Operation Breathless (9 page)
Layla had been cleared of all charges in the park vandalism case. GPS on her phone had verified she was miles away from the scene of the crime. Gabe and the police had even lucked out when interviewing the clerk who sold Layla that fateful bottle of pop. She recognized and remembered Layla, placing her firmly at the convenience store. God’s hand had rested on the youngster, and by now she was smart enough, and mature enough, to recognize His merciful grace.
Ever since the police incident, even Chelsea had taken notice of the changes taking place around her, and begun to temper her behavior. Of course, facing the cops, and spending a night in jail, had helped solidify that attitude alignment.
Present circumstances should have launched her heart to the heavens. Instead, Susanna felt desolate. Gabe was leaving for Detroit tomorrow morning.
She’d always known he would leave, but that didn’t make matters any easier to tolerate. He more than lived up to his end of their deal. He had become one of the best things to ever happen at Wellsprings of Grace. His efforts reaped tremendous rewards, despite being short lived. She needed to remain grateful for that fact, despite a looming emptiness that colored her entire world.
Kaitlyn and Layla climbed into Susanna’s car, laughing and joking and chattering. With considerably less enthusiasm, Susanna joined them and drove the short distance to her apartment where they would hang out for a few hours before the folks at Heart’s Haven bid Gabe farewell at a send-off barbeque later in the day.
There was no way she’d survive the event—but there was no way to gracefully back out of it either. While Susanna drove, the girls sang along with the radio, and she plotted possible means of evasion. Perhaps she could stall her arrival at the party. Better yet, she could arrive late, grab a fast bite to eat, wish Gabe well, then vanish into her apartment.
Pia would call her out on that kind of behavior, though.
Focused on the road ahead, Susanna addressed the girls. “I need to grab a few groceries. Will you two be OK on your own for an hour or so?”
“Depends on your movie selections,” Layla teased.
Susanna laughed in spite of her mood, connecting her gaze to Layla’s via the rearview mirror. “Please. I have every chick-flick known to humankind.”
“Cool!”
Susanna resumed plotting. She’d make potato salad. It was a group favorite, and it would satisfy that sentimental urge to somehow reclaim the moments she had shared with Gabe at their first barbeque, when time had stretched before them like a hopeful roadway leading to everything she most desired.
She shook free of that thought, issuing a frustrated sound. The food prep would be long and complex…plus the salad would need to chill, and marinade…it would be perfect. Time consuming.
Blowing out a resigned sigh, Susanna chided herself for letting a cooking stall tactic gain momentum.
9
The woman was in tears.
An achingly solitary figure, she sat on a park bench along the edge of a windswept walkway. Her sadness left Gabe’s heart to ache. He understood her pain. A few plastic grocery sacks decorated the ground at her feet, ignored as she wiped her eyes.
Distracted from walking his beloved German Shepherd—who already fought the confines of his leash and lurched toward the woman repeatedly—Gabe knelt and tucked a folded set of papers into the dog’s collar. “Go get her, buddy,” he whispered.
He unhooked the leash, staying squatted while his dog charged happily ahead.
And plopped dirty paws straight onto her lap.
The lovely lady jumped then covered her wavering lips. She let out a cry, wrapping her arms around the dog’s neck and burying her face in his fur. Axle, the loving goon, panted happily and let her absorb his warmth and affection.
Gabe smiled, and trotted forward to join them. “Axle, down. C’mon…you’re making her filthy.”
“I don’t care. Leave him alone.”
Her words were muffled because her head remained buried against Axle’s neck, and she kept her head turned away from Gabe.
“Susanna…please…look at me. You need to see something.” He kept his voice low and gentle, reflective of the tenderness he felt. The love, too.
“I’m going to miss you so much.” Susanna ignored Gabe’s request, devoutly avoiding eye contact. For now he let her.
“Was that comment directed toward me, or Axle?”
