Love & Family: Thanksgiving (Holidays In Hallbrook Book 2)

by Elsie Davis

  “Sure thing.” Tom nodded.

  Gemma headed back to the house, taking Brody with her.

  Jake may have been right when he suggested she talk to Chad about the pictures, but he was wrong about Kyle. No one, especially a child, could have too much love.

  Chad came through the front door. “Let me go clean up, and then I’ll be ready for dinner. Wouldn’t want to spoil a good meal by stinking up the table.”

  “That would be refreshing,” she teased. It was thoughtful for him to even think of such things and to know he cared.

  Ten minutes later Chad returned. It hadn’t given her much time to plan how to bring up the subject of the photos. “The kids did awesome today by the looks of it.”

  “Yeah. A couple of them graduated to being able to ride by themselves, and I think it’s motivating the others to get to that point. It’s fantastic for their confidence.”

  The talk continued around the GiddyUp Kids program for another five minutes before Gemma couldn’t stand it any longer. “Umm, can I ask you something?”

  Chad’s gaze riveted on her, making her nervous. He must’ve sensed by the tone of her voice the conversation was about to get serious.

  “Earlier today, I folded your laundry and took the stack to your room. I’m sorry if I shouldn’t have gone in there, but you never told me to stay out.”

  “There’s no place off-limits in this house for you. I noticed the clothes and meant to thank you for folding them. You didn’t have to do that.” The lines on his face smoothed out, but he never took his eyes off her.

  “When I was in your room,” she hesitated, trying to find the right words, “I noticed three pictures on the table next to your chair.”

  “I wondered if you’d seen them. You’ve been acting different since yesterday, and I couldn’t help but wonder if the pictures were the cause, but I figured you’d ask when you were ready.” He laid his fork down.

  “I’m not sure what to make of you having a picture of Mom and two of me. I didn’t even know you existed until a couple weeks before I arrived, so how is it you’ve come about these pictures? Did Mom send them to you? Have you two been in touch?”

  “It’s hard to explain. I haven’t been in touch with your mother. We haven’t spoken since the day I walked away like an idiot. But it doesn’t mean I haven’t been interested in your lives.” Chad drifted off into a different time and space. He remembered something, but the closed expression on his face was a telltale sign he had no intentions of sharing.

  “But then how did you get the pictures?” she persisted.

  “I just did. I had my ways. Let’s leave it at that. It’s enough for you to know I did care. Whether you believe it or not, I love you. More than anything in the world, I wish I could turn back the hands of time and change the choices I made, but nothing can. And more than anything I hope and pray you will forgive me enough to let me into your life going forward.” Gemma noticed his tears even through her own blurry vision.

  Chad wasn’t going to tell her how he got the pictures and right now it didn’t matter. I love you. He’d said as much to one of the rescue workers about her once before, but this was different. This time he was saying the words to her.

  “If you went to all the trouble to get the pictures, and you claim to love me, then why wouldn’t you take the next step and meet me? To be in my life.” She took a deep breath, trying to control the emotions threatening to turn her into a watering can. She’d asked the questions before, and he hadn’t explained; maybe this would be the time he’d let her get a glimpse of the past.

  “Because I couldn’t.” Chad shifted uncomfortably.

  “Couldn’t? Surely you had time off in between your rodeo engagements.”

  He glanced down at his plate, twisting the fork between his fingers. “It wasn’t that. I just couldn’t.” The fork dropped back onto the plate. Chad pushed his chair away from the table, stood, and carried his plate to the sink. “Since you made dinner, I’ll clean up the dishes.”

  In other words, end of discussion.

  Chapter Eleven

  Friday morning didn’t start off any better for Gemma after a sleepless night. Torn between the need for answers and the desire to know her father better, she warred with pressing him for more information. The phone call from the printer company made it worse.

  The special high-speed color poster machine hadn’t been repaired, although they assured her it would be up and running by this evening. For her part, she still needed to get a few signatures from Jake and the rescue squad on the release forms and then drop everything off at the printers. Hopefully, the print company would pull through on their end of the promise.

