Hannah Grace (15 page)

Over dinner, the conversation ranged from the going price of beef to politics, from the upcoming community dinner at the church to the Wright brothers' foolish notion that they would one day fly over the trees like birds. Gabe mostly listened, offering comments from time to time, observing Sandy Shores' citizens with interest. Most of them he'd already met in passing, but the gathering tonight gave him a chance to delve deeper into their personalities. There were Peter Van Poort, who ran the grocery store; Simon and Anna Jellema, who owned the shoe store; Harvey Godfrey, the town's only dentist; and Grant and James Mulder and their wives, owners of Grant and Son Tailor Shop, to name a few.

Jesse clung tight to Gabe's side, as if there were something to fear in the friendly little gathering. Certainly, there'd been no sign of Rufus McCurdy in Sandy Shores, and he had no reason to suspect there would be, but he'd kept his eyes peeled anyway ever since the incident in the hotel room when Jesse had panicked at seeing the photograph. Obviously, he had witnessed something, but just what remained a mystery. Somewhere along the line, Jesse had encountered the man, and Gabe meant to discover when, where, and under what circumstances, just as soon as he could put the pieces together. Getting the boy to talk would solve a multitude of problems.

Helena Kane made the perfect hostess, as did her lovely granddaughters, all of whom worked the crowd with the greatest of ease, Hannah included. Of the three, he considered Hannah the most alluring, if not the prettiest-but she also took the prize in unshakable tenacity, perhaps because he knew her best. Maggie Rose appeared sweet and prim; Abbie Ann childlike, impish, and a trifle spoiled. Anyone could see, after watching Jacob for even a short time, that the baby of the family shone like a star in his eyes.

Of course, Ralston Van Huff stuck to Hannah like a barnacle to a boat, following her about the house and out onto the front porch where a few guests mingled after dinner, exuding his charm on everyone, entertaining them with his small talk. Gabe prayed that the bizarre envy boiling in his gut would subside. In the first place, he had no claim whatsoever on Hannah Grace Kane-the only thing they shared was the responsibility of Jesse's care. Second, a woman required time and effort, particularly one as prickly and impetuous as Hannah. Every day, Gabe thanked God for revealing the truth about Carolina Woods, that she amounted to little more than a money-starved socialite who was more interested in seizing hold of his family's wealth than in finding true love. Not that Hannah came close to comparing with Carolina, but she was a woman, wasn't she? And hadn't Gabe promised himself just weeks ago to wait a long time before looking at another one? Besides, anyone could see that the good doctor already had dibs on her.

"She's a fine woman, that Hannah Grace." A hand came up and gave him a vigorous slap on the shoulder, startling him out of his thoughts. Had he really been watching Hannah so close as to draw attention to himself? Ed Bowers grinned from one big ear to the other, looking all cocky, as if he were privy to some secret. "Yep, she's quality all the way, that one," he said, leaning close and whispering, `A far cry from that lady you nearly betrothed yourself to back in June."

Gabe tossed back his head and frowned. "What do you know about that?"

Ed laughed his usual hearty chuckle and his silver beard waggled. "Word gets around, my friend. Have you forgotten I went down for your folks' anniversary celebration in May? She was a beauty, all right, but you know what they say- looks'll go skin deep, but character drives clear to the soul."

"Is that what they say?" Gabe asked, suddenly irritated with his old family friend for knowing so much. As if on cue, Hannah's light laughter drifted in from the porch. He couldn't help but take a gander at her, and, when he did, it rankled him to see the doctor's arm around her shoulder-in plain view, even. Was he imagining things, or had she purposely put space between herself and the doctor when she sidestepped to allow a clear passageway for Isabella Peterson, owner of the hat shop, who wore a flowery concoction big enough for an eagle's perch atop her head to advertise her business?

"Fine Christian she is, too," Ed continued. "Won't find a more virtuous woman anywhere. Takes after her grandmother, she does."

His heart's desire, when he did go looking for a wife, was to marry someone who shared his Christian principles-who put Christ before all else and didn't look at possessions as more important than a person's heart. He'd watched Hannah with Jesse and found her selfless and kind. Just not with him. And, now that he thought about this, it irritated him plenty.

"Now, if I were you, I'd make my move, yes, I would."

"Ed."

The judge raised a hand to hush him. "Here's my opinion, for what it's worth. She's settling for that Van Huff character. He's not a bad person, mind you, but he lacks passion for the things that truly matter in life. I can't say I've ever carried on a conversation with him that didn't center on that practice of his. And then, there's the matter of his walk with God."

As little as Gabe wanted to discuss Hannah Grace's infatuation with Ralston Van Huff, Ed had managed to reel him in. "How do you mean?"

"Just something I overheard him say to Clyde Perkins a couple months back when I was sitting in another room waiting to get my ticker checked. He alluded that going to church wasn't really his cup of tea, but he did it for Hannah's sake. Just struck me that he lacks conviction, that's all."

Gabe winced inwardly but refused to show it externally. What Hannah Grace chose to do with her life mattered little. At least, that's what he told himself.

Ed was studying him, Gabe knew, looking for a clue that what he'd said had struck some chord.

Gabe avoided Ed's gaze and glanced down at Jesse. Still stuck to him like a duckling to its ma, Jesse showed no interest in wandering, save for the ogle he gave the triple-layered chocolate cake on the buffet table across the room, which Helena and Maggie Rose were even now cutting into servingsized pieces and sliding onto elegant crystal plates.

Apparently, Ed noticed. "That cake looks mighty scrumptious, young man," he said to Jesse. "I bet Maggie would serve you a piece if you asked real politely."

