13

Glen Church didn’t make it through heart surgery.

Gabriel was having dinner with Sparrow at the little Italian restaurant downtown when he got the call from Cherie. She sounded like any person who’d just lost the love of her life—sad, hollow, defeated.

The insurance on the rig would pay for a new one, but his employee wasn’t so fortunate. Glen hadn’t had an insurance policy that would make things right for his family on a financial level. God hadn’t let Gabriel get by with a prayer in passing either. It was pressing upon his heart to do something, so he’d sent a payroll check to Glen’s wife. She’d keep receiving payroll checks for the time being until he decided what else to do.

He would also issue the family Glen’s quarterly bonus, but it didn’t feel like enough. He wanted to ask Sparrow’s advice. “What do you think?” he said. “Maybe we could get a trailer from Holden. There’s a nice one sitting on his property, not being used anyway. I have to check with Holden, but I’m sure it’ll be all right.”

“I think you’re doing the right thing.”

When they left the restaurant after dinner, they drove to the Church home. On the way, he called Holden about the trailer. As he had hoped, his brother was happy that someone could make use of it. He parked under the carport and left the engine running. He wanted Sparrow to come in with him, but she felt he should handle the situation on his own.

Gabriel was surprisingly at peace. Slade was recovering, and Glen had passed on…yet he hadn’t felt this kind of calm within himself in a long time.

Bradley answered his knock and invited him in.

“Mr. Hearth! We didn’t expect you here this evening. Mom will be glad to see you.”

“That’s who I came to see if she’s able.”

Cherie entered the living room at that moment. “Mr. Hearth, it means so much to me that you’re here. Please have a seat.”

He chose the recliner next to where Cherie sat on the couch, his heart pinching at the lost look on her face.

“I don’t know what I’ll do without him. We’ve been married almost thirty-five years.”

“There’s nothing I can say that’ll make things easier in that respect. But God has laid a couple of things on my heart, and I hope you’ll allow me to follow through with them.”

Her red-rimmed gaze met his, and she nodded her head.

“You should be receiving Glen’s check in the mail tomorrow or the next day, Cherie. I plan on continuing those checks in your name for the time being, until you can stand on your own.”

Cherie pulled in a deep breath. Her hands flew to her face, and she sobbed into them. Her shoulders shook.

Bradley brought her a handful of tissues.

“I know this is a hard time, but I want you to be able to bury your husband without worrying about what will happen afterward.”

Cherie wiped at her eyes and tried to get control of her tears. It was a hopeless cause that left her unable to speak.

Bradley stepped in for her. “Thank you so much, Mr. Hearth. Mom’s been worrying about making ends meet. The dairy paid Dad a good salary, but he never saved for the future. Him and mom both had health issues and the medical bills piled up. Mom hasn’t been able to work for several years. I help as much as I can. It may not seem like it, but those are tears of joy.” He put his arms around his mother and squeezed.

“It’s the right thing to do, and I want to do it.” Gabriel shifted in his seat. “Quarterly bonuses don’t go out until June, but I’ll send Glen’s out early. Hopefully, it will help with funeral costs or whatever you need. I thought of Glen as a friend. He called me Gabriel.” He swallowed hard, determined to keep it together. “I’d like you to do the same.”

She nodded, still overcome. “Thank you...Gabriel.”

“There’s something else. I don’t want you to think of this as charity. It’s a gift from one friend to another. Glen mentioned y’all currently rent.” Again she nodded. “I don’t want your family to have to worry about paying rent anymore. My brother, Holden, has a nice mobile home that he no longer uses. He wants to give it to you, free and clear, if you have a place to put it.”

Cherie buried her face in her son’s shoulder.

The young man spoke up. “I actually have a small piece of land that I use for hunting. I was going to sell it to pay for Dad’s funeral. I sometimes stay out there in a camper. I put in septic and electrical, and there was a well already there, so it has all the hookups for a real home.”

“Would you be able to keep the land if we set up the mobile home there?”

Bradley nodded. “We could afford it if we didn’t have to pay rent.”

“That’s good. Then we’ll get to work on setting everything up.”

~*~

“I’ve never helped anyone to this extent this before. It feels good.”

Gabriel’s deep voice held more life, more excitement than Sparrow had ever seen or heard in him before.

The mobile home had finally been moved to Bradley Church’s property, set on a cement foundation by a professional crew that Gabriel had hired. Another crew hooked up all the utilities according to local ordinances. Gabriel was obviously reaping the spiritual blessings of giving.

School was almost out for summer vacation, so Sparrow had more and more time to help with the project.

They’d spent a couple of days moving Cherie’s things into the new place, but the women had decided moving wasn’t enough. They wanted to decorate and make everything beautiful as they went along. They pitched in to help Cherie make the rooms feel like home. The men who came to help did the heavy lifting.