  Without it, the posters advertising would be far too limited, and it would put a serious dent in the turnout next week. The rescue squad was lined up to help hang the posters bright and early in the morning. They had a lot of territory to cover for maximum visual impact all over town and the county. There wasn’t enough of a window for anything else to go wrong.

  Her horseback ride with Chad this morning had been limited to idle conversation and awkward silences, as neither one of them knew how to bridge the gap her questions had formed last night. The conversation centered mainly around the horses and the pasture and the GiddyUp Kids program. His silence and her mother’s text last night confirmed there was more she needed to know.

  Mom: He looks good.

  The reception at the spa was spotty at best, so they’d been resigned to texting. It had been hard enough to explain about Brody and the rescue via text, but how did one broach the subject of her mom and Chad and any possible feelings they might still have for one another through short, often incorrectly worded messages that were typically void of the real emotion one experienced verbally?

  Gemma spent the rest of the morning making calls to re-check all the details and to make sure everything was in order. Something she’d do again next Wednesday. It paid to stay on top of all the moving pieces when she was organizing an event of this magnitude, especially on short notice.

  The only snafu had been the company delivering the inflatables. They were shorthanded and unsure they could deliver them on time. Fifteen minutes of conversation that included some sweet talking and a whole lot of good-old-fashioned begging, and she’d finally managed to get him to recommit. Without the inflatables, the carnival would be a bust.

  She checked her watch and realized she needed to leave soon if she was going to meet Jake at the diner. She grabbed the poster proofs and headed for her Jeep. Three minutes out of the driveway, her phone rang. She didn’t recognize the number and almost let it go to voicemail, but it was a local number, and with all the calls she’d been making it could be anyone.

  “Miss Watson?” a woman’s voice asked when Gemma answered.

  “This is her.” It didn’t sound like anyone she’d talked to before.

  “My name is Tiffany, and I’m Dr. Duncan’s receptionist. He asked me to call you and relay his apologies. He’s unable to make lunch today due to unavoidable patient-related issues.”

  “Oh. I was just on my way to the diner. This isn’t what I needed to hear. I need him to sign a release form and get his final approval on the poster before we go to print.”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t know what to tell you, and I don’t know when he’ll be done with this office emergency. I can give him a message to call you.”

  “That would be perfect. Thanks.”

  Gemma put the Jeep in reverse and turned around and headed back for Whispering Pines. Chad’s truck was missing although she couldn’t recall him mentioning he was going anywhere. With nothing else to do while she waited on a call back from Jake, she decided to take a walk around the property with Brody. He could use the exercise, and she could use the fresh air.

  “Brody!” The thud of him jumping down on the floor meant he’d been up on her bed again. A no-no at home, but ever since his rescue, Gemma hadn’t the heart to make him get down. At least Chad didn’t s
eem to mind.

  Tail wagging and tongue hanging, he waltzed right up to her and sat down, spying the leash in her hand. The cool, autumn air was refreshing as they made their way down the backside of the property. They explored a couple off-the-beaten-paths, Gemma letting him off his leash as they neared the pond. She snapped pictures of the idyllic setting to remind her of the place once she left.

  The history of the quarry was amazing, as was the picture Chad had on his wall. Full-grown trees surrounded the quarry, disguising all evidence the area had been mined for soapstone eighty years earlier. Gemma shivered as she pinpointed the exact location where Brody had been stuck. Seeing it from this viewpoint drove home the danger he’d been in while he waited to be rescued. Gemma continued her walk around the quarry, veering off to follow a path through the woods. At the end, she discovered a rock ledge, the water at least thirty feet below where she was standing. She sat down, Brody lying next to her, his head resting on her lap.

  She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this alone, in such a peaceful place. It was easy to become one with nature, the sun beating down on her face and warming her skin. The birds chirped, and a couple of squirrels rustled in the leaves nearby. A heron flew overhead and perched in a tree not far from where she sat. A fish jumped in the water.

