Someone To Watch Over Me (Harlequin Super Romance) (27 page)

Gabe closed his phone, feeling lucky to have such good friends—and feeling more hopeless than ever about his shaky footing with Isabella.

He grabbed the bread and went back inside.

“Bring the bread out onto the patio,” Maria called. “I already brought the cutting board and knife.”

“Sorry to be so long. I had a couple of messages on my cell phone.”

“Anything to do with the trial?” Isabella raised her head.

“No. Personal business,” he replied, passing the loaf to Maria.

“Oh. Not bad news concerning Papa’s goats, I hope?” When Gabe looked surprised that she knew about the goats, Isabella explained. “Maria just spoke with Rick. He said the hills behind your house are no longer green but white with this new breed of goat Angel talked Papa into bringing up from Texas.”

“They showed up so early this morning, the hills were almost littered with their fluffy white carcasses.”

Maria laughed. She handed Gabe a thick slice of buttered bread to go with the fresh soup she’d dipped for him.

Isabella broke a chunk off her slice. “Gabe, are you really buying out Larkin Crosley’s law practice? Uh…Rick also told Maria that.”

“Rick covered a lot of ground. What else did he say?”

“Nothing much.” Isabella reacted to Gabe’s sharp tone. “Well, nothing Maria repeated. I didn’t talk to him. Um, were you hoping to keep that news a secret?”

He shook his head. He did, however, hope to keep news of the garden he’d commissioned a secret—from Isabella, at least. Until the majority of the work was done, anyway. “It didn’t seem right to burden you with the details of my decision. You have enough on your mind at the moment.”

“True, but a few weeks ago you bought a ranch and hired Papa to teach you to raise sheep. Then practically overnight you lease him your pasture. Now, you’re suddenly going to study for the Oregon bar?”

“You could say it came as a revelation on one of those cold mornings as I lay face first in the icy mud. This was after a ram took offense at what he saw as my interference.” He grinned wryly. “I’m not cut out to be a rancher, Isabella.”

His self-deprecation bought a slight curve to her lips. Maria snickered. “Don’t let my husband hear you say that. Rick’s positive he ran you off.”

“I’m here to stay, and everyone had better get used to that fact.” Gabe answered Maria, but his gaze bored straight through Isabella.

She tapped her watch, not wanting anyone to see how her pulse leaped at Gabe’s declaration. “Shouldn’t we start back soon? We’ve been gone over an hour.”

“We’ll go as soon as you make a dent in your bowl of soup.” Gabe dug a spoon into his own.

Isabella stuck out her tongue at his bent head. How
ever, she picked up her soupspoon. “Isn’t it too cold to eat?”

“Nutrition in it’s the same hot or cold, isn’t that right, Maria?”

She nodded enthusiastically, so Isabella wrinkled her nose and ate.

They arrived back at the courthouse with ten minutes to spare. Again Gabe escorted them through the blockade of reporters. The ones he’d been rude to earlier were even pushier, until a harsh glare from him had them falling back to let his party through.

Once Judge Weller took his chair, James Hayden presented affidavits from the doctors and psychiatrists he’d hired to examine Julian. If Arana was found competent to stand trial, the medical experts themselves might be called to testify. His arguments continued for slightly less time than the defense had used to plead their case. Hayden wound down his argument, saying, “It is the contention of the prosecution that we have proved Mr. Arana is well aware that his children died the day they were in his custodial care. He’s also cognizant of what charges will be levied against him if he’s found sane and competent to face those charges. Therefore, the prosecution rests. We reserve the right to call our witnesses should the defense call theirs.”

Thomas Meyer huddled with his team a moment. “Your honor, we believe the jury has only to look at Mr. Arana here today to make the right choice.”

Weller banged his gavel and proceeded to instruct the jury.

“That’s it? They’re going off to determine my children’s fate based on one day’s input from the lawyers?” Isabella whispered to Gabe, but failed to keep
her voice low enough. Weller smacked his gavel. “I’ll have order,” he demanded.

Gabe leaned very near her ear to murmur, “Honey, it’s really Julian’s fate in their hands. Each juror heard the arguments. They’ll study both packets of medical affidavits. Weller is sequestering them tonight. Sometime tomorrow or the next day they’ll decree whether Julian’s fit to stand trial for the murder of your children.”

