Page 20 of An Alaskan Twin Surprise (Home to Owl Creek 2)

“I appreciate it,” Rachel said, her brown eyes twinkling. “I better get lunch served before I have a revolt on my hands.” Right before she turned away, Faith placed her chubby hand to her mouth and proceeded to blow him a kiss. It was the simplest of gestures, but it melted his heart on the spot. After picking up his tool belt, Gabriel beat a fast path down the hall to the area where he’d been working, hoping a change of scenery would cause him to snap out of it. Everything seemed to be tugging at his emotions today.

“Focus on the matter at hand,” he said out loud. “Finishing this project will bring Helene joy. You made her a promise,” he reminded himself. “She’s counting on you.” He didn’t need to remind himself that the faster he completed the renovations the sooner he would be away from Rachel and her charming toddlers. They were proving to be quite a distraction to his state of mind.

Gabriel attacked the work with a vengeance, only stopping when his drill suddenly quit working. After a few minutes of checking things over, he concluded that the problem rested with his extension cord. He hoped Helene had a replacement. If not, he’d have to head out to the hardware store in town, which would cost him precious time. He walked down the hallway toward the kitchen, and as soon as he reached the entrance, he heard loud noises that resembled crying.

“Has something happened?” he asked, stopping midstride. They’d already seen him standing there so it was too late to gracefully retreat. Hopefully he hadn’t stepped into another Marshall family squabble. The last one had proven to be incredibly awkward. “I was hoping to borrow an extension cord. Mine isn’t working. Should I come back later on?” He shifted from one foot to the other, all the while hoping fervently that nothing disastrous had taken place.

Rachel was crying. Helene was sniffling back tears. Faith and Lizzy were wailing. He was standing in a room full of sobbing females and he didn’t have a clue as to what was going on! Was someone hurt? Had they just received some terrible news? He found himself praying fast and furiously.

“No,” Helene said with a shake of her head. “Your timing is perfect.”

“Something wonderful has happened!” Rachel announced in a trembling voice. “My prayers have been answered. Mama’s agreed to undergo the surgery.” Her face lit up with a radiant smile.

“That’s fantastic!” Gabriel said, moving toward Helene to envelop her in a huge bear hug. A look of relief was etched on her face, as if she had finally let go of a huge burden. Fear wasn’t a rational emotion, yet it still held people in its tight grip.

“Now we just have to figure out how to get to Anchorage,” Helene said. “That’s where they want to do the procedure.”

Rachel patted Helene’s hand. “We’ll figure it out, Mama. Just leave the details to me. That’s the easy part,” Rachel said, brushing away tears. “Dr. Norris also said I could administer the chemo here if you get a port put in. You won’t even have to leave the house.”

“Rachel! I’m not sold on the chemo treatment yet. I’ve decided to have the surgery but I’m in prayer about the rest of it. The surgery might be sufficient to get me on the path to wellness.”

Gabriel observed the look of frustration on Rachel’s face. He could tell she wanted to challenge Helene but thought better of it. “One step at a time, Mama. We’ll deal with that hurdle later on.”

Gabriel cleared his throat. “I’d be honored to fly you to Anchorage, Helene, compliments of Lawson Charters. Just tell me when.”

“Oh, Gabriel. What a kind offer!” Helene proclaimed, clapping her hands together. “That would be such a Godsend. Thank you for your generosity.”

The look of joy etched on Helene’s face would be the only thanks he’d ever need.

“It would be my pleasure to take you there,” Gabriel said. “Just let me know the details and I’ll make it happen.” He might have to juggle a few of his charters, but he would do whatever it took to get Helene to Anchorage. With the company growing so fast, he’d been able to hire two part-time pilots to help ease the flight load.

Helene darted a glance in Rachel’s direction. “Rachel? Would that be all right with you? I know you don’t like to fly in small planes. We can always take the ferry.”

As they all knew, the ferry ride to Anchorage was a bit longer than a flight on his seaplane. Not to mention the waters of Kachemak Bay were choppy in November. In his opinion, Helene would be much more comfortable flying with him. He could make sure she was undisturbed and at ease. The decision didn’t rest in his hands though. He’d made the offer and now all he could do was wait for Rachel’s response.

For a moment Rachel appeared frozen. She bit her lip and looked back and forth between them. Gabriel could almost see the wheels turning in her head. More than anything, he knew she wanted Helene to get the medical help she so desperately needed to prolong her life. But she also feared small planes due to Lance’s death. He knew it must be a terrible dilemma for her.

“Of course, it’s okay, Mama. If you can face up to surgery, then surely I can fly in Gabriel’s plane.” Her smile didn’t make its way to her eyes. Gabriel sensed she’d only said the words she knew her mother wanted to hear. He wanted to reassure her, but he didn’t really think it was his place.

“Praise the Lord,” Helene exclaimed. “I just love the way this is all coming together. You can’t tell me that the good Lord didn’t have His hand in this.”

Gabriel nodded in concurrence. “I agree with you. God has plans for you, Helene. And this is the first step on your journey to wellness.”

“Oh, Gabriel, you’re going to make me tear up again and I’ve never been a big crier until lately,” Helene said, blotting her eyes with a tissue. “I think it has something to do with being a grandmother. It’s brought out my soft side.”

“We’re grateful for your offer, Gabriel. Let me get that extension cord for you,” Rachel murmured, disappearing for a moment as she rummaged in the utility closet. She returned with an extension cord in her hands and handed it over to him.

“Thanks. I better get back to work. I have my final tuxedo fitting this afternoon for Sage and Hank’s wedding.” He felt his grin stretching from ear to ear. “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen my buddy so thrilled about anything in his life.” As one of Hank’s closest friends, he could easily vouch for his bliss. But now, his own future stretched out before him like a blank canvas. It was a bit unsettling. It would be exciting if his aviation venture panned out, but he wanted to settle down like his best friend. He didn’t want to walk through life alone.

“I’m so excited about the wedding,” Helene said in a gushing tone, interrupting his thoughts. “I can’t think of the last time I’ve attended one. It’s been years.” Her tone was filled with glee. Prior to her illness, Helene had been a bit of a social butterfly, constantly attending town events and celebrations. He considered it a good sign that she was enthused about the upcoming nuptials.

Rather reluctantly, Gabriel met Rachel’s gaze. He imagined they were both thinking the very same thing. The last wedding might have been their own if things hadn’t gone so far astray. The very thought of it made his stomach hurt.

No matter what he did, all roads seemed to lead back to Rachel and what might have been. It was a frustrating feeling, as if he would never be able to escape their shared past. He let out a sigh of exasperation. Before Rachel’s return to Owl Creek he’d convinced himself that he had made great progress, but now, faced with her presence in town, he felt as if he’d been backsliding for weeks.

He ought to keep a clear distance from her so she wouldn’t be in his thoughts so much of the time. Gabriel needed to dig down deep and finish this renovation project. Once it was completed, he wouldn’t be forced to see her all the time. Perhaps then he would find some measure of peace.

Chapter Eight

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