Operation Breathless (5 page)

“It’ll be temporary, right? You’re only here for a little while.”

“It would have to be. I’ll need to earn a living before too long, one way or another, and I have a life in need of resolution back in Michigan.”

She frowned and time beat past.

He nudged her, bumping against her like he had on the park bench—to get her attention, and add emphasis to what he wanted to say next. “Until then, I’m all yours.”

In the light of a full, milky moon, he noticed her eyes shimmer and sparkle. Was that hope he saw? Fear? A little bit of both?

“I want to help you. I believe in the passion you’ve brought to your work. The way I see it, helping you will help me, too. I hope to solidify a few of my own life-choices before doubt eats them away.” He extended a hand. “Do we have an agreement?”

When she looked at his hand, then into his eyes, Gabe absorbed the vibration of an attraction that was most definitely mutual. On both a personal and professional level, the circumstances he entered into with Susanna were unlike anything he had expected when he packed his bags to leave Detroit.

She reached out slowly and slid her hand against his. She held on tight and nodded, her gaze still trained on his. “Yeah…I think we do.”

“Fantastic.”

****

Before leaving Michigan, Gabe had paid a visit to the US Postal Service to fill out one of those “please forward my mail” cards. Although he doubted anything had reached Texas yet, he guided Axle beneath a trellised arch stationed at the entry walk. More out of habit than anything else, he paused to check his mailbox before turning in for the night.

Surprisingly, a tiny gift bag rested within at an enticing tilt.

“Hmm. What’s this?”

An ever-present companion, Axle cocked his head and whined softly. Gabe scratched the dog’s ears for a few seconds then pulled out the delivery, taking it with him when he unlocked the front door to his new residence—a detached cottage with a nice patch of green out front and in the back.

Stepping inside, he clicked on the light. Electricity and running water were about all that seemed settled in his newfound living space. Boxes dotted the spacious living room as well as the comfortably appointed kitchen. The bedroom suffered from the same cardboard-style décor. Not for long, though. Not much had followed him here but the absolute necessities while a friend sublet his flat on the riverfront in downtown Detroit.

Still, he was grateful for this season in his life, no matter how difficult the circumstances. When Gabe made the decision to return home, Pia happily assumed the role of doting sister. She had gone on and on about the comforts and camaraderie at Heart’s Haven. Apparently, the landlord swore up and down that loving angels presided over the facility. Gabe had met the man this afternoon to finalize his end of a short-term lease, and he had to admit he didn’t get an overly warm and fuzzy feeling from Andrew Hart—although Gabe also suspected that beneath a gruff exterior beat a loving and gracious heart…once he let you inside.

Time would tell.

The passing of time would also tell Gabe a lot about where his life was meant to go. Or so he hoped. A few things had already crystallized. He loved the prospect of working with Susanna. The idea had hit him like a thunderbolt on the way home from the park. Discussing his plans with her tonight put the wheels in motion—thank you, God. He couldn’t wait to pay a visit to Wellsprings tomorrow and check it out.

For now, though, sleep called. Gabe ignored the taped-up, waiting boxes and beat a path straight to the bedroom. He was exhausted. Thank goodness for Zack, whose presence was an added plus to returning home and landing at Heart’s Haven. They had been college buddies, but Zack earned extra points for chipping in around the apartment this afternoon and helping Gabe settle the essentials—like a spot to sleep. Dropping onto a corner of his California king, Gabe picked up the small gift bag he’d found in his mail box. Why would anyone leave him a gift?

He slid out a piece of stationary and opened the note.

I hope you enjoy this gift. May it serve as a reminder to enjoy life’s journey. ~ Pia

Gabe drew a small item out of the bag, and smiled at what he saw. His sister possessed an amazing artistic talent, no doubt. The keychain was shaped like an elongated, old-fashioned door key, inscribed with the word “Faith” and intricate in its upper detail and craftsmanship of silver and subtle stonework.

He’d treasure it—always—and had no intention of using the piece for every day purposes. This item was special. He considered the conversation he had shared with Susanna about the topic of faith, and how they both struggled to keep hold of confidence in God’s plan when evil and sin encroached. Could Pia have known what perfect timing, and spiritual eloquence, was revealed by this small, beautiful token?