  All around her life was happening.

  Things you didn’t notice living in the city. Things that reminded her of what it had been like to grow up in the country. Things she missed.

  It was as if the place was calling her home. But she didn’t live here, and her job was in the city.

  Gemma checked her watch. Jake still hadn’t called. She pulled her phone from her pocket and dialed the clinic.

  “Hallbrook Medical Center. How may I help you?” The receptionist’s friendly voice came over the line.

  “May I speak with Dr. Duncan, please?”

  “I’m sorry, he’s not in. Would you like to leave a message?”

  “I’ve already left one, and he hasn’t called back.” She couldn’t help the frustrated tone of her voice even though it wasn’t the woman’s fault.

  “I’m sorry. I could leave another if you’d like.”

  “Thanks, but no. I’ll try to reach him another way.”

  She couldn’t believe he’d left without calling her back, and she couldn’t wait around much longer. There was another way, but not one Jake would approve of. Unfortunately, she left him no choice but to go to his house.

  Gemma made her way back to the cabin and loaded Brody in the Jeep. She drove to the firehouse first and managed to get the signatures needed and then headed for Jake’s place, hoping he’d be home.

  Kyle and Tom were out playing in the yard, making Gemma reconsider her choice of action. She just needed Jake’s signature, not to give the man a reason to dislike her. She hesitated a second, but it was a second too late. Kyle had already recognized her Jeep and was running her way, a huge smile plastered on his face.

  To heck with Jake and what he wanted. Kyle and his little cherub cheeks and sweet innocence were irresistible. And technically, it was Jake’s fault she was here in the first place.

  She let Brody out of the Jeep. Jake’s truck wasn’t here, so a few minutes wouldn’t matter. He trotted over to greet Kyle and Tom, using his tongue to lap the boy with a wet doggy kiss.

  Kyle laughed out loud and rolled around on the ground with his furry friend. Gemma met Tom halfway across the yard.

  “Hey, Tom. Hope you don’t mind me stopping in unannounced. I’m looking for Jake. I don’t see his truck here, but I expected him to be home by now.”

  “No, he got called out of the office at the last minute on a rescue. Not sure how long he’ll be. You’re welcome to stay. I can get you a glass of iced tea. I reckon he won’t be too long.”

  Jake was out on an emergency. It explained why he didn’t return her call. She should have known he’d have an excellent reason because Jake Duncan never shirked responsibility.

  “I probably shouldn’t. Jake doesn’t think it’s a good idea, not with Kyle and all.”

  “My son doesn’t know everything. He’s too bitter about the past to see what a woman has to offer a young boy looking for love. Love can be for a friend just as easily as it can be for a mother. Jake doesn’t understand the difference.”

  “I’d like to count myself as Kyle’s friend.”

  “Hey, Miss Gemma. I didn’t know you were coming.” Kyle giggled again as Brody nudged him with his head, wanting more attention.

  “I needed to talk to your dad about something.”

  “Can you play wif me till he comes home? Please?” How could she resist his plea for a playmate?

  “Okay. But just until he gets here because then I need to run these poster proofs back to the print shop.”

  “What’s a posta?” His curiosity and pronunciation made her smile. He was so sweet. Not to mention, the spitting image of his father.

  “Come on, I’ll show you.” She led him to the Jeep and pulled out the sample poster she had decided was the best. The one sporting an eight by ten of Jake and Brody. She held it up for Kyle’s inspection. Tom had come over to check it out as well.

  “That’s my daddy and Bwody. I like postas.”

  “I’ll make sure you get this one when we’re done with it. How’s that sound?”

  “Yippee!” Kyle flung his arm around her leg and hugged her tight.

  Gemma’s heart overflowed with emotion. One little boy had the power to make her feel things she’d long since forgotten. Things such as unconditional love.

