The Shepherd's Voice (13 page)

But she was frowning now.

She met her husband’s gaze in the reflection of her dressing-table mirror. “Hudson. How unexpected.” She twisted on the vanity stool. “What brings you to my room at this hour?”

“You’re going to church on Sunday.”

She laughed. “Church? Whatever for?”

“Because I want you to.” His eyes narrowed. “Because I’m telling you to.”

In the eight years they’d been married, Hudson had never struck her, but instinct warned Pauline that this might be the time if she dared thwart him. She composed her expression and hid the shaking of her hands in the folds of her dressing gown.

“Well, of course. If that’s what you wish, Hudson. But please do tell me why. Since the day we were married, we haven’t once attended church.”

His glare seemed as cold as ice. Perhaps it was because of the piercing blue color of his eyes, but she thought it had more to do with the frozen status of his heart—
if
he had one.

“You’ve made your feelings about religion quite clear,” she added.

“Gabe has returned to Ransom.”

“Gabe?” Her eyes widened. “You mean your son? The one who was in prison?”

“Yes.”

How long had he been back? Why hadn’t someone told her? The reappearance of the only living son couldn’t bode well for her, the despised wife.

Hudson took a step toward her. “I’ve learned Gabe will be at
church on Sunday. I want you to meet him there, before he comes to the house.”

“He’s coming
here?”
She rose from the stool. “I thought you never wanted to see him again.”

“I’ve changed my mind.” He reached out, cradling her chin between thumb and fingers, his grip firm but not painful. “And you, my dear wife, are going to become his close friend and ally.”

She wanted to shake off his touch but didn’t dare.

“You’re cunning, Pauline. You’ve a great talent for deception. I trust it won’t fail you in this instance. I want to know everything that’s happening on that ranch. I want to know how Gabe lives and what he thinks. I want to know what’s going on between him and Akira Macauley. Use whatever skills and wiles you must.” He paused before saying, “I believe you know what I mean.” He leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek, his grasp tightening on her chin. Then, with his lips still brushing her skin, he whispered, “Do not fail me, my dear. I’ve paid handsomely for your wifely assistance, and now I mean to collect.”

He left as suddenly as he’d arrived, closing the door behind him, his threat lingering in the now silent room.

Akira was sorry when Nora rose from her rocker and announced, “It’s time for me to be in bed.” Nora yawned, as if to prove the truth of her statement.

Gabe, who’d been seated on the top porch step, his back against the post, stood. “It’s been a pleasure, Mrs. Wickham. Thanks for sharing your company.”

“I’m sure the pleasure was mine, Mr. Talmadge.”

Akira hid her smile. She’d believed Nora would warm to Gabe if she allowed herself to know him. But there’d been a trace of
doubt as well, a fear that, if she were wrong, Gabe would be hurt by another rejection. She needn’t have been afraid.

“Good night.” Nora took up the lantern in one hand and her sewing basket in the other. “Rest well.” She went inside.

The moment the door closed behind Nora, Akira and Gabe were plunged into the darkness of a moonless night.

“Suppose I’d best be turning in too,” he said. “Morning comes early.”

“Yes, it does.”

He cleared his throat. “I’ll walk you to your door.”

She didn’t
need
him to. She could find her way blindfolded just about anywhere on the ranch, and she could most certainly walk unescorted between this cabin and the main house. But that she
wanted
Gabe to accompany her was an indisputable truth. The realization caused a peculiar sensation to swirl in her chest.

Neither of them spoke as they covered the short distance, but when they reached Akira’s door, Gabe said, “Thanks.”

“What for?”

“For what you did tonight with Mrs. Wickham.”

She smiled, though she knew he couldn’t see her in the dark. “Were my reasons so transparent?”

“Yes.” He chuckled. “They were.”

“You’re a good man, Gabriel. All folks need is a chance to see it for themselves.”

There was a lengthy silence before he said, “You’re the first person who’s believed in me since Miss Jane.”

