Page 21 of An Alaskan Twin Surprise (Home to Owl Creek 2)

“You may now kiss the bride.” The church erupted into applause as Hank and Sage followed the pastor’s instructions and concluded the wedding ceremony with a romantic, tender kiss. Gabriel found himself cheering louder than anyone. Despite what he’d been through, he still believed in true love. He couldn’t think of a couple who deserved it more than these two.

He hadn’t known how he would feel standing up for Hank as he married the love of his life in the same church he and Rachel had chosen for their ill-fated wedding. Although he’d felt a bit funny the moment Rachel and Helene had entered the church and taken their seats, he had been able to enjoy all the wonderful aspects of the service. There was something about weddings that made a person believe in love everlasting.

His heart was full of happiness for Hank and Sage. Finding a forever type of love was something to be celebrated, and seeing the devoted couple exchange their vows was an experience he couldn’t put into words. It was sacred and awe-inspiring. He was honored to be one of Hank’s groomsmen and to be a part of their epic love story.

Life sometimes was stranger than fiction. Sage had hidden her identity as Lily North when she’d come to Owl Creek. By the time the truth was revealed, she and Hank were head over heels in love with one another. There was so much symmetry to Sage returning to the place of her birth and finding her happy ending with a hometown boy.

As everyone began

to file out of the church after the bride and groom, he found himself standing in front of the church next to Helene and Rachel. This was the downside of small towns. Even if you were trying to avoid someone, you ended up in their orbit. And he couldn’t very well walk past them without speaking.

“You look wonderful, Gabriel,” Helene said in a gushing tone.

“Thank you. The two of you look great, as well,” he said, his eyes lingering for a few seconds too long on Rachel. In her turquoise dress and with her upswept hairdo, she radiated an air of elegance. As always, she looked stunning.

Rachel appeared to be a bit ill at ease. “It’s a little strange not to have the twins with me. I can’t remember the last time I went out to a social function.”

“It’s good for you to do things without your babies,” Helene said. “It’s not healthy to be with them all the time.” Gabriel winced at the woman’s harsh tone. He couldn’t imagine it had been well received by Rachel, whose lips pursed in response to her mother’s scolding.

Sometimes he wanted to pull Helene aside and tell her to watch her sharp tongue. It had never helped her relationship with Rachel to be so critical. He knew she came from a place of love, but he feared it got lost in translation.

“I see Lincoln is motioning me over,” Helene said, her eyes full of mischief. “I better go say hello before he makes a fuss. He’s the biggest flirt in Owl Creek.” With a dramatic eye roll, she walked away from them to join the elderly widower and his cronies over by the driveway.

“So, who’s watching the girls?” he asked Rachel, trying to fill the silence. “Did you manage to find a sitter?”

Her face lit up. “Yes, I did. Beulah found someone who’s the perfect fit. Her name is Sydney and the girls have really taken to her. She actually works part-time hours at the chocolate factory.”

“Beulah to the rescue,” Gabriel said with a chuckle. “Is there anything she can’t accomplish? I’m beginning to wonder if she sleeps at night.”

“She’s incredible. I’m feeling really thankful for all of her help. Sydney is going to be a great asset. Now I’ll have more time to help Mama with all of her needs.”

“It sounds like everything is falling into place,” he said.

“It really is, especially with Mama agreeing to the surgery.”

“Gabriel!” The sound of his name being called drew his attention to Connor, who was standing curbside with a mischievous grin on his face. He’d completely forgotten about their plan to decorate Hank’s car before he left the church for the reception at the Norths’ estate. It seemed as if his pal had started without him.

“It looks like Hank and Sage have a surprise in store for them,” Rachel murmured, a smile playing around her lips. He loved watching her in relaxed moments like this when he could almost pretend as if nothing had ever come between them.

“Duty calls. I’m sure our paths will cross at the reception,” he said as he moved away from her and navigated his way through the crowd until he reached Connor’s side. He didn’t have to inquire about the expression stamped on the other man’s face.

“You and Rachel are setting tongues wagging,” Connor said with a raised brow.

Gabriel held up his hands to ward off a lecture. “We were just talking. There’s nothing more to it than being cordial. I wish people would give it a rest.”

“All right,” Connor said, holding up his hands in defeat. “Don’t blame the messenger. I was just giving you a heads-up.”

Gabriel muttered to himself. “People here in Owl Creek gossip as much as they breathe.”

“No argument there, my friend.”

“I can’t control what other people say, only what I do. I promise you this. There’s nothing going on between Rachel and I. And there never will be.” Even as he said the decisive words, he felt a tightening sensation in the middle of his chest. Although he’d tried to sound convincing, he wasn’t certain he believed it himself.

* * *

Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. The verse spoken during the wedding ceremony had brought tears to Rachel’s eyes. Seeing Hank and Sage so deeply committed to one another made her feel hopeful and sentimental. Sometimes true love did triumph over adversity. She didn’t think it was possible to bear witness to their love and not be incredibly moved by it. The guests had all relocated to the North home after the bride and the groom drove away with cans, streamers and big pink-and-white balloons attached to the back of their truck.

During the ceremony her eyes had locked with Gabriel, who looked spectacular in his dark tuxedo and crisp white shirt. Her mind immediately went to their own wedding that wasn’t. She imagined he would have appeared nearly identical dressed in his own groom’s tuxedo. Rachel pushed away the thought of Gabriel in his finery. Thinking about it always left her with a feeling of angst coiled in her belly.

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