Page 34 of An Alaskan Twin Surprise (Home to Owl Creek 2)

“Are you sure? I felt something in the air between you when you arrived.” Iris raised her eyebrow. Her lips were pursed. “I hope you’re being careful with your heart.”

“Mama! Enough!” he said, slightly raising his voice. He didn’t need his mother interfering in his personal life.

Iris looked mollified. “I just don’t want—”

“Me to get hurt,” he interjected. “I get it. You don’t have to remind me of the past. It’s not something I’m likely to forget,” he said in a low voice. “I’m more than capable of making my own decisions, whatever they may be.”

Gabriel pushed his arms through the sleeves of his coat and went outside to look for Rachel. The door closed behind with more of a bang than he’d intended. When he walked outside he spotted her sitting on the porch steps, her eyes wide and full of questions.

“Is everything all right?” Rachel asked. “You look a little stressed out.”

He shrugged off the irritation he felt toward his mother. Today was a day meant for jubilation. “Yeah. I’m fine. How could I not be? It’s Casey’s birthday.”

“Casey, huh? That’s a beautiful name for a sweet baby boy.” A wistful expression was etched on her face. “I’m so thrilled for Tabitha and Gary. This baby won’t ever take the place of the one they lost, but they’ll cherish him all th

e more for what they’ve been through.”

He went over and sat down beside her. “You played a big role in this. I can’t imagine what it feels like to help bring new life into the world. You must feel like a superstar.”

“It’s been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Most of the time in the nursing profession we deal with illness and end-of-life issues, so to bring a baby into the world and give so much joy to families always feels incredible.”

“You could do a lot of good here in Owl Creek. As you’ve seen, your services are needed. Any chance you and the girls might stay in town?” Gabriel threw the question out casually although he felt anything but relaxed about her answer. The idea of Rachel and the twins staying in Owl Creek meant more to him than he could put into words. He’d been battling it this entire time, but he couldn’t deny that Rachel and her girls were important to him.

She reached around and untied her ponytail holder then shook her dark glossy hair so it fell about her shoulders. “I don’t know if I’m staying or not. When I came to town, I didn’t think I’d even consider it. But being back in Owl Creek has been wonderful. Mama and I are closer than ever and she’s getting stronger every day. I feel so hopeful.”

“It’s important that we never give up hope,” Gabriel agreed, reaching out for Rachel’s hand and holding it. Although it was an impulsive gesture, he didn’t regret it. For so long now he’d been fighting what he was feeling for Rachel. But seeing his newborn nephew made him feel brave. A new day had dawned. “I’m rooting for you to stay. Owl Creek is much better with you and the twins in it,” he said, his voice cracking with emotion.

“That’s great to hear. Mama was my number-one reason for coming back, but day by day I’m finding myself rooted in this town. Knowing I could make a difference here and put my nursing degree to use is exciting. All of a sudden I feel invested in Owl Creek.”

The look stamped on her face was one of pure wonder and enthusiasm. He hadn’t seen this expression for quite some time, not since she’d first started nursing school. Back then she’d vowed to take the medical world by storm.

“Is that so surprising?” he asked, curious to hear her thoughts. “You did grow up here. And up until three years ago you called it home.”

“In a way, yes. I never imagined coming back would feel so right. For the most part, everyone here has been wonderful to me. So much has changed in my life, but in some ways it’s as if I just stepped away for a little bit and everything stayed the same here. I kind of figured the townsfolk would hate me for the way I left.” She darted her gaze toward him. “Because of how I treated you and the terrible way I ended things.”

He locked gazes with her. “I’m not going to let you off the hook on that one. You left me holding the bag with the church and the reception, not to mention all those flowers. It was pretty horrific.” He made a face as the memory of dealing with all those painful details came flooding back. “I was stumbling around in the dark for a very long time.”

Rachel cringed. “It was awful and cowardly of me. I don’t think there’s an apology I could make that would cover it. Just so you know, I regretted it shortly after leaving. I was in a world of pain and I really wanted to come home.”

“I wish you’d come back, Rachel. Or answered the dozens of calls I made to you. If you’d returned, who knows what might have happened?”

For a moment she didn’t say anything. It seemed as if she was fumbling for the right words.

“I’m back now,” she whispered, squeezing his hand. “And I’m so sorry for what I put you through.”

How had he forgotten how nice it felt to sit with Rachel and hold hands? He was a simple man who wanted an uncomplicated life. Some men wanted to conquer Wall Street or run for office. All Gabriel had ever wanted was to love and be loved. And to live out his days in this magnificent Alaskan town. It was moments such as this one that meant the world to him. He’d tried to push Rachel out of his thoughts for three years, but now that she was in his orbit he was realizing she wasn’t someone he wanted to forget.

“Rachel,” he said in a low voice as she leaned toward him and placed a kiss on his lips. Surprise washed over him at her unexpected gesture. He returned the kiss with equal intensity, his lips moving tenderly against her own. He ran his hands through the long wavy strands of her hair as a sweet scent rose to his nostrils. He felt Rachel’s hands clutching his jacket, pulling him ever closer. This kiss was proof that he hadn’t just been imagining the feelings hovering beneath the surface. They were real. And from what he could see, it wasn’t just one-sided.

As the kiss ended Gabriel pressed a few extra kisses on her temple and eyelids. It almost felt as if he was trying to make up for all the years they’d been apart. With a jolt he realized it just wasn’t possible to fill in the gaps for that lost period of time. It was something he had to accept and completely move on from, which was easier said than done.

“I wonder if we’re getting in a bit over our heads. Is it wise to go down this road when we haven’t resolved the issues from the past?” she asked, ducking her head down. He could easily read her body language. Her uncertainty mirrored his own. Gabriel yearned to reassure her, despite his own doubts.

“It’s not as if we’re getting married,” he said in a teasing voice, lifting her chin up so their eyes met.

Astonishment flared in the depths of her eyes before she threw her head back in unbridled laughter. “No, we’re not,” she said, “that ship kind of sailed didn’t it?”

He let out a throaty chuckle. If anyone had told him he’d be laughing and joking about the wedding that wasn’t with his ex-fiancée, he would have called them all kinds of crazy. But life was full of surprises. Certain moments just snuck up on a person.

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