Gabe fell asleep a short time later bearing a lighter heart and a deeper sense of contentment and peace than he had felt in a long time. God was already working on him—in a variety of ways.

4

“Thanks for the keychain, Pia. It’s incredible.” The following morning, Gabe joined his sister for breakfast at her apartment. His compliment struck home and her eyes came to life.

“Which one did you get?”

“What do you mean?”

“The inscription. On the side of the keychain. What did it say?”

“Faith. You didn’t already know that?”

Pia pondered for a moment then she nodded. “Good. That’s fitting. I wrapped several and gave them away. I wanted God to direct who got what keychain.”

“Wait a minute. There were different key chains?”

Pia nodded.

“You wrapped mine, you put it in my mailbox, but you didn’t know which one I’d get?”

“That’s right. They were all different—for the most part—but God knew what He was doing. I gave one to each of the guys—just because I felt inspired.”

He grinned all over again. Pia had always possessed an effortless gift for connecting to people, and to all things spiritual. He decided to switch topics. “So…what’s Susanna’s story? Is she involved?” He took a sip of hot coffee.

Pia rounded on him; her brows lifted in challenge. “If she were, Gabriel, I know her well enough to say she never would have kissed you.”

The coffee scalded the roof of Gabe’s mouth, and he nearly gagged—much like Susanna had done at the barbeque last night. Pia knew about the kiss? How was he supposed to handle
that
development?

He bit into his bagel, which stalled time and cooled the coffee burn. His sister didn’t seem upset by the idea of his interest in her friend, so maybe things would be OK. Suddenly Gabe’s taste buds reacted; he winced. “Pia—tell me you did
not
serve me light crème cheese. C’mon.”

“I care about your heart.” She delivered a look rife with double entendre then resumed wiping down the cutting board where she had prepared their breakfast. Cleanup finished, she sat on the stool next to his. “She likes you, you know.”

Gabe made a guttural sound and lowered his gaze. He plucked sesame seeds from the crispy brown crust of his bagel. “I like her, too. Obviously. But I’m not putting down roots here. I’m not staying. I can’t.”

“Why are you writing that off as an option?”

He lifted his head to deliver a steely, unflinching look. “Because I need to finish what I started in Detroit. Anything less is a failure.”

Undeterred, Pia shifted closer, propping her elbows against the counter. “Then why the kiss?”

“She started it.”

Pia smirked at his admittedly lame comment. “You didn’t fight it.”

“I like her, OK?” This time he growled. “We seem to have a lot in common—why not be friends?”

“Why? Because she deserves it
all
. She deserves to be swept away. She deserves romance. She’s so quiet, so keyed in to what she’s doing at the center that she forgets about her own life. Service work is her calling. Her joy comes from giving, so she’s never really sought out the grand love affair. And that girl deserves to go
breathless
.”

Susanna Daniels—breathless. Boy, did that image hold appeal. Gabe froze, drawn by the idea while he stared blankly ahead. He wanted to be the one to inspire that reaction. The epiphany stirred a restless tension. Something mysterious grew inside him, pushing relentlessly, leaving him itchy and uncertain about a lot of things.

****

Gabe sat in front of Susanna’s desk at Wellsprings of Grace completing paperwork to assume a volunteer position at the center. A metal and vinyl chair wasn’t exactly comfortable against his tall, muscled frame, but it suited him well enough as he scribbled his name and personal information on form after form.

“Did I just sign away my pension? The rights to my firstborn child? Did you sneak a home purchase agreement in here somewhere?”

Susanna shot him a sassy look. “Don’t be a baby. All you’ve done is sign a standard waiver, a confidentiality agreement, then there’s the routine background check authorization and a personal information sheet, so we have appropriate contact material on file.”

“Even though I’m basically a temp who’s not drawing a salary?”

“Mm-hmm. Rules are rules.”

Gabe waggled his brows, continuing to sign. “Well, I’m nothing if not accessible.”

“I found that out firsthand.”

Her flirty comment inspired him to look up and offer a wink. Finally, he signed on the last dotted line. “Am I done?”

