In a Mother’s Arms (18 page)

With their eyes locked, she stepped back and smiled shyly. As Gabe lowered his hand, Luke came down the hall. He’d changed his shirt, combed his hair and was carrying a box that held toy soldiers, the ones he’d spent hours painting on wintry days. After a final look at Cassie, Gabe followed the boy into the front room.

She went alone to the kitchen, a cramped room meant for a single adult and not a family. As she sliced ham and potatoes, she listened to Gabe telling stories about his cavalry days. She’d first heard them on her parents’ porch, sitting with him in the swing while the sun set and the stars came out. Normally she’d have asked Luke to set the table, but she didn’t want to break the mood. Instead she put out utensils herself, then dished potatoes, ham and beans from the stove.

“Supper’s ready,” she called.

Luke gave his usual seat—the one across from her—to Gabe, and sat between them, making Gabe the head of the table.

As he lowered himself on to the chair, he sought Cassie’s gaze. “I’d like to say grace.”

“Of course.” For the first time in years, she bowed her head with sincerity. So did Luke.

“Father in Heaven,” Gabe began. “We thank You for this meal and for the loving hands that fixed it. Amen.”

Direct and honest, that was Gabe. As Cassie lifted
her knife and fork, excitement bubbled inside her. “I have news about the store.”

Gabe’s brows lifted. “Oh, yeah?”

“I’m going to hold a sale,” she said. “Everything will be marked half off for one day only. If that doesn’t draw customers, nothing will.”

Gabe looked pleased. “Sounds smart.”

“I’ll help,” Luke added.

For the next half hour, they made plans. Gabe offered to paint a sign for the store window. Luke said he’d pass out handbills. By the time Cassie served the cake, they’d become a team. They also had a common enemy, one that couldn’t be ignored. Gabe mentioned her first. “Do you expect trouble from Maude?”

“Probably,” Cassie answered. “But I’m ready for it.”

“Me, too,” Luke added. “I
hate
Billy.”

Gabe lowered his fork. “Hate’s pretty strong, Luke. Especially when it’s aimed at someone as bad off as Billy.”

“I don’t think he’s bad off at all,” Luke countered.

“I do.” Gabe lowered his chin. “Billy’s a bully. One of these days, he’s going to get his clock cleaned and he won’t have anything left. No friends. No pride. Mark my words, that day’s coming.”

Cassie wanted to cheer for Gabe. He’d directed her son from hate to charity while protecting the boy’s pride. She gave him a look full of admiration.

Gabe countered with a look of his own. “Maude’s a bully, too. Sometimes you have to fight.”

“I’m going to.” In addition to holding the sale, Cassie
would pray for Maude and Billy when she prayed for Luke. She might not see any changes, but she would do her best. “Guthrie Corners is home. I want to stay here.”

“Me, too.” Luke added.

Gabe pushed his plate away. “The sale’s a good idea, but there’s another way to fight.”

“What?” Her nerves prickled.

“The Civic Association’s having a social on Friday night. Come with me.”

Needing time to think, Cassie raised her napkin to her lips and pressed. The Friday night social was a long-standing tradition of the Guthrie Corners Civic Association. For many years her father had served as president. William Drake now held that position and Maude would be the hostess. The event took place in the town hall, but it might as well have been the Drakes’ parlor. Buzzards flapped and cawed in Cassie’s mind. The time had come to shoo them away for good. “I’d like that,” she said, smiling.

Gabe’s brows shot up. She’d surprised him. She also knew that men brought their wives and children, so she turned to Luke. “We’ll both go, all right?”

“Do I have to dress up like Billy?”

Gabe interrupted. “Only if you want.”

“No way!” Luke declared.

But Cassie would…If she could triumph on Friday, she’d be back in business on Saturday. She could attend church on Sunday with her head held high. She smiled at Gabe, then sliced a second piece of cake and handed it to him. Years ago they’d danced at socials like this
one. He’d taken her for moonlight walks and they’d stolen kisses. Her heart pounded with memories, then dreams.

“Does Pete Doyle still bring his fiddle?” she asked.

“He will this time,” Gabe said with a glint in his eye. “I’ll see to it.”

G
abe slipped six bits into Pete’s hand. “Play ‘Beautiful Dreamer,’ will you?”

