two weeks, they were still living in boxes. Peter would never feel as though this was his home as long as he had to get his things out of cardboard boxes. She was determined to have them settled completely as soon as possible. Then maybe they would begin to feel like a family again.

Granny poured coffee into the mugs, then took a seat next to Rebecca. “First, how’s Josh? You must have finally managed to get him to sleep.”

“You know Josh. He rarely complains. But his ears are still bothering him. He eventually went to sleep, I think out of pure exhaustion. I worry that his ear infection will spread to his lungs. You know the problems he can have with his breathing.”

“He’s such a sweet baby.” Granny sipped her coffee. “Of course, I’m not sure he’s considered a baby any longer. He’ll be two soon. I wish I could help you more with him.”

“Granny, offering to let us stay here has…” Rebecca swallowed hard, but the tears returned to plague her.

“Child, this is your home, too. Always will be.” Rose patted Rebecca’s hand. “You’re family, and next to God, family is the most important thing in our lives.”

“I wish Craig thought his family was important.” Rebecca remembered a time when their small family had been important to Craig—before Josh was born. When they had been first married, he’d wanted children, but over the years his feelings had changed.

Rose pinched her lips and snorted. “That man will regret leaving you one day, only by then it’ll be too late.”

“We’ve been divorced a year yesterday.”

Rose placed her hand over Rebecca’s. “I know, child. I’m sorry. With faith and time the pain will go away.”

The feel of her grandmother’s small, gnarled fingers over hers comforted Rebecca. “Time might help, but I don’t know about faith, Granny. I think God stopped listening to my prayers long ago. I’ve tried so hard to keep this family together. My sons need…” She couldn’t continue. The heartache of the past few years overwhelmed her, robbing her of her voice and capturing her breath in her lungs.

“It may seem that way, child, but He hasn’t. He has a plan for you. You just don’t know what it is yet.” Rose squeezed Rebecca’s hand. “You’re here with me now. Things will start to look better.”

Drawing in a shallow gulp of air, Rebecca swallowed past the tightness in her throat, determined to hold her family together somehow and reach her eldest son. “Peter’s so miserable. He has never been openly hostile and defiant to me until lately. He used to love school. Now, I have to force him to go.”

“Wait until he makes new friends. He’ll forget all about Dallas.”

Rebecca took several sips of her lukewarm coffee, wishing she had the faith that her grandmother had. When Craig had walked out on them eighteen months ago, she had prayed for help and guidance. None had come. Josh had to have surgery on his heart. The bills stacked up and Craig was slow to help pay for his children’s upbringing. She had to sell the only home Peter had known and finally admit she couldn’t make it in Dallas by herself. She’d returned to the town she’d grown up in Oklahoma.

Rebecca reached to pour herself another cup of coffee when she heard Josh’s crying. Glancing at the time, she realized he hadn’t slept more than half an hour. She pushed to her feet. “I’ll see if I can’t get him back to sleep.”

Her grandmother caught her arm to stop her. “Honey, when God closes a door, He opens a window. Moving back to Oakview is a fresh start for you and your family. This is a wonderful town to raise your children in.”

Rebecca leaned down and kissed her grandmother’s wrinkled cheek. “If that’s correct, then you’re my window, and I appreciate you opening your home to me and my children. Ever since my parents died, you have been my anchor.”

Josh continued to cry. Rebecca hurried upstairs to her bedroom, where he slept in a crib next to her bed. She looked at her youngest who had managed to turn over—finally, after twenty months. His face was beet red, and his short arms and legs were flailing.

“How’s my little man?”

He turned his head toward her, his big brown eyes, slightly slanted at the corners, filled with tears.

“Nothing can be that bad,” Rebecca said, scooping her son into her embrace. He fit in the cradle of her arms, his length no more than a one-year-old’s.

Tears misted her eyes. Blinking them away, she began to sing Josh’s favorite song. He cuddled against her, sleep slowly descending. She would not feel sorry for herself or Josh. That was wasted energy—energy she couldn’t afford to waste.

Gabriel entered the clothing store and strode toward the elderly woman, sitting in an uncomfortable-looking chair with a young man standing over her with a scowl on his face.

When Ben Cross saw him approach, he waved his hand toward the white-haired woman and said, “I want her arrested. She tried to take a watch.”

The elderly lady bristled. “Nonsense. I was admiring the watch, stuck it in my pocket to buy after I had looked around and forgot all about it.”

“Ma’am—” Gabriel began.

“Bess Anderson. You can call me Bess, Officer. All my friends at the home do.”

“Shady Oaks on First Street?”

“Why, yes. You know the place where I live?” She straightened her shoulders, clutching her purse handle with both hands.

The elderly woman reminded Gabriel of a typical grandmother of yesteryear. She was dressed in a floral print dress with sensible walking shoes and a felt hat on her head. All she was missing were white cotton gloves. “Ma’am, how—”

“Bess, please. Ma’am makes me sound so old, which I refuse to be.”

“Bess, how did you get here?” Gabriel ignored the glares Ben was sending him.

“Why, I just walked out of the building and headed for town. I like to shop and haven’t been in a while.”

“Then let me take you home.” Gabriel turned away from Bess and whispered to Ben, “I think this was all a misunderstanding. I’m inclined to accept her word that she just forgot about the watch being in her pocket. Is that okay with you?”

Ben pursed his lips, his eyes pinpoints.

“She’s at least eighty. I can’t see locking her up, Ben.”

The young man sighed. “Okay. This time. This better not happen again.”