The jury had filed out and so had the judge. The crowds in the courtroom were dispersing under the watchful eye of court security. Isabella jumped to her feet. “So you’ve come around to my way of thinking? You agree Julian should be charged with murder in the first degree?”

Gabe diverted them toward a different exit than the one they’d used at noon. “Is it enough that I’d like to believe it for your sake?”

“No. No, Gabe, it isn’t. If you cared as much for me as you imply, you’d believe Julian’s lying. Go. Just leave us. Maria and I will ask James for a lift to the cottage.”

Gabe touched her hair to maintain contact, but she tore away from him. He stood helplessly by, watching her drag Maria down the hall to catch Hayden. Dammit, at this point none of them knew if Arana’s brain was actually fried. Could he carry off such an elaborate charade?

Gabe drove back to Callanton with a knotted stomach. He swung by the site for the garden, to see what progress had been made. A great deal for one day, which pleased him. The land had been cleared and spread with topsoil. Part of the rockery was already set.

Work on his own house had progressed, too. After
changing clothes and before he tackled cleaning the fireplace brick, Gabe popped the top on a beer and sat on his patio to enjoy it, gazing out at the goats who frolicked in his pastures. He had to admit they made an idyllic picture.

He stewed, too. Over whether he should go back to Bend and ask James Hayden to add him to the call list when the judge was ready to reconvene. Or simply forget about showing up unless they entered phase two of the trial. He hadn’t fully decided, although he leaned toward going and contacting James, when a hulking shadow cut off what was left of the fading sunlight.

Rick Navarro sauntered onto Gabe’s patio and helped himself to a chair. “I’ll take one of those if you’ve got another.”

Gabe stared at him. Rising, he stomped into the house and returned with what was left of a six-pack. “If you’re planning to get me drunk and then beat the crap out of me, two beers apiece isn’t nearly enough.”

Rick pulled the tab and stuck it in his shirt pocket. “I suppose you have a chip on your shoulder because Bella sent you packing today.” Tipping his head back, Rick took a long pull from the can. After wiping a hand across his mouth, he said, “Maria told me. Now you know Bella’s got the Navarro temper. I assure you, she’s gonna be happy when she sees the garden you’re having done in memory of her kids. Or else she’ll blubber. Navarro women are good at that, too.”

Gabe stopped with the can halfway to his lips. “Did you tell Maria about the garden?”

“I’m not stupid,” Rick shot back. “I talked to the woman—the blonde directing the work. She said you want the garden finished right down to a dedication plaque before Bella sees it. So, I guess you’ve already
invited the mayor to give a speech and present the plaque.”

“The garden’s not about presentations by self-aggrandizing politicians. I just hope it’ll relieve some of Isabella’s pain. That’s all it’s about.”

“Right answer, Poston.” Rick took another swig. “Know what? You’re okay. Now tell me what happened today. I can’t make heads or tails outta what my wife said.”

Gabe talked in brief spurts and ended by gesturing with his can. “If you’ve got spare time to spend in town talking to Mrs. Kent, why weren’t you in Bend for your sister? Why isn’t your whole family there? Dammit, she needs her loved ones around her.”

“And that includes you?”

“What if I say it does?” Gabe thrust out his chin.

Rick grinned and crushed his beer can. “I went to town on business, but you’re right, Poston, we should be there for Bella. Where and what time tomorrow?”

“That’s the thing. Hayden will be notified what time court reconvenes. He’ll call Isabella. It may not be tomorrow. But if you go, please go prepared to stay a few days. Tell you what, I’ll rent a second cottage. The one next to Isabella and Maria is vacant.”

“You’ll rent another—so are you rich?” Rick demanded bluntly.

“What’s money? Wouldn’t you spend every cent you had to help Maria?”

“Rather than throwing your money around, big shot, maybe Bella would rather hear you say you believe Julian Arana is scum of the earth.”

“That’s a low blow, Rick. I’ve never doubted the man is bad to the core. I’ve only said I’m not qualified to judge if he’s sane or if the gas didn’t leave him too
debilitated to understand his rights. I’ve also said that if Isabella can’t get past the hate corroding her emotions, then no matter what happens, Arana’s won. Especially if destroying her is what he hoped to do.”

