Julia did as she was bidden, lifting her hips and gripping his backside to urge him deeper.
Gabriel watched. Then he captured her mouth, kissing her deeply. “You arouse and delight me.”
“Good,” she managed to say, lifting her hips once again.
Gabriel began to move, slowly at first, marking his pace by Julia’s reactions. Then he began to speed up, thrusting more deeply.
Julia’s hands slid up to his shoulders and she clung to him as he drove inside her.
She wanted to signal to him that she was close, poised just on the edge. But before she could whisper in his ear, she fell. Her hands gripped Gabriel’s shoulders and she tightened, eyes wide open, as she climaxed.
Gabriel watched raptly, increasing his pace in order to chase after her. She’d already softened in his arms and almost hazarded a smile when his own pleasure overtook him.
His jaw hung slack and his hips jerked. A few more thrusts and then he, too, was still.
He exhaled against her lips. “Sweetheart?”
“I’m good.”
Julia snuggled against her beloved under the blanket, while the stars in the canopy of Heaven winked down at them.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Tammy and Scott took Clare into the living room while Richard and Rachel attacked the dishes.
Richard picked up a crystal goblet and began drying it. “I can remember doing this with your mother. The crystal can’t go in the dishwasher, she said, and so we’d have to wash it by hand.”
“She was right.” Rachel continued washing and rinsing crystal and placing it carefully on the drying rack.
“I’m proud of you.” Richard’s tone was low.
“For what?”
“For having the courage to embark on a new path. I know you enjoyed your job in the mayor’s office, but I always envisioned you doing something more creative. Your new position sounds exciting.”
“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it.” She finished washing the crystal and drained the sink. Then she filled it with fresh, soapy water and began tackling the stack of pots and pans.
“Your mother would be proud of you.”
Rachel fixated on scrubbing the inside of a pot.
“Talk to me, sweetheart.” Richard leaned against the counter and focused his whole attention on his daughter.
Rachel paused. “Mom visits you and Gabriel but she hasn’t visited me.”
Richard’s silver eyebrows lifted. “What do you mean?”
“You see Mom in your dreams. Gabriel told me she’s appeared to him and spoken to him. But she hasn’t appeared to me.”
Richard folded his dish towel pensively. “It’s true I dream about your mother. Not every night, but many nights. I find those dreams comforting. It’s not certain she’s appearing to me. It could be wish fulfillment on my part.”
Rachel lifted her head. “You don’t believe that.”
Richard hesitated. “No, I don’t. I think some of it is wish fulfillment, but there have been a couple of conversations we had that I believe to be genuine.
“I can’t speak for Gabriel. Perhaps Mom had unfinished business with him.”
“What about me?” Rachel dropped the pot into the water, causing suds to splash all over her clothes. “I’m her daughter. We were close. Why doesn’t she have unfinished business with me?”
Richard put down his dish towel. “I don’t know the answer to that question. What would you like to tell her, if she were here instead of me?”
Rachel peered out the window, over the back patio. “I’d tell her I love her. And that I wish we’d had more time.”
“I wish the same. I never expected to lose your mother so early. I thought we’d grow old together. Travel the world. Annoy our children.” He tousled Rachel’s hair affectionately.
Rachel examined the pot and rinsed it out. She placed it on the drying rack.
Richard lifted the pot in order to dry it. “I knew your mother, perhaps better than anyone. She loved you without reservation. I know she’s proud of you. I know she still loves you. And whether or not she is actually present here in the house, I feel her love and her comfort. And I am convinced she is always with us.”
Rachel placed the roasting pan in the sink and began scrubbing. “That’s because you believe in God and an afterlife.”
Richard jerked. “Don’t you?”
“Sometimes. Sometimes, I doubt.”
“I wrestle with my own doubts, as well. Especially at night. But I have felt your mother’s presence. And I have no doubt, no doubt at all, as to what I was feeling. That feeling has nothing to do with the other beliefs you just mentioned.”
Rachel glanced at her father. His expression was concerned, and earnest, and honest. And she knew him well enough to know he did not lie.
Richard put the pot in one of the drawers and leaned against the counter. “I know I’m not your mother. I know I’m just—your dad. But I’m here. I’m here and I’m listening.”
“Dad.” Rachel shook the suds off her hands and wiped them on her apron. Then she hugged her father. “I’m glad you’re here. Don’t think you aren’t important to me. I just miss Mom.”
“So do I.” Richard hugged her back. “I know you have concerns about Rebecca. We are friends and I hope we will remain friends. But I am not going to pursue a new relationship or remarry. My heart belongs to your mother. I’m going to do my best to live a life that honors her memory. I’m going to remain devoted to you and your brothers, and your families.”
Rachel sniffled against his shoulder.
“Life can change in an instant.” Richard’s voice shook. “But we have to have hope and look forward. And not waste our time in conflict with those we love. So don’t be angry at your mother because she hasn’t appeared to you. And don’t fight with Scott.”
“I like fighting with Scott.” Rachel’s voice was muffled.
