Angel's Rest

chapter FIFTEEN





At the Trading Post Grocery and Meat Market, Lori Reese stacked cans of green beans onto metal shelves and wondered how in the world she and her mom would survive the next year without totally destroying their relationship. She loved her mom. Truly, she did. But the woman was driving her insane. From the way Sarah was acting, you’d think Lori was going to graduate from high school in a year and move to New Zealand instead of going off to college. When the latest packet of college information arrived in the mail today, Mom had made a valiant effort to appear just as excited as she, but Lori hadn’t missed her trembling chin and watery eyes. It almost ruined the moment for her, and she resented it.

“If she didn’t want me to go off to college, she shouldn’t have taken me on a trip to visit universities and helped me investigate scholarships,” Lori grumbled, sliding a can toward the back of the shelf.

“Sarah, hon?” Lori’s grandmother said from the end of the aisle. “Have you seen your father? I need to tell him that Jane Waggoner wants him to cut her a nice rump roast.”

Oh, Nana. Lori straightened and smiled at her grandmother. Rather than correct her, she said, “I think he’s at the barbershop. I’ll tell him about the roast.”

“Okay, dear. Don’t forget now.”

“I won’t. I promise. Now, can I walk you back home?”

Lori hung the Back in a Minute sign on the front door as she led her grandmother across Aspen Street to their house. Walking inside, she called out, “Mom? Nana’s a little mixed up. Do you want to sit with her or shall I?”

Sarah rushed out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dish towel, her expression wreathed with worry. “Hey, Mom. I’m in the middle of mixing up a cake. Will you come sit with me in the kitchen and have a cup of coffee?”

Ellen Reese wrinkled her brow in confusion and glanced between Sarah and Lori. “Where’s your father?”

Lori and her mother shared a pained look, and once again Lori mentally cursed Alzheimer’s disease. Nana always became the most agitated when she went looking for her husband, Lori’s grandfather, who had passed away eleven years ago. It was difficult to watch. “Go on back to the store, Lori. I’ll take it from here.”

Lori nodded, hating to leave her mom to deal with Nana alone, and at the same time, glad for the reprieve. It was her dirty little secret. She loved her grandmother dearly, but watching this slow deterioration broke her heart. It was one more reason to look forward to college, though admitting it made her feel like pond scum.

Back inside the Trading Post, she finished shelving the green beans, then reached for the box of canned corn. Kneeling, she glanced around for the box cutter, then remembered she’d left it in back. “Shoot.”

“Can I help?”

Startled, she jerked back and fell on her butt, staring up at a guy who at first glance could have doubled for Christian pop-rocker Joe Jonas—except that he held a pocket knife with the blade extended. Before she could draw a breath to scream, he calmly reached down, sliced open the carton, then closed and pocketed his knife. “Here you go. Sorry I scared you.”

Lori swallowed and felt her cheeks flush. “Uh … that’s okay. Thanks.” She scrambled to her feet. “I didn’t hear you come in. Is there … um … something I can help you with?”

“Yeah. I’m looking for a job. Do you know if the store’s owner needs any help?”

Her mom needed lots of help, but she couldn’t afford any employees. At least not before the summer season started in earnest. “My mom owns the store, and I’m afraid we don’t have any openings right now. What sort of job are you looking for? I might be able to give you some suggestions if you let me know what you want.”

“I’ll do just about anything. I’m not picky. I just need enough hours to pay for a place to stay, pay for food. I worked whitewater rafting last summer and I’m certified, so if anyone runs a trip out of Eternity Springs to the Gunnison River, I’m their man.”

So if he needed a place to stay, that meant he hadn’t moved here with his family? He had a backpack hooked over his shoulder. “What’s your name?”

If he said anything even close to Joe Jonas, she was going to faint dead away.

“Sorry.” He flashed a bashful grin that made Lori’s pulse speed up. He extended his hand. “My name is Chase. Chase Timberlake.”

“Nice to meet you, Chase.” Lori gave his hand a quick shake and said, “I’m Lori Reese. Unfortunately, we don’t have any rafting trips out of Eternity Springs. If you’re licensed, you could probably get on with someone in Gunnison. It’s not exactly commuting distance from here. Where are you living?”

