Christmas Homecoming

Maybe too long.

Chapter Two

A chilly wind whipped at Gabi’s wool overcoat as she hurried the girls toward the sanctuary of the Northside Community Church. “C’mon, we don’t want to be late for the service.”

The century-old white-brick church located across the river from Davis Landing in Hickory Mills was all abuzz this morning as the faithful filed out of the education buildings tucked behind the sanctuary, headed to hear one of Reverend Charles David Abernathy’s rip-roaring sermons.

The big, redheaded preacher could be as blustery as this wind, but he had a heart of gold and he loved each and every one of his parishioners. That membership included both the affluent people from Davis Landing and the average working families here in Hickory Mills, where Gabi lived.

“I’m cold,” Talia whined, pulling her pink down jacket over her pleated plaid skirt.

“Well, the sooner we get inside, the warmer you will be,” Gabi pointed out, a strand of dark hair blowing across her face. “Roni, hurry up,” she said over her shoulder, her hand coming up to pull the escaping strand back from her jawline.

Veronica was giggling and whispering to her older friend Samantha Hart. No telling what those two were cooking up. But Gabi was glad her girls had such good role models as the Hart family. She knew her children were always safe and well taken care of when they were with Angela and Dave and their girls.

Gabi made it up the steps, then turned one more time to call out to her lagging older child. “Roni—”

She stopped, her heart picking up its pace as she saw him. Gabi took a second glance, just to make sure. It was him all right. The man she’d talked to two days ago in the daycare room of the church. He’d just gotten out of an expensive sedan, and he was walking up to the church with some of the Hamilton clan.

He sure cleans up nicely, Gabi thought as she took in the tall man dressed in a tailored overcoat and dark wool suit. His outfit probably cost more than one of her weekly paychecks, Gabi decided, wondering who this man really was.

He looked up then, his eyes locking with hers. At first, he seemed apprehensive and unsure, but then he sent her a hesitant smile, and he kept looking until Gabi felt a tug on her coat.

“Mom?”

Gabi glanced down at Talia. “What, honey?”

“Inside, remember? You wanted to get inside.”

“Right, so I did.” Gabi dropped her gaze, then turned to find her friend Dawn Leroux coming toward her.

“Dawn, hi! I tried to call you the other night. I wanted to talk to you about him. Only I didn’t know that he was…well, him, then.” She lifted her head toward the stranger. “You weren’t home.”

And now she wished she’d left a message. But Gabi had decided then that Dawn’s not being home had to be a sign to drop the whole thing. She had no business asking questions about a handsome stranger, especially since the stranger was obviously a friend of the Hamiltons. And way out of her league.

Dawn glanced in the direction of Gabi’s gaze. “Oh, him. I wanted to talk to you about him, too,” Dawn said, her tone a bit too smug, her blue eyes bright with hope. “He does have a striking presence, doesn’t he?” Then, as if realizing what Gabi had said, she asked, “What about him?”

“I’ve met him,” Gabi whispered as they walked into church. “He was painting in the daycare the other day.”

“Really? That’s great,” Dawn said, grinning. “I convinced him to help out. Oh, I’m so glad he actually took my advice.”

Realization flared through Gabi. “That’s the man you told me about—the man who left town because of a personal crisis?”

“That’s him,” Dawn said. “My future brother-in-law, Jeremy Hamilton.”

Jeremy Hamilton. He seemed so different from all the rest. Of course, if the rumors were true—he was different.

They found a pew and both women sank down, the girls settling beside Gabi. Her mouth fell open as she turned to whisper to Dawn. “He’s a Hamilton? You sure didn’t mention that,” she said, her gaze scanning the church doors for any sign of the topic of conversation.

Gabi quickly turned to face forward as Jeremy entered with his brother Tim. Suddenly all the pieces began to fall into place. This explained his almost aloof behavior the other day when she’d stumbled upon him painting. The man had every reason to be aloof. The Hamiltons were the local dynasty in these parts. Upper crust and top shelf. She couldn’t believe she hadn’t at least recognized him that day. But she’d never mingled in the same social circles as Jeremy Hamilton.

