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“Mariah! That’s kidnapping.”
“Is that any worse than abandoning a child?” She stood, too agitated to sit. “That’s what Luke’s father did two-and-a-half years ago. And whatever happened before they got to the asylum made Luke so afraid of his father that he stopped talking. I’m not about to let that man touch him.”
Gabe frowned. “You’re making a lot of assumptions.”
“Don’t tell me you haven’t come to the same conclusion.”
“That he was abandoned, yes. That’s on the record, but you don’t know what made Luke stop talking.”
She held his gaze. “Did Luke ever tell you anything about that time?”
Gabe shook his head. “He got so upset any time I tried to talk about his parents that I stopped trying. I figured he’d be ours soon, and it wouldn’t matter.”
“Do we dare ask him again?”
He shook his head. “He can’t know a thing. Promise me you won’t say a word.”
“If you promise to fight.” She felt the hot tears rise. “We’ll find a way to keep Luke here. We have to.”
He stared into space a long time, thinking. At last he hit on something. “Didn’t Frank Gillard sign away his parental rights when he left Luke at the orphanage? That is the usual procedure.”
Mariah squirmed under the horrible truth. “The termination-of-rights paperwork wasn’t done correctly. The agent must have mixed up Luke’s paperwork with someone else’s because the signature doesn’t match the name. Instead of Francesco Guillardo or even Frank Gillard, it’s signed Desmond Corliss.”
“What?” Gabe shook his head in bewilderment. “How is that possible?”
“I don’t know.” She bit her lip. Mistakes seldom happened, and, when they did, they hadn’t mattered. Until now.
He strode back to the desk. “Show it to me.”
She drew the papers from her handbag and laid them on the desk. He pulled them close and sat down, jaw taut as he scanned the pages.
After agonizing minutes, he raised hopeless eyes to her. “You’re right.”
She couldn’t stand to see his despair. “I’m going to do everything in my power to stop him. Everything.”
“How?” His voice sounded hollow. Defeated. “We have no proof of wrongdoing other than a child’s refusal to talk. That could mean anything, and in a court’s eyes, it’s useless. You know as well as I that the birth parents have every right to reclaim their children, as long as they haven’t signed that right away. We have no way to stop this man from taking Luke.”
She couldn’t allow it. She wasn’t going to let Gabe or Luke down. “I’m going to Montana, and I’ll get Mr. Gillard to sign new termination-of-rights papers.” She pressed her hand over his. “I promise you I will not rest until Luke is safe.”
Gabe slowly shook his head. “I don’t see how you can convince a man who has already asked for his son to sign away his parental rights. I wouldn’t sign them if I were in his shoes.”
“That’s you. You’re a good, loving father. You would never have abandoned Luke in the first place. Frank Gillard is another matter. Something’s not right about this, Gabe, and I intend to find out what it is. Come with me. Together we can find a way to save Luke.”
He sank back in his chair. “I can’t go to Montana. Felicity—” He rubbed his eyes to hide the tears, but he couldn’t hide the quiver in his voice. “She doesn’t want anyone to know, but the pregnancy has been difficult. She started bleeding last week. It stopped, but—”
Mariah gasped and pressed a hand to her mouth.
Gabe stared off into space. “Doc Stevens wants her to carry the baby as long as possible. I’m supposed to ensure that nothing upsets her. Hearing this would be the worst thing for her and the baby. If I left with you, she’d know something was afoot.” He turned worried eyes on her. “Promise you won’t say a word.”
Mariah nodded. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Did you plan to take Luke with you?”
She shook her head. “Of course not.” She gripped her brother’s hand. “It’ll turn out all right, Gabe. I promise.”
He smiled weakly. “First you have to get to Montana. The trains aren’t running right now, but you’re welcome to stay until they are.”
She didn’t have the luxury of waiting. “I’m driving my car.”
“Your car?” he said incredulously. “The one that’s broken down?”
She nodded.
“By yourself? That must be two thousand miles. You can’t drive that far alone.”
She would not be dissuaded. “I will do whatever it takes to stop that man from uprooting Luke.”
Gabe shook his head, signaling he knew when he was defeated—and when his goal matched hers. “I don’t know how you’re going to manage.”
“With God’s help.”
He let one corner of his mouth lift, just for an instant. “Promise me you’ll take someone with you, preferably a mechanic.”
