Gabriel's Atonement (34 page)

The whack of Luke's axe reminded him that he needed to get down the hill and resume his work of helping with the fence posts. He had just wanted to make sure the level place on the hill where he planned to build was big enough for the house he envisioned.

Gabe's stomach rumbled at the same time the dinner bell clanged.

Luke took another swing with the axe then covered his eyes and looked up the hill. “Was that the dinner clanger?”

“Yep! I'm coming down.” He jogged down the grassy part of the incline then slowed his pace where it turned into the loose rocks that Sunny had lost his footing on.

Luke walked toward him, leading Tempest and Golden Boy, then tossed him the reins to Gabe's horse. “Hurry up. I'm starved. That woman of yours sure can cook.”

Gabe mounted, remembering the near tasteless pancakes Lara had cooked the day they met up with her family. She was a wonderful cook when she had a good stock of supplies. And the game he and Luke had shot helped, too. He could hardly wait until the large garden they started planting yesterday began yielding fresh produce. The thought of eating newly picked corn on the cob and green beans made his mouth water.

As they rode toward the dugout, where they stored the food and Lara's family lived, he thought of how she'd outsmarted him by finding and claiming it first, but he really didn't mind. He preferred that she and her family not have to sleep outdoors. It allowed him to worry less about her safety, knowing no wild animals could bother them once the door was closed. It was still possible a snake or small critter might burrow its way through the dirt, but that probably happened when they'd lived in a soddy, too.

As Gabe rode closer to Lara's camp, his pulse picked up its pace. He longed to see her—to be close to her—whenever they were parted, as they were most days. It was the nature of working the land. Each person had their own tasks to do, and things worked well when each did their job. He scowled at the thought of Lara's sister. She ought to help more, but Lara didn't want to push her, because Jo didn't like being forced. She was just plain spoiled and lazy, if you asked him. Lara was too sweet and preferred to shoulder the burden of the chores rather than argue with her stubborn sister. Maybe he should talk to Daniel about it. The older man had done well since arriving here. Gabe had trouble keeping him from trying to do too much. Too bad Jo didn't take after him or her sister. From what little he heard, she sounded more like her brother who'd left the family when they had needed him most.

Michael ran toward them, waving. “Can I have a ride, Mr. Gabe?”

He reined Tempest to a halt, reached down, and tugged the boy up so he could sit in front of him. Michael grasped the saddle horn with both hands. When he leaned back against Gabe's chest, the boy's wispy hair tickled Gabe's chin.

Lara smiled and waved as they drew near. She untied her apron and draped it over a low-hanging limb of a nearby tree, brushed the loose hair from her face, and walked toward him. Her cheeks reminded him of the red rosebush his ma had when he was young. His heart warmed with love for this woman.

He dismounted and set Michael on the ground. The boy ran past her, yelling that he was starved.

Luke walked around the front of Golden Boy and took Tempest's reins. His lips tilted in an ornery smile, and his eyes twinkled. “You'd better hurry up and marry that gal before someone steals her from you.”

Gabe narrowed his gaze at Luke, hoping his friend wasn't referring to himself. Luke laughed out loud. “Not me, you dolt. Her sister's more to my likin'.” He walked away, chuckling.

“I hope you're hungry. Grandpa and Jo caught some bass, and I fried it. Got a pot of rice, too.”

He smiled, longing to take her in his arms and greet her like he dreamed of, but there were too many eyes watching. “That sounds delicious.”

He held out his arm, and she looped her hand around it. “Do you suppose we could take a walk later?”

She glanced up at him. “I don't see why not. Just let me get Michael in bed first. “What did you want to talk about?”

“I plan to ride into Guthrie tomorrow, and I'll need a list of supplies you want me to pick up. Also, I want to talk about the house furnishings.”

“Oh.”

He hated the disappointment in her voice. What had she hoped to hear? The possibilities made his knees weak. He tugged her closer. “And maybe I'd just like to have you to myself for a while.”

When she glanced up, he winked, once again bringing red to her cheeks.

And if things went as planned, he would steal a kiss or two.

Lara pushed the pins into her hair, hoping it looked all right for her walk with Gabe. She had hoped he had a more romantic topic he wanted to chat about than food supplies, although talking about his house would be something different. Her insides quivered as she thought about finally being alone with him. Whenever they were together, someone else was always nearby.

Lantern light flickered on the dirt walls, barely illuminating the area enough to see. Jo watched from her spot on the edge of the bed, arms crossed. “I don't know why you're primping for that man. I thought you were smart.”

“What does that mean?”

“Nobody gives a person free land, just for working for them, unless they want something. Just be careful. And don't say I didn't warn you.”

Lara blew out a frustrated breath. “You're too young to be so jaded. Gabe has done nothing to cause me to mistrust him. Grandpa even likes him.”

“Well, I don't.” Jo stuck her chin in the air. “But that won't stop me from going into town with him tomorrow.”

“What?” Lara crossed the tiny room. “Why do you need to go to Guthrie?”

“I'm going to find myself a job. I've told you before that I don't intend to work land. I wasn't cut out to be a farmer's wife, and I don't intend to become one.”

“Jo—”

Her sister held up her hand. “Don't bother trying to dissuade me, because I'm either going with Gabe or going alone.”

Lara swallowed, trying to think of something that would sway her hardheaded sister. “You'd leave all of us? We're your family.”

“All you want to be is my boss.” Jo rose. “I am not your slave, and I don't intend to work for you anymore.”

Lara's heart ached at the hatred in her sister's voice. “I never meant to be bossy, but there is work that has to be done, and I need your help.”