Gabriel escorted Bess Anderson to his squad car. While the elderly woman gave him a rundown of her afternoon outing, he drove her the few blocks to the Shady Oaks Nursing Home. As he walked her toward the main building, the director came out the front door, worry carved into her expression.

“We’ve been looking all over the place for you, Bess. Is everything all right?”

“My goodness, yes. I just had a lovely stroll into town, and this nice gentleman offered to bring me home.” Bess continued past the director.

Gabriel shook his head as he watched the old woman disappear into the building. “Bess Anderson is certainly an interesting character, Susan.”

“And a handful. She’s only been with us for a few weeks, and this is the second time she has walked away from the home. I don’t know how she gets out. Thank you for bringing her back. Do you want to come in for some tea? It’s almost four. We were about to have it in the main lounge.”

“I’ll take a rain check. I have a date with a young man at the school. In fact, if I don’t get moving, I’ll be late.”

Quickly Gabriel headed toward the elementary school. He pulled into a parking space just as the bell dismissed the children for the day. He climbed from the squad car and leaned against it, his arms folded across his chest, and waited for Peter Michaels to appear. Gabriel waved to several students coming out of the school, but he kept his gaze focused on the door. He wouldn’t put it past the boy to try to sneak away. Peter hadn’t been very happy this morning when Gabriel had deposited him in the principal’s office before having a brief word with the man.

When the last student filed out of the school, Gabriel straightened and decided to head inside to see if Peter had given him the slip. He took two steps and stopped. Coming out of the building at a slow pace was the child in question. The sullen look on his face underscored the reluctance the boy felt.

Gabriel relaxed against the car and waited. He had a lot of patience, and he had a feeling he would need every bit of it to get through to Peter.

“Glad you could make it,” Gabriel said, and opened his car door.

“This is dumb. I can walk home. It’s only two blocks.”

“I told your mother I would give you a ride.”

The boy’s frown deepened as he rounded the back of the sedan and climbed inside.

Gabriel started the engine and slanted a look toward Peter. He stared straight ahead, defiance stamped in his features. No small talk on this trip, Gabriel thought, and backed out of the parking space.

A few minutes later Gabriel pulled into Rose Bennett’s driveway, and Peter jumped from the car before Gabriel could even switch off the engine. The boy raced for the house and disappeared inside so fast that Gabriel had to admire the child’s quickness. He would be great on the baseball team. An idea formed and grew as Gabriel ambled to the house to pay his respects to Rose and maybe get to see Rebecca Michaels again.

All day he had been unable to shake the image of her wide eyes as she had stared at him. Deep in their blue depths he had glimpsed a vulnerability that touched him to the core. He hated to see someone hurting, and Rebecca was definitely in pain.

Even though Peter had left the front door open, Gabriel knocked on the screen, not wanting to ring the bell since her baby might be sleeping. He heard the sound of Rose’s cane tapping against the floor as she shuffled toward him.

“My goodness, Gabriel, why are you standing out there? Come in. Are you through for the day?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I just made a fresh pot of coffee, and I know how much you like my brew.” Rose reached into the mailbox at the side of the door and retrieved several envelopes.

“No one makes it quite like you.”

He stepped inside and glanced about him at the warmth of the house. Rose was determined to bring the outdoors inside. In every room there were vases of cut flowers from her garden and pots filled with green plants. The house’s clean, fresh scent reminded him of a beautiful spring day.

“Now, that will definitely get you a second cup. I was in the kitchen trying to decide what to fix for dinner. Since Rebecca’s moved in with her boys, we eat early. Why don’t you stay and eat with us tonight?”

“I don’t—”

Rose paused at the entrance to the kitchen, clasping both hands on the cane, her sharp, shrewd gaze directed at him. “I won’t take no for an answer, son. I know for a fact you usually go home at night and eat by yourself in that big empty house of yours. Tonight you can eat with me and my family.”

“Put that way, I can’t refuse. I’ll stay on one condition. You let me help with dinner.” He enjoyed being a policeman in this Oklahoma town. The people had taken him into their hearts and made him feel a part of Oakview when he had moved here ten years before. They had comforted and shared in his pain, too. He would never forget their support.

“I’ll let you share cleanup duty with my granddaughter. Cooking is one of my favorite things. Cleaning up isn’t.”

“It’s a deal.”

Gabriel sat at the kitchen table while Rose retrieved a blue mug from the cabinet and poured him some coffee. The aroma filled his nostrils, easing some of the day’s tension. There was something in Peter’s rebellious expression that concerned him, causing a warning to go off in his brain.

“I noticed you brought Peter home,” Rose said, slipping a look at him while she stood at the stove and browned some ground beef. “Did he say anything to you?”

“Not a word.”

“That’s what I was afraid of. That child doesn’t say much, and when he does he’s always angry.”

“Yep, that about sums up my experience with him.” Gabriel took a long sip of his coffee, relishing the delicious taste of the rich brew as it slid down his throat.

“I’ve been trying to get him to church, but last Sunday I think he deliberately made himself throw up so he didn’t have to go. I don’t know what to do about him, and Rebecca is as lost as I am.” Rose placed the wooden spoon on the counter and began cutting up an onion.

The aromas of cooking meat and fresh coffee reminded Gabriel of the home he used to have when his wife was alive. Now he usually heated up frozen dinners or grabbed something at the diner in town by the police station.

“What’s he angry about?”

“He didn’t want me to move to Oakview.”

Gabriel peered over his shoulder at Rebecca, who stood in the doorway, that haunted look in her eyes again. His natural curiosity was aroused by this woman as he took in her petite build. Short brown hair framed an oval face, and her smooth, creamy complexion was devoid of any makeup. She wasn’t beautiful, but there was something pleasing about her appearance.

