The Courage To Dream and The Power Of Love

Chapter Five

“This is the jail where we harbor hardened criminals,” Gabriel said, touching the small of Rebecca’s back as he guided her toward a door. A tingling awareness of his nearness flooded her senses. Her throat tightened, and her pulse sped.

Rebecca noticed all the cells were empty. “Often?”

“On the weekend it picks up. A few people who can’t hold their liquor. Occasionally there’s a fight. If we’re lucky that’s all. I’m proud to say there hasn’t been a serious crime in Oakview in a year.”

“How many police officers do you have?”

“Twelve besides myself. Today you should meet some of them. When you get settled in, Mabel will show you how to dispatch messages to the patrolmen out on the beat.” He led her into the main room and pointed toward his office. “That’s mine, but you already know that.”

Rebecca’s gaze fixed on Mabel’s desk, which stood guard outside Gabriel’s office. “Who gave her the nickname Dragon Lady?”

Gabriel chuckled. “A man who wanted to see me, and she kept telling him that I was busy.”

“Did he get to see you?”

“No. He had to come back later. Mabel has her pluses.”

“You didn’t want to see him?”

“He was a salesman, and he had a hard time understanding the word no. Mabel helped the poor guy with its meaning.”

Gabriel gestured toward another door. “That leads to the rest rooms and the courthouse. Now you’ve been on the grand tour such as it is. Any questions?”

“When’s lunch?”

“Don’t let Mabel hear you ask that question on your first day.”

Rebecca ignored the twinkle in his eye and said, “I have to let Granny know when I’m going to be home for lunch. She’ll need to keep Josh up so I can do his physical therapy with him after I eat.”

“Mabel goes to lunch at noon, so you can go before or after her, whichever works best for you.”

“I’ll try one today, and see if that works best for Granny and Josh.”

“Just let Mabel know—”

A commotion at the front door caused Gabriel to turn. He sighed and strode toward an officer, a small, elderly woman and a young man with a beet-red face who appeared as though he would have a stroke at any moment.

“Ben, what can I do for you?” Gabriel asked, eyeing the cuffs on Bess Anderson. “I think, Officer Morris, we can remove those. I doubt Bess is a flight risk.”

“She’s a menace to society.” Rebecca recognized the man speaking as Ben Cross, the owner of a clothing store. “She took a bottle of perfume this time.” Anger was in the young man’s face as well as his voice. He stepped forward until he stood only a foot from Gabriel. “I demand that something be done this time. You promised you would take care of her.”

Gabriel plowed his hand through his hair and drew in several deep breaths. “Now, calm down, Ben. Why don’t you come into my office and we’ll talk about this?”

“No!” Ben stiffened, his hands balled at his sides. “I want satisfaction this time.”

A picture of the young man dueling at dawn popped into Rebecca’s mind, and she clamped her lips together. When she couldn’t contain her grin any longer, she covered her mouth with her hand.

“Mabel fixes a great cup of coffee. Come on into my office and have a cup while we talk this over.”

“No! I can’t have this—” Ben floundered for a word to describe Bess “—woman in my store. If people hear I let her get away with this, I’ll be robbed blind.”

Gabriel rubbed the back of his neck. “Then by all means fill out a report on Bess Anderson. I wouldn’t want anyone taking advantage of you.”

Ben glared at Gabriel. “Are you making fun of me?”

“I wouldn’t do that. A crime has been committed, and you have a right to report it.”

Rebecca observed Bess standing next to the officer who had brought her in. She whispered something to the young policeman, then brushed a piece of lint off his navy blue shirt. Next she pulled out a handkerchief and began to polish the officer’s badge, all while Ben demanded justice in a loud voice.

“Where’s the paper I need to fill out?”

“Come into my office, and I’ll fill it out for you.”

“What are you going to do about her?” Ben jerked his thumb at Bess, who continued to rub the policeman’s badge.

“My staff will make sure she’s processed.”

While Ben stalked into the office, Gabriel hung back and said, “Make sure Bess is comfortable, Officer Morris. She can sit at Rebecca’s desk.” Gabriel gave Rebecca a look that spoke volumes. This was not a part of the job he enjoyed. “Rebecca, please get Bess something to drink until I can have a word with her.”

