Hannah Grace (46 page)

"Oh, Grandmother," Hannah gasped. "I couldn't possibly wear those. What if something happened to them?" The flawless necklace had been in the family for generations, originally belonging to Helena's grandmother. Many had been the days when the girls played dress-up with Grandmother Kane's jewelry-but not with "the pearls." No, those remained locked away in a blue velvet box, never touched-and scarcely even seen.

"Nonsense. Nothing will happen, and, even if it did, people are far more important than earthly possessions. What's the point of letting these silly things continue to collect dust in my jewelry drawer? Gracious me. Now, let me look at you before I fasten them."

Helena stepped back to give her eldest granddaughter a top-to-bottom perusal.

"How do I look?" Hannah asked, biting her lower lip and feeling awkward.

"Stunning," Helena said while wiping a tear with her apron hem.

"Never prettier," said Abbie Ann, eyes round as moons.

"Like a princess," said Maggie.

"Rather beautiful, I'd say." Jacob stood in the doorway, stroking his silvery beard. Everyone turned at his voice. A faint light twinkled in his eyes before he walked across the room to place a feathery kiss on Hannah's forehead. "Lovely as a shining star." Then, looking around, he said, "Ladies, could I have a moment?"

Without a word, they filed out, Grandmother leading the way.

When they were alone, Jacob restedhis hands on Hannah's shoulders. The twinkle in his eyes remained, but now they also brimmed with something like pleasure and pride. "I have never told you this, but of all my girls, you resemble my Hattie the most."

"But, Papa, Mama was Italian, dark, lovely. I always thought Abbie, with her smooth, golden skin and black hair-"

He shushed her with two fingers. "Perhaps she most resembles her physical traits, but your mannerisms-that spirited personality and tender, generous heart-are so much like your Mama's. I see her in you most every day. It is when you come floating into a room, all smiles and good cheer, that I miss your mother the most.

"When you suffered the gunshot wound and I realized how gracious God had been in sparing your life, well, it almost felt as if He'd given a part of Hattie back to me."

"Oh, Papa." Hannah swiped at a tear.

"A while back, when I thought I might be giving your hand in marriage to Ralston, I couldn't quite decide why I didn't fully approve, but now I see it.

"When your mother and I fell in love, she fairly glowed, and I suppose I did, as well. With you, though, that special radiance seemed to be missing, at least with Ralston."

He lowered his chin and studied her with moist eyes. "But I believe I've detected a bit of a glow since Gabriel Devlin and Jesse Gant came to town."

"Papa." The moment held a poignancy that sent a shiver up her spine. "I've been praying to know God's will for my life,"

He cupped her cheek with his palm. "If you desire it deeply, daughter, and have a yielded heart, the Lord will reveal it to you in His good time. Be assured, He will never lead you astray. Perhaps you try too hard to figure things out, when really, your job is quite simple. Trust and obey."

He made it sound so effortless. Trust and obey. Yes, that is exactly what she needed to do.

The concert was halfway through when Gabe finally mustered up the courage to reach for Hannah's hand. "Are you feeling all right?" he whispered, leaning close enough to catch her blossomy scent. He gave her dainty fingers a gentle squeeze. "We can leave at any time."

She skimmed his face with tentative eyes and whispered, "I'm fine. It's-very nice."

He nodded, and his fresh-shaved chin caught on his high white collar and thick, knotted tie. When had they become so shy in each other's company? Mere months ago, they would argue over the proper care of an orphan boy, making no bones about their noisy disagreements; now, they sat like two sculptures, hardly daring to move. Hadn't he planted several bold kisses on her tasty lips just weeks ago? Now he had to drum up the guts to even hold her hand. Lord, I've turned to mushuseless, countrified mush!

He tried to give his full attention to the excellent choral and orchestral troupe from Chicago-they were performing a fine rendition of "Joy to the World," but his heart wasn't in it. Even the interspersing of several dramatic sketches throughout the evening, some amusing, others reflective and Christ-focused, hadn't been enough to stem his nervousness. He knew he was a goner from the second he'd laid eyes on Hannah in that gauzy gold gown she was wearing, the string of pearls gracing her creamy neck, and the dazzling comb planted in her burnished red curls. Even Jesse had seemed especially struck when she entered the room. He had come to the Kane house so that Maggie could watch him during the concert. "Man, you look pretty!" he'd blurted. Regrettably, it had taken a stab in the side from Jesse before Gabe had managed to find his tongue and stammer, "Yes, yes, you surely do."

Applause brought him back to the present and the houselights came up. Intermission. All around them, folks shuffled in their chairs, rose to their feet, stretched stiff knees and achy bones, then greeted their neighbors and gushed over the show.

And yet they sat amidst all the rising, Hannah's fingers still woven with his and resting in his lap. He looked at her and saw weariness. It was a good idea, his inviting her to this holiday concert, but he needed to get her home before she wilted. Besides, there were things that needed to be said, a question that needed to be asked-and he didn't want her fading on him before he had the chance to get it all out.

He gently pulled her up with him and found her light as a feather. "Come on, darling girl."

She gasped, her hazel eyes as round as pie shells. "What? Where are we going?"

"Follow me," he shouted above the clatter and commotion of intermission mingling, snagging both their coats off the backs of the chairs and throwing them over his arm, then grasping hold of her hand to lead her through the masses.

