The Courage To Dream and The Power Of Love: The Courage To Dream / The Power Of Love

“Checking for scorch marks from the Dragon Lady?”

He chuckled. “Are there any?”

“One or two. Come in.”

“I’d better stay out here. I’m in desperate need of a shower after running laps with the team.”

“How’s Peter doing? Giving you any trouble?” Rebecca came out onto the porch.

“No, he hasn’t complained since that first day. Actually he ran next to David today. For the first lap they carried on a conversation.”

“Good, because this morning I was concerned something happened at practice yesterday.”

“Why?”

“He came home and kicked his tennis shoes under the bed.”

Gabriel chuckled. “Probably because he’s done more work these past couple of days than he’s done in a month’s time.” He raked his fingers through his sweaty hair. “I have to give him credit. He’s done everything the team has done.” Leaning against the railing, he folded his arms across his chest. “Okay. How was your day?”

She sat in the swing and turned Josh in her lap so he could see Gabriel. “The job’s fine. I’ll win Mabel over. I think she was shocked that I wasn’t out the door right at four-thirty. I think I further shocked her by staying until all the files were logged and put away.”

“I bet you did. When I first came to work as the police chief, I had to win Mabel over, too. Just because I was the boss meant nothing to the woman.”

“Since you’re still the police chief, there’s hope for me.”

“There’s always hope, Rebecca. I think that’s one of the messages the Lord was giving us when He sent us His only son.”

Fear nibbled at her. Dare she have hope? Rebecca thought about Peter’s birthday. She prayed that Gabriel was right.

Chapter Six

The crack of the bat against the ball echoed through the park. Rebecca leaped to her feet and yelled as David Carson headed for first base, then pushed on to second. A runner came in to home plate, and everyone in the dugout rushed to greet him with high fives and cheers.

Rebecca found Peter among his teammates, huddled around the boy who had come in for the tying run. A huge grin was plastered on her son’s face. Seeing Peter with the others, excited and part of the team, gave her hope that soon he would come to accept their move and maybe even grow to like living in Oakview.

With that thought, Rebecca searched the crowd filing into the dugout for Gabriel, the one partially responsible for this change in her eldest son. When she spotted him bending over and speaking low to the next batter, she smiled at the intense expression on Gabriel’s face. He didn’t take this game lightly. He was an all-or-nothing kind of guy. He had taken Peter under his wing and was determined to make her son part of this town. Her heart warmed at the thought.

She relaxed and drew in a deep, calming breath. The scent of recently mowed grass permeated the air. Spring was definitely here, she thought, shedding her sweater. She lifted her face to the sun and savored its warmth.

The next batter came to the plate and swung two times to no avail. The third pitch flew past the ten-year-old, low and outside. The ump shouted, “Ball.”

“I think I have bitten off every fingernail I have,” the woman next to Rebecca said.

Rebecca tilted her head to look at the young mother sitting on her left. “Is that your son at bat?”

“No, David is my son. He’s on second.”

“Then you’re Mrs. Carson.”

“Please, call me Alicia.”

“I’m Rebecca Michaels. My son is the team manager.” She pointed toward Peter, who was placing bats in holders while his gaze was fixed on the batter.

“David has mentioned Peter. They worked at the church a few Saturdays back with Gabriel. My husband said they accomplished quite a bit. We always appreciate any help we can get. Keeping a church up outside is as much work as inside.”

Rebecca wasn’t going to mention what had led her son to “volunteer” to clean up the church that Saturday. “I know what you mean. The same applies to a house. But then the church is the Lord’s house.”

“That it is.”

The sound of the bat hitting the ball riveted Rebecca’s attention to the scene in front of her. The ball sailed toward right field. A member of the other team positioned himself under it and readied himself to catch it. If he caught it, they would go into extra innings. She held her breath.

The boy fumbled the ball. It plopped to the ground and rolled toward the fence. He scrambled for it while David headed for third. The boy in the outfield retrieved the ball and threw toward the pitcher. David rounded third for home plate. The pitcher lobbed the ball toward the catcher as David slid in for the winning run.

“Safe,” the ump called.

Rebecca released her pent-up breath, jumped to her feet and shouted, “Way to go. You did it!”