“What did Peter say about skipping school?” Rose added the onion to the ground beef and stirred.

“Not much.”

“Is Josh asleep finally?”

“Yes, but I don’t know how long that will last. I hope the antibiotic takes effect soon.”

“What’s wrong?” Gabriel asked, finishing his coffee.

“An ear infection. Can I help, Granny?”

“No. I asked Gabriel to dinner, and he’ll help you clean up. Sit and relax for a few minutes. You’ve been going a mile a minute since this morning.”

Rebecca followed her grandmother’s advice and took the chair at the opposite end of the kitchen table from Gabriel. Closing her eyes, she rolled her head and moved her shoulders. “Well, in between taking care of Josh, I did manage to empty a few more boxes. Only a dozen left.”

Gabriel walked to the coffeepot and filled his mug. The scent of cooking onion saturated the air and made his stomach rumble. “Are you staying long?”

“I’m not sure what my plans are.” She picked up the mail and flipped through the stack of letters.

“Did you receive your check?” Rose turned toward Rebecca, concern in her expression.

Frowning, Rebecca tossed the letters on the table. “No. He’s late again. I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

“Is there something I can help you with?” Gabriel took the seat across from Rebecca, an urge to protect inundating him. In his line of work he often helped strangers, but this was different. He didn’t like to see distress dull her eyes and wished he could erase it.

“No.” Her gaze found his. “There isn’t anything that you can do. My ex-husband is late with his child support. That’s all.” She shrugged as though it were nothing.

Gabriel seriously doubted it was that simple, but he saw the do-not-trespass sign go up and he didn’t pursue the topic. Instead, he said, “I’d like to have Peter come out for the baseball team. I think he has potential.”

“Baseball?”

“He’s quick, and the guys on the team are a great bunch of kids. I help coach a Little League team after school.”

“I doubt you’ll get him to agree. All he wants to do lately is stay in his room and listen to music.”

“Does he like music?”

“Yes.”

“Maybe he could join the church choir. I’m the director. The children perform at the early service and the adults at the later one.”

Rebecca stiffened, her jaw clenching. “You sound like a busy man. When do you have time for yourself?”

“Baseball and music are things I do for myself.”

“Rebecca, you should see the children perform at church. Ever since Gabriel took over a few years back, the crowd of people attending our service has doubled. The choir is wonderful, and Gabriel’s quite a singer. Rebecca used to be in her church’s choir in Dallas.”

He dropped his gaze from Rebecca’s face, feeling the heat of a blush tinge his cheeks. He had never been comfortable with compliments. Singing was a gift God had given him, and he wanted to share it with others, use it to spread His word. God had been his salvation when he had hit bottom after his wife and child died.

Gabriel shifted in his chair. “We could always use another voice. Even if Peter doesn’t want to sing, you’re certainly welcome to join the adult choir.”

Rebecca came to her feet. Feelings of being railroaded into doing something she wasn’t ready to handle overwhelmed her. She had forgotten about how small towns were. All she wanted to do was hide and lick her wounds. She was afraid people like Gabriel wouldn’t allow her to. “I think I hear Josh crying,” she murmured and rushed from the room.

“I didn’t hear anything,” Gabriel said, frowning, not sure what had just happened.

Rose opened a can of kidney beans and one of tomatoes, then dumped the contents of both into the skillet. “I guess I shouldn’t have pushed. Rebecca’s faith has been shaken ever since Craig left her. I know I’m supposed to forgive that man for what he did to my family, but I’m having a hard time. He walked out on Rebecca, Peter and Josh when they needed him the most. All he left her was a note on her pillow. She woke up one morning, and her marriage of twelve years was over.” Rose snapped her fingers. “Just like that.”

How could a man walk out on his family? Gabriel wondered, continually surprised by how easily some people discarded their children and wives when he would give anything to have a family. Memories of his loss engulfed him. Pain constricted his chest, making it difficult to breathe. In a few seconds, three years before, his whole life had been changed because a man had decided to drink and drive.

Gabriel started to say something when he heard footsteps approaching the kitchen. When Rebecca entered, she held a baby in her arms close to her chest. She placed the child in a swing set up in the corner, adjusted some tiny pillows to prop the boy up, then started it. When Gabriel saw Josh’s features, he knew something was wrong.

Rebecca caught him staring at the child. “My son has Down’s syndrome. His second birthday will be in six weeks, and yet he doesn’t look a day over one.”

Gabriel didn’t know what to say to her announcement. She made it sound almost a challenge. Was the child the reason her husband had left? If so, how could he turn his back on one of God’s creations? He would have given anything to be able to hold his own son, to cradle him to his chest. That wasn’t possible, never would be.

“I hope you’re planning a big party. Birthdays are important to children,” Gabriel said, as though he was an expert on children when he had never really experienced the joys of fatherhood. His son had only lived a few hours. A tightness gripped his throat.

Rebecca went to the cabinet to get bowls. “I haven’t thought that far ahead. I’ve been a little preoccupied lately with the move and all.” She heard the defensive tone in her voice and winced as she withdrew the bowls and closed the cabinet door.

“If you need any help—”

“No, I’m fine.” She cut in, not wanting to hear his offer of assistance when she had never been able to get Craig even to change Josh’s diaper. Again she experienced the stifling need to be alone to deal with the emotions threatening to overpower her. If it had been possible, she would have been better off staying in Dallas where she could get lost in a crowd.

“Rebecca!” Granny turned from the stove with the wooden spoon in her hand and a frown of disapproval on her face.

