Page 28 of An Alaskan Twin Surprise (Home to Owl Creek 2)

Hearing these sentiments from Rachel touched a part of him he’d believed was dead and buried. This woman confused and confounded him. Yet whenever he was in her orbit he felt more alive than ever before. Perhaps this was why none of the women he’d dated in the past few years had been able to touch his heart.

He took this moment to ask her something he had been wondering about ever since she stepped foot back in Alaska with her precious toddlers.

“And the father of your children?” he asked. “What about him? Were you in love with him, as well?”

* * *

Rachel bit her lip as Gabriel’s question crashed over her. It was such a delicate subject for her to even attempt to answer. Just thinking about her relationship with Jonathan caused a heavy sensation to press against her chest. How could she ever adequately explain the situation she’d gotten herself into with Lizzy and Faith’s father when she barely understood it herself?

“No, I wasn’t in love with him,” she admitted with a sigh. “It’s hard to admit it out loud, but I met him during a time in my life when I was feeling alone and homesick. Although my nursing career was going well, I spent so much of my time at work. I really lacked a social life. I met him on a night out at the rodeo with my girlfriends. He was a bull rider and I fell hook, line and sinker for his sweet talk.” She shrugged. “I wanted so badly to feel connected to somebody. And for whatever reason, I turned to Jonathan.” It hit her in the gut to realize how lost she’d been during that time.

“So he’s never been a part of the girls’ lives?” Gabriel asked. “Not even in the beginning?”

“No, he wasn’t interested in being a father. He made it pretty clear from the moment I told him I was expecting the twins. Aside from being shocked and a bit disillusioned, I was filled with a determination to raise them on my own without leaning on him for a single thing.” Her voice rang out with pride. She wiped away a stray tear that streaked down her cheek. “The truth is, he wasn’t father material. Not like you would have been, Gabriel.”

* * *

Raw emotion threatened to consume him. After all this time her confession still packed a solid punch. It cut through him like a knife. He’d been trying to play it cool until this very moment, but he couldn’t deny the impact of her words. His feelings were all over the place. His heart was beating so fast he feared it might jump out of his chest. Every time he thought he was out, she pulled him back in.

“Rachel, I—” he began.

Just then Neil came striding into the waiting room with an intense expression etched on his face. “Rachel!” he called out to his sister, reaching her side in a few easy strides.

Rachel jumped up from her seat and threw herself into her brother’s open arms. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she said in a choked-up voice.

“Likewise,” he said before turning to greet Gabriel. Neil Marshall had inherited his six-foot-three height and solid frame from Lance. It was a bit jarring to see the resemblance between father and son. They shook hands and Neil murmured, “Thanks for everything, Gabe. I’m so grateful for you taking care of my family and making sure they made it here.”

“It was my pleasure. I know how important this is for all of you. Helene is really special to a lot of people back in Owl Creek. Myself included.”

Neil nodded. He was slightly out of breath. “I asked about Mama at the front desk and I guess it was good timing because the surgeon was on her way down here.” He flashed them a wide grin. “She’s out of surgery and on her way to the recovery area. She said the procedure went very well.”

Rachel let out a sob. “Oh, that’s wonderful news. When can we see her?”

“In about an hour or so someone will come and get us,” Neil explained. “You’ll be able to spend some time with her before you head back home.”

Rachel winced. “I wish that I could stay longer. I feel so conflicted.”

“You need to get back to my nieces,” Neil said, placing his arm around Rachel. “It’s my turn to see things through for a while. You’ve been doing all the heavy lifting since you returned to Owl Creek. I know it hasn’t been easy juggling Mama and the twins.”

“Honestly, it’s been a labor of love. Coming home has given me a renewed sense of purpose.” Rachel’s gaze shifted so her eyes met Gabriel’s. Despite everything, he still felt connected to this woman. It wasn’t anything he could even put into words, but it resonated down to his toes. But every time he remembered the pain she’d caused him, Gabriel knew with a deep certainty that he couldn’t afford to go down a romantic road with Rachel again. He was drawn to her like a moth to a flame, but he was smart enough to realize he could easily get burned.

* * *

Rachel couldn’t contain her relief as she entered her mother’s hospital room. Neil had allowed her to see Helene first due to her impending flight back to Owl Creek. Upon entering the room, a red-haired nurse wearing cartoon-themed scrubs greeted her warmly.

“She’s doing really well. We’ve given her some crackers and juice. Don’t stay long... She’s pretty fatigued.” Rachel nodded as the nurse left the room.

Helene was lying against two pillows, partially propped up. She gave Rachel a wan smile. Considering she’d just had major surgery, Rachel thought she looked pretty great. As a nurse, she knew some patients didn’t respond well to anesthesia and had a tough time in the recovery room. Thankfully, Helene had tolerated it well.

“How are you feeling?” she asked, taking a seat in a chair next to the bed.

“I’m doing all right,” Helene said, her voice sounding raspy. Her brown skin looked a little less vibrant than usual, and her eyes had slight shadows resting underneath them. Hopefully tonight Helene could get a good night’s sleep.

“Mama, I think you’re the bravest person I’ve ever known. You’re so strong to have the surgery even though you were afraid. I know how hard it is to push past fears. I’ve been trying to be braver now that I have Lizzy and Faith.”

Helene lightly squeezed her hand. “You’re wrong, baby. You are a far stronger woman than I’ve ever been. You brought two wonderful children into the world all by yourself.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t live up to your expectations of me.”

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