Alicia threw her arms around Rebecca and hugged her. Joy transformed Alicia’s plain face into a radiant one. Rebecca pulled away, beaming with her own bright smile.

“David was so worried about this game. The Hornets were the best team in the league last year. This is a big victory.” Alicia lowered her voice. “And if the truth be known, Samuel, my husband, told me that Gabriel stayed up most of last night worrying about this game.”

“Men and their games,” Rebecca muttered and searched for the man in question.

Gabriel stood in the midst of his team, receiving congratulations from the boys and giving them his. Then he quickly had the team form a line to greet the Hornets on the field. He turned to make sure everyone was in front of him. He saw Peter putting equipment away. He walked over to her son and said something. Peter appeared surprised but followed Gabriel to the end of the line, then planted himself in front of Gabriel as everyone walked onto the field.

Rebecca’s heart ached as she watched her son being included in the celebration, giving high fives to all the Hornets who filed past him. Tears crowded her eyes, and she quickly blinked to rid herself of them before someone saw her.

“David says your son is a fast runner. We’re one man short. Has he considered going out for the team?”

Alicia’s question drew Rebecca’s attention. “Gabriel’s working on Peter.”

“Then it shouldn’t be long before he’s playing with the Cougars. Gabriel can do just about anything he sets his heart to. And he has such a way with kids. Too bad he doesn’t have children of his own. He and Judy were so much in love. If only Judy—”

“Mom, did you see me?” David ran to his mother, smiling from ear to ear.

Rebecca thought about Alicia’s comments. She agreed that Gabriel would make the perfect father. Why couldn’t Craig be more like Gabriel? Peter and Josh deserved a father who loved them and accepted them as they were. And, Rebecca thought, I deserve a man who loves me and—

Hold it, Rebecca Michaels! What are you thinking? She had no right even to contemplate a relationship with Gabriel. She didn’t want to become involved with any man outside friendship, and she certainly didn’t have the emotional strength to fight a ghost for a man’s love. Gabriel was still deeply in love with his deceased wife, or he wouldn’t be wearing his wedding ring.

“Are you and Peter going to come to Pizza To Go with the rest of the team?” David asked.

Rebecca concentrated on what the child was asking her instead of on the man walking toward her. “I don’t know. Peter hasn’t said anything.” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Gabriel come to a stop a few feet from her. Her heartbeat quickened.

“You’ve got to. Everyone goes after a game.”

Gabriel greeted Alicia with a smile, then said, “I insist on Peter and you coming to Pizza To Go. It’s an unwritten rule that every team member must be a part of the celebration afterward.”

“Peter can but I’m not a team member,” Rebecca said with a neutral expression, desperately trying to keep her pulse from racing so fast that she became dizzy. That was what she deserved for even considering Gabriel as a potential—a potential what? Oh, my, as Bess would say. Rebecca felt heat suffuse her cheeks and wished she was anywhere but where she was.

“I could always make you an honorary team member, if that’s what it takes to get you to the pizza place.”

She brought her hand up. “Stop right there. I can’t hit a thing and I certainly don’t run fast. And worse, if I saw a ball coming toward me, I’d run the other way. You wouldn’t want me on your team.”

“But you’re already part of my team.” His eyes gleamed.

Her heart hammered a mad tempo against her chest. “I am?”

“You work at the police station, don’t you?”

“Yes,” she answered, mesmerized by the warmth dancing in his eyes, all directed at her. Oh, my.

“Then I rest my case. You’re a member of my team.”

Alicia laughed. “Rebecca, give up. You won’t win this argument. Once you’re a friend of Gabriel’s, you’re a friend for life.”

“That you are.”

His grin reached out to Rebecca and enveloped her in a sheath of empathy. Yes, they were friends, Rebecca acknowledged, but that would be all and she had to remember that.

“Well, put that way, I guess Peter and I will be there.”

“It’s out on the highway.”

“Yes, I know. Peter has already conned me into going there once.”

“What kid doesn’t like pizza? Come on, let’s get everyone moving toward the parking lot. I’ve worked up quite an appetite.”

“Gabriel Stone, you always say that.” Alicia tousled her son’s hair. “Right, David?”

“Yep, Mom. Coach, I don’t think it’ll take much to get us moving.”

Gabriel chuckled. “David, I don’t think it will, either.” He cupped his hands to his mouth and announced in a loud voice, “Time to celebrate. We have a party to go to.”