“I don’t have a place yet. I just got into town. Rode my Yamaha down the back roads from Boulder this morning. Awesome drive. I’ve heard really good things about Eternity Springs from my mom. Thought it would be a good place to spend the summer.”

OMG, he has a motorcycle. When she got past that interesting fact, his name and mention of his mother registered. “Timberlake? Is Ali Timberlake your mother?”

“Yes. You know her?”

“I’ve met her, yes. She’s a neat lady.”

“I think so. She’s the one who suggested that I’d like living here this summer. I love the mountains and I have a thing for history. Since my ancestor helped found the town, we thought it’d be neat for me to walk in his shoes, so to speak. But I need a job to make it happen.”

Lori thought hard. He was too cute to lose to another mountain town. “It’s still a little early for the summer season, although the Double R might be worth a try. Do you know horses? Do you ride?”

His eyes lit up and he showed her a grin that had just enough wickedness in it to make her weak in the knees. “I’ve ridden most of my life. Is the Double R a ranch?”

“Yes. They have the biggest trail ride program in the area, and even better for you, summer help stays in the bunkhouse. Room and board are included in the job.”

“Excellent. Can you tell me how to get there?”

“Their brochure has a map. We have some up at the checkout. Come with me and I’ll get you one.”

“Thanks.”

She handed him the brochure and was both surprised and pleased when he lingered after looking at it. “I really appreciate your help. Maybe if I land this job, I could buy you a pizza or something? To say thanks?”

Yes! She labored to keep her voice level. “You don’t need to do that.”

“I want to.” He added with a grin, “Unless there’s some big mountain-man dude who’ll come after me with a fly rod or something for trying to poach his girl.”

She laughed. “A fly rod?”

He flashed a grin and shrugged. Flattered and excited, Lori wanted to say yes, but told herself not to be too easy. “I don’t know anything about you—who you are, where you’re from, why you’re here—my mom would tell me it’s not safe to make a date with a stranger.”

“Smart mom. Okay, so how about we meet somewhere public and talk until I’m not a stranger anymore?”

“Persistent, too, aren’t you?” Lori made a show of sighing, even though inside she was giving herself a high five. She tugged the brochure out of his hands, picked up a pen, and copied down her cell number. “If you get the job, let me know. We’ll figure out something.”

“Awesome.” He folded the brochure and stuck it in his pocket, then headed for the door. “Thanks, Lori. I’m really glad I stopped in here.”

“Good luck with the job.”

Lori stood smiling a bit stupidly at the door until her mom opened it and stepped inside a few moments later. “Was that Andrew?” she asked. “Is he pestering you again?”

“No.” Lori pursed her lips and shook her head. “He’s a summer guy looking for work. Ali Timberlake’s son.”

“Really? That’s cool. It’s early yet for summer people, though. He might have better luck in a couple of weeks.” Sarah shrugged, then said, “Lori, I called Nana’s doctor and she wants to see her this afternoon. Can you hold down the fort here?”

“Absolutely. How is Nana doing?”

Sarah winced. “Her meds need tweaking a bit, I’m afraid.”

Lori reached out and gave her mother a hug. Poor Mom. No wonder she acted so cranky all the time. She got it from both ends, didn’t she? Her baby was growing up, and a horribly sad illness was slowly stealing her mother away. At least the family’s financial situation had improved in the past six months. Celeste Blessing’s healing center was proving to be a great kick-start for Eternity’s economy and Lori’s college fund. With any luck, she’d hear good news about the Davenport Foundation scholarship in the next few weeks, and that would relieve some of her mother’s concern.

Of course, if she could track down her deadbeat dad, she could sic the child support police on his butt and solve all of her mother’s problems.

Lori gave her mom one more hug, then stepped back. “You concentrate on Nana, Mom. Don’t worry about things here.”

Sarah nodded and glanced back toward the house. “Don’t forget to take the deposit to the bank.”

“I won’t.”