“Sure thing, Deputy.” The livery owner wedged the fiddle under his chin, then warmed up the strings with a fancy scale. As the harmonies filled the hall, Gabe strode to where he’d left Cassie with Dale Archer, owner of the feed store, and Betty Lou Baines, the best seamstress in town.

The night had been a resounding success, though he and Cassie had both been nervous when it started. Three hours ago he’d arrived at her apartment. She’d been stunning in a royal blue gown, but her cheeks had been as pale as moonlight. He knew how much tonight meant to her. Over the past five days, they’d become close again. He’d kept up Luke’s boxing lessons and he’d muscled cabinets into new places for Saturday’s sale. Every night she’d cooked him supper and they’d talked on the divan while Luke did his homework in his bedroom.

He hadn’t kissed her for only one reason. She’d made it clear that her future in Guthrie Corners depended on the store’s success. If she couldn’t make ends meet, she’d be compelled to return to Chicago where she could support herself. Gabe didn’t see the need. He could provide well for Cassie, Luke and babies to boot, but she had strong feelings and he had to respect them.

Tonight Cassie would sink or swim. So far she’d been swimming like a fish. In spite of Maude’s cool looks, Cassie had held her head high. With Gabe at her side, she’d approached businessmen and their wives, inviting them to the store to look at her fine things from Chicago. Gabe thought of the opal ring he’d kept all these years. If the night stayed as bright, he’d be slipping it on her finger in no time.

He reached her side just as Pete played the first notes of the song. Cassie looked up and smiled at the same memory that had prompted him to ask for it. “Beautiful Dreamer” had been playing when they’d danced for the first time in this same room. He put his hand on her back, then spoke to Dale. “I believe Mrs. O’Rourke promised me another dance.”

Dale laughed. “It looks like she promised you
all
her dances, Deputy. Enjoy yourself.” He looked at Cassie. “I’ll tell my wife about the draperies. She’ll be there tomorrow.”

“So will I,” Betty Lou added. “I’m from Chicago, you know. I loved browsing at Russell’s.”

Cassie smiled like a gracious queen. “I’ll see you all at the store. We open at 9 a.m.”

As they turned to the dance floor, Gabe saw a glow
in her eyes he’d missed for fourteen years. She’d triumphed tonight. He’d waited long enough. Before the night ended, he’d ask her—again—to be his wife. “Let’s dance,” he said in a gravelly voice.

“Yes.”

As she swayed into his arms, he swept her into the swirl of colorful dresses and tapping feet. The way her face lit up was worth every cent of the money he’d paid Pete. He’d never seen her so happy, so alive. The blue dress matched her eyes and reminded him of a twilight sky. The sparks between them snapped like the fireflies he recalled from his southern youth. He drew her closer. “You look beautiful.”

“I’m happy.” Her fingers tightened on his shoulder. “Everyone’s coming tomorrow. My father’s old friends…women like Betty Lou. I just needed to open the door.”

Gabe tightened his grip on her waist, drawing her close as he looked into her eyes. “I can think of another door that needs opening.”

He meant the door to his house. He wanted it to be
their
house, but first she had to marry him. The question formed in his heart and rose to his lips. Before he could ask it, Cassie swayed fully into his embrace, keeping time with the music
and
with him, matching their steps in the slow, sweet rhythm of the song. When he looked into her eyes, he saw stars of light. He also saw fear. Before he proposed, he had to chase it away. “I love you, Cassie.”

“Oh, Gabe—”

“I think you love me, too.”

Her eyes glistened with hope, but she looked down at her feet. “I do, but I’m frightened.”

“Of what?”

“Everything.”

He didn’t want to hear a protest. With the music rising and the crowd swaying, he kissed her tenderly on the lips, tasting the sweetness of their tomorrows without a hint of the bitter past. He didn’t care who saw them. The kiss felt good and right, pure and so full of promise that he didn’t notice when the music stopped and the crowded shifted. Nor did he hear two boys shouting from out on the street. He didn’t come to his senses until Cassie pushed out of his arms.

“That’s Luke!”

She lifted her skirt and ran for the door. The crowd had the same idea. Gabe elbowed through the throng and caught up to her as she raced down the wide steps. He heard shouting in the alley, thumps, bumps and a thud that sounded like a fist on a flour sack. As they rounded the corner, he saw Billy sitting in the dirt with a bloody nose and Luke looking proud.