Everyone on the team cheered, then scrambled to get their belongings and hurry to cars with parents following more sedately.

Alicia walked with Rebecca. “I’ll see you at the pizza place.”

“I have to first swing by and get my grandmother and my youngest son.”

“Then let me take Peter with me and David.”

Peter came to Rebecca’s side at the car. “That’s okay, Mrs. Carson. I need to help Mom with Josh.”

Rebecca gave her eldest son a perplexed look but said, “We’ll be there soon.” She climbed into her car and waited for Peter to slide in on the passenger’s side. “I can get Josh and Granny by myself, hon, if you want to go with David.”

“Mom, I know you don’t care that much for pizza, so if you want to stay home, that’s okay by me.”

“Since when are you passing up a pizza? What’s going on here, Peter?”

“It’s not my victory. I’m just the team manager. I didn’t do anything, so I don’t feel like celebrating.” Peter hunched by the window, drawing in on himself. He averted his face and stared at the passing landscape.

“Hon, you can always play. Chief Stone would love to see you do that. But you’re wrong about not being a member of the team. You’re an important part.”

“I’m not hungry.”

Rebecca didn’t have to see her son to know his bottom lip was sticking out. “We promised Chief Stone we would be there.”

“You just want to see him. He’s always at our house. You work for him now.”

“Is that what this is about? Do you think I have romantic feelings for Chief Stone? He and I are friends, Peter. That is all.” If she said it enough, she might begin to believe it. On Gabriel’s part, that statement was true. On her part she wasn’t sure anymore. He jumbled her feelings all up into a tight knot that was solidly lodged in her stomach.

“Yeah, sure, whatever.”

“Hon, I think we should talk about this. I work at the police station because that was the only job available right now. I was lucky to get work in Oakview.”

“Mom, I said I’ll go. Don’t make a big deal out of it.”

“But you said—”

“Forget what I said. Coach Stone is okay by me.”

Rebecca pulled into her grandmother’s driveway, turned the engine off and faced Peter. “I love you, honey. You never have to worry about that. No one will ever come between us.”

Peter bit his lower lip, his eyes shiny. “I know, Mom.”

Gabriel saw a couple entering the pizza place and frowned. Where was she? Rebecca had said she was coming. Alicia had told him she was going to stop by and pick up Rose and Josh. She should have been here by now. Gabriel glanced at his watch for the tenth time in the past twenty minutes. His worry grew. What if she had been in a wreck? What if—

“She’ll be here soon,” Alicia said from across the table. She winked at her husband, who had joined them a few minutes ago. “Isn’t that right, Samuel? Traffic can be beastly at this time of night.”

“Yeah, seven o’clock on a Friday night in Oakview we often have traffic jams. You should know that, being the police chief and all.”

“Funny, you two,” Gabriel said over the noise of thirteen boys all waiting for their pizzas to be made. “I’m just concerned that something might be wrong. She works for me. I think I have a right to be concerned.”

Alicia barely contained her smug smile and the twinkle lightening her eyes. “Of course, Gabriel, you have a right since she is your employee.”

Gabriel scanned the crowded restaurant. Half the patrons were team members and their families. The players sat at two tables close together, and every boy was talking at the same time. The noise level didn’t bother him. The cramped chairs pushed together so everyone could sit in a group didn’t bother him. But not knowing if Rebecca was all right bothered him—a lot.

When had he started to care so much?

The minute she had opened the door the first day he had met her. He’d looked into her big blue eyes so full of sadness and he’d longed to erase that look from them. He was always a sucker for someone who needed comfort. Ever since Judy had died he felt it was his mission to help others through their pain. That was the only reason he was so concerned about Rebecca, he told himself, twisting his wedding ring.

“Ah, she’s here,” Alicia announced and scooted her chair around so there would be room for Rebecca, Rose and Josh.

David called Peter to his table and made room for him while the waitress delivered four large pizzas to the boys. Gabriel stood as Rebecca and Rose approached him. Gabriel pulled a chair out for Rebecca, while Samuel did the same for Rose. When they were seated, the reverend whistled to get the boys’ attention. They all bowed their heads. Gabriel slanted a look at Rebecca, who held Josh against her.