“And be sure to lock the doors both here and at the house if you go out. If summer people are arriving already, we’d better be careful.”

“Yes, Mom. Don’t worry, Mom. Go on and take care of Nana, Mom.”

Sarah flashed her a smile of amusement and relief. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, Mom. Go.”

“Okay. Okay. I’m gone.” She kissed Lori’s cheek.

“Drive carefully.”

At the doorway, Sarah stopped and turned. “If you have any problems—”

“I’ll call Nic or Sage.”

“If it’s serious, call Zach.”

“Bye, Mom.”

Lori shook her head and sighed, then returned to shelving the cans of corn. “Something tells me this is gonna be one interesting summer.”


In the exam room at her clinic, Nic handed the older man a box of heartworm preventative and said, “Give this to Champ on the fifteenth of every month. Remember, he’s liable to cough a little bit as the worms begin to die, but if it he starts spitting up or the coughing becomes too intense, I need to see him. We don’t want him to throw an embolism.”

“But he should be okay, right?”

“Yes. Just remember that the goal is to keep his heart rate down, especially these first couple of weeks. No walks, and outside only on a leash.”

“All right, Dr. Nic. Thanks so much. I feel so guilty about letting the preventative slip my mind. Just one more thing Sue took care of that I’m having to learn about. She’s probably up there in heaven wanting to kick my hind end for being so careless with Champ.”

“Don’t feel bad, Bart. In a month’s time, he’ll be good as new.”

After Bart and his Lab left the clinic, Nic took advantage of the opportunity to take a seat in her waiting room and prop up her ankle. Her injuries were much improved, though if she stood too long, she tended to swell. That could be from the pregnancy as much as from the sprains. She still used one crutch when she walked, a safety precaution for added balance rather than a necessity to avoid pain.

She checked the clock. Two-fifteen. Today she planned to man the clinic until three. Though she wouldn’t admit it to Gabe, she enjoyed working part-time hours, as he’d insisted. Her energy level was up. She didn’t fall asleep before eight-thirty at night anymore. She no longer awoke every morning already tired.

Nic loved her profession and had no wish to give it up. However, she wouldn’t miss the long clinic hours she ordinarily kept during spring and especially summer to compensate for the short winter workday. Being a rich man’s wife had some definite perks.

She had flipped open a Parents magazine and begun reading an article about heartburn in pregnancy when the clinic’s door chime sounded. Glancing up, she saw a woman and young man whom she didn’t recognize. Both were tall with blue-black hair, dark eyes, and olive skin. Mother and son, most likely. “Hello.”

“Hi,” the woman said, her smile tentative. “Are you the vet?”

“Yes. I’m Dr. Sul—” She gave her head a shake and grinned. “Dr. Callahan. How can I help you?”

“I’m Pam Harrington. This is my son, Nathan. We, um, have come to see Gabe. Is he around?”

His sister-in-law, Nic realized, and in an instant a flurry of impressions and questions flashed through her mind. Pam and Nathan, but where was her husband? Nic prayed they weren’t here to deliver bad news in person.

They didn’t appear to be sad or upset, though. They looked curious. Nic was plenty curious herself. Pam was gorgeous; she reminded Nic of a young Sophia Loren. She wondered how much Pam had resembled her sister. The boy was tall and lanky, a teenager just beginning his growth spurt, she guessed, his coloring lighter than his mother’s. Both the Harringtons watched her closely.

Nic kept her smile in place. “I’m pleased to meet you. Gabe speaks of you often. I was sorry to hear about your husband’s illness. I hope he’s doing well?”

“Very well, thank you. He’s back at work and was well enough to attend an industry conference in Colorado Springs. Nathan and I couldn’t resist the opportunity to drive over here and surprise Gabe with a visit.” She hesitated, then asked again. “He’s not away, I hope?”

Nic glanced at the wall clock. “He’s been up at Jack Davenport’s place today taking care of something. I expect him back in about twenty minutes, though. I know he’ll be thrilled to see you.” Noting that the boy’s attention had locked on Steve Cartwright’s Labrador pup, who was in for his shots, she added, “You’re welcome to wait for him up at the house. Or Ranger”—she gestured to the puppy—“and I would be glad for the company. Can I offer you a soft drink? Bottled water?”