“Could you try to like it a little less?”
“That I could do. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Father and daughter hugged in the kitchen, while nearby, a candle flickered in the window.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Crack!
Gabriel sat up, his face pointed in the direction of the noise.
“What is it?” Julia asked, clutching the blanket to her naked chest.
Gabriel hushed her, straining his hearing while fumbling for his clothes.
Snap! Another branch broke, sounding closer.
Gabriel stood and yanked on his clothes. Julia did the same, slightly dazed.
As he scanned the tree line, Gabriel perceived what he thought was the beam of a flashlight. It was visible only for a second, and then it was gone.
“Someone is out there,” he whispered, pulling on his coat. “I want you to run back to the house, quick as you can.”
He felt around for the flashlight and began rolling up the blankets.
“We should stay together,” Julia whispered back, thrusting her arms into her coat.
Gabriel helped her to her feet and handed her the flashlight. “No. It could just be a teenager, spying on us. Or it could be something else. I want you to go back to the house. Can you find the way?”
“What else could it be? A deer?”
“There isn’t time,” Gabriel hissed.
Julia noted his agitated tone and decided not to press him. She tucked the blankets under her arm. “Should I call the police?”
“Not yet.” Gabriel kissed her on the forehead and pointed her toward the house. “Run.”
Julia switched on the flashlight and hurried into the woods.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Gabriel sprinted to the tree line. The moon favored him, pouring light above the trees, which dispersed to the ground below.
Noi
ses came from just ahead. Gabriel gave chase, but the figure wasn’t visible nor was any flashlight.
Gabriel knew the woods well. His long legs ate up the distance as he pulled closer and closer to the source of the sounds.
And then the noises stopped.
Gabriel slowed, turning his head in an effort to discern any possible clue. The moon chose that moment to hide and the woods were dark. He could barely see a short distance in front of him.
He stood next to a tree and waited, listening for any movement. A breath of wind whispered through the trees. His heart pounded in his chest.
Someone was out there. Someone had come across him and Julianne in the clearing. Someone who drove a black Nissan was stalking him.
Now he was standing in the woods effectively playing a game of chicken with an unseen intruder.
He inched forward, placing his feet carefully to avoid stepping on a branch. He circled around where he thought the trespasser might be, hoping to use the power of surprise.
But when he came to the center of the circle, there was no one to be found. Unless the intruder had dematerialized, Gabriel must have lost him. After thirty minutes of searching, he gave up.
He switched directions, walking quickly and quietly back to the clearing, and then skirted it, heading toward the house.
He was almost to the edge of the back lawn when he came across something he had not expected—Julianne’s flashlight, still lit, lying on the ground.
Panicking, he cast around until he found her, lying a few feet away.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Oh my God!” Rachel flew from the sink to the back door, suds and soapy water dripping from her hands.
She ran out onto the back deck, just as Gabriel crossed the lawn, carrying Julia in his arms.
“What happened?” Rachel ran to her brother’s side, noting that Julia was conscious, but her pale face was pinched in pain.
“I think she broke her ankle.” Gabriel’s words were clipped, as if he, too, were in pain. His hair was disheveled, his coat streaked with dirt, and mud was spattered across his jeans.
“What about you? Did you fall?”
Gabriel ignored Rachel’s question and brushed past her and Richard, carrying Julia into the house.
Scott, Tammy, and Aaron were all gathered in the kitchen.
“I tripped over a branch.” Julianne gave the group a sheepish look. “And then I couldn’t get up. I would have called for help, but I left my cell phone upstairs.”
“Can you put weight on it?” Aaron stepped forward, a concerned look on his face.
Julia shook her head.
“I’m taking her to the hospital,” Gabriel announced. “But before we go, you should know that I think someone else was out there. I chased them but couldn’t find them.”
“Me and Scott can go outside and look around,” Aaron said.
“Also, keep an eye out for a black Nissan with tinted windows. I saw the same car outside our house in Cambridge and down the street before we went for our walk.”
“You never told me,” Julia whispered. Her eyes met Gabriel’s and he looked away.
“Let me get some ice.” Richard opened the freezer and removed a tray of ice cubes. He placed the ice in a freezer bag, sealed it, and wrapped it in a towel.
Julia took the ice pack gratefully.
“Did you get a license plate?” Scott asked.
“No visible license plate.”
“Should we call the police?” Rachel interjected.
“We seem to have cops here every Thanksgiving.” Scott crossed his arms over his chest.
Gabriel stopped in front of him. “Julianne’s ex-boyfriend attacked her in her own home three years ago. A strange car sat outside our house in Cambridge on two separate occasions and then miraculously shows up in this neighborhood, on Thanksgiving. What do you want to say to me, Scott?”
Scott uncrossed his arms. “Was it Simon?”
“I don’t know.” Gabriel clenched his jaw.
A long look passed between the two brothers. Scott gestured to the door. “I’ll take a look around with Aaron. If we see anything, we’ll call you.”