“Spoken like Callanton’s soon-to-be newest lawyer.” Rick clapped Gabe on the shoulder. “I’ll collect the family if you’ll help transport them. Shall we be on the road at six o’clock in the morning?”

“Tell Luisa to expect me for breakfast.”

Gabe knew the road to Bend so well, the next morning he was able to keep one ear open to the chatter going on around him while he planned what he’d say to Isabella.

She was so ecstatic to see her family, Gabe got no opportunity to even speak to her until everyone else had finished crying and hugging her.

“Come, take a short walk with me,” he said, cornering her after the men went to unload the cars and Maria took Luisa, Sylvia and Ruby to check out the second cottage.

“Gabe, I can’t even begin to thank you. But—” she hesitated “—shouldn’t someone stay in case James phones?”

“I have my cell phone with me.” He tapped the case looped onto his belt. “I already spoke with James. He’s not expecting word anytime soon.”

“Why? What’s so hard? Julian would run over his grandmother to achieve his own ends.”

Gabe opened the front door and called to the others that he and Isabella were taking a short walk. He slipped an arm about her waist and deftly maneuvered her out the back way, across the patio. A trail that led through the pines blocked them from view of the house. “Isabella…”

Slowing her steps, she turned and drew her fingers over his lips. “I like the way you don’t shorten my name. Everyone else either shortens it to Bella or Izzy.”

Capturing her hand, he pressed a kiss into her palm. He liked that his kiss flustered her and brought traces of pink to her colorless cheeks.

“Rick said something last night that started me thinking.”

“I’m surprised and pleased to see that you two apparently resolved your differences.”

“Because I managed to convince him you’re significant to me, Isabella. The question is, why can’t I convince you?”

She clutched her stomach and stared at Gabe with big, tragic eyes. “You think I’m lying about Julian.”

Taking her hands, Gabe kissed her knuckles. “I have no doubt that Julian physically and mentally abused you, and hid the fact from everyone who knew you both. He’s a terrible man. His crimes are heinous.”

“Then, how can you believe he’s insane? Or that he shouldn’t go to prison for what he did to Antonia and Ramon?”

“I’ve always agreed he should be locked up. Isabella, do you know what was in Julian’s head? Did he plot a cold-blooded murder-suicide, or did he snap and do it on the spur of the moment? Or did he simply think he could scare you into coming back, and something went terribly wrong?”

“What difference does it make? Doesn’t it all add up to murder?”

Giving up for the moment, Gabe pulled her into the crook of his arm and walked out of the trees into a field of flowers.

Isabella rested her head on his shoulder. When he stopped, she rose on tiptoe and kissed him lightly. “You’re a good, caring man, Gabe. But all men aren’t like you.”

Caught in a spell cast by her nearness and her humbling assessment, Gabe crushed her in his arms and delivered a long, satisfying kiss. Who knew where it would’ve led, considering the inviting bed of wildflowers and soft green grass, had a couple strolling with a boy and a dog not interrupted them?

Gabe recognized that the moment was lost, especially as Isabella, blushed, grabbed his hand and began pulling him back the way they’d come.

He regretted that he’d let kissing her get in the way of finishing their argument. And of course, once they reached the cottage, the boisterous Navarro family filled the rooms, negating any opportunity for private conversation.

It pleased him immensely, though, to watch Isabella bask in her family’s unconditional love. Before night fell on a day that was otherwise upsetting—since James had phoned to say there was no verdict yet—Gabe knew one thing without reservation. Isabella owned all of his heart. Right or wrong, just or not, he wanted Julian Arana to spend the rest of his natural life in prison for no other reason than that he’d hurt the woman Gabe loved.

In spite of the revelation, he left Isabella without telling her and went to spend the night in the second cottage with all the men. That was how it had been decided. Men in one cottage. Women in the other.

The following morning, Gabe had even less opportunity to find time alone with her. Breakfast, as always with the Navarro clan, bustled with energy and chatter.
Halfway through washing dishes, the phone rang. Isabella answered. “It’s James,” she said, shushing everyone. “They’ve come to an agreement. We’re to meet in courtroom C at one o’clock.” All her fears, doubts and worries sapped any trace of light from her eyes as she dropped the receiver in the cradle with hands that visibly shook.