“Lord, bless this food we are about to partake and thank you for the win this evening.” Samuel sat again, laughing. “I hope He can forgive me for saying such a short prayer. I didn’t know how much longer the boys would have waited.”

“It was to the point.” Rose placed her napkin in her lap. “Here, Rebecca, let me hold Josh while you get settled.”

“That’s okay, Granny. I have everything under control.”

Gabriel suspected Rebecca had forgotten how to ask for help. He knew Rebecca’s husband had done little to assist her with Josh and Peter. Was that why Rebecca insisted she had everything under control when Gabriel felt that she was being pulled in different directions?

“I haven’t gotten to see this little tiger in a few days. Come here, Josh.” Gabriel didn’t give Rebecca a choice. He reached out, took her youngest from her and swung him high. Josh’s giggles were music to his ears. His smile and bright eyes were a balm to Gabriel’s soul. When he settled Josh in the crook of his arm, he felt content, complete, as though something missing in his life was found. Was he letting his feeling toward Josh and Peter influence his growing feelings toward Rebecca?

Gabriel chanced a look toward Rebecca and wasn’t surprised when he saw her mouth slightly open, her eyes round as saucers. “I’m a take-charge kind of guy. Sorry.” He shrugged but didn’t give Josh back to her.

He knew she felt she should hold Josh, take care of him throughout the meal, perhaps not eat, so she could see to Josh’s needs. Gabriel was determined not to let her hide behind her son.

She opened her mouth to say something. Gabriel stuck a piece of pizza into it. “Isn’t that delicious? They make the best, I believe, in the state of Oklahoma.”

She mumbled something around the food and sent him a glare that told him he didn’t want to know what she had said.

“I’m glad you agree with me. I’ll let Harry know how much you like his pizza.” Gabriel sent her an innocent look and cuddled Josh closer.

While Rebecca finished the large bite she had been fed, Gabriel played with Josh, giving him a bread stick to hold. Her son grabbed at the new plaything and gripped it for a few seconds before dropping it.

Rebecca saw the exchange between Gabriel and Josh. She scanned the faces at the table to gauge their reaction to the fact her son had a hard time holding onto objects. Alicia smiled at her. Samuel was busy talking with Rebecca’s grandmother.

“You have the most adorable son. How old he is?”

“He’ll be two in a month.” Rebecca waited for the reaction that usually followed that announcement.

“Oh, great. I love planning a birthday party. I hope you’ll let me help.”

“You’ll have to stand in line, Alicia. I have first dibs.” Gabriel took a bite of his pizza, still cradling Josh.

“Here. Let me hold him so you can eat.” Rebecca wiped her hands so she could take Josh.

“You get to hold him all the time. You’ve got to learn to share, Rebecca. He’s happy right where he is. Enjoy your dinner.”

“I could always call the police chief of this town and put in a complaint that you’ve kidnapped my son. I’ve got connections. I work for him, you know.”

“I like to live dangerously. Want me to dial the station for you?”

Rebecca laughed. “No. It would be hard to hold a baby, eat and dial a phone all at the same time. Something would have to give.”

“Have you all noticed how quiet it is?” Alicia asked, glancing at the tables full of Cougars.

“Thankfully, they are practicing good manners and not talking with their mouths full. There’s hope after all.” The reverend finished his pizza and patted his stomach. “Delicious. If I wasn’t watching my weight, I would finish that last piece on the platter.”

“That’s okay. I’ll take the temptation away so you won’t suffer.” Gabriel reached for the last slice and plopped it on his plate.

“A true friend,” Samuel said with a chuckle.

“My duty as a policeman is to protect you, even from yourself.” Gabriel lifted the pizza to his mouth. “I take my job seriously.” He bit into the slice and chewed slowly.

As the boys finished eating their food, the noise level in the restaurant skyrocketed. Rebecca ate her portion, having to agree that the meal was good even though she wasn’t a big fan of pizza. Suddenly the room grew quiet. Rebecca looked up and saw the waitress bringing out a big cake with ten candles lit on it.

Gabriel started singing the happy birthday song, and all the boys followed. When they got to the name, they shouted Peter’s, and Rebecca thought she would cry. Tears welled into her tight throat as she watched her eldest son struggle to keep his emotions under control. He was speechless when the woman placed the huge cake with his name on it in front of him. He looked at Rebecca with a question in his eyes. She shook her head and shrugged.