She knew exactly whom he had in mind. “Gabriel John, you know full well that I can’t travel two thousand miles with a man who’s not a relative. I will drive to Montana myself.” She whisked the papers into her bag and left his office.
He followed on her heels. “Then take a woman along, but don’t go alone.”
Her hand stilled on the door handle. A woman might be acceptable. “I’d love to bring a female mechanic. Whom do you suggest?”
He didn’t answer, of course. He had no more idea than she did.
“Just what I thought.” She yanked open the door and stepped into none other than Hendrick Simmons.
With a gasp, she jerked backward, losing her balance. Hendrick steadied her with a hand to her shoulder, and the touch sent electricity zinging to her toes. No, no, no. It couldn’t be. The time apart was supposed to erase those crazy feelings.
He quickly pulled his hand away, and she retreated a step to recover her senses.
“Miss Meeks,” he said dryly, the tone telling her he was just as unhappy to see her.
She swallowed hard, but the pain wouldn’t go away. “What are you doing here?”
He lifted her valise. “Bringing your luggage.” But instead of handing it to her, he set it down while his gaze drifted to her face.
She gulped when his warm brown eyes met hers. Why did he still affect her so? His commanding height took her breath away. The sculpted features and strong jaw made her heart flutter. His brown hair curled just a bit at the temple, and she had to resist raising a hand to brush that one stray lock off his brow.
“Hendrick.” Gabe ducked around her. “It’s good to see you.”
Hendrick ripped his gaze away from her. “You, too, Pastor.” He pointed to the valise. “Well, I’ve delivered your sister’s bag, so I’ll be going.”
Mariah couldn’t help noticing that Hendrick’s speech was more polished and that he’d worn his Sunday-best shirt and trousers. Odd. Peter said he’d been working on Jack Hunter’s aeroplane engines.
Gabe cornered Hendrick on the edge of the church steps. Though her brother couldn’t drape an arm around the taller man’s shoulders, he didn’t hesitate to leverage Hendrick by the elbow. “I’ve got a project I’d like to discuss with you. Why don’t you come to supper at the parsonage tonight?” He briefly glanced her way. “Bring your sister along.”
“Gabe,” Mariah warned. She knew exactly what he was up to, and it was not going to work. Under no circumstances would she drive to Montana with Hendrick Simmons.
“I, um.” Hendrick looked from Gabe to her with obvious discomfort. “Supper?”
“And your mother, too. Bring everyone,” Gabe added a bit too cheerfully.
The whole Simmons clan? What was her brother up to? He couldn’t suggest that Hendrick travel to Montana with her in front of his mother and sister—not to mention Felicity. There’d be too many questions. But to all appearances, that was exactly what he planned to do. Mariah folded her arms and tapped her foot. She couldn’t be any clearer that this was a bad idea, but Hendrick actually looked like he was considering the invitation. She had to put a stop to this crazy idea right now.
“I don’t think Mr. Simmons would care to dine with us tonight,” she stated. There, she’d given him a way out. Alas, her effort produced the opposite effect.
With a look of defiance, Hendrick turned to Gabe. “I’ll be there.”
Chapter Two
What had he been thinking? Hendrick sure didn’t want to spend the evening with Mariah, but she’d goaded him into accepting the pastor’s invitation when she said he wouldn’t want to come. No one told Hendrick Simmons what he did or didn’t want.
Her jaw had dropped, and that made him feel good for a moment, but then she’d clapped her mouth shut and shot a glare at her brother. She did not want to see him, even for a couple of hours. The realization hurt as much as it had a year and a half ago.
Still, even though he knew it would only hurt more, he couldn’t stop looking at her. That wild mossy scent hung about her, not exactly perfume, just entirely her. The curly dark hair, the way her hazel eyes turned greenish in the sunlight and the determined tilt of her chin still turned him inside out. He couldn’t look away.
“Everything’s settled, then,” said Pastor Gabriel. “I’d better get home to tell Felicity we’re having guests, or there’ll be trouble.”
Mariah didn’t say a thing, but judging by the set of her mouth, she wasn’t pleased.
Gabriel pointed to Mariah’s valise. “That your bag, sis? I’ll take it so you can stay to chat with Hendrick.”
“Why on earth would we need to chat?”
Pastor Gabriel picked up her bag. “Oh, something about your broken car.”