A
T FIFTEEN MINUTES
to the hour, they sat shoulder to shoulder in the first and second rows of the courtroom, all of them grim-faced. The Aranas sat squarely behind their only son, who still exhibited no sign of life.

Judge Weller swept into the courtroom at one on the dot. He issued a stern lecture aimed at reporters. “I won’t tolerate outbursts of any kind, is that understood?” he said, letting his hot gaze run up and down the rows. Apparently satisfied he’d gotten through, he asked the bailiff to summon the jury.

“Have you reached a verdict in the competency case of the state of Oregon versus Julian Arana?”

Gabe, who’d finagled a seat next to Isabella, automatically reached for her hand.

A jury spokesman rose. “We have, your honor. This jury unanimously determines Julian Arana to be of sound mind.”

The courtroom erupted in a jumble of voices as reporters scrambled for their cell phones to call their offices. The judge pounded his gavel to no avail.

While most eyes in court were locked on the man reading the verdict, Gabe’s had swung to Isabella’s ex. It was ever so slight, but Julian raised his head the moment the decision was read. Gabe witnessed an instant of unfiltered malice—aimed squarely at Isabella, who’d just been yanked into her happy parents’ arms.

Short but stunning in intensity and portent, the look of pure hatred had lasted long enough for Gabe to know he hadn’t imagined it.

He tried unsuccessfully to gain Isabella’s attention. He needed to tell her about this discovery. As she was passed from brother to sister for hugging, the most he managed was to be on the receiving end of one of her grateful kisses.

Judge Weller surged to his feet and roared, “If the visitors to this court aren’t seated at once, I’m citing each of you for contempt.”

Of course they sat. “Well, now,” Weller said, “that’s better. We’ll recess for one hour to give both teams an opportunity to collect themselves and contact witnesses. The jury will remain in quarters, where they’ll have no access to the press.”

The judge gathered his calendar and sheaf of papers. Julian’s lawyer addressed him. “Your honor, the defense respectfully requests that we recess until one tomorrow. My client is not a well man, and he’s been dealt a terrible blow.”

“Mr. Meyer, with all due respect, this court has just determined that your client is perfectly fit. I recognize, and so should you, that because the trial was moved from the area where all parties reside, time presents a hardship. One hour stands.”

“What shall we do for one hour?” Joe rolled his shoulders.

Rick got up. “I’m going to phone Manny.” Their youngest brother had stayed behind with the brothers-in-law. To help at home, but also because his new baby had developed colic, and he’d gotten little sleep the previous night.

James Hayden moved into their circle. “A lawyer I
know has offered us the use of his office. Isabella, I’d like you to stick close by. Meyer indicated to me that they may want to dicker.”

“What does he mean?” Isabella asked Gabe.

“Plea bargain. He means they may want to pleabargain a lesser charge. Don’t do it, Isabella. You were right, and I was wrong. Julian is play-acting.” He filled her in on what he’d witnessed. “I’m sorry for ever suggesting you forgive such a dangerous man. He’s not crazy.”

“But Gabe. You’ve made me see how pathetic Julian is. I really looked at him when his attendant wheeled him in and thought I should try not to hate him so much.”

Gabe massaged her slender neck. “Right now you’re riding the euphoria of success. Let’s all go have a cup of coffee and wait to see what Meyer proposes.”

They had less than half an hour to wait. Hayden strode into the room and found Isabella. “I know what a strain the wait and then this phase of the trial has put on you and your family. Tom Meyer approached me with an offer. Julian will plead guilty to Man One if we withdraw our request for his sentence to include no chance for parole.”

Isabella edged closer to Gabe, even going so far as to clutch his hand. He thought it significant that she gravitated toward him and not her father or brothers. Personally, he doubted she’d rest easy with Man One. “What sentence does Man One carry here, James?” Gabe asked.

“Twelve to fifteen, eligible for parole in five to seven. We could get lucky and the judge could give him fifteen per child.”

“Which won’t matter much if he makes parole in seven,” Gabe pointed out.

“Seven years? No,” Isabella said with finality. “Even thirty is too little. James, you promised we’d ask fifty years for each child and request they run back to back.”

“That’s what I thought you’d say. All right. We’ll turn them down. I’ll see you inside in twenty minutes. Be prepared for this to get ugly.”