Rebecca immediately regretted her cool interruption. She attempted a smile that she knew didn’t reach her eyes and said, “I’m sorry. It’s been a long day.”

“Go get Peter. Gabriel will set the table for us,” her grandmother interjected.

Thankful to escape the kindness she glimpsed in Gabriel’s dark eyes, she rushed from the kitchen and didn’t slow her step until she was upstairs and outside Peter’s bedroom. Pausing, she inhaled a steadying breath, then knocked on his door.

All she heard coming from the room was the blare of music. She knocked again, louder.

The door swung open, and Peter scowled at her. “I’m not hungry.”

“Then you don’t have to eat. But you do have to come down to dinner and sit while we eat. We have a guest tonight.”

“Who?”

“Chief Stone.”

Her son set his mouth in a firm line. She didn’t know if she had the strength to fight him if he refused to come downstairs. She did need help, but she was alone in this world except for her grandmother whom she didn’t want to burden with her problems. Granny wasn’t in the best of health, having suffered a mild stroke several years before.

Peter pushed past her and stomped down the stairs. Rebecca released her pent-up breath, then took a deep breath and blew it out through pursed lips. She needed to believe everything would work out, but each day she felt the weight on her shoulders growing.

Tears sprang into her eyes. She swiped at one that rolled down her cheek. She didn’t have time to feel sorry for herself. Both Josh and Peter depended on her. Somehow she would hold this family together.

When she entered the kitchen and saw Gabriel sitting at the head of the kitchen table, she came to a halt inside the doorway. He looked at home, holding Josh, supporting his small body in the curve of his arm. Her heart slowed, then began to race at the sight of him smiling at her son. Josh smiled at Gabriel. The large, muscular man dwarfed her son, but the picture of the two of them seemed so right that Rebecca blinked as if she had been caught daydreaming the impossible.

For a few seconds Rebecca allowed herself to wonder how it would feel to have a man like Gabriel Stone supporting her emotionally, loving her children. She shook the thought from her mind. She could only depend on herself to keep this family together.

Chapter Two

“He wanted out of the swing when it stopped,” Gabriel said, looking at her.

“Thank you for taking care of him,” she murmured, retrieving her son from Gabriel and putting Josh into his high chair, again propping him with pillows so he could sit up. He was starting to support his weight, but he was still having trouble maintaining his balance for any length of time.

“There’s a child in the church choir with Down’s syndrome. He loves music.”

“Josh does, too.” Rebecca snapped on his bib.

Rose sat at the other end of the table, forcing Rebecca to take the chair next to Gabriel. “Let’s join hands. Gabriel, will you give the blessing?”

Rebecca took Josh’s tiny hand and Gabriel’s larger one. The touch of Gabriel’s fingers about hers sent warmth up her arm. The link felt natural and right. That surprised her.

“Heavenly Father, we come to this table to offer our thanks for this wonderful food. Please watch over us and give us the strength to deal with our problems.”

The devotion in his voice gave Rebecca a sense of peace for the first time that day. She relished the blessing and wished she could feel that kind of love and faith again.

While Rose spooned chili into a bowl, then passed it to Peter, Rebecca fed Josh his baby food, mashed bananas and roast beef, two of his favorites. She introduced another food, strained carrots. He made a face and spit the carrots out. She dabbed at the orange that ran down his chin.

“Way to go, Josh. I hate carrots, too,” Peter said, the first enthusiasm he had shown all day.

“So far, I haven’t been able to find too many vegetables he likes.” Rebecca tried another spoonful of carrots, which Josh immediately rejected.

“Have you tried mixing the bananas with the carrots and seeing if he’ll eat that?” Gabriel set a chili bowl in front of Rebecca.

“Well, no. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt.” Rebecca dipped her spoon into the bananas and scooped some into the carrots. She wrinkled her nose at the mixture of light yellow and orange swirls.

When she fed Josh some of the new mixture, he kept most of it in his mouth. She gave him another spoonful, and he ate that, too.

“This might work with other vegetables, too. Thank you for the suggestion.” Rebecca looked toward Gabriel.

His dark gaze caught hers and held it. “Anytime.”

“Do you have any children?” she asked, realizing she knew nothing about this man and in many ways wished she did.

“No. Judy and I always wanted a whole house full.” Pain flitted across his features for a few seconds before he managed to conceal his emotions.

“Judy is your wife?” Rebecca glimpsed a wedding ring on his left hand.

“She died three years ago.” He touched his wedding ring, twisting it on his finger. “We had hoped to start a family when we moved here. It never happened.”

“But he’s determined to make up for that. He takes every child he can under his wing.” Rose sipped water, her eyes twinkling.

Here was a man who had wanted children but didn’t have any while her husband hadn’t wanted to care for his two sons. Life wasn’t fair, Rebecca thought, a constriction in her throat making it impossible to say another word. She dropped her gaze and continued to feed Josh.

A few minutes later Gabriel asked, “May I try that? You haven’t had a chance to eat any of this great chili yet.”

Rebecca hid her surprise at his request. She had always been the one to feed Josh. It was her responsibility, and she hadn’t asked anyone else to do it. “I guess so.”

“I’ve been watching you. I think I’ve got your technique down,” he said with a sparkle in his dark brown eyes.

She blushed at the idea that he had been watching what she’d been doing. The thought unnerved her more than she cared to think about.

“Eat while I finish up with this roast beef and banana-carrot combo.”

Rebecca delved into the chili, filling her bowl with the delicious-smelling food. She was starved and hadn’t realized it until she started eating. While she savored her meal, she watched Gabriel make a game of feeding her son. Josh smiled and cooed. Why couldn’t this have been Craig enjoying his child?