Jesse's eyes sought Gabe's permission. He nodded and urged him forward with a gentle nudge. To his surprise, Jesse left his side to weave through the crowded room.

"You making any progress with that boy?" Ed asked, watching with Gabe as Maggie Rose smiled at Jesse and bent down to whisper something in his ear. The boy's face lit up, and he eagerly accepted a piece of cake. No "thank you" came from his lips, however. Gabe sighed, glad for the shift in topics.

"Not much." He gave a light chuckle. "Unless you consider the fact that he now finds me safe enough to share a bed with, sometimes even hogging it. That kid kicks and fusses in his sleep like nobody's business, and I've got bruises in the middle of my back to prove it,"

"Nightmares?"

"Most likely. I wish he'd talk to me,"

"He will when he's ready. You have any leads on that McCurdy gang?"

"Not a one. I was hoping you might." He'd gone straight to the judge's office the morning after Jesse had seen Rufus's photograph, eager to talk to someone about it. He figured telling Hannah about the incident would only cause her to fret. No point in enlightening her until he had something firm to go on.

"I did hear one thing."

Gabe straightened, raising his eyebrows.

"Someone reportedly saw the four of them in a St. Joseph Saloon a week or so back," Ed informed him. "The one called Roy, I believe he's the oldest son, asked a patron if he'd seen a little stray boy with black hair. Claimed it was his sister's youngest, and that he'd run off, worrying his sister sick. The fellow knew right off it was a McCurdy, because he'd seen a `Wanted' poster nailed to the outside of the bank that very afternoon. He tried to act real casual, but apparently, they all picked up on his bad case of nerves and left the place ahead of him. By the time he reached the police station to file a report, the gang had skipped town,"

Gabe listened intently, stuck on the part about the stray boy. "You don't think it's possible, do you? That Jesse is Roy McCurdy's nephew?"

"Roy McCurdy doesn't have a sister," Ed said. "Don't know how Jesse could be related. Far as I know, it's just the three boys, and none of them is married. Old Rufus raised them all after their ma passed on. Did a rotten job of it, too."

Something troubled Gabe, chewing a hole in his side. "So, why would Roy be asking about a runaway boy? You think there's any connection to Jesse?"

Ed shook his head. "Might be, but I don't know what it'd be."

The two ruminated for the next several moments, sipping punch and nodding at various guests.

"You move into that house yet?" Ed asked.

"Still waiting for a couple of loose ends to come together. I expect to sign the final paperwork in a couple of days. It's taken longer than projected, since the owners live in Lansing. Phone service isn't always dependable, and the post office is slower than a tortoise with its shoelaces strung together."

A slow chuckle came from Ed's chest. `All in good time, son. I would imagine you have furniture and such waiting to be shipped?"

"Some, but, fortunately, a lot of pieces came with the house." Gabe glanced across the room at Jesse, who was gazing up at Maggie Rose while she spoke in soft tones to the wordless boy. He appreciated the way folks accepted Jesse despite his issues. So far, the citizens of Sandy Shores had more than exceeded Gabe's expectations when it came to affability, the Kane family rising above the rest. Even though Hannah kept a safe emotional distance from him, she certainly lavished plenty of affection on Jesse Gant.

Someone made a clinking sound against a crystal goblet, silencing the guests. All heads, including those of Ed and Gabe, turned in the direction from whence it came. In the doorway separating the porch from the parlor room, Ralston Van Huff held a silver spoon in one hand and a goblet in the other. He smiled at the roomful of curious onlookers. "If I may have your attention, folks, I have an announcement I'd like to make." He looked down at Hannah with a wide smile.

An uneasy sensation coiled in Gabe's stomach, while across the room, a whispered hush fell like a misty cloud. Gabe's eyes sought Hannah's, but she stood next to Ralston, stiff as a frozen fence post, her face gone pale as a fish as she fixed her blue-gray gaze on the floor.

"Well, I'll be," murmured Ed out of the side of his mouth, giving Gabe a strong poke with his elbow. "Looks like he's beatin' you to the punch."

id you see Papa's face when Huffy made the marriage proposal?" Abbie Ann paced back and forth in the upstairs bedroom until Hannah was sure she would carve a permanent path into the pine planks. "What on earth did Papa say to you afterward, Hannah? We're sisters, after all, and we keep no secrets, so you must tell us." Hands tightly clasped at her tiny waist, she heaved a dramatic breath. "Was he quite angry? Why, everyone present knew good and well Huffy bamboozled him. You're not truly going to marry that man, are you, Han? He doesn't bring out the best in you. Goodness, I'm not even sure he encourages you in your Christian walk. Does he, Hannah?" Abbie's pace quickened, her pretty face gone into a dark frown, her hands now wringing in worry. "And if you tell me he's perfect for you, why, I'll-I'll fry up my dirty stockings for breakfast,"

"Oh, for goodness' sake, Abbie Ann, what kind of remark is that? And slow down, would you? You're turning me into a nervous Nellie,"

"Well, good! You should be nervous. Huffy's proposal is nothing short of ridiculous. You've nothing in common with him,"

Hannah lay sprawled across her bed, staring at her wiggling toes peeking out from the hem of her gown. "I read in Ladies' Home Journal that when searching for a mate, it's best to find one whose interests vary from your own. Otherwise, things tend to get boring. There was a similar article in Vogue," she replied.

"Hannah Grace, you should hear yourself," Abbie wailed. "I feel more grown up than you right now."

At that, Hannah sat up, ire rising faster than the price of milk. "Well, you're not, young lady, and don't forget it. You haven't even been on your first outing with a boy."