“What about the baby?” Julia managed to say, wincing in pain.
Gabriel was still for a moment. “Rachel?”
Rachel pushed past Scott. “I’ll get the diaper bag. Tammy, can you put Clare in her baby carrier? We don’t know how long Julia will be at the hospital and the baby will need to be fed.”
“Thank you.” Gabriel turned and carried Julianne out to the car.
A few minutes later Richard followed, carrying Clare.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Later that evening
Sunbury, Pennsylvania
Gabriel approached Richard, who was rocking Clare in her car seat in the waiting room of the hospital.
Richard stood, his gaze focusing on his son. “What did the doctor say?”
“She thinks Julianne’s ankle is broken. They’re sending her for X-rays. I was not allowed to accompany her.” Gabriel sounded bitter.
Richard continued rocking the baby, who, on hearing her father’s voice, turned her head in order to look at him. “Emergency room physicians have to investigate all options when it comes to a suspicious injury.”
“Suspicious?” Gabriel’s dark brows knitted together. “What are you talking about?”
“A new mother comes to the ER and claims to have fallen. She is accompanied by an agitated husband who doesn’t want his wife to be alone with the physician on call.”
“That’s preposterous.” Gabriel swore. “I simply wanted to help. Julia has a medical chart at this hospital, because she’s been here before. We’ve all been to this hospital. Grace used to volunteer here.”
“I know,” Richard said softly, a faraway expression on his face. “This is where Grace found you.”
Gabriel hid his reaction by removing Clare from her baby carrier and cuddling her against his shoulder.
“You and I were here with Julia once before. Think about the circumstances surrounding that visit.” Richard gave Gabriel a meaningful look.
A flash of recognition passed across Gabriel’s features.
Richard continued. “A good physician would review Julia’s chart and see that the last time she was here, she was treated for injuries related to a physical assault. Now she appears with a baby, having fallen during a walk through the woods. At night. With her husband, who appears agitated. Wouldn’t you be suspicious?”
Gabriel nodded.
“Let the doctors do their job.” Richard rubbed his chin. “Did you speak with the police?”
“No, but Scott called. He and Aaron combed the woods with flashlights. They didn’t see anything. But I think we’re going to take another look in daylight.” Gabriel kissed the side of Clare’s head. “I called Jack Mitchell.”
“And?”
“I gave Jack the description of the car and asked him to find it. Tonight is an escalation . . .” Gabriel shook his head.
“Tell me what you think is happening.”
“It can’t be a coincidence that the same car is driving by our house in Cambridge and then shows up in Selinsgrove. A casual acquaintance or student wouldn’t know about your house. We have different names. Only someone connected with either me or Julianne or both would know we would be here. The only person in that category who would want to harm us is Simon Talbot, Julianne’s ex-boyfriend.”
“Has she heard from him?”
“No. I haven’t asked anyone to keep tabs because I thought we were rid of him. Jack said he’d look into it.”
“But you didn’t tell her about the suspicious car while you were in Cambridge.”
Gabriel stiffened. “No.”
Richard touched his son’s shoulder. “I know you need to reloc
ate to Edinburgh for your lectureship, and that Julia may have to stay at Harvard. I will move to Cambridge to stay with your family while you’re gone, if my presence would be helpful.”
Gabriel’s gaze slid to his adoptive father. “You’d give up your teaching at Susquehanna? You’d leave the house?”
“I’m emeritus. I can take a year off and go back the following year. I could try to get a visiting research appointment in Boston or Cambridge. And I’ll tell Grace where I’m going so she can find me in your guest room.” Richard’s tone was light.
“Thank you.”
Richard retrieved a toy rabbit from the baby carrier. Clare made a noise and reached for the rabbit.
“Of course, it sounds like your sister and Aaron would like to move in with you, at least until they find a house.”
“I haven’t had the chance to discuss that with Julianne. But I have no intention of leaving my family behind when I go to Scotland.” Gabriel’s tone was firm.
Richard nodded, electing not to press his son on how, exactly, he was going to carry out his intention.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
What’s taking so long?” Gabriel jostled a crying Clare but she would not be soothed. “We’ve been here for hours.”
Richard stood. “I can ask at the front desk.”
“No, I’ll go.” Gabriel brought Clare to the desk and explained that he needed to locate Julianne as soon as possible. A few minutes later, a nurse emerged from the hallway and ushered Gabriel and Clare to one of the examination rooms.
“The neurologist is just finishing.” The nurse knocked on the door.
Before Gabriel could ask why Julianne was seeing a neurologist, the door swung inward. Julianne sat in a chair, her left ankle wrapped in a tensor bandage. A pair of crutches stood next to her chair.
A short doctor, who had dark hair and dark eyes, stood at the door. “Come in,” he greeted Gabriel.
“Are you all right?” Gabriel stared at Julianne with concern.
She gestured for Clare and he placed her in Julia’s arms. He put the diaper bag at her feet.
Gabriel's Promise (Gabriel's Inferno) Page 16