When the door to Gabriel’s office closed, Officer Morris motioned for Bess to follow him. “Ma’am, you need to have a seat over here.”

“Where will you be, young man?”

“I need to fill out a report on this incident.”

“You’re going to leave me alone?”

Rebecca moved forward. “No, I’ll keep you company. Chief Stone wanted me to get you something to drink. What would you like?”

“Tea, with honey and lemon, if you have it.” Bess sat in Rebecca’s chair, placed her black pocketbook on her lap, then straightened her white gloves and gripped her purse handle.

“Now if I can only find where to get the tea,” Rebecca mumbled and plodded to Mabel’s desk. “Excuse me. I hate to bother you, but where can I get—”

“Through that door next to the women’s rest room is a kitchen. There should be hot water and some tea bags. I don’t know about the other stuff. Most of the people around here drink coffee, black.” Mabel pulled open a drawer in the bottom of her desk and rummaged through her purse until she produced a packet of honey. “Use this.”

“No lemon slices in that purse?”

Mabel almost smiled. “Afraid not.”

“Thanks.” Rebecca made her way to the kitchen, amazed that the Dragon Lady had a heart, after all.

Five minutes later Rebecca entered the police station with a cup of tea minus a lemon slice but sweetened with honey. As she crossed the room, she heard Ben’s raised voice followed by Gabriel’s soothing one and cringed. Evidently Gabriel was having a hard time calming the man down.

“Oh, my, that young man is really angry at someone.” Bess took the cup Rebecca handed her.

“He says you took some perfume from his store,” Rebecca said, pulling up a chair next to Bess in hopes of being able to get some work done while the older woman was at her desk.

“Oh, my, why would he say that? I’d never steal a thing from anyone. Goes against my beliefs.”

Rebecca peered at the high pile of folders that still needed to be logged in, shrugged and replied, “Perhaps you didn’t realize it.”

“Not realize I stole something? Oh, my.”

The hair on the nape of Rebecca’s neck tingled. She peered at Mabel. The Dragon Lady shot her an exasperated glare. Rebecca sent her a look that silently asked Mabel what was she to do, toss Bess out of her chair? Rebecca glanced away before she received her answer.

“Maybe you forgot you had it.” Rebecca concentrated her full attention on Bess, determined to ignore the look she was receiving from Mabel. Rebecca chose to remember the packet of honey Mabel had given her. That gave Rebecca hope that just maybe she and Mabel could get along.

“I so like to shop, and the home won’t let me go to town.”

“They won’t?”

“No.” Bess sipped her tea, her pinkie finger sticking up in the air, her posture prim and proper.

“I wish we had a lemon.”

“Why, my dear?”

“Because you asked for it. All we had was honey.”

“This is fine. You should come to the home and have afternoon tea with me sometime.”

“I would love to. May I bring my grandmother?”

Bess smiled, took another sip of tea and said, “That would be nice.” Then she leaned close to Rebecca and whispered, “I don’t hear any more shouting coming from that office. Do you suppose the young man has calmed down?”

“I hope so. If anyone can calm him, it’ll be Gabriel.”

“That man with the nice smile?”

“Yes,” Rebecca answered, remembering Gabriel’s smile and deciding that was the nicest thing about him. When he directed one toward her, her insides melted and her stomach fluttered.

“People shouldn’t waste their energy getting mad. It’s so much nicer if people got along with each other. Don’t you think so?”

“Yes.” Rebecca turned toward Mabel and blew out a relieved breath. The woman was busy working at her desk, her attention on the computer screen in front of her.

“We sometimes have to work extra hard to win some people over, but it’s worth it in the long run. I need to bake that young man a chocolate cake, then maybe he won’t be so angry.”

Rebecca chuckled. “Chocolate works wonders on me.”

“Then I’ll bake you one, too. How about Sunday afternoon?”

“You don’t have to bake me a cake on Sunday.”

“No, to come to tea, since you work during the week.”

“I’ll have to check with Granny, but that sounds fine to me.”

“Good. I love to have company. Since moving to the home, I haven’t had many people stop by.”

Rebecca heard the loneliness in Bess’s voice and vowed she would be at tea on Sunday afternoon if she had to bring the whole family, which might not be a bad idea.