“You know, Peter,” Gabriel said while pretending to be a dive bomber coming in for a landing in Josh’s mouth, “I noticed how fast you were running into the house. Have you ever thought about being on a baseball team?”

“Nope. I have better things to do after school.”

“It does require a lot of time. It takes quite a commitment for a young man.”

The challenge in Gabriel’s voice dared Peter to accept. Her eldest straightened, his eyes becoming pinpoints. Peter didn’t say anything, but he studied the police chief as though he wasn’t quite sure what to make of the man.

At the end of the meal Gabriel wiped Josh’s mouth. “Rose, that’s the best food I’ve had in a long time. Thank you for inviting me to dinner.”

“You’re welcome.” Rose gripped her cane and struggled to her feet. “Josh, Peter and I are going to retire to the living room while you two clean up. Peter, will you carry him for me?”

“Sure, Granny.” Peter carefully picked up Josh and followed his great-grandmother out of the room. “It’s time for us to practice, Josh, my man.”

Rebecca started taking dishes to the sink. “You don’t have to help. I can take care of this mess if you need to leave.”

“No. I told Rose I would help, and I always follow through on what I say.” Gabriel brought several bowls and glasses to the counter.

While she rinsed the dishes, he put them into the dishwasher. They worked side by side in a silence that Rebecca didn’t find awkward. A sense of teamwork eased any tension she experienced from his nearness. She usually felt the need to fill the void in a conversation with chitchat, but for some reason she didn’t with Gabriel. Another surprise, she thought.

When she was through with the dishes, she noticed that it was dark outside the window over the sink. She reached to pull the shade down at the same time Gabriel turned toward her. Their arms grazed. Again that sense of warmth fanned from his touch. Startled by the brief contact, she flinched.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to bump into you,” he said with a smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes, lending an appealing attraction to his tanned features.

“No problem.” Rebecca yanked on the cord to lower the shade, then wrung out the washcloth to wipe the table and counters.

She felt Gabriel’s gaze on her while she worked. The thought of him watching her made her heart beat faster. The silence between them hummed with alarming undercurrents. Her battered emotions were too raw for anything but friendship between them, if even that.

“I’m just about through in here if you want to go into the living room and join the others,” she said, aware that her hands quivered.

He lounged against the counter, his stance casual, relaxed. “I’ll wait. Can I help with anything else?”

She shook her head while she hurried the cleaning, the nape of her neck tingling where she imagined him staring.

“May I ask you a question?”

She pivoted toward him, clasping the edge of the kitchen table she had been wiping. Her legs felt weak, as though the strength had suddenly been siphoned from them. “Shoot.” She laughed nervously. “Maybe I shouldn’t say that to a policeman.”

That warm smile of his touched his mouth again. “Josh doesn’t just have Down’s syndrome, he has something else wrong with him, doesn’t he?”

Her grip tightened until her knuckles turned white. “Yes. He has spina bifida. His spine isn’t developed. The doctors told me that he would never walk, talk or do anything.”

“I’m sorry. That has to be hard on you.”

Rebecca stared into his troubled gaze for a long moment, then shoved away from the table and draped the washcloth over the edge of the sink. “It’s harder on Josh,” she finally said as she headed for the living room.

She came to a stop in the doorway, aware that Gabriel was right behind her, looking over her shoulder. Peter clasped Josh under the arms and was helping him across the carpet. Tears returned to block her throat. Every night Peter practiced “walking” with Josh. Her oldest son was determined that Josh would one day play sports with him. That, according to the doctors, would never happen, and she didn’t have the heart to tell Peter.

Gabriel set his hands on her shoulders and leaned close to whisper, “You’re lucky to have such a nice family.”

The wistful tone in his voice made Rebecca ache for what he must have lost when his wife died. His words helped her focus on what was right with her life. “Yes, thank you for reminding me of that.”

When he dropped his hands, she immediately missed the warmth of his touch.

Through the fog of sleep, Rebecca heard the doorbell ringing. She dragged herself out of bed, slipped on her robe, then hurried to the front door. She peered out the peephole and saw Gabriel Stone. Why was he here at this hour? Then a thought struck her, and she quickly opened the door. Standing next to the police chief was Peter, for a second time in one day wearing a defiant expression on his face.

“Sorry to bother you at such a late hour, but I found your son running from a house that had just been egged.”

“Whose house?”

“Mine.”

“Peter Michaels, what do you have to say for yourself?”

Her son looked away, his frown deepening, his mouth pinched as though he wouldn’t say a word no matter what.

A chill swept her. Rebecca pulled her terry-cloth robe tighter about her and stepped to the side. “Please come in. I don’t want to discuss this out on the porch for the whole town to hear.”

Gabriel made sure that Peter entered the house before he came inside. “I’m willing to forget this incident. Since tomorrow’s Saturday Peter can come by my house to clean up the mess.”

“He’ll be there. And when he’s through cleaning up the eggs, he can do some other chores for you.”

“I’ll take care of my mess, but that’s all.” Peter crossed his arms over his chest, his features arranged in a stubborn expression.

Rebecca drew in a deep, bracing breath, so tired from no sleep and unpacking that all she wanted to do was collapse into a chair to have this discussion with her son. She gripped the banister, using it to support her weight. “That’s not debatable.” She looked toward Gabriel. “What time do you want us there?”

“Eight will be fine, if that’s not too early for you.”

“Are you kidding? I’m up at the crack of dawn with Josh.”

“You can’t make me!” Peter shouted, running up the stairs. “I won’t go!”