“Guess it’s time to give you Josh back,” Gabriel said, and transferred her youngest to her arms.

Gabriel rose before she could question him about the cake.

“Peter, when the team found out it was your birthday tomorrow, they wanted to show you their appreciation for joining us with this little celebration. The fact we won tonight makes this party even sweeter.” Gabriel moved to the counter and retrieved a package. “This is for you from us.” He handed Peter a large, long gift, wrapped in blue paper with a baseball motif on it.

Stunned, Peter took the gift and held it.

“Open it!” The chant filled the restaurant.

Peter tore into the package. When he lifted the leather baseball glove and bat for everyone to see, Rebecca wiped the tears coursing down her cheeks with the back of her hand. Her grandmother gave her a handkerchief that smelled of roses, Granny’s special fragrance.

“Isn’t that sweet,” Rose whispered to Rebecca. “I bet Gabriel was behind this.”

Rebecca knew he was. He was determined to show her son he was a part of the team.

“Speech!” The new chant came from the thirteen boys sitting around Peter.

Peter opened his mouth then clamped it closed, a stunned expression on his face.

“I think he’s speechless,” David said.

Peter mumbled his thanks while cradling his two gifts to his chest.

Gabriel sat again. Rebecca reached over and took his hand, squeezing it. “Thank you.” She couldn’t say another word. A huge lump in her throat prevented her from speaking.

He laid his hand over hers. “Anytime. A lot has happened to him this past year. I just wanted him to know he was special to us.”

“Well, I don’t know about everyone else, but I want a piece of that cake. If I know Gabriel, it’s chocolate on the inside and from the bakery at the supermarket. They bake the best cakes in town. To die for.” Alicia moved to the boys’ table to take charge of cutting the cake and handing out slices.

“I’m afraid the cake I baked is gonna look puny next to that monster.” Rebecca reluctantly withdrew her hand from Gabriel and immediately felt bereaved.

“Yours doesn’t have to feed a score of people. I do have to admit I went overboard when I ordered it. There may be some leftovers.”

“Some? Try half.” Rose took the piece passed to her and started eating.

“That’s our police chief. He never does anything halfway,” the reverend said, and popped a forkful of cake into his mouth. “Mmm. This frosting is wonderful. Melts in your mouth.” He ran his tongue over his upper lip. “Remember the time you chased those robbers into the next county?”

“I got my men.”

“Yeah, but you nearly caused a wreck out on the highway.”

Gabriel paled. “Oh, please don’t remind me of that folly. Occasionally I see red when someone takes what isn’t theirs.”

“One of your pet peeves.” The reverend ate another bite.

“I’m trying to practice restraint. It just doesn’t always work.”

“We all have our faults. The Lord didn’t make us perfect.” Samuel paused, then said, “Speaking of not being perfect, George is getting out of prison soon.”

Gabriel stiffened, all color gone from his face. His hand shook as he placed his fork beside his plate. “I know.”

“You have to forgive him sometime, Gabriel.”

“No, I don’t.” Gabriel rose. The sound of his chair scraping across the wooden floor permeated the silence that hung at the table of adults. “If you’ll excuse me—” He pivoted and left the restaurant.

“Who’s George?” Rebecca asked, aware of the strain at the table.

“The man who drove the car that killed Gabriel’s wife and son. He was drunk.” Samuel Carson looked at the door Gabriel had disappeared through. “I should go talk to him. This wasn’t the right time to bring that subject up, but I thought being among friends would lessen the pain.”

Alicia patted her husband’s hand. “Let Gabriel have some time alone before you approach him.”

Rebecca’s heart broke. She wanted to go to Gabriel and ease his pain, as he had hers these past few weeks. But she didn’t have a right to, and she realized she wished she did.

Gabriel drove his fist into the punching bag hanging on his back porch. Again and again he hit the imagined face of the man who had robbed him of his future. Sweat poured off him, clinging to his T-shirt and shorts, but still he worked out his anger and frustration until exhaustion made it impossible for him to lift his arms.

He sank to the porch floor, rid himself of his gloves, then buried his face in his hands. He could still see the wrecked car with Judy inside. She had died on the way to the hospital. The doctors had done an emergency C-section to try to save his son, born two months too early.