On impulse, she stepped toward him, took hold of his shoulders, and kissed his cheek, surprising them both. Embarrassment was the next thing she felt. She couldn’t believe she’d done such a thing.

“Good night,” she whispered, then slipped quickly indoors, fighting a ridiculous urge to burst into tears.

If he saw her blubbering, he would think her a complete ninny. Whatever had gotten into her?

Gabe didn’t move away. He stood staring at the door, his fingers touching his cheek where, moments before, Akira’s lips had brushed against his skin.

He knew next to nothing about women. Although he was the son of the town’s wealthy patriarch, he hadn’t been the kind of boy mothers wanted for their daughters.
He’s trouble,
had been their thoughts, if not their words. He sure hadn’t learned anything about women in prison, except that he missed a soft voice, a gentle touch. And since his release? He’d known the kindness of a few women who’d given him a bowl of soup and a slice of warm bread or a place to sleep in a shed or even a suggestion for where he might get a job.

But none of that helped now. None of it explained what he felt for Akira.

“Look at me,” he whispered, his gaze lifting to the starry heavens. “I’ve got nothing to offer. Not to her or anybody else.” Raising his voice, he added, “I’ve got nothing. Not even a good name.”

I’m falling in love.

That was Akira’s first thought when she awakened the following morning.

I’m falling in love with Gabriel.

She sat up in bed, drew her knees to her chest beneath the white folds of her nightgown and hugged them with her arms, watching as the first fingers of dawn reached across her ceiling.

She’d always been certain that love—the romantic kind—wasn’t her destiny. She’d been content to work on this sheep ranch
with her grandfather and Brodie, to help others in the valley where and when she could, to commune with her Savior and study His word. Never had she felt God calling her to love a man, to be a wife and, perhaps, a mother.

Lord?

But she didn’t know what she was asking nor did she hear an answer.

She leaned her forehead against her knees, reliving the impulsive kiss and dreading the next time she would see Gabe. She could only hope he’d thought it a kiss of friendship from a sister in Christ.

She groaned softly.

Even if Gabe thought that,
she
knew the truth. She had thrown herself at him.

She got up and went over to the mirror. The quality of the glass was poor, but it was good enough to see there was nothing particularly pretty or feminine about her that would draw a man’s attentions. She was tall and skinny and freckled. She wore denim overalls rather than pretty dresses. She worked in the fields and often smelled of dirt, sweat, and animals. Honest scents but not attractive ones.

“Maybe Mother did have a few things more to teach me,” she whispered, then released a lengthy sigh.

She untwined her braids, brushed her hair, then reversed the process.

Do you always wear your hair like that?

Her hands stilled.

“Oh, Lord, what now?”

TEN

If Jane Sebastian lived to be one hundred, she would never forget the moment that Sunday morning when Gabe walked into the Ransom Methodist Episcopal Church with Akira and Nora. The curious hush was thick enough to cut with a knife. But it was nothing compared to the surprise she—and everyone else—felt when Pauline Talmadge entered through those same doors just as the threesome from Dundreggan settled onto a pew near the back of the small sanctuary.

Jane was fairly certain her mouth gaped open a full fifteen seconds before she had the good sense to close it.

Elegant and exquisite, Pauline swept her gaze over the gathering of believers. Finally, she moved to the only unoccupied pew, the one immediately behind Akira.

Jane frowned. She should be glad Pauline had come to church. She couldn’t think of anyone who needed to hear the gospel more, with the possible exception of Hudson Talmadge himself. Still, Jane couldn’t shake the feeling Pauline hadn’t come to hear Reverend Neville’s excellent sermon or to make friends with any of those in attendance.

But when Jane looked at Gabe and found him gazing back at her, she completely forgot Pauline. He obviously wasn’t the same
man she’d seen nearly three weeks before, and it wasn’t simply because he looked healthier. No, this change went much deeper.

The first chords of the opening hymn forced her to straighten in her pew. She rose to her feet and joined the others in song, her heart welling up with joy.

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.”

Reverend Neville couldn’t have made a better selection, she thought before beginning the second verse of the hymn.