Rebecca’s first instinct was to hurry after her eldest, but when she heard his bedroom door slam shut, she winced and decided it wouldn’t do any good. She might say something she would regret, because at the moment her patience was worn thin.

“I’m sorry, Rebecca. I hated to have to bring him home this way and at such an hour.”

She shook her head. “You did the only thing you could. I didn’t even know he was gone. He’s never sneaked out before.” She attempted a smile that she knew faltered. “At least not that I’m aware of. I’m afraid lately I don’t know what my son is thinking or doing.” She ran her hand through her hair, suddenly conscious of the fact that she must look a mess.

Gabriel smiled. “He’ll come around when he gets used to Oakview. It’s hard moving to a new town.”

“We used to be very close until…” Rebecca couldn’t finish the thought. She was tired of thinking about the past and what used to be.

“You don’t have to come tomorrow morning. I’ll make sure Peter does what he needs to do and I’ll put him to work after he cleans up the eggs.”

Rebecca straightened from the banister. “Peter’s my problem, not yours. We’ll be there tomorrow morning at eight sharp.”

“If you need any help—”

“I appreciate the kind offer, but I’m fine.” Rebecca walked to the front door and opened it.

Gabriel paused in the entrance and turned to say something but stopped when he saw her standing so proud and untouchable. She didn’t know how to accept his help, and he wouldn’t make things worse by saying anything else to her. She had enough to deal with. But it didn’t stop his desire to wipe the sadness from her eyes.

He nodded, murmured, “Till tomorrow,” and strode away from her house.

He climbed into the squad car and sat for a few minutes staring at a light in one of the upstairs bedrooms. The silence of the night soothed him, and he bowed his head. “Please, Lord, give me the guidance I need to help Rebecca and her children.” He closed his eyes, drawing strength from the knowledge that He would be with him, that He would show him how to help Rebecca, Peter and Josh.

When Gabriel started the car, he felt calm, at peace as he always did after he communicated with God. He started to back out of the driveway when the radio sounded in the quiet. He responded to the call from the station, knowing it wouldn’t be good.

“Stone here.”

“There has been some vandalism at the school baseball field. Thought you might want to know, sir. I called your house, and when there wasn’t an answer, I thought you might be out.”

“Thanks, Bob. I’ll head over there and take a look.”

When Gabriel arrived at the baseball field, he immediately noticed the large window on the side of the main building was shattered. Taking his flashlight, he checked the area outside before shining the light through the smashed window, glass shards glittering on the concrete floor. Relieved to find the inside undisturbed, he headed for the front to have a closer look around. By the door he stepped on a broken egg in the gravel.

Peter Michaels. Of course, he had no proof the damage had been done by the boy, but he would stake his career on it. Peter might not realize it, but Gabriel could tell when someone was crying out for help and he intended to give the boy that help, starting first thing tomorrow morning.

Rebecca pushed the bell again and heard its blare so she knew it was working. Suddenly the door jerked open, and she automatically stepped back. Gabriel with messed-up hair and a day’s growth of beard greeted her with a puzzled look.

“What time is it?” he asked, combing his fingers through his conservatively styled black hair.

“Eight.” She curled her fingers around the handle of the stroller that held Josh, staring at the overpowering man who had haphazardly dressed in a pair of jeans, a white T-shirt but no shoes.

Gabriel glanced at his watch. “I must have slept through my alarm. Sorry. Got to bed later than usual last night. There was a break-in at the baseball field.” He directed his gaze toward Peter, who stood next to Rebecca.

She looked from the man to the boy, wondering if something was going on. Could Peter have been involved with the break-in? She hoped not, because if that was the case she had a bigger problem than her child not liking Oakview. “Peter, did you do anything else last night besides egg Chief Stone’s house?”

The boy’s bottom lip stuck out, and he stared at a point by his shoes. “What do you think I am? Stupid?”

“No. On the contrary, I think you’re very smart,” Rebecca replied, realizing her son hadn’t answered her question. From his expression she also realized she wouldn’t get an answer out of him.

“Come inside while I put some coffee on. I have to have at least a cup before I can start functioning in the morning.” Gabriel moved to allow them entrance into his home.

Rebecca hesitated. She had only come with Peter to make sure he showed up. After a confrontation in his bedroom, she couldn’t be sure of anything with her son.

“My coffee isn’t as good as Rose’s, but it’s not too bad.” Gabriel waved them inside.

Rebecca picked up Josh and followed Peter into the house, trying to dismiss her eldest son’s anger. When she’d grounded him for shouting at her earlier, he had laughed as though what she had said meant nothing to him.

“Have you all had breakfast?”

“Granny won’t let anyone leave without a proper start to the day, as she refers to breakfast.” Rebecca held Josh close, comforted by his presence.

“Has she fixed you her cinnamon rolls yet?”

“Last Sunday. When I woke up, the house smelled of cinnamon and baking bread.”

“What a wonderful way to start the Lord’s day.”

Rebecca glanced around at the house as she walked toward the back. His living room looked comfortable, with a navy and burgundy plaid couch, large pillows and stacks of magazines and books. She pictured him stretched out in his navy blue recliner, reading a book while a fire blazed in the fireplace and soft music played in the background. His home reflected the man, comfortable and laid-back.

“Have a seat while I put the coffee on.”

Rebecca settled herself at the kitchen table, made of sturdy oak with enough chairs to seat a family of six. She placed Josh on her lap, pleased to see her youngest son show interest in his surroundings. Light streamed through the large window over the sink. She smiled, thinking it was appropriate for a lawman to decorate in red, white and blue.

Peter remained by the doorway into the kitchen, such anger on his face that Gabriel wished again for a magic answer on how to help the Michaels family. Keep the faith. God has His own timetable, he reminded himself as he sat across from Rebecca. The answer will come when the time is right.