She wrestled the valise from her brother. “I can carry my own luggage.” She added a glare at Hendrick, as if he somehow had finagled this invitation. “How long will it take to fix my car? I have important business that can’t be delayed.”
“Me, too,” Hendrick countered with equal vigor. “It’s not like I don’t have important things to do.” Like a future with Curtiss Aeroplane.
A flicker of worry crossed her face, and her voice softened. “But you can fix it? I—I don’t have much time.”
The hint of vulnerability almost made him feel bad for her. Almost. But any sympathy passed the moment she offered to pay extra for speedy repairs.
She had to bring up money. She knew he could never compete with her there. The Meekses were wealthy New Yorkers at the top of society. They hobnobbed with Astors and Vanderbilts. They attended the opera and ballet. He could afford only one good suit and shirt, a shirt that needed pressing if he was to look respectable tonight.
“I won’t charge one dime more than I’d charge anyone else. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get ready for dinner.” He tipped his cap and retreated down the church steps. His sole consolation was the glint of terror that crossed her face when he mentioned supper. At least this meal was going to be as painful for her as it would be for him.
Mariah was going to kill Gabe.
She sat on the bed in one of the parsonage’s guestrooms and yanked a comb through her knotted hair, trying to get it into a semblance of order. The dust and wind on the drive had left it a mess, and there was no time to wash it. She’d changed her gown, but the hair would have to do.
Why she should care was beyond her. Hendrick Simmons shouldn’t mean anything to her anymore, but the man still somehow sent her calm, stable world spinning out of control. Even though he despised her.
To be honest, she deserved it after the way she’d treated him. She owed him more of an explanation, and she’d give it, but not at dinner. Above all, she couldn’t upset Felicity. Gabe had made that clear.
So why had he invited the Simmons family? The stress of hosting a dinner party couldn’t help Felicity’s nerves, but when Mariah insisted on cooking, Felicity had coyly informed her that Gabe had hired a housekeeper. Mariah never thought she’d see the day when her brother hired help. For years, he’d decried their family’s social status and insisted on living without the trappings of wealth. That’s why he’d accepted the pastorate in small town Pearlman. Hiring help must have wounded his pride. Thankfully Felicity had talked some sense into him.
“Luke’s home,” Felicity called up the stairs.
Mariah smoothed her wrinkled skirt, though the boy wouldn’t care one bit what she looked like. Little Luke had spent the day with the Highbottoms, who had a farm and five very energetic children, including one of the orphans Mariah had brought here. After all that running around, he’d be tired and cranky.
She rose and set the comb on the vanity. Would he remember her? She’d never forget their three months together, but he’d been so young, a terrified little boy who would only speak to Gabe’s dog.
Mariah dabbed away a tear with her handkerchief. This emotion was silly. She had to put on a cheerful face for Luke. He couldn’t suspect that danger lurked in his future.
Before descending, she offered up a prayer, asking the Lord to watch over and protect Luke. As always, prayer calmed her. Somehow God would see this through. He always did.
She took one last glance in the mirror and headed downstairs. Before she reached the bottom step, a war whoop rang out from the kitchen, and the door banged open as Luke barreled into the living room.
“Aunt Mariah, Aunt Mariah.” Dressed like a member of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show with his child-size Indian headdress, he jumped up and down, waving his toy tomahawk. “I’m Geronimo.”
“I see that. And what a fierce chief you are,” she said as she gave the boy a hug.
He submitted for a few seconds, but quickly squirmed free, and she had to remember that he was ten now and too old for hugging and kissing.
“My, you’ve grown tall,” she said.
“Five whole inches just this year,” he confirmed proudly. “Daddy says it’s the most anyone in the family ever grew in half a year.”
Oh, dear. He called Gabe Daddy. That would make the transition harder if she failed.
She forced a smile. “I’m sure he’s right.”
“It’s time to change your clothes for dinner,” Felicity urged, pointing Luke toward the stairs. “Neither Geronimo nor Buffalo Bill are invited tonight. And do wash off the war paint.”
“Aw, Mom,” Luke protested.
Arguing with a child couldn’t be good for Felicity. Mariah motioned Felicity to sit down while she addressed Luke at eye level. “It’s a special pow-wow tonight, and Geronimo will want to look his best.”
His eyes lit up. “A pow-wow?”
She nodded.
Convinced, he tromped off to his room to change.