A pleased glint shined in Pam Harrington’s dark eyes. “Water would be nice, thank you.”

“Nathan?”

“A Coke, please,” he said, not taking his gaze off the dog.

Nic took their drinks from the fridge, then opened the crate door and removed Ranger. “This sweetheart just had his shots and he wants to play.”

“I’ll play with him,” Nathan piped up.

“Thanks. You can take him outside if you’d like,” she said, gesturing toward a side door. “The yard is fenced.”

Once the boy and the dog were settled, Nic and Pam Harrington exchanged polite smiles and a minute or two of small talk before Nic decided to face the elephant in the vet’s office.

“Gabe told me how close he is to you, your husband, and your son, Mrs. Harrington. I imagine you have some questions about me. I’m happy to answer them if you wish.”

“Well. That’s direct.”

“I don’t see any reason to be otherwise.”

“Fair enough. And please, call me Pam. Okay, then, I admit Gabe caught me by surprise with his news about you, and I was worried. I love Gabe like a brother and I want more than anything else for him to be happy again. Gabe is … well … he’s not been himself since the accident. He said really nice things about you. Truly, he did. I just, well, I worried you’d be …”

“A bimbo?” Nic suggested, her tone dry.

Pam’s grin was sheepish. “Well, I didn’t know what to think. Even under normal circumstances, Gabe can be a bit thick where the opposite sex is concerned.”

Nic decided she liked Pam Harrington. If the situation were reversed, Nic would have made the trip to check out the new woman, too. “I hope you will believe me when I say that I’m not out to use Gabe or take advantage of him or bring him more pain. I want him to be happy. I want to make him happy.”

“Okay, you’ve been frank with me. Let me be frank with you. Officially I’m not his sister-in-law anymore, but I still consider Gabe family. I don’t want to lose him. I know it might be uncomfortable for you, but we want him to remain in our lives.”

“I don’t have a problem with that.”

“You don’t?” Her eyes widened with surprise.

“Of course not. Gabe has suffered enough losses in his life, don’t you think?”

Warmth and welcome filled Pam’s smile. “I do. I absolutely do.”

The two women spent the next ten minutes in frank discussion about Gabe, his first marriage, and his suffering in the wake of the accident. While Nic didn’t go into private details about her marriage, she did share information about Gabe’s life in Eternity Springs.

“I was too distraught to ask him much of anything when he came to Virginia after Will had his heart attack,” Pam said. “Eternity Springs is certainly a beautiful spot. From what you’ve told me, it sounds like he found the perfect place to pull himself back together. I’m glad he came here. It sounds as if this place and these people have been just the medicine he’s needed. I think I just might like you, Nicole.”

“I think I might like you, too, Pam.”

“Okay, then, one more question. In the last email he sent, Gabe mentioned that he had some other significant news for me next time we talked. Care to give me a hint what it is?”

Must be the news about twins, Nic surmised. Gabe still went a bit green around the gills when anyone brought up the subject. “You can ask him yourself. I think he just came home.”

“I didn’t hear a car.”

“He parks on the street until after clinic hours.” Nic motioned toward the door of the clinic, where Tiger sat waiting to be admitted. “That’s Gabe’s dog. He went with him up to Eagle’s Way today.”

“A dog? Gabe has a dog?”

“More like the dog has Gabe. Tiger has adopted him, though Gabe still tries to pretend otherwise.”

With just a hint of wistfulness in her tone, Pam said, “My sister was allergic to animals.”

Ah. That piece of the puzzle shed a bit more light on her husband’s reaction to the boxer. Nic rose and grabbed her crutch. She opened the side door and asked Nathan to bring in the puppy, then she opened the front door for Tiger. The boxer loped into the clinic, went straight to Nathan, sat, and barked twice, his personal version of hello.

The teenager grinned, and after handing the puppy off to Nic, scratched Tiger behind his ears. “Who’s this?”