“If you want to get started on the cleanup, Peter, I have a bucket and a scrub brush in the garage through there.” Gabriel pointed toward a utility room.

Peter shot Gabriel a look full of anger, then stomped toward the garage, muttering something that Gabriel was glad he wasn’t privy to. There was a limit to every person’s patience, and with Peter he was afraid he would need an extra dose.

Gabriel looked at Rebecca, who was watching her son leave. The sadness in her eyes contracted his heart. “Physical labor will help him get rid of some of that hostility.”

While her gaze connected with Gabriel’s, Rebecca hugged Josh closer, as though he could shield her from heartache. “He’s so full of anger. I’ve tried talking to him about it, but he won’t say anything.” Again the scene in her son’s bedroom swamped her with feelings of inadequacy. Peter was a different child from the year before.

“Have you tried counseling?”

“Yes. He just sat there, determined not to say a word to the woman.”

“How about the minister of your church?”

Rebecca shook her head.

“Ours is very good with young people.”

“No.” She answered so quickly she surprised even herself. “I’m sure he wouldn’t respond to a stranger,” she offered in explanation.

Gabriel noticed the firm set to Rebecca’s mouth, the tension transmitted in the rigid lines of her body, and knew she would reject any coaxing to get Peter or herself to talk with Reverend Carson. “Then let me try to help.”

“I can’t accept—”

Gabriel held up his hand to stop her flow of words. “I’m worried about Peter. I think he might have vandalized the baseball-field house. I found a broken egg by the front door. I don’t believe in coincidences.”

Rebecca closed her eyes for a few seconds. She adjusted Josh in her arms and kissed the top of his head, drawing strength from her youngest. “He might be innocent. You don’t know he did anything.”

“What do you think in your heart?”

She rubbed her cheek against Josh’s hair, then peered at Gabriel, her eyes glistening. “What do I do?”

“Let me help. I’ve dealt with troubled children before, and not as a lawman.”

Again she shifted Josh in her arms, looking away from Gabriel.

“May I hold Josh?” The need to hold the child ran deep in him. Gabriel had missed so much with his own son.

Her gaze returned to his, confusion deep in her eyes. She hesitated, then rose and handed Gabriel her child. Josh’s big brown eyes focused on his face. A tightness threatened to close his throat as he stared at the small boy in his embrace. He supported Josh in the crook of his arm. Smiling at him, Gabriel found himself making silly faces to get the child to grin. And when Josh did, Gabriel’s heart swelled with pride.

“How are his ears today?”

“Last night he slept through the night for the first time in several weeks. I think the medicine is finally working. At least I hope so.”

Gabriel tore his gaze from the child and looked at Josh’s mother. Holding Josh only underscored for Gabriel what he was missing. The emptiness inside pushed to the foreground.

“So do I. It’s not easy going without sleep,” he finally said, realizing an awkward silence had descended.

She sighed. “Something I’m quickly finding out.”

“What are your plans now that you’ve moved to Oakview?” He had dealt with his loss and didn’t want to renew the feelings of anguish.

“I need to get a job soon.”

“You know I might be able to help you with that.”

A closed expression settled over Rebecca’s features. “You’ve already done enough.”

“Nonsense. What are friends for? Let me ask around. What are your qualifications?”

When she laughed, there was no humor in the sound. “I don’t have any.”

“Everyone has qualifications.”

“I’ve been a mother and wife for the past ten years. I suppose I can clean houses, chauffeur and organize PTA meetings.” She snapped her fingers. “Oh, and I have some computer skills. We had one at home.”

“What will you do with Josh when you go to work?”

She cocked her head. “Frankly, I don’t know. I can’t keep staying at Granny’s house and not contribute to the finances.”

“I’m finished. Can we go now?” Peter announced from the doorway into the utility room.

“You still owe me some of your time.”

Peter folded his arms. “How much?”

“I’ll take you home in the early afternoon.” Gabriel glanced at Rebecca to make sure that was all right with her.

She nodded, then stood to take Josh from Gabriel. “We’d better be going. I want Josh to take a nap in his own crib.”

“I have baseball practice this afternoon, so Peter should be home by two. I’ll feed him lunch.”

“Fine,” she mumbled as she started for the door. When Gabriel rose to escort her, she added, “I can find my own way out. Finish your coffee.”

Peering at his mug, he realized he hadn’t taken a sip of his cold coffee. He dumped the brew into the sink and poured some more into his cup, steamy whiffs of the hot liquid wafting to him.

“What do I have to do?” Peter asked in a surly voice.

Gabriel brought the mug to his lips and took a long sip of the coffee, purposefully waiting a good minute to answer the boy. “This is my Saturday to do yard work at the church. You’re going to help me.”

Peter opened his mouth to reply, then snapped his jaws together, his teeth making a clicking sound.

“Why don’t you go check on Lady out back?”

“Lady?”

“My dog. She has puppies. See if there’s enough water for them while I get ready.” Gabriel watched the child stalk to the back door and yank it open, anger in every line of the boy’s body. The next few hours could be very long.

“Peter, this is David Carson. He’s going to help us.” Gabriel opened the door to the church’s shed and went inside.

“You’re the new kid at school,” David said with a wide grin.

“Yeah. What of it?”

David’s smile vanished. “Nothing. Just making conversation.”

Gabriel heard the wonderful start to the exchange between the two boys and wasn’t so sure it was a good idea to have David here helping. He had thought introducing Peter to some nice kids his age would make the situation easier.