The sound of Gabriel’s office door opening brought Rebecca to her feet. She chewed on her bottom lip and tried to relax, but in a short time she’d started to care what happened to Bess. She didn’t want to see the woman locked up like a common criminal.

Gabriel shook Ben’s hand. “I appreciate the compromise.”

“Just make sure it doesn’t happen a third time, Chief. I’m only doing this because we’re friends.”

“I understand.”

As Ben left the station, Rebecca waited next to Bess, her hand on the back of the woman’s chair. Gabriel spoke to Officer Morris. The young policeman nodded, then tore up the paper he had been writing on. Finally Gabriel traversed the room and came to a halt in front of Bess, a neutral expression on his face. Rebecca rested her hand on the woman’s shoulder.

“Ben will drop the charges if you’ll agree not to go into his store ever again.”

“But he has such pretty things.”

“Bess, I promised him you wouldn’t. In fact, I don’t think you should do any shopping for a while.”

“I like to shop.”

“What if she had a companion with her when she went shopping?” Rebecca squeezed Bess’s shoulder.

Gabriel snared Rebecca with his sharp gaze. “Who?”

“Me. I could work something out with the nursing home to take Bess shopping once a week.”

Gabriel took Rebecca by the elbow and pulled her to the side. “Are you sure, with all you have going in your life?”

Rebecca tingled where his hand touched her. His scent of pine wrapped her in a cocoon of contentment. “Yes, very. Bess needs someone now. What happened to her? Where’s her family?” she asked, forcing herself to concentrate on Bess’s problem, not her reaction to Gabriel Stone.

“I don’t know. I need to take Bess to the nursing home. Come with me, and we’ll talk with Susan Wilson, the director.”

Rebecca lifted an eyebrow and glanced over Gabriel’s shoulder at Mabel. “Are you sure?”

He chuckled. “Contrary to popular opinion I still do have final say around here.” He asked Bess, “Are you ready for me to take you back to the nursing home?”

Bess finished the last of her tea and set the cup on the desk among the mess. “It looks like you could use some help here. I could stay if you needed me to.”

“Thanks for the offer, Bess, but I think we have everything under control.”

Mabel snorted and mumbled, “That’s debatable.”

“Come, ladies.” Gabriel helped Bess from the chair, then guided her toward the front door. “Mabel, we’ll be gone for about half an hour.”

“Sure, boss.”

“I do believe that was sarcasm coming from Mabel,” Rebecca said when the door closed behind them.

Gabriel’s laugh filled the spring air. “I do believe you’re right.”

Rebecca slid into the back of the squad car while Bess rode up front. On the short drive to the nursing home, Rebecca listened to Gabriel chat with the older woman with affection in his voice. He had a way with Bess that touched Rebecca. The people in his town were more than just names to Gabriel. Being the police chief was more than just a job to him. He cared about the townspeople, and they knew it.

“You know what I miss the most since I moved to Shady Oaks?” Bess asked Gabriel when he pulled up to the nursing home.

“Your garden?”

“No. I hate getting my hands dirty. I miss my dogs. I had three of them. My niece gave them away when she brought me to the home.”

“Why?” Rebecca asked, sliding from the car and opening the door to assist Bess.

“Because dogs aren’t allowed in nursing homes. You know, child, animals love you unconditionally. That’s the best feeling. Nothing like it. Well, maybe, if you’re lucky enough to have the love of a good man.” Bess looked right at Gabriel then at Rebecca. “If you know what I mean?”

Rebecca blushed and averted her gaze from Gabriel. She felt him look at her and wished Bess hadn’t said anything. They were friends. That was all she wanted, all she could handle right now.

As they entered the nursing home, Rebecca saw several elderly people in the lounge area off the foyer. One, in a wheelchair, watched a big screen television. Two ladies played a card game in the corner. Bouquets of flowers brightened the area, and their scent pushed the antiseptic odors permeating the building into the background. The place felt homey, Rebecca thought.

Susan greeted them in the foyer, her head shaking, displeasure on her face. “I’m sorry, Gabriel. She got away from us again. Bess, they’re playing bingo in the main lounge. Why don’t you join the others?”

“Oh, bingo. Next to shopping that’s my favorite thing to do.” She ambled toward the lounge.

