Page 12 of An Alaskan Twin Surprise (Home to Owl Creek 2)

sp; “I think he heard you,” Helene chided, shaking her head ruefully and letting out a tutting sound.

Rachel let out a groan. It was just like her mother to stir the pot then place the blame elsewhere. She really didn’t want Gabriel to leave with those being the last words he heard from her lips.

“I’ll be right back.” She needed to catch up with him before he left. There were a few things she needed to get straight with him and there was no time like the present.

* * *

Gabriel couldn’t have walked any faster even if his feet were on fire.

So much for him believing he could be in Rachel’s presence without any issues cropping up. He felt as if he’d just walked a mile over hot coals with no shoes on. The tension in the Marshall household had been off the charts. All he wanted to do at the moment was head back to his house and hang out with Scooby, his Siberian husky. Dogs were the most loyal creatures on earth, only asking to love and be loved. It was a shame people couldn’t be more like canines.

“Gabriel! Wait.” Rachel’s voice called out after him. He turned around to see her standing in the doorway. She stepped out onto the porch, closing the door behind her.

“You really shouldn’t come outside with only a sweater on. It’s pretty cold out here,” he said, his gaze skimming over her winter sweater and jeans.

“I won’t keep you. I just wanted to apologize.” She wrapped her arms around her middle.

“For what?” he asked, hoping she wasn’t going to bring up the conversation he’d just overheard. He didn’t need her trying to make amends for what they both already knew. She’d long ago decided he wasn’t going to play a part in her future.

“I’m sorry you got embroiled in that discussion about Lizzy and Faith’s father. It wasn’t fair to you. I could see it made you uncomfortable.”

“No worries, Rachel. I’m a big boy.” He gritted his teeth. “For the record, I think your ex is a colossal jerk. Any man who walks away from his responsibilities is no man at all.”

She wrinkled her nose. “That’s a pretty accurate description of him. Frankly, he’s the one who’s the big loser in all of this. He’ll never know how wonderful Lizzy and Faith are. He’s missing out on something pretty spectacular. God’s greatest gift. He blessed me twice over with the girls.” Rachel smiled at him.

Gabriel grinned back at her. “I’m happy you have the girls. They certainly are blessings.”

“Thank you. By the way, what you just overheard me saying to my mother—”

He held up his hands. “It’s all right, Rachel. We’ve been done for a long time now. You didn’t say anything I didn’t already know. I’m glad you came back to take care of your mother. She needs you.”

“Me too. Even though things between us have always been a bit strained, I want to be with her for the time she has left. I want my girls to get to know her before she leaves us.”

Gabriel frowned. “Rachel. Helene may be struggling with a breast cancer diagnosis, but she does have options. If she would agree to undergo any of the treatments, the doctor assured her she would have a decent chance to beat this cancer.”

Rachel’s eyes widened, and a look of confusion passed over her face.

“W-what are you saying? She never mentioned any possible treatments.”

Rachel’s shock was on full display. Clearly, Helene hadn’t been honest with her daughter about her situation. Gabriel couldn’t help but feel sorry for Rachel, and he reminded himself to be patient. Rachel had already lost one parent. He imagined the idea of her mother being so ill must be extremely difficult to bear.

“Helene might have a shot at getting better if she’ll agree to some of the procedures. Up until now she’s refused to have any surgery. Of all the people in the world, you’re probably the only one who can convince her to give it a shot.”

“Me? But she didn’t even tell me she had any other options. She made it sound like things were out of her control. I have no idea why she would hide things from me. I’m an RN. Didn’t she think I could handle it?” Her voice was full of confusion and hurt.

“Talk to her. Get her to open up to you. Having you and the girls here might just be the motivation she needs to push herself to get better. I think she’s afraid.”

“Mama? Afraid?” She scoffed. “That doesn’t sound like her. The woman is made of steel.”

Gabriel made a face. “Not really, Rachel. She has cracks just like the rest of us. She’s very vulnerable right now due to her illness. I can see a big difference in her since your arrival. She’s more like her old self. Sharper. Livelier. I think she’s more joyful.”

“Oh, thank you for telling me. It means the world to me,” Rachel said, quickly erasing the distance between them before throwing herself against his chest and wrapping her arms around him.

The unexpected gesture completely caught him off guard. One moment she was standing in front of him and the next she was in his arms. He felt his shoulders stiffen. A light floral scent filled his nostrils, reminding him of a hundred nights he’d held her in his arms as they watched the northern lights shimmering in the heavens. Raw emotions swept over him, catapulting him straight into the past. Coming to his senses, Gabriel abruptly pulled away from their embrace. This was the last thing he needed in his life. He wasn’t going to allow himself to get swept up again by Rachel. She’d given him enough heartache to last a lifetime. Never again!

He took a step away from her, drawing in a steadying breath. “You’re welcome. I really need to go run this errand so I can get home to Scooby.” Without waiting for a reply, he turned away from Rachel and began heading toward his vehicle with fast strides.

His breathing was labored and his palms were sweaty as he settled himself behind the wheel of his truck. Having Rachel in his arms was far too dangerous to his equilibrium. As it was, he had to keep reminding himself of all the ways she’d shattered him into a million pieces. And he still wasn’t whole. Yet every moment spent in her presence highlighted all of the reasons why he’d once loved her.

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