Julia widened her eyes.
“How are you feeling, Rachel?” He gave Julia a look as if to say See? I can be sensitive.
“I’m okay. I just don’t want to be blindsided, you know? In case Dad decides to invite Rebecca home for Thanksgiving.”
“That won’t happen,” Gabriel said firmly. “Rebecca has already booked her flight to Colorado to see her son. She’s spending Thanksgiving and Christmas with her children and never even mentioned the possibility of visiting Selinsgrove.”
“Okay.” Rachel sounded relieved.
“You need to talk to Richard.” Gabriel lowered his voice.
“All right. Aaron just got home. I have to go. Tell Jules and Clare I love them and send me pictures of her costume.”
Gabriel’s lips turned up. “I will. She looks great.”
“Bye, Gabriel.” Rachel ended the call.
Julia’s gaze met Gabriel’s. “What was that all about?”
“She’s jumping to conclusions because she’s too stubborn to speak to Richard directly.” Gabriel handed Julia the bag of candy they’d been collecting and took Clare into his arms. “Come on, pumpkin. There are more neighbors to meet.”
“If we’re going to keep walking, then I need a chocolate bar.” Julia perused the contents of the candy bag. She unwrapped some chocolate and took a large bite before feeding some to Gabriel. “I don’t know what we’re going to do with all this stuff. You know babies can’t eat candy.”
“Ah yes, I am aware of that.” Gabriel angled for another bite.
Julia fed him, and he licked the melting chocolate from her fingers.
She stared from her fingers to his mouth.
He gave his lower lip a sensual lick. “I’m sure we’ll find a use for it, Mrs. Emerson. Two more houses and then we can explore erotic uses of chocolate at home. Let’s go.” He began walking in the direction of the next house.
Julia gazed at her fingers and then hurried after him.
Chapter Thirty-One
Thanksgiving
November 2012
Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania
That’s a good-looking turkey.” Scott Clark, Gabriel and Rachel’s brother, gazed admiringly across the living room. Scott was six foot three and broad-shouldered, with blond hair and gray eyes, and was married to Tammy. He had adopted Tammy’s son, Quinn, when they married.
The turkey in question was Clare, who’d been dressed in a costume by her aunt Rachel. Quinn, who was three years old, was sitting next to the baby, who was lying on a blanket. He was trying to hand her toys, which elicited squeals of delight and laughter. Occasionally, he would pet her head.
“Thank you for noticing the costume.” Rachel dropped down onto the floor to play with the children. She was happy to be home, if a little nostalgic. And although she hadn’t mentioned it, she was relieved Rebecca was in Colorado for the holiday.
Her father hadn’t seen her since his visit in September, or so Julia had said. Rachel felt a twinge of guilt for feeling jealous of her father’s friendship with a woman his own age. It seemed her grief ran deeper than she realized.
She turned to gaze at the front windows. Julia had put battery-operated candles in each of them, a custom in Massachusetts. Rachel couldn’t help but remember her mother doing the same thing, but with a single lit candle that hoped for Gabriel’s return.
Gabriel entered the room carrying an enormous turkey on a platter and set it in the middle of the dining room table. “Dinner is served.”
The family found their chairs. Scott put Quinn in a high chair between Tammy and himself. Rachel insisted on holding Clare while Julia ate, choosing to eat later. And as ever, Richard sat at the head of the table, smiling proudly at his children and their spouses.
“Let’s pray,” he announced. Everyone held hands.
“Our Father, we thank you for this day and for the many blessings you have given to us. Thank you for Grace and for our children. Thank you for their wives and husband and for their children. Thank you for the addition of little Clare, who is such a joy. May you keep us safe. May you show us your light. Bless this food and the hands that prepared it. Amen.”
Rachel said Amen, but she hadn’t closed her eyes. Still, in the midst of his prayer she felt a comforting presence. She wished the presence were that of her mother.
As Richard carved the turkey, he addressed Julia, who sat at his right. “When are Tom and his family coming over?”
“They were supposed to come tomorrow, but Tommy was running a fever this morning and so they’re at the Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia. Diane says Tommy will be fine, but they’re admitting him for observation.” Julia helped Richard serve the turkey and began passing serving dishes piled with vegetables.
“I’m sorry, Jules.” Scott’s voice was gentle. He gave her a sympathetic look.
“Tommy has already had two major heart operations, and he’s supposed to have another soon. My dad and Diane send their best to everyone.” Julia gave Scott a strained smile.
“What’s wrong with your brother?” Tammy asked quietly.
“He was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, which means the left side of his heart was undeveloped,” Julia explained. “But the Children’s Hospital has treated a number of infants with the same condition. So he’s in good hands.”
“Where’s Rebecca? Gabriel said she made the pies and the rolls.” Scott began cramming one of said rolls into his mouth, absolutely ignoring the death glare he was getting from his sister.
“Her son lives in Colorado and she’s spending the holiday with him.” Julia glanced at Rachel out of the corner of her eye and busied herself with putting food on her plate.
“How do you feel about Rebecca, Dad?” Scott continued. “She’s a nice lady. Hell of a cook.”
Richard froze, suspending the carving knife and fork in midair.
“Seriously, Scott. Is there a land mine you haven’t stepped on?” Rachel snapped. “Oh, wait. I’ve got one. Everyone has experienced a visitation from Mom, except me.”
“What are you talking about?” asked Scott. “What visitation?”
Rachel stared at her brother for a beat. “Well, at least I’m not the only one.”
“Not the only one what?” Scott’s eyebrows shot up.
“Rachel.” Richard gave his daughter a pained look.
She turned her face away.
An uncomfortable silence filled the room.