Gabriel handed David a plastic lawn bag. “First, we need to pick up any trash, then pull weeds in the gardens.”

Peter crossed his arms and refused to take the bag Gabriel held for him. “I don’t pick up trash.”

“There’s a first time for everything.” Gabriel stood his ground.

Peter narrowed his eyes and stuck out his lower lip. Then when Gabriel thought Peter would run away, he yanked the bag from Gabriel’s hand and stomped off toward the nearest garden.

“What’s his problem?” David asked, jerking his right thumb toward Peter.

Gabriel watched Peter yank up a plant that wasn’t a weed. “He needs a friend. I thought you might help me out there.”

David’s eyes grew round. “Are you sure? At school he isn’t very friendly. Keeps to himself.”

Gabriel clasped David on the shoulder. “You’ve grown up here. Everyone is familiar to you. What do you think it would be like if that wasn’t the case?”

“I guess, scary.”

“My point exactly.” Gabriel squeezed David’s shoulder briefly, then added, “Let’s go see if we can save some of the plants.”

Two hours later Gabriel stepped back to inspect their work, pleased. He had managed to save most of the plants, and the gardens looked great. He took pride in maintaining these beds as though it was his statement about the glory of God to the world. The flowers showcased the beauty He was capable of.

“Let’s take a break and go inside to get some sodas.” Gabriel took the plastic bags from the two boys.

David headed for the door. Peter stared at the church, hesitating.

“I’ll stay and do some more work,” Peter said as Gabriel started to follow David.

“Even God declared a day of rest. You worked hard. You deserve a break.”

Peter blinked as though Gabriel’s words surprised him.

“He welcomes everyone into His house.” Gabriel walked toward the church, hoping that the child would join David and him. But he knew he couldn’t force Peter. He had to want to come inside the Lord’s house.

Gabriel selected a soft drink after David, then propped himself against the wall and sipped his soda. His disappointment grew as the minutes ticked by and Peter didn’t appear.

Gabriel had half finished his soft drink when Peter shuffled into the alcove outside the large meeting room. “What do you want to drink?”

Peter scanned the choices in the machine. His eyes lit up for a few seconds. “Strawberry cream soda.”

“Hey, that’s my favorite. No one else at school likes it.” David tipped up his can and emptied it.

“They just don’t know a great drink when they see it.” Peter took the can from Gabriel, then moved back, keeping his distance.

“This is probably the only vending machine in town with strawberry cream sodas. Dad keeps it stocked for me.”

“Dad?”

“He’s the minister here.”

“Oh. Isn’t that kinda hard on you?” Peter asked as though it were a disease to have a father be a minister.

David laughed. “Nah. Dad’s pretty cool about things.”

Peter tipped the can to his mouth and nearly drained it in one long swallow. “Mmm. I haven’t had one of these in a while. Mom couldn’t find it at the grocery store last week.”

“Now you know where to come if you ever run out at home. The church is always open.” Gabriel tossed his empty can into the trash. “Ready to get back to work?”

“Sure. We’ve got baseball practice later today, and our coach is a real stickler for being on time.” David slid a glance toward Gabriel, then crushed his can and aimed for the trash bin several feet away. The can landed in the container. “Yes! I haven’t lost my touch since basketball season.”

Peter frowned. “You play a lot of sports?”

“Yeah. You should come out for the baseball team.”

“I don’t play baseball.” Peter dropped his can into the trash and shuffled out of the alcove ahead of Gabriel and David.

When Gabriel stepped outside, he said, “That offer to come out for the team still stands. We take newcomers all the time.” He knew he was taking a risk by extending the invitation again. He didn’t particularly want to spend another late night cleaning up the field house.

“Yeah, we need someone who’s fast,” David said, hurrying to catch up with Peter.

“I don’t run, either.” Peter came to a halt in front of the shed, his frown firmly in place.

“I’ve seen you in gym class. You’re fast. Even our teacher said something about that the other day.”

Peter slanted a look toward David. A thoughtful expression replaced Peter’s frown. “Nah. She just wanted to make me feel welcome.” He dug the toe of his shoe into the dirt.

“Not Mrs. Hinds. She loves to point out a kid’s bad points. She’s the regular terror of our school.”

Peter laughed. “Yeah, I kinda figured that the first day.”

Gabriel walked into the shed while the boys discussed the gym teacher who had been at the school thirty years, prodding children who preferred to sit in front of a television into exercising. Hearing Peter’s laughter firmed his resolve to help the boy. He again said a silent prayer for assistance.

Several hours later, at the local diner, Gabriel and the boys ate hamburgers and fries. After their lunch Gabriel took David home, then Peter. As Gabriel pulled into the driveway, he saw Rebecca sitting on the porch swing and couldn’t resist the urge to say a few words to her.

As he approached, he noticed Rebecca’s brow knitted in worry, her hands clutching a letter. He wanted to ask her if he could help, but remembered her reaction when he had. She felt she had to struggle alone.

“Something wrong?”

Rebecca lifted her head, squeezing her eyes closed for a few seconds. Seeing the sheen of tears, he fought the urge to hold her close.

She swallowed several times, then looked toward him. “An overdue bill from the hospital.”

Gabriel eased beside her on the porch swing. He remained quiet, allowing her to set the pace and tone of the conversation.

“You know, I tried to explain to them that I’ll pay when I can. You can’t get blood out of a turnip. It’s not like I don’t put something toward the bill each month.” She shrugged, trying to smile but failing. “I guess they didn’t like the small amount this month. I need a job now.”

“If I hear of anything, I’ll let you know right away. Of course, since this is a small town, you might have to go to Tulsa to look for a job.”