Bumping bodies, he muttered a few apologies as they meandered down the row and out to the aisle. Wall-to-wall people gathered in groups, most of whom he didn't know. A few familiar folks nodded and waved as they passed, but thankfully, Gabe managed to keep them moving through the crowd and toward the vestibule minus any snags in their progress.

Away from the deafening throng, Gabe put his hands on Hannah's shoulders and turned her to face him. Someone heaved open the big doors, admitting a billow of bitter cold air. "I'm taking you home."

"I'm fine," she insisted, even as she winced and heaved a little sigh, her shoulders drooping under the weight of his hands.

He smiled. "Uh-uh." He held open her coat, and she slipped into it without a word of argument.

They entered a house that was dead quiet, save for a few snapping embers coming from the fireplace and the gentle ticking of the antique wall clock. Had Grandmother anticipated their early return and instructed everyone to retreat to his or her quarters? But if that were the case, where was Jesse?

The Christmas tree, bedecked in a variety of ornamentssome from England, some purchased during her childhood, and others handcrafted-stood like a splendid prince in the corner of the room, beckoning them inside. Pine bows and fresh-popped corn strung along the branches made for an aromatic mix.

Gabe closed the door and helped her out of her coat, hanging it with his own on the rack in the hallway. In the adjacent room, the cozy fire smoldered, in need of another log; shadowy figures cast themselves across the fresh-polished floor, a single low-beam lamp in the living room giving off a dusky glow to the front half of the house.

A note propped against an unlit oil lamp on the buffet table caught both their gazes at once. Hannah reached it first and read it aloud. "We've all gone next door to the Bartons' house for Christmas punch and cookies and a bit of caroling. You are both welcome to join us if you like when you get home. Papa."

"Well, so that's where everyone is," Gabe said. "Do you want to go over?"

Hannah looked into silvery blue eyes the color of new smoke and felt another ridiculous shiver run over her spine. Yes, weariness filled every bone in her body, and her side ached, calling her to sit down, but more than that, a river of pleasure from simply being alone with this man rippled through her veins. She gave him her answer by way of a shake of the head.

Suddenly, he snatched her dangling hand and brought it to his chest. ON Lord, what is happening here? I feel his pounding heart. Is it possible... could it be we share common feelings for each other? Papa said You wouldn't lead me astray. I trust You to show me what to do about my own bursting heart.

Her heart heard a whispered response: My daughter, breathe deep of My love and relax.

Gabe pulled her into the living room and sat her on the sofa in front of the dwindling fire. When he dropped down beside her, their knees touched, setting off another round of nervous breaths from her quivering lungs.

The seconds ticked away loudly on the mantel clock as they watched the smoldering flames, his hands clasped and set between his parted legs, hers in her lap.

"I should put another log on the fire," he said.

"I wouldn't bother. The embers are nice to watch."

More seconds. "I hope you don't mind that we left the concert early. You looked so tired."

"I was-am-but I'm fine now. Truly." Oh, why did she have to sound so vague and insecure? She could scarcely believe this was the same man she'd had an aversion to upon first meeting. In fact, she could barely recall the feeling.

"I thought it might be good for you to get some fresh air, but I see now it was selfish on my part. I've really missed seeing you these past weeks. As a matter of fact, it's made me a little stir-crazy." A low chuckle rolled out of him. "When I heard about the concert, I thought it might be something you'd enjoy. I'm glad you accepted my invitation, even though it came to you through Abbie."

All these admissions. She hardly knew what to say. She smoothed down a couple of tiny wrinkles. "I'm glad, too." Had he truly missed her? "The fresh air was purely wonderful. And I did enjoy the first half of the concert, but thank you for sparing me the second half. I'm not sure I could have endured sitting there for another hour."

Gabe looked down at his boots, still wet from trudging through fresh-fallen snow. It prompted Hannah to look at her own, which poked out from beneath her flowing skirt. She ran fidgety fingers over Grandmother's pearls.

He cleared his throat and tilted his blond head in her direction. "Does it still hurt-your side, I mean?"

"It's a bit sore to touch yet, but I'm so much better thanwhen it first happened. My goodness, there's so much I don't even remember about that day." Except for that silly dream. She concentrated on a piece of lint in her lap.

"I feel responsible, you know."

Confused, she peered at him. "Responsible? For what?"

"I never should have left Van in charge that day. He's not the most reliable guy when it comes to big jobs-he doesn't think on his toes. In retrospect, I should've had him fielding calls back at the office and put someone like Fred Van Dam or Randall Cling at the house. I keep thinking none of this would've happened if I'd used my head, you know? I just didn't anticipate the McCurdys actually coming here the day of the funeral, and that was careless on my part. I'm the lawman; I'm supposed to stay three steps ahead of the bad guys. I had my feelers out at the cemetery, not at the house."

With everything in her, she wanted to reassure him. "Gabriel..."

"I guess you don't need to ask how ridiculous I felt once I learned that Roy had actually watched me bring Jesse here. Blast if he didn't ride by Bill Elwood's house that day Bill fell off his rocker and look me straight in the eye! Now, that's embarrassing."

She rested a hand on his upper arm and felt the tensing of muscle beneath the crisp material of his black evening suit. An urge flooded her to look him full in the face, so she gave in to it. Her heart tripped at the compelling blue of his eyes, his jaw thrust forward and clenched, his blond hair falling across his forehead in manly wisps.