“Don’t forget about Sunday afternoon. I’ll be here around two,” Rebecca called.

Bess paused at the entrance into the game room. “Sunday afternoon? What’s happening Sunday afternoon?”

Rebecca blinked, at a loss for words. “I’m coming to visit you.”

“Oh, that. Good.” Bess disappeared inside the room.

“May we have a few words with you, Susan,” Gabriel said, “in your office?”

The director indicated a door on the other side of the large foyer. “Did she shoplift again?”

“Again?” Rebecca asked, following the two into Susan’s office.

“Ben caught her taking a watch last week.”

“No wonder the man was so upset.”

“Have a seat.” Susan pointed to two wing chairs while she sat behind her desk. “I think we’ve figured out how she’s escaping.”

Rebecca frowned. “You make it sound like she’s in a prison.”

“A lot of the people staying here would wander off and not know where they were if we didn’t lock the doors to keep them inside. Many of our residents have problems with their memories.” Susan turned to Gabriel. “I’ve fixed the door in the kitchen. It shouldn’t happen again.”

“I hope not. Ben forgave her this time. I don’t know if I can talk him into a third time.”

“She didn’t remember taking the perfume. I don’t think she did it on purpose,” Rebecca interjected, thinking how close in age Bess and her grandmother were.

“I agree with you, Rebecca, and that’s why Ben finally calmed down. Ben isn’t an ogre, but he does have a family to support and lately there has been some shoplifting going on at his store. I think it’s kids. He’s extra sensitive about it at the moment.”

“May I make a suggestion?” Rebecca asked, straightening in her chair as though she were readying to do battle. If need be, she would. “I’d like to take Bess shopping with me once a week. I’ll keep a close eye on her and make sure nothing’s taken that isn’t paid for. She needs someone to care about her. What happened with her family? Her niece?”

“Her niece moved to New York City,” Michael said. “That’s why she placed Bess in Shady Oaks. With Bess’s memory problems, she didn’t think the big city would be a good place for her aunt.”

“I’ll have a word with her niece, but I doubt she’ll object to you taking her out for an afternoon. This might help Bess. She seems so lost right now. Her niece had to give her dogs away. I want to give her something to look forward to.”

“I have an idea, Susan. My dog had puppies last month. I’ll be looking for homes soon for them. I’d like to give Bess one of the puppies to take care of.”

“A dog? Here?”

“It’s not unheard of to have pets in nursing homes. It would be wonderful therapy for Bess, for all your residents. Bess summed it up when she said animals love unconditionally. That’s the best feeling in the world, Susan. If memory serves me, you’ve got a dog and a cat.”

“But if I let Bess have a dog, the others will want a pet.”

“Maybe that isn’t such a bad idea. Think it over. I’ll see if I can get you some literature on it. I’ll hold a puppy for a while until you make up your mind.”

“I don’t know, Gabriel. I can’t imagine it staying inside all day.”

“You have a fenced yard out back. All I’m asking is that you think about it.”

Susan rose. “Fine. Send over any information you have on it, and I’ll see. I’ll talk with the doctor and nurses and get their opinion.”

“That’s all I ask.” Gabriel opened the door for Rebecca. Outside Shady Oaks he took a deep breath and released it slowly. “Susan does a good job with what she has, but still I wish there was another way to take care of our old people.”

“The puppy for Bess was a great idea. I hope Susan approves it.” At the squad car Rebecca caught Gabriel’s gaze over the roof. “Have you given any of your puppies away yet?”

“The kid next door wants one. Why?”

“I wonder if I could buy one for Peter for his birthday next Saturday.”

“No, you can’t.”

Rebecca climbed into the car, trying to keep the disappointment from showing on her face. “Then do you know where I can get a puppy for Peter?”

“Yes.” He smiled. “I won’t sell you a puppy, but I’ll give you one.”

“You will?” Relief flowed through her.

“Lady isn’t any fancy breed, but she’s a good dog. She wandered into my life not long after Judy died. Just appeared on my porch one morning, cold and shivering. I think the Lord sent her to me to help me mend. She was starving and near death. I nursed her back to life and in the process found a reason to go on.”

Tears lodged in Rebecca’s throat. Had the Lord sent her Gabriel to help her heal?

“I’m home,” Rebecca called as she walked into the kitchen from the garage.