“Your uncle Gabe’s dog,” his mother replied.

“Really? Cool. What’s his name?”

Nic shrugged. “I call him Tiger, but it’s just a place holder until your uncle quits being so stubborn about ownership and gives him a forever name.”

“He’s goofy-looking.”

“He’s a doll. Your uncle saved his life.” Nic repeated the story of how Gabe had rescued the dog from the bear trap. “He’s totally loyal to Gabe.”

“Gabe always liked dogs. Matty wanted one real bad. They couldn’t have one because Jen broke out in hives whenever she touched one. They had a fish tank for a while, but I have to say, it’s hard to fall in love with a fish.”

“Unless it’s a trout on my dinner plate,” Nic agreed as she walked to the clinic’s front door and gazed up toward the house. Gabe had turned on the kitchen light. “If I know Gabe, he’s digging into the cookie jar. Shall we join him?”


“The sign is spectacular, Colt,” Gabe said as he took a tall glass from the cupboard and set it on the counter beside the fridge. He and Colt Rafferty, the wood artist with local ties whom Celeste had hired to create the healing center’s sign, had been playing phone tag all day. “I’ve never seen such detailed, intricate woodwork. It’s definitely more artwork than signage.”

“Thanks. I think it turned out nicely myself,” Colt Rafferty replied. “Was Celeste pleased?”

“Pleased doesn’t come close. She was thrilled. I thought she was going to climb on her motorcycle and do donuts in the front yard.”

Colt laughed. “Does she still plan on conducting a grand unveiling of the logo?”

“Oh, yeah. My team and I are under threat of bodily harm if we leak it or allow anyone to get a glimpse of your sign before the Fourth of July event.”

Colt sighed. “I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to my summer in Eternity Springs. I’m counting the days.”

“I’ll look forward to meeting you.” Gabe opened the refrigerator door and removed the milk jug. “It’s been a pleasure to work with you on this project.”

“Same here. I’m interested to see what you’ve done at Cavanaugh House, or should I say Angel’s Rest. From the way Celeste talks and what I’ve seen in the photos you sent, your work is every bit as artistic as mine is.”

Gabe smiled with satisfaction at the compliment. He was proud of the work he’d done at the estate. And he was happy to feel good about working again, period.

The two men finished up their call and Gabe poured his glass of milk and turned with anticipation to Nic’s canister set. What gastronomical delight did she have for him today?

Ever since she’d caught him scrounging for something sweet a week ago, Nic had made sure to keep her cookie jar stocked with treats from either Sarah’s or Wendy Davis’ kitchen. He and his sweet tooth appreciated the effort. Removing the jar’s lid, he peered inside. “All right. Lemon bars.”

He took two, wrapped them in a napkin, picked up his glass of milk, turned toward the table—and froze. The items slipped from his hands and crashed to the floor. “Pam?”

“Great. If those were the last two lemon bars, Callahan, I’m gonna be ticked. Nic tells me they’re totally awesome.”

Pam. Here. Oh, no. Fear sent a cold chill through his heart. Heedless of the spilled milk and broken glass, Gabe crossed the room and grabbed her by her shoulders. “You’re here. Is it Will? Is he okay?”

“He’s fine. He’s great. He’s playing golf at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs today.” She gave Gabe a hug, then said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. We wanted to surprise you.”

“Mom wanted to check out your new wife,” Nathan said by way of hello.

Gabe narrowed his eyes at Pam, who shrugged without apology, then shot an impish grin toward Nic. “It’s true. I just knew you’d married a bimbo. I thought I might need to wrest you away from her evil clutches.”

Worried how Nic would react to that, Gabe darted her a look of alarm.

Wistfully she said, “I always wanted to be a bimbo. Alas, I went to vet school instead.”

Both women laughed, and the vise around his chest eased. They like each other. Pam and Nic like each other. A lump the size of a baseball appeared in Gabe’s throat. He closed his eyes. His heart swelled with gladness.

You’d like her, too, Jen. I know you would.

He could almost hear her voice in his mind. You’re right, Gabe. I would like her. She’s a good woman and she’s good for you. Don’t screw it up.