Gabe pushed ahead of Cassie. “Wait here.”

“But he’s my son!”

Yes, but Luke didn’t need his mother right now. He needed a father, a man who’d skinned his knuckles and knew about battles and war and honor. As he strode ahead of Cassie, he glimpsed Maude approaching from the opposite side of the alley.

Gabe reached Billy first and hauled him to his feet. “What’s this about?”

“He hit me for no reason!”

Luke shouted back. “It was
too
for a reason!”

“You started it!” Billy countered.

“Both of you,” Gabe bellowed.
“Knock it off!”

The boys stopped hollering, but Cassie and Maude had reached the edges of the crowd. He could get to the bottom of this mess if the women stayed out of it, so he froze Cassie with a look. He tried the same glare on Maude, but she burst through the crowd and pulled dear, precious Billy into her arms. “How dare you question my son!”

Gabe spoke in a voice just for Maude. “Someone has to. The boy needs discipline.”

“How dare you!”

Gabe scanned the crowd for Mr. Drake but saw only onlookers. “Where’s your husband?”

“He’s speaking to the mayor.”

“I see,” Gabe answered.

Judging by the pained look in his eyes, so did Billy.

Gabe spoke to Maude. “Step back now. I’ll handle this.”

The woman’s face twisted with disgust. “No, you won’t! You’re all wrapped up with Cassie. You’ll take her side. She’s trash and everyone knows it!”

Gabe’s blood ran cold. “That’s uncalled for, Maude.”

“It’s true!” She pointed at Cassie, who’d stayed on the periphery as he’d asked. “You’re cheap and foolish, Cassie Higgins! You treated me like dirt. Now you know how it feels. I promise you,
no one
with an ounce of class will ever set foot in your store. If they do, they’ll pay.”

Using only his eyes, Gabe urged Cassie to speak her
mind.
Fight! Stand tall!
Instead she wilted like a flower with a broken stem. He couldn’t stand there and say nothing, so he faced Maude. “Cassie’s a good woman. This town needs her.”

He scanned the crowd, matching eyes with each man and each woman, daring them to speak on Cassie’s behalf. One word of support would change the tide. Instead the edges of the crowd peeled back like the skin off an orange. Dale Archer turned his back and headed down the street. So did Mary Lou, Millie and other folks who’d earlier been friendly. Tomorrow the store would be empty, but Gabe clung to a single hope. Cassie had already told him that she loved him. Surely she wouldn’t leave him again.

When the crowd dwindled to the three of them and the two boys, Maude hooked her arm around Billy’s shoulders. With a smug look, she dabbed at his bloody nose and made baby talk. Gabe felt sick for the boy. As she led him away, he wondered what had happened to cause the fight. As much as he needed reassurance from Cassie, Luke needed him more and so he turned to the boy. “I figure you had a good reason.”

“Yes, sir.” Luke had a boy’s shoulders but a man’s glint in his eyes. “He was pestering Margaret.”

Everyone in town knew Margaret and felt sorry for her. Her mother had died six months ago and her father had fallen apart. Still a child herself at the age of eleven, she was raising her younger siblings, two boys and a girl who missed their mother. She also had curly hair and freckles. Someday she’d be a beauty, but not today. If Billy had been harassing the girl, Luke had done well to protect her.

Gabe clapped him on the back. “You did the right thing, son. Let’s go home.”

He looked to Cassie for agreement, but she had eyes only for her son. They were misty and wide and full of love. Then she looked at Gabe and he knew…Maude had shattered her hope. Unless he could persuade Cassie to lean on him—to let him protect and provide—she’d leave.

Expecting the fight of his life, Gabe guided them both down the street to Cassie’s apartment. Luke chattered every inch of the way, describing how Billy had pulled Margaret’s braid and called her “Freckle Head.” Luke had told him to stop. He’d warned him twice, but Billy had ignored him and cornered Margaret, chanting the mean name.

“That’s when I pulled him back,” Luke said. “He tried to push me, but I dodged just like you taught me.”

“That’s good.” Gabe was only half listening. He put his hand on Cassie’s back and she stiffened. He lowered it and felt lonely.

Luke kept chattering. “He swung first. I ducked, then I swung back. I hit him square on the nose. I don’t remember what happened next, but everything you taught me, it worked really well.”