Rose cradled Josh in her lap while she fed him.

Rebecca rushed to take Josh from her grandmother. “I’m sorry I’m late, but I was bound and determined to get all the folders logged on the computer and filed away.”

Rose waved her away. “I can handle this. You know I raised three children. Sit and relax. You’ve been working all day.”

Rebecca arched a brow. “And you haven’t?”

“Taking care of Josh isn’t work. It’s God’s gift to me. He keeps me young.”

Rebecca sank into a chair next to her grandmother and stroked Josh’s arm. His cooing eased her weariness. Her children were the reason she was working so hard. They were worth it.

“Where’s Peter?” Rebecca asked as she tickled Josh’s stomach and relished the sound of his laughter.

“He’s still at baseball practice, but he should—” The sound of the front door slamming interrupted Rose. “It looks like he’s home.”

“Or we have a very loud burglar.”

“My gosh, child, work at the police station one day and you’re already thinking the worst of the good citizens of Oakview.”

Peter entered the kitchen and headed for the refrigerator. “I’m starved. When’s dinner?”

“Six.” Rose placed Josh over her shoulder and patted his back.

“How was practice today?” Rebecca asked, watching her eldest son pour a large glass of orange juice and nearly down it in one swallow, then refill it.

He shrugged. “The usual.”

“Which means?”

“The team practices catching and batting.” Peter rummaged through the cabinets until he found a box of crackers.

“I don’t want you to eat too—”

“Mom, I could eat everything in this kitchen and still be hungry. Don’t worry. I’ll eat dinner. Have you called Dad yet?”

“No, I just got home myself.”

“Well, then, what are we waiting for?” Peter took the phone and punched in his dad’s number.

While Peter talked with his father for a few minutes, Rebecca steeled herself. She remembered the devastation she had experienced when she had discovered the note Craig left, saying he couldn’t take any more and he had to leave—for good.

“Mom! Mom!”

Rebecca blinked and focused on Peter, who was holding out the phone for her. Her hands shook as she took it. “Hello, Craig.”

“Peter said you had something you needed to talk to me about. I don’t have much time. What is it?”

Rebecca heard the impatience in Craig’s voice, and the sound of people’s voices in the background. She wondered what their call had interrupted. “Peter and I were hoping you could come up for his birthday next Saturday. He wants you to go fishing with him like you two used to.” A long pause on the other end sent her heart pounding against her chest. “Craig?”

“I’m thinking.” Another long pause, then he said, “Okay. I can come for a while. I’ll be there at seven in the morning. We can spend a few hours together before I have to get back to Dallas.”

“Peter will be glad to hear that,” Rebecca replied in the most cheerful voice she could muster, while inside she wanted to yell at Craig. Don’t put yourself out for your own son. After all, his feelings aren’t as important as yours. He doesn’t need to see his own father.

“I’ll have to leave by noon.”

“Fine. We’ll see you at seven then.” She hung up the phone.

“Dad’s coming?”

Rebecca nodded, her throat clogged with emotions she couldn’t express in front of her son. She laced her hands together to keep them from trembling.

“This is gonna be great.” Peter snatched up the box of crackers and the glass of orange juice and left the kitchen.

“Everything isn’t as great as Peter thinks?” Rose asked.

Rebecca took her son from her grandmother, needing to hold him close. Burying her face against his hair, she breathed deeply, relishing his baby scent. “No. There were other people at his place, and I could tell he wasn’t too pleased by our call.”

“Have faith in the Lord, child. Everything will work out.”

Rebecca remembered Gabriel saying those same words to her earlier that day. She wanted to believe them. “Granny, I’m trying.” She tightened her hold on Josh, drawing strength from her youngest who had been through so much in his short life.

“You haven’t told me about your first day on the job,” Rose said as she opened the refrigerator to remove some sliced chicken.

“Interesting and challenging.”

“Challenging?”

“Not the actual work so much as how to get along with my co-worker.” Rebecca started to tell her grandmother about Mabel when the doorbell rang. “I’ll get this then tell you.”

She swung the front door open and found Gabriel in cutoffs and a sweatshirt. He filled the entrance with his overwhelming presence. She greeted him with a smile, pleased to see him. Her spirits lifted.