He released a slow, heavy breath. Maybe, just maybe, everything was going to be all right.


Later, following a supper of hamburgers cooked on her uncle’s old charcoal grill that Gabe unearthed from storage, Nic sat in the glider on her back patio and listened to the conversation in the kitchen as Gabe and Nathan did the dishes. She couldn’t recall the last time this house had rung with so much laughter. Not male laughter, anyway. The quilt group did have fun when they met here on Tuesday nights, but that was a different sound.

She drew in a breath and caught the scent of pine in the air, and she smiled. She loved this little section of her backyard. Surrounded by a hedge of holly and lit with soft lanterns and ambient solar lights, it was her private oasis. She spent evenings out here whenever weather allowed. Though the outdoor space heater warded off the worst of the chill, she grabbed a blanket from the basket of covers and quilts she kept beside the glider during warmer months and spread it over her knees. She so enjoyed the sensation of snuggling beneath a blanket as the sky above filled with stars.

What a great evening this had been. Gabe, Pam, and her son had teased and joked and even reminisced about shared events in the past. Once or twice emotions had swelled, but grief never overtook the moment. It was, Nic thought, a hopeful sign.

Hearing the screen door creak, she glanced up to see that Pam had returned from a trip to her car to get her sweater. She did not, however, have it on. “Couldn’t you find your sweater?”

“Yes, but I also looked at your clock. I didn’t realize it was this late. We have to get back on the road. Gabe is on the phone with someone talking about a pump problem at Cavanaugh House. We’re going to head out.”

Nic started to stand and she added, “No. Stay where you are. Gabe says you’ve been on your feet too much.”

“He’s a worrywart.”

“Yes, but I guess that’s understandable, don’t you think?”

“Yes, I—” She broke off when Gabe opened the back door and stuck his head outside.

“Hey ladies, I need to run to the site for a bit. We have a pump problem. I don’t know how long I’ll be.”

“We need to head out anyway,” Pam told him. “I was just saying good-bye to Nic. Would you tell Nathan I said to get that box for you from our trunk?”

“Sure.”

Then he was gone and Pam stood staring after him, a bittersweet look on her face. Nic reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “I’m so glad you came, Pam. This is the happiest I’ve ever seen him. You’ve given him his smile back.”

Pam sank down on the glider beside her. “I don’t think it’s me. I think it’s you. I admit that, in a way, it’s hard to see him with someone other than my sister. However, it’s not as difficult as I thought it would be. You’ve helped him, Nic.”

“Do you really think so?” she asked, the catch in her heart betraying her vulnerability.

“Yes, I do. I was worried about him. Last year was horrible. Just horrible. Having Matty linger on like he did drained Gabe. I think that despite what the doctors told us, Gabe believed he could will his son well. The weeks after the funeral …” She shook her head. “I couldn’t reach him. No one could. When he came to Colorado, I was honestly afraid I’d never see him again. I’m glad he found Eternity Springs and I’m glad he found you. I like you, Nic. I think my sister would like you, too.”

Nic basked in the glow of the warmth of Pam’s words long after Gabe’s family took their leave. When he returned a half hour later, he was surprised to find her still outside. “I figured the cold would have chased you in by now.”

“What, you think I’m a Texan or something? This isn’t cold.”

“Hey now, no ragging on Texans. You’ll alienate half of the property owners around here.”

She nodded. “I think we’re starting to speak with a drawl. How’s the pump situation?”

“Fixed.” Gabe sat beside her and casually draped his arm around her shoulders. “It was a valve problem I’ve had experience with before, so it was an easy repair.”

They sat silently for a few minutes in a relaxed, companionable state. He smelled of sawdust and sandalwood, and Nic allowed herself to snuggle against him and relish the contact. Eventually Gabe said, “It was a great evening, wasn’t it?”

“It was.”

Gabe looked up to the star-filled indigo sky, then said, “I love it here.”

“You do?”

He looked at her and smiled. “Yeah. I do. I really do.”

Then he leaned forward and kissed her.