Susanna stretched back in her squeaky rolling chair, reviewing the paperwork. Her office was small, but neatly maintained. Her scratched but sturdy desk struck him as comforting. Durable.

She tucked the forms inside a manila folder then launched to her feet. “All set. Now you get the tour. Maybe I’ll work you into a late morning counseling session so you can see how we operate.”

Gabe staggered to his feet, clutching his chest. “Finally—a paperwork reprieve.”

“Ha-ha, funny man.”

Susanna led the way down a long hallway. They passed classrooms, conference rooms, and even a few dormitory-style living spaces with doors decorated by wipe-off boards, colorful cutouts of celebrities, world destinations, and even a few book, movie, and Bible quotes. Occupant names were printed out and posted as well, acting as room markers. Gabe soaked it all in.

Wellsprings of Grace had struck a chord within him the instant he drove up. He admired the clean lines of the sprawling, single-story facility crafted of sandy brick. Welcoming touches abounded—white wooden fences, ample trees and a lay of rolling land dotted by the last of the season’s heartiest flowers. Lines of thick green shrubbery led the way inside where Wellsprings featured exceptionally clean and bright quarters—an inviting haven to kids who found themselves in the midst of nightmares.

That left him wondering about Jane Doe. Since he had signed his way through all the necessary clearances, he wanted to find out more about the youngster who had caused Susanna such angst.

“…we have staff members who are licensed teachers. Education and counseling are the two strongest pillars of the rehabilitation process.”

Gabe homed in on the conversation at hand, matching strides with Susanna.

“Right now, three members of our facility are in what I refer to as lockdown,” she said. “That’s a level of probation enforced by my entire staff that restricts the ones who need it most. They can’t leave the grounds—even to go home. They’re required to successfully complete grade-level class work and earn the right to their freedom via fulfilled probation and consistently good behavior.”

They neared a classroom that was still in use; voices drifted to him from inside. Gabe froze in place when Susanna shot out an arm, a frown on her face as she stopped short just before the entryway. Gabe obeyed her unspoken request to stay put. He tuned in to the goings on inside.

“I am
beyond
serious, Layla—you’re nothing but a baby. It’s like you’re teacher’s pet or something. You’re such a suck up. It’s disgusting. I mean, what are you after? Gold stars?”

An unattractive snort followed those snide comments. Gabe noticed the way Susanna stiffened, how she closed her eyes and sucked in a breath.

“Whatever.” Layla’s growl rattled the air. “Careful, Chelsea. Your stupidity’s showing.”

“Right. Sure.
Whatever
.”

Papers rustled. Gabe imagined books being shuffled on a desktop, papers being gathered. “You know, Chelsea, if I’m the teacher’s pet, then tell me why I’m jailed in at this stinking do-gooder’s joint, and in the process nearly got her arrested. Yeah. That makes sense.”

A sneering sound reached Gabe’s ears. “Sweet job, amateur. You end up with your butt in a sling while Holy Susanna gets off tossing you behind Wellsprings bars. Tell me, are you going to church with her again on Wednesday night? I mean…I realize Sunday services aren’t enough and everything. You going to do all that youth group jamboree and beat the tambourine stuff?”

Mocking laughter rang out, probably Chelsea and another of the teens under the care of Wellsprings. Gabe paid attention to Susanna, who winced and narrowed her eyes.

“I want to step in and play referee
so
badly right now,” she whispered.

“Last thing they need,” Gabe returned.

“I know.”

He caught her eye and mouthed the words, “Jane Doe?”

Blowing out a laden sigh, Susanna nodded. Gabe didn’t blame her for wilting. He reached across the slight distance between them and took hold of her hand. Following a quick squeeze, he broke contact. He waited, curious to see how the scene would play out.

It didn’t take long for two young women to breeze out of the gathering room. They froze for a moment when they spotted Susanna but kept moving after giving her a nod that barely passed as acknowledgement. Apparently Jane Doe remained inside.

Gabe shot his newly appointed boss a glance. “Layla is her name, right?”

“Layla Thompson. Why?”

He edged toward the doorway, ready to walk inside. “You’ve met good cop. Time to show you my tough love side.”