Angel's Rest(109)

“Your instincts are good. You are smart to be patient. All her energies and concerns right now are focused on the babies. When the time does come that she is willing to revisit your relationship, Nic needs to know that she can depend on you. I suspect you’ll have to win her back one small act at a time.”

“I’m willing to do that. I just need her to give me the opportunity to prove myself.” He lifted his gaze to where an eagle soared against the cerulean sky. “I love her, Celeste. I didn’t think it could happen again, but it has. I love her.”

Celeste’s smile turned positively smug. “Of course you love her. You have loved her for some time now. I’m glad you finally realize it. Your heart has healed, Gabe Callahan. In fact, I consider you the first success of our healing center, and to mark the occasion, here’s the gift I mentioned earlier.”

She pulled something from her pocket, a silver medal dangling from a silver chain. “What’s this? A Saint Christopher medal?” he asked.

“No, dear. This is the official healing center blazon, awarded to those who have embraced healing’s grace. Wear it next to your heart, Gabe Callahan. Carry the grace you found here with you whatever life path you travel.”

“Angel’s wings?” he asked, touched by her gift.

“What else?”

“Did Sage design this? It looks like her work.” When Celeste nodded, he added, “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

He wasn’t one to wear necklaces, but as he slipped it over his head and the medal rested against his chest, he admitted that it felt right. “I’ll wear it always.”

He wrapped an arm around Celeste and gave her a quick hug, then asked, “I don’t suppose you have one of those ready and waiting for Nic, do you?”

Her voice rang out like church bells. “Have faith, young man. Have faith.” She paused, then added, “It wouldn’t hurt to say a few prayers, too.”

Gabe asked Celeste to join him for lunch, but she declined, citing other errands on her schedule. He waved as she roared off on her motorcycle, shaking his head slightly at the sight. He hoped he was as active as she was when he was her age.

She’d made him feel better, he reflected as he walked toward the house. She had lifted his spirits and given him hope. The woman certainly had a way about her that spoke to the troubled areas of a soul.

He was in the middle of making a turkey sandwich when he heard his phone ring. He licked mayonnaise from his fingers, then checked the number: Nic. “Hello?”

“Are you suicidal?”

His heart leapt to hear her voice. “What?”

“People in town think you’re depressed. They say you’re not eating or taking care of yourself.”

Gabe’s stare locked on his turkey sandwich. “I’m fine. How are you, Nic? How are the babies?”

“Why aren’t you in town?” she asked with an edge in her voice. “Why are you holed up at Eagle’s Way?”

“I miss you.”

“Answer my question.”

“I just did. I miss you, Nic. Town is lonely without you. It’s crowded with tourists, too, and for some reason that only makes me miss you more.”

After a long pause, she said, “Your sister-in-law told Celeste that you almost killed yourself last fall. There’s some concern you’ve, um, relapsed. Everyone is very worried about you.”

“Everyone?” He waited a long pause, but when she failed to respond, he added, “No one needs to worry. I’m not depressed and I’m certainly not suicidal. I don’t want you to be concerned about my mental health. Except for missing you, I’m fine, I promise. In fact, Celeste came by a little while ago. You can talk to her. She’ll back me up. Now, since I have you on the phone, can I ask how you’re doing? How the babies are doing? I think about you every day and—”

“Stop it, Gabe,” she interrupted. “I’m not ready for this. The only reason I called was because I can’t say no to Lori.”

“Then I guess that attending childbirth classes with you is out of the question?”

“Doing what?”

“I assume you’re signed up for childbirth classes and I was hoping you’d let me go with you. Otherwise I’m going to go to the classes at the hospital over in Gunnison.”

“Wait. Hold on. I don’t get it.”

“I want to be part of their lives, Nicole. I’m not going to push you, but I want you to know that I’m committed. I will be there for them, and for you, to whatever extent you’ll allow. I know you have good reason not to believe me, so I’m not going to ask that of you. I’ll let my actions prove my words.”