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.”