“As long as you fought fair, I’m proud.” Gabe glanced at Cassie. She hadn’t said a word since Maude’s lambasting. He’d have preferred tears to silence, but anger would have been best. They could have fought for the future together. Instead she looked as pale as a dead body.

When they reached the stairs to her apartment, she
spoke for the first time. “Luke, go wash up. I need to speak to Deputy Wyatt.”

The formality made his blood boil. Luke, standing straight and proud, climbed the stairs. The instant the door closed, Cassie sighed. “I’m sorry, Gabe. I can’t stay in Guthrie Corners.”

“Why not?” He ground out the words.

“This town hates me.”

“So what?”

“If I can’t make a living, I can’t feed Luke.”

“I can.” He touched her cheek, then leaned forward to kiss the spot where a tear had trickled.

Before his lips tasted salt, she stepped back. “I can’t lean on you like that.”

“You mean you won’t.”

“I can’t!” she cried. “I leaned on Ryan and he cheated on me—”

“I’m not Ryan O’Rourke!”

“Of course not,” she murmured. “But I know what it’s like to not have enough. You could die. You could lose your job—”

“Or we could have fifty glorious years,” he insisted. “You can’t let fear stop you.”

She squared her shoulders. “It already has.”

“Cassie—”

“If even a single person comes tomorrow, I’ll stay.” Moonlight shimmered on her cheeks and turned them pale. “But if no one comes, it’ll mean it’s time to go. This town hates me, Gabe. It’ll turn on you, too. Luke will struggle every single day. I can’t stand the thought!”

He saw her point but from another angle. “Luke can take it. So can I.”

“
I
can’t.” She hung her head.

Instead of cupping her chin, Gabe kept his hands at his sides. “You have to fight, Cassie.”

She raised her head but only enough to look at his chest. “Maybe people will come tomorrow. Maybe this won’t be a problem.”

“It already is.”

Her eyelashes fluttered up. “What do you mean?”

As much as he wanted to hold her close, Gabe stood tall. Cassie had to win this fight on her own. “It’s like before,” he said. “You’re making decisions for both of us, but not this time, Cassie. I’ve got a say in the future.”

“Yes, you do.”

“I don’t care if you run your own business or not. I’m all for it,” he said with complete sincerity. “What I won’t do is marry a woman who doesn’t trust me to take care of her. I’d take a bullet for you. I’d dig ditches to see that you had enough.”

“I know.” She looked at her toes. “It’s just not…”

“Enough,” he finished for her.

She said nothing.

Gabe felt a fury that went back to the day she’d jilted him. “I’ve never been enough for you, have I?”

“That’s not it.”

“Then what is it?” he demanded.

“I don’t know.” Her voice wailed.

“When you figure it out, let me know.” He turned on his heels and walked away. If she called to him, he’d go back in a heartbeat. He’d take her in his arms and be
strong for them both. He’d do anything for her…except be a doormat. With the silence echoing, he headed home to his empty house where he kept the Bible with Cassie’s name as his wife and the ring she didn’t want. Alone in the dark, he went to the bedroom that should have been theirs and sat on the mattress, worn more on one side than the other. Bereft and alone, he dragged his hand through his hair.

“She needs help, Lord,” he murmured. “Show me what to do.”

Thoughts tumbled through his mind. He imagined dragging in customers at gunpoint. He considered pounding on doors and making threats.
Buy from Cassie or you’ll answer to me!
But she didn’t need that kind of support. She’d said she’d stay if just one customer showed up. Gabe would have gladly been that customer—he’d buy the dishes she favored—but the thought smacked of disrespect, even manipulation.

“Please, Lord. Send someone to her shop.” He slid to his knees. “I’d die for her. I’d do anything—”

As he hit the floor, his boots slipped beneath the bed and nudged an old valise. His next thought lit up the moment, the future and everything in between. He’d used that valise to bring his things to Guthrie Corners. He could use it to leave with Cassie on an eastbound train.

If the sale flopped and she left, he’d be going with her. He’d lost her once to foolishness and he wouldn’t do it again. He wanted to go to her now and tell her he’d buy the train tickets, but the thought of Cassie leaving with her tail between her legs didn’t sit well. He under
stood about shaking the dust off his feet, but he also knew how the Lord felt about Pharisees and Philistines. Someone needed to put the Drakes in their place and Gabe intended to be that man. But how? The thought that came struck him as both simple and fitting.