  She glanced at Tom. “You wouldn’t happen to have a rake handy, would you?” she asked, determination lacing her voice. To heck with Jake. She needed unconditional love as much as Kyle.

  Tom grinned. “I reckon I can find you one of those, especially since I’m pretty sure what you got in mind.”

  “What’s a beautiful November day without a pile of leaves to jump in?”

  “Sounds like a plan. I’ll be right back.” Tom headed toward his house, leaving her with Kyle.

  “You mean it? I love jumping in leaves!” Kyle jumped up and down in excitement and started to race around the front yard, Brody hot on his heels. Gemma joined in the chase fun, playing a modified version of people-dog tag. She was soon out of breath and stopped to watch the other two run around.

  “Look, Miss Gemma, I got him!” Kyle hollered; his face lit with excitement.

  “I see. Good job, now run and hide behind the tree.” She laughed.

  It wasn’t long before Tom was back with the rake and Gemma started hauling all the leaves into one enormous pile, a task made more difficult as Kyle pulled bunches back out to toss them in the air.

  “Look, Miss Gemma. It’s waining.” The leaves fell like raindrops on his head.

  Tom snapped several pictures of his grandson.

  “I think we’re ready,” she said as she finished raking the front yard. “Who’s gonna go first?”

  “Me! Me!” Kyle danced around, eager to be first.

  He threw himself into the massive pile and dug his way to the bottom. Brody barked, wondering where his playmate had disappeared. Gemma laughed when Kyle poked his head through, leaves sticking to his hair and shirt collar.

  Tom’s hearty laughter never stopped as he kept taking pictures. A proud grandpa for sure.

  Next, it was her turn. She couldn’t remember doing anything like this since before she left Glen Haven. The joy of being carefree and feeling like a kid again was overwhelming. Gemma flashed a grin at Tom, before throwing herself into the pile, arms spread out wide. Leaves flew everywhere as she waved her arms and legs to make an angel imprint. Not that it did much good, at least not the way it did in the snow, but the crisp leaves, fresh with the scent of fall, blanketed her. The only thing that could make this moment more perfect would be a cup of hot apple cider and a fresh cider doughnut.

  And maybe Jake to share it with her. The wayward idea materialized out of nowhere
to intrude on the moment. She pushed it aside, not wanting anything to spoil her fun.

  Kyle took several more turns before they convinced Tom to take a turn. Gemma captured the moment on her phone, gathering proof he’d enjoyed the moment. Kyle laughed harder than she’d ever seen him laugh before, pouncing on his grandfather in the pile. The child was in his element.

  Twenty minutes later, trouble arrived, and the party came to a crashing halt.

  Jake pulled in the driveway, parking his truck next to the house. He slid out of the vehicle and headed straight their way; a frown marred his face. “What’s going on here? I thought we had a deal?” Leave it to him not to recognize how delighted his son was and remain silent until they were alone.

  “Daddy, Daddy!” Kyle ran to hug his father. “We was jumping in the leaves. It’s you tuwn.” Kyle grabbed Jake’s hand and pulled him towards the pile.

  “I can’t right now, son. But you run along and play with Gramps.”

  Gemma waited until Kyle was out of earshot before she turned on Jake.

  “We did have a deal. And you broke it. Twice this week, I might add. I needed your approval on the poster proofs before I can get them to the print shop, and I need your signature on the release. You canceled on lunch again today and never called me back. I left a message at your office, and I’ve left several messages on your phone. Don’t blame me if I had to come here to track you down.” She wasn’t backing down under his stern look of disapproval.

  “You know I canceled Tuesday for fundraiser business. I canceled today because of an emergency at my office. My patients are my priority. I would have called you back later, except I got called out on a rescue. And I didn’t get any messages from you.” Jake pulled his phone from his pocket and gazed at the display. His frown deepened into a dark scowl.

  “Apparently, it helps if you check.” She was being unreasonable, but it didn’t stop her from taking him to task. She’d waited around all day for him to call and all he cared about was that she was playing with Kyle.