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me,” she whispered to Dawn.

Dawn glanced down at the church bulletin, then frowned. “But I did. I told you all about him.”

Leaning close, Gabi replied, “You just said you had a friend who’d been going through a rough time and needed some space, so you suggested he volunteer at the church.” Then she brought a hand to her mouth. “He’s the older brother. The one who—”

Dawn interrupted with a whispered sigh. “He’s still a Hamilton, no matter who his biological father was. And he’s struggling, Gabi. With so many things. Jeremy and Tim have been at odds for a long time, but Tim wants to make amends. Jeremy is still hurting, though, and he needs to feel the love and trust of his church home. That’s why I suggested he volunteer here.”

Gabi lowered her head. It was so like gentle Dawn to figure out a way to put Jeremy at ease, and to bring him back to his faith. “I understand that, but you could have warned me. I actually flirted with the man!”

Dawn lifted an eyebrow, then smiled. “I didn’t tell you his name because I didn’t want to gossip in detail about his personal problems,” she said, glancing back to wave to other church members. “And I didn’t know he’d show up at the church so quickly.” Then she grinned again. “And I certainly didn’t plan on you running into him there, even though that worked out perfectly, if you ask me.”

“What do you mean?” Gabi said, careful to keep her voice low. All around them, people were greeting each other and laughing and talking. It was always like this before the service began.

Dawn shot her another hopeful glance. “Oh, nothing. Just…well…he’s lonely, Gabi. He needs a friend. And you’re—”

“A single mother,” Gabi reminded her, her eyes going wide as she emphasized that fact. “A single mother from the wrong side of the tracks. And he’s the CEO of Hamilton Media. Dawn Leroux, are you trying to set me up with Jeremy Hamilton?”

“Maybe,” Dawn replied. “And he’s not the CEO these days. But I’m hoping we can work on that, too.” Then her smile widened as Tim Hamilton came up the aisle and sat down beside her.

Gabi spoke to Tim, then stared ahead, listening while Dawn and Tim whispered softly to each other, their newfound love endearing and sweet. Then she felt Dawn’s arm on hers.

“Scoot over.”

Gabi glanced up as she moved down to make room. She knew who it would be, waiting to take a seat at the end of the pew. Jeremy Hamilton looked at her, waved a hand, then sat down, his head turned toward her. He mouthed a “Hi, there,” his eyes moving over Gabi and her girls.

Gabi gave him a weak smile, then turned to fuss over Talia and Roni as the organ music indicated the start of the service.

“Who is that, Mommy?” Roni asked, leaning forward to peer down the pew.

“Just a friend,” Gabi said, pushing her inquisitive daughter back. “Don’t stare, honey. It’s impolite.”

“Well, he keeps staring at us,” Talia pointed out, waving at Jeremy.

He waved back. And finally cracked a smile.

“He’s just being friendly,” Gabi said. Then she handed her daughter crayons and a fresh sheet of notepaper from her purse. “Draw me a picture.”

As the choir began singing the intro, Gabi stole another glance down the pew herself. Jeremy Hamilton was indeed smiling at her. And that smile sent a warm thrill all the way down to Gabi’s black leather ankle boots.

Oh, Lord, she began to pray. I’m sure in trouble here. Please help me to put this man out of my mind. Let me be a friend to him, to minister Your tender mercies, nothing more.

But that particular prayer seemed to go unheard. Because all during the service, Jeremy Hamilton was front and center in Gabi’s thoughts, and for more reasons than just tender mercies.

Jeremy was glad to be out of the old church. Slipping on his overcoat, he took a long breath of the frigid December air, his gaze scanning the sloping churchyard and the footbridge covering a gurgling creek that met up with the Cumberland River just beyond the trees. The familiar stained-glass windows, oak-paneled walls, and high-arched ceiling of the old sanctuary should