Jo shook her head. “You'll do fine without me.”

How would Jo find a job when she despised working so much? She couldn't bear the thought of her sister alone in an unfamiliar town. “But you're only sixteen. What will you do?”

“I'm not sure, but I won't live in a dirt house again.” Jo yanked her spare dress off the peg and folded it. “I'll do whatever I have to.”

“Don't say that. There are awful men out there who prey on beautiful young women. You have no idea of the horrible life some women endure just to get by. Why would you want that when you have a family who loves you so much?”

Jo shook her head. “You'll never understand, so don't bother trying. My mind is made up.”

Lara's throat tightened as she fought the tears burning her eyes. She glanced at Michael on the far side of the bed, glad their discussion hadn't awakened him. “Have you talked to Grandpa about it?” Finally, she noticed a chink in her sister's armor.

“No. I can't. You'll have to tell him.”

Lara gasped. “You'd leave and not tell him good-bye? It will break his heart.”

Jo shrugged. “I can't do it.”

A soft knock sounded on the door, and Lara answered. Grandpa glanced at her then Jo with a worried expression marring his normally happy features. “Gabe has come calling.”

Lara nodded. She knew it would do no good to talk to Jo when she was in one of her moods, so she walked out but then paused and looked at her grandfather. “I think you and Jo need to have a talk.”

“Lara!”

Ignoring her sister's angry cry, she strode to Gabe, her time with him ruined. Had Jo purposely picked that moment to tell her she was leaving, knowing how it would upset her?

Gabe held up a lantern with one hand and reached out with the other, taking her hand. “What's wrong?”

She shook her head. “Get me away from here. Please.”

Gabe tugged on her hand, and she numbly followed as he walked toward the creek. Using the lantern to see their way, they jumped across at a particularly narrow spot and then meandered through the trees. Finally Gabe stopped, hung the lantern on a notch on a tree, and turned toward her. “Care to tell me what's upset you so badly?”

Her lower lip quivered. A tear ran down her cheek. “I've tried so hard to be a mother to Jo. She was so young when our parents died, and she has always been angry that I've tried to mother her and teach her proper skills. She resents that I ask her to help with the chores and things that need doing.”

Gabe ran his hands up and down her arms, resting them lightly on her shoulders. “She is a bit headstrong, from what I've seen of her, but I doubt she really resents you.”

“You're wrong—she truly does. I've always known it and tried to make allowances by not pushing her to work too hard. I had hoped as she grew older—” A sob broke loose, and Lara buried her face in her hands, unable to stop her tears.

“
Shh
…” Gabe tugged her closer, enveloping her in his arms.

She wrapped her arms around him, desperately needing his comfort. Next to raising her son, the most important task God had given her was to raise her sister to be a godly woman and to one day be a helpmate to her husband, but she'd failed miserably.

Gabe gently pressed her head against his chest as he placed soft kisses on her temple, driving away all thoughts of her sister. She sniffed, knowing she should step away, but she wasn't ready to. She was so tired of being strong for everyone else that she wanted to cherish this moment with Gabe, even if it meant nothing to him. No, that wasn't true. She wanted his hugs—his kisses. She wanted him to take care of her like he had been. She loved him.

Leaning back, she swiped her eyes with a handkerchief that she'd tugged from her sleeve and then wiped her nose. There was nothing less romantic than a runny nose. She smiled.

“That's better.” Gabe brushed at the dampness on her cheeks with his thumbs as his gaze roved her face. “Lara, surely you know how I care for you. This isn't how I planned to declare my feelings, but I've fallen desperately in love with you.”

Her heart quickened, and she brushed her hand down his cheek. “Me, too, Gabe. I don't know how it happened, but I've fallen for you, too.”

His eyes glistened as her words lit a fire in them, and then he leaned down, claiming her lips and heart like he'd staked a claim on her land. But none of that mattered anymore. She looped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, her lips crushed against his. Her rapid heartbeat kept a perfect tempo with his as he left little doubt to the truth of his confession of love. Having been a married woman, she knew the danger she was walking into. After a few minutes of wonderful ecstasy in Gabe's arms, she reluctantly drew back, allowing her rapid breaths to meld with his.

He pressed his forehead against hers. “Marry me, Lara. Share this land with me, and let's build a home and a family together.”

She gasped at the unexpected proposal, and Gabe instantly sobered.

“I—I…”

She pressed her fingers to his lips. “Don't say anything. I was just surprised because we haven't known one another very long.”

He nodded and seemed to relax.

“What I said was true. I care deeply for you, too, but I think we need a bit more time to get to know one another before we consider marriage.”

The disappointment was obvious on his handsome face. He took hold of her hand. “Lara, I've never been married. Never really expected to find a woman I thought was as good as my mother, but I have. And I'm not letting you go. I realize you've recently lost your husband—” He looked away, and a muscle in his jaw twitched. He cleared his throat. “Take all the time you need to be sure I'm the right man for you.”

“Thank you, Gabe. That's kind of you to not rush me. Your kindness is what first drew me to you.”

He smiled. “I don't think anyone has ever said that to me before.”

Lara took his arm and turned him back toward home. “I'm surprised.”

He reclaimed the lantern and held it high, illuminating their path. Insects hovered around it as if needing the heat it shed. “I haven't always lived a life that I was proud of.”

The comment jolted her for a moment, but then she assumed he was referring to his gambling days. “We all have regrets, Gabe.”

She had plenty of them as she thought back over her years raising Jo and the many mistakes she'd made. She understood what he meant, but it still didn't stop her from wishing she could do things over.