“You’re good with children,” Felicity said after Mariah sat beside her. “One day you’ll have some of your own.”
Mariah couldn’t tell Felicity that was beyond even prayer, and she certainly didn’t want to discuss it, so she diverted the conversation. “Luke is doing so well.”
“He gets a little more independent every day.” Felicity sighed. “And he’s so bright, especially with his letters. He’s reading Tom Sawyer all by himself.”
“How does he feel about getting a new brother or sister?”
Felicity smiled softly and rubbed her large belly. “I’m not sure he understands, but he trusts us.” She laughed. “He thinks we’re going to pick one out, like at the store.”
Mariah chuckled, though part of her ached.
“I can’t wait for the adoption to come through. Then we’ll be a whole family, the way it was meant to be. And I owe it all to you.” She squeezed Mariah’s hand.
“Me?” Mariah tried to hide her alarm behind a smile.
“Yes, you’re the one who brought Luke here. You’re the one who showered him with love. He wouldn’t be the wonderful little boy he is today without you. I’m so glad you decided to visit.”
Mariah felt sick. What if she failed? What if Frank Gillard took Luke away from this safe and loving home into a life of terror? She couldn’t live with herself.
“Mariah?” Felicity looked concerned. “Are you all right? You look pale.”
“I’m fine,” Mariah assured her. “Just a bit tired after the drive. I think I’ll go outside and get some fresh air.”
She hurried onto the porch and tried to shut the door on the tangle of her emotions. Tears wouldn’t help Luke. Neither would worry. She needed to act, and quickly, but Gabe was right. She needed someone to go with her to Montana. It just couldn’t be Hendrick Simmons.
Lord, send courage. And a good mechanic.
After the awkwardness with Hendrick at the church, Mariah should have realized that dinner would be no better. Normally, she had nerves of steel, but tonight her stomach tumbled and rolled. She tried not to look at him, but that could hardly be avoided since Felicity had placed him directly across the table from her. His sister Anna’s presence did little to alleviate the tension. Their mother had declined the invitation, which removed only one matchmaker from the mix. Gabe and Felicity kept the conversation centered on Hendrick.
“I understand you’ve developed a new aeroplane motor for Jack Hunter,” Felicity said pleasantly. “Isn’t that wonderful?”
Though her remark was directed toward Hendrick, her smile was meant for Mariah. No doubt she intended to call attention to Hendrick’s good points, but Mariah was already all too aware of them. How handsome he looked in his suit and freshly pressed shirt! His damp hair still smelled of soap, and the little curls at his temple sprang loose from his neatly combed locks. He sat pallbearer stiff, so uncomfortable that she could have giggled if she wasn’t worried that she’d inadvertently say something that would alert Felicity to her Montana mission.
Speaking of her sister-in-law, she was staring at Mariah as if she expected her to say something. What had Felicity been talking about? Mariah combed her memory. Oh, yes, something about engines.
“A new motor?” Mariah hazarded.
Hendrick shifted in his chair and ran a finger underneath his collar. “Yep…uh, yes,” he corrected, “two motors, actually.” His eyes darted ever so quickly toward Mariah and just as quickly away. “For their North Pole flight.”
Mariah heard the displeasure in his voice. In this case, she happened to agree with him. The risk had to be outweighed by gain. “I can’t imagine what they hope to accomplish.”
Anna perked up. “They’re going to be the first to fly across the Pole. Won’t it be grand? I wish I was going along.”
“You’re not going to go anywhere near the North Pole,” Hendrick stated emphatically.
Mariah smothered a smile. His grammar might have improved since the last time she’d seen him, but he was just as protective.
“You’re no fun at all,” Anna whined. “You’re worse than Ma.” She tossed her mousy brown hair, which was mercifully no longer pulled into tight braids. “I want to do things, like Mariah.”
“Me?” Mariah was startled by Anna’s observation. She’d never considered herself particularly adventurous.
“Yes, you drive anywhere you want, whenever you want.” Anna’s eyes shone.
“That’s not quite true,” Mariah cautioned. “I only drive when I have a purpose.”
“But you drove here,” Anna insisted, “and that’s just for a visit.”
Mariah bit her tongue when she realized how close she’d come to giving away the secret. She tried to recover. “True, but visiting my brother and sister-in-law is a wonderful purpose.”
“I agree.” Felicity lifted her water glass. “To safe travels.”