Isabella turned her face into Gabe’s shirtfront. He slid his arms around her and rocked her ever so gently as she murmured, “I’m really trying not to hate his guts, Gabe. But he has to pay. He has to pay for what he did.”

“I agree wholeheartedly.” Gabe rested his cheek on the intricate braid that had first caught his attention and caused him to take a second look at Isabella. He felt so attuned to her now that he suffered when she did.

During the remainder of the day’s session, the trial seesawed back and forth.

At the end of a long afternoon, the family returned to the cottages, strangely dejected in spite of their earlier triumph.

The next day, two of Julian’s friends from work testified they’d only heard him speak highly of Isabella. The second salesman with the company told how Julian always flashed around pictures of his children.

Isabella leaned over to Gabe. “I’m sure he did. Julian took care to come off as the perfect husband and father to everyone he met.”

James was frustrated because he wanted to call the priest who’d counseled the couple on their failing marriage. The judge denied Hayden’s request. “Priests and
clergy are exempt from testifying against parties they counsel in good faith.”

That afternoon, the prosecution saw their first real break. One of the psychiatric witnesses for the defense admitted under James’s cross-questioning that he’d picked up patterns of erratic behavior in tests he’d administered to Julian. Tests showing that Julian was capable of lying without remorse.

The following morning, witnesses were recalled and cross-examined. James held off putting Isabella on the stand.

On day four, he admitted he didn’t want the defense ripping her to shreds. “Anyway, Weller threw out possible testimony regarding anything you observed or experienced at his hands while the two of you were married.”

“Why?” Isabella and Gabe asked together.

“Weller is limiting your testimony to the time between the divorce and when you opened the garage door. He has that right, Isabella. So I’m going to lean on the defense’s experts some more. I think the jury is already bending toward us.”

For two more days, the defense called physicians, nurses, neighbors and minor acquaintances of Julian. All the way down to his car mechanic. None really shed any light on the case. The neighbors who said Julian seemed like a nice guy couldn’t bring themselves to look at Isabella when they testified.

It did come out that Julian was a loner throughout most of elementary and high school. It was generally agreed he had no close friends after he married Isabella.

“What’s wrong with the people who knew Julian well?” Isabella fumed once the whole family had congregated again in the largest of the cottages at the end
of yet another trying day. “Now we’re reduced to hearing so-called medical experts expound on what Hayden and Meyer already summarized in an hour at the end of the competency phase. It’s like Meyer’s still hoping to have Julian declared insane.”

Gabe smiled at her. “Sweetheart, that’s what defense lawyers do. Meyer wants sympathy for his client from the jurors. Trust James to cut through the bull. He knows juries. He’s biding his time for the right moment.”

Joe leaned forward, clasping his hands between his knees. “And this is what you want to do with your life, Gabe? You could be out with sheep, breathing fresh air.”

“Oh, sure. Wet wool and sheep shit smell so great.”

Luisa Navarro rapped Joe’s knuckles. “Don’t pick on Gabriel. He’s a genius with numbers. Already he’s drawn up a computerized budget for you and Papa. We’re lucky to have him join our family.”

All talk ground to a halt. Songbirds could be heard chirping through an open window. Outside of that, there was no sound for a drawn-out period.

Ruby, the outspoken sister, broke through the silence, rattling off a question in Euskera.

Only Gabe remained in the dark as Isabella launched out of her chair. “Why would you even think Gabe had asked Papa for my hand? First off, I’m not Papa’s to give or keep. Secondly, Gabe and I are not involved…uh…like that.”

But he
was
involved, and some present knew it. Seven pair of eyes stared at Gabe. Only Isabella’s remained glued to Ruby. He felt like an unknown blob slithering under a microscope. Though no one accused him in so many words, Gabe had the awkward feeling
that the women in particular were aware he and Isabella had made love.

He had no experience of standing up against a family unit. Still, he wasn’t about to let Isabella take the heat alone. “I realize you’re all close and I’m a
maketo,
but I suggest you let Isabella and me handle whatever’s between us.”

Her gaze flew from Ruby to Gabe. “Didn’t I just say there’s
nothing
between us?”

Gabe left the couch. “They don’t buy it. And I don’t, either. Which makes you a majority of one, honey. But I think at our age, the timetable for buying rings, booking a church and ordering a cake,” he said, tongue in cheek, “should be left up to us.”