Slade hadn’t been released for any heavy lifting, so he stayed at home to rest.

Gabriel drove this evening, so Sparrow relaxed in the passenger seat, giddy now that the work was complete, and the Church family was on the road to recovery.

“I had a nice conversation with Cherie today,” Gabriel finally said. He’d been quiet while Sparrow filled him in on the final details.

“Oh, really? What about?”

“Do you remember me telling you how I felt drawn to this family in a way I never had before?”

“Yes.”

“Cherie told me that for the past several years, they’d had a bad run, all kinds of problems. She’d been unable to work and contribute to the household due to an injury, had given up on anything better in life and was about to give up on God. On the day Glen passed and I visited her, she had reached her limit. I wish I’d known while he was alive. For some reason, he never let on that there was any struggle at all.”

The air rushed out of Sparrow’ chest as her brain made the connection. “Praise God. I knew everything would work out.”

This man didn’t have to continue sending Glen’s paychecks to his wife or cut her a check for her deceased husband’s quarterly bonus. He didn’t have to get his brother to donate a home. And he didn’t have to see things through to make sure everything was set up right. He’d listened to his heart. Finally. What was his heart telling him to do about her? With the thought, her mood wilted.

They rode in silence for several miles until Gabriel spoke again. “How about dinner? We’ve spent so many evenings working on Cherie’s place that it feels like a century since the last time we went out. I want to find a restaurant where we can look at the stars and have dinner, too.” His eyes lit up at the thought. “I know the perfect place. Do you like Mexican food?”

“Of course.”

“Chico’s downtown has a rooftop patio. We can have dinner under the stars.”

“Let’s go.” She nodded. “And speaking of dinner. Don’t forget about Micara’s birthday party. I attached the invitation with all the information on your fridge with a magnet.”

“I won’t forget.”

A large fountain graced the entryway at the restaurant. Bright murals covered the walls.

Sparrow glanced around the quiet interior, glad they’d arrived after busy hours and found the place practically empty.

A narrow stairway led up to the rooftop dining area. Their table nestled near a small, potted tree and a statue of a glittery, golden sun. Gabriel wanted stars, and the sky obliged, twinkling with an entire host of sparkling lights. The two-page menu featured classic Tex-Mex dinners with celebrity names. Sparrow decided on a plate named after Elvis.

Gabriel reached across the table and took her hand. Then he brought it to his lips.

With fingers laced, she smiled at him…and everything in the background—cicadas and crickets calling, occasional traffic noise, the wind blowing—faded away. She never wanted this moment to end.

The waitress had other plans. “Here’s your drinks. Just water, right?”

They nodded.

“And do y’all know what you want to order yet?”

“I do.”

“I’m ready. You go first.” Gabriel grinned.

“I’ll have the Elvis Presley platter.”

“That looked good to me too. I’ll have that, as well.”

“They always bring such large portions,” Sparrow spoke up since they were ordering the same thing. “Do you want to share? Maybe order a bowl of queso to go with it?”

“Good idea.”

“OK, then.” The waitress pocketed her order pad. “I’ll put your order in and bring out an extra plate. You two have a nice dinner.”

Gabriel took a sip of his water, but Sparrow couldn’t stop grinning long enough to do the same.

“What are you smiling about?”

“It’s silly.” She blushed but decided to go for the gusto. “I’ve always wanted to have a date I could share food with. Maybe that’s a girl thing.”

He chuckled. “I haven’t ever thought about it before, but I like it. It’s sentimental and practical at the same time. I’m happy to share my food with you, Sparrow.”

She took a few sips of water, trying to think how to broach a subject she hadn’t had the nerve to bring up until now. Maybe now wasn’t the best time, but she really wanted to know. When in doubt, ask anyway. Though she wasn’t sure this saying referred to nosing into other people’s business. She touched his hand. “Tell me about Slade’s mother.” There. She’d said it. The mood went from sunshine to torrential rain in an instant.

Gabriel stared down at his glass of water for so long she thought he wouldn’t answer.

“I first laid eyes on Angie on a bright summer night filled with stars.”

Sparrow looked up at the stars shining now through the dark night.

“We were young. We thought we were in love. Then she got pregnant and decided to give the baby up for adoption. I was all for it. I was too young to be a dad, but my parents wanted the baby.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “They made a deal with Angie’s family. We would raise Slade, and they wouldn’t have to do anything.” Ice tinkled against the sides of his glass as he fidgeted with it.

This was not Gabriel’s normal demeanor.

“Angie’s father was an attorney up north. They only spent a few weeks each summer in Sweet Home. He drew up the papers, and then they returned home for Angie’s pregnancy. When Slade was born, my parents and I flew there to pick him up. I got to name him. I remember giving him the coolest guy name I knew. Slade was the lead singer of my favorite band at the time.” His gaze grew distant. “Then we brought Slade home, and I haven’t made contact with Angie’s family again. They didn’t even come back to visit anymore.”