Gabe quickly seconded his wife’s toast, clinked her glass with his and followed that with a kiss. “My wife is uncommonly beautiful tonight.”
Felicity blushed. “Now, is that any way for a pastor to talk at the dinner table?”
Gabe didn’t back down. “It is when he loves her as much as I love you.”
Mariah smiled to herself as they kissed again. Two years had not dimmed their love. As she turned again to her dinner plate, she noticed Hendrick watching her, an odd expression on his face, but the minute he realized she’d seen him he looked away.
Gabe looked only at Felicity. “And I love you even more for giving me a baby.”
Luke, who hadn’t followed most of the adult conversation, suddenly picked up that one word. “Where is it?” He wiggled around in his chair as if expecting to see a baby behind him. “At the pow-wow?”
Mariah stifled a laugh. “A pow-wow is a gathering of family and friends. No baby.”
“Oh.” Luke turned back around. “Is that all?” He picked up his fork and resumed mashing his peas before turning his questions on her. “Do you have a baby, Aunt Mariah?”
She started. “No, I don’t. I’m not married.”
“Luke,” Felicity scolded, “it’s not polite to ask personal questions. Remember our rules for the dining room table.”
He hung his head. “Yes, Mom.”
“I’m sorry, dear,” Felicity said, her expression so concerned that it was almost as if Gabe had told her Mariah couldn’t have children. But she knew she could trust her brother to keep her secret.
“That’s all right,” Mariah said, though she couldn’t suppress the waves of embarrassment. “Children can’t help being curious.”
Felicity heaved a sigh. “I suppose you’re right. Children can be a challenge. Pets, too. What do you think, Gabe?” She looked to her husband, who gave his blessing. “Mariah, dear, we wanted to talk to you about the home I’m starting.”
Mariah blinked. “Home?”
“An animal haven for abandoned and unwanted pets,” Felicity explained. “I wanted to have it here in the parsonage, but the church trustees put their foot down.” She sighed. “I think Daddy had a lot to do with that. He and Mother are not much for pets.” She looked at Gabe, who smiled his agreement.
The simple gesture raised an uncontrollable envy deep in Mariah’s heart. Mom and Dad were like that, so closely allied in their minds and hearts that they could communicate with just a gesture, and now Gabe and Felicity appeared to be the same. Her older brothers had married happily as well. Only she walked alone.
Felicity bubbled on, “Remember my idea to start a home for orphans? I’d like to combine that with the animal haven, but we’d need a large house. The Elder house, behind the church, just came on the market. It would make the perfect parsonage, and then this house could be the orphanage.”
Mariah did recall that Felicity had proposed an orphanage two summers ago, but she’d thought that idea had passed. Clearly not. Felicity looked so pleased that Mariah couldn’t bring herself to explain how difficult it would be to start a private orphanage.
“All the paperwork has been approved, and now we’re ready to hire a director,” Felicity said pointedly. “Someone who loves children and animals. Think how perfect it would be. The children would learn the responsibility of caring for a pet and in return would receive unconditional love. But we need a director, and with the baby coming soon—” she sighed “—I can’t take it on.”
As if Mariah didn’t understand the offer, Gabe reaffirmed it. “What do you think, sis? You’d be perfect.”
Mariah concentrated on the china pattern with its delicate roses and gilded edge. She couldn’t leave her job. The orphans depended on her. She also couldn’t live so close to Hendrick. Yet Felicity had such hope that she’d accept. Mariah didn’t want to upset her.
“God has called me to the Society,” she said carefully, “but I’ll give it prayerful consideration.”
“You would still be working with orphans,” Felicity argued.
Mariah could see she wasn’t going to get out of this easily. “It’s not a decision to be made lightly.”
“I know.” Felicity sighed. “But it would set my mind at ease to have someone in charge before the baby arrives.”
Mariah knew when she’d been backed into a corner. She wasn’t as certain how to get out of it.
Luckily, Luke came to her rescue. “Is the deliveryman going to bring my baby brother?”
All the adults chuckled.
“No, Luke.” Felicity leaned over and kissed him on the forehead. “I promise the baby will arrive soon, but not before dessert.”
“Dessert?” He squealed with delight when the housekeeper brought out chocolate cake, and the business with the baby was forgotten. “My favorite.” He pulled himself tight to the table as a slice of cake was placed before him.