“Exactly. We’re way past the age where—good grief!” Close to apoplectic, Isabella turned red. Then white. Then sort of a sickly gray.

Gabe directed her to the spot he’d vacated and breathed a deep sigh of relief when she sank down on the couch.

“Did…ah…you…just propose to me?” Isabella, feeling woozy, put her head between her knees.

“Yeah. Yeah, I did, as a matter of fact.”

Isabella heard Gabe’s voice as though from afar.

“Well, I did if you’ve got no objection to this being such a public announcement,” he muttered, wishing she’d say something in response.

“I don’t. Object,” she eventually squeaked, obviously close to hyperventilating.

“That’s good. Hey, did you all hear? She said yes…I think.” Gabe frowned down at her bent head.

“Oh, but the timing stinks.” She raised her face, then bounded up from the couch. “It’ll leak out. Julian’s lawyers will have a field day trying to make me
out as the town slut. Forget it. We must all be delirious.”

“It won’t leak.” Gabe stared stonily at each member of Isabella’s family, leaving them in no doubt that he’d hammer anyone who dared breathe a word.

Luisa wiped the grin off her face. She clapped to gain everyone’s attention. “Insurance is always best, yes? While some of us must go home tonight as formerly agreed, someone will stay. Always Bella and Gabriel will have a chaperone.”

Gabe muttered in disbelief. And yet, Luisa’s plan made sense, given the current climate.

Since no one else had a better solution, the Navarro family drew toothpicks that Benito broke and shuffled in his hand. Sylvia held up the short stick. She elbowed a confused Isabella. “Well, big sister, at long last the tables are turned. After all the years you bossed me, I finally get to make sure that
you
behave.”

“I don’t believe this. None of this. I’m dreaming. Or else it’s a nightmare.” Isabella hung back, still reeling from all that had taken place. The majority of her family started packing to return home.

“If the judge doesn’t think the trial is near winding down, he’ll probably recess for the weekend. Either way, we’ll spend Saturday and Sunday at home.” Gabe helped carry suitcases out to Joe’s truck. He waved as the two vehicles drove off.

He nabbed Sylvia before she returned to the cottage. “I’m taking Isabella for a horseback ride. Just the two of us.”

“Sure. For the record, Gabe, I think you’re a good sport. Mama and Papa and well, Rick and Ruby, too, are old-fashioned. I was twenty-three, yet Angel had to ask Papa if he could marry me.”

“I like your family, Sylvia. I had folks who didn’t give a damn. I want to fit in.”

She glanced uneasily toward the house, where Isabella was still in seclusion. “Easy does it talking about the future, Gabe. She’s grieving. That takes time.”

Nodding, he ran ahead to ask Isabella to join him on the ride.

A strong moon practically turned night into day as they rode; after half an hour Gabe thought enough time had passed in silence. “Let’s stop here a minute and walk along the lake. Then we’ll go back,” he said, stepping out of his stirrups.

Isabella slid off her horse, a trim roan mare with a white face. Gabe’s gray gelding was taller, rangier. He adjusted his hold on the bridle and slowed his longer stride to match Isabella’s shorter steps.

“It’s a beautiful night. Surreal. I—Gabe…”

He broke in. “Isabella, I’m guilty of keeping things from you. Time was, I hated the night and would never have gone this near water. My mom got into drug use when I was a baby. She drowned in Galveston Bay when I was a boy. Suicide, some said. Others thought she’d dropped a needle and went in after it, and was caught in an outgoing tide.”

“I’m so very sorry,” Isabella said, reaching up to stroke his face.

“I…I just thought you should know.”

“There’s more, right?”

“Yes. The man I called Dad claimed I wasn’t his kid. The night after Mom died, he threw me out, bag and baggage. I ran away to the East Texas hills and slept in the woods until someone reported me to Child Services. For years I hated dark nights and the smell of pine.”

Isabella rose on tiptoe and found Gabe’s lips. “I have to confess I asked Colt about your background. It was the night after we argued,” she said, dropping back down. “I know I’m not the only one who’s suffered at the hands of someone evil. We have a lot in common. Maybe that’s why I’ve always felt…I don’t know…
comfortable
with you. It’s just that I’m a mess with the trial and all. I said yes to your proposal, but…but what if I don’t deserve to be happy?”