The waitress arrived with their food, queso, chips, and an extra plate.

“Everything looks delicious.” Gabriel surprised her by remembering the niceties, even in the midst of what was obviously a painful memory. “Thank you.”

“Let me know if you need anything else.” The girl smiled and left them alone.

Sparrow started dividing the food. The Elvis dish was a little bit country and a little bit rock ‘n roll with crunchy and soft tacos, cheese and beef enchiladas, items that contrasted each other. She thought it a little symbolic as well.

Gabriel picked up his fork and dug in.

Sparrow’s first bite of cheese enchilada melted in her mouth. She eagerly tasted each item on her plate. Probably the best Mexican food she’d ever had. Of course, food always tasted better after working so hard.

They polished off their plates in silence.

And the moment the last bite went down, sleepiness overcame her.

Sparrow was honored that Gabriel had revealed as much as he had. So she let him drive her home without further questions. She welcomed the warmth of a much-needed shower before bed. And once she laid her head on her pillow, her thoughts filled with the man she’d grown so close to over the past few months. A complete contentedness spread over her as she smiled and went to sleep.

~*~

Several loud taps on his bedroom door startled Gabriel from a deep sleep. “Slade, is everything OK?”

Slade poked his head around the doorframe. He’d been healing nicely the past few weeks, but the pained expression on his face told Gabriel that something wasn’t right. He sat bolt upright, the pointed edge of panic poking at the back of his mind.

“Nothing’s wrong. I just couldn’t find a comfortable sleeping position, so I was wondering if you could make me an ice pack.”

Gabriel blinked. “I can do that, son. Give me a minute to get my eyes adjusted to the light. Do you want to take something for pain, too?”

“Just the ice, Dad. I need a good night’s sleep.”

The past few weeks had been eye-opening for Slade. Limited movement, dependent on others for help, and completing tasks with one arm. Gabriel was surprised Slade hadn’t given him a hard time. And he was really surprised by the change in his son’s attitude. He couldn’t let Slade know how happy he was about it or how good it felt to be needed. He’d learned a lot about responsibility lately. “How about I find some extra pillows to prop your arm up? Didn’t the doctor tell you at your follow-up appointment that you needed to stop holding your arm so tightly against your chest?”

“Yeah, but it hurts to lift it.”

Gabriel swung his legs over the side of the bed and sat up. He had gone through several scenarios in his mind of what it would be like to have a loving, healthy relationship with his son, but he’d never imagined Slade needing him in this way. He’d heard somewhere that one didn’t have anything if one didn’t have one’s health. And sometimes a health scare is what it took to shove someone back on the right path.

The darkened hallway opened up to a moonlit kitchen. Slade trudged along ahead, his left arm hugged against his side. He had never really had to rely on his dad to take care of him, but Gabriel hoped his son now knew that he’d do anything for him. A spark of hope ignited in Gabriel’s heart. “Healing is painful, but you can’t take the easy way out. Relax your arm even if it’s uncomfortable. It’ll help you in the long run.”

“OK, Dad.” His words were more like a sigh, but he slowly lowered his arm, his shoulder following suit. He winced.

Gabriel flipped the light switch and opened the freezer. He always kept several ice packs for sack lunches. They worked well for soothing injuries as well. He wrapped it with a thin dishtowel to absorb any moisture as the pack melted. “Here’s the ice. Go ahead to your room, and I’ll bring you a couple extra pillows.”

“OK.”

Slade pressed the pack to his shoulder and padded back down the hall to his room.

Gabriel retrieved two pillows from the linen closet and helped him position his arm in an elevated position.

“Once my collarbone is healed, I’d like to spend some time with my friends.”

The request halted Gabriel’s pillow fluffing progress, and he glowered. With the heavy curtains drawn to block all light, the darkness matched the dark cloud that now shrouded his mind. “Which set of friends are you referring to?”

Slade’s so-called friends from Bishop were a major part of the problem. He couldn’t turn his life around if he still hung out with them.

“My baseball friends. I haven’t seen them since I got suspended from the team. You said I could have them over sometime for a cookout or to watch a game.”

“I think that’s a great idea.”

“I also want to work at the dairy. At the hospital, Uncle Holden told me how he runs his own business, and he said he learned how to do it by working at the dairy.”

Um, sure. Close enough. “That’s right.” He didn’t know how it would go with them working together, but he didn’t want to say no to any positive suggestion Slade came up with. This was another part of Sparrow’s plan—supporting the positive behaviors—so no matter what he suggested, Gabriel was determined to go along with it. Party with his baseball friends—great. Job at the dairy—fantastic. What else?

“I’ve always planned to bring you into the family business. I think you’ll learn a lot by having a job.”

And they could continue working on mending their relationship.