She turned at last and lifted her tear-reddened eyes. “Both.”
“Susanna…”
She straightened and faced him at last; he could almost see her grappling for strength and determination. “I won’t get a chance to say much to you in private at the party later on, but I want to tell you something.”
She held herself stiff and straight. In her eyes, he saw the battle that took place between her head and her spirit.
“Don’t have any doubts about yourself, Gabe Peretti. Go back to Michigan and take Detroit by storm. You’ll slay those dragons. You’re a natural. Never forget how you helped save Layla. You gave her a chance. You’re amazing.”
He could tell by the roughness of her voice that those words cost her dearly. Releasing him—and their relationship—tore her to shreds.
He knew the feeling. So, last night, he had made some important decisions. Before responding, his gaze tracked to the papers sticking out of Axle’s collar, which Susanna had simply ignored. “God gave Layla a chance by changing her heart. You gave her the chance by giving her the support she needed.”
“You were part of that process. Don’t ever forget it.”
Her red eyes and sorrowful expression were his undoing. He sat next to her and cupped her face between his hands, cradling it tenderly, stroking her flushed cheeks with his thumbs. “We’re a great team, Lovely Lady.”
She nodded and rested a trembling hand against his chest. “Yeah, we were. Take that with you wherever life leads.”
“I intend to.”
She swallowed hard; he wondered if she was choking back additional tears.
“I’m sorry for being so emotional. I don’t want you to feel bad about leaving. It’s just that you won a piece of my soul so perfectly. The idea of losing you hurts, and I don’t want to say goodbye. I suppose that’s why I came here, to our spot. I wanted to think, and pray, and figure out how in the world to let you go.”
“What if you don’t have to?”
She sniffed and tilted her head in question. She lifted free of his hold to dash fingertips against moist cheeks.
Gabe pointed at the papers Axle wore like a doggie accessory. Confused, Susanna pulled them free, unfolded them, and began to read.
Her eyes went big, drying almost instantly. “But—no. This…this can’t be. It’s…”
Gabe looked into her eyes, and smiled. “It’s a long-term lease. Just signed it this morning. Had a lengthy talk with our landlord, too. I figure, down the road, maybe you and I can look into occupying one of the larger units ol’ Andy Hart is constructing. That is, if you’ll have me.” Her eyes—her entire body—brimmed with a hope he could see and taste. “It won’t be official until I give you a ring, but that’s coming. Soon. Beautiful thing is we don’t need rings to affirm the truth that we’re connected, do we? We’ve known connection from the moment we laid eyes on each other. That’s God at work, and the best kind of love imaginable. I can’t picture my life without you.”
“Oh, Gabe…”
The way she whispered his name sent a thrill dancing deep through his arms and chest. Like angel wings unfolding, and encircling them both, Gabe felt that irresistible push of warmth. He pulled Susanna to him like a precious treasure, and his heart drifted into its destined home.
“My life plans have shifted radically, Lovely Lady. As much as I’ll miss what I could have done in Detroit, I realize I need to pay attention to where God has placed me, and for what reasons.” He brushed back her hair and tucked it behind her shoulder “My life—and my heart—reside in Angel Falls. In your hands.”
He felt a shiver course her body.
“But tomorrow…Detroit…”
“I’m still returning to Detroit, but only for a couple weeks—just long enough to tender my resignation and pack up my apartment. When I return, I already have an interview scheduled with the chief of police.”
Susanna nipped her lower lip and studied him intently. “I still can’t bring myself to believe this…”
Her burgeoning joy fed his. “Police work is only one side of the coin, Susanna. What I want most is to continue helping you at Wellsprings. I want to keep working hand-in-heart with the woman I love.”
She sank against his side; her fit was perfect. She lifted her face to his. “Kiss me, Handsome Man. Please…just kiss me…”
Her arms wound softly around his neck. His head dipped low, and Gabe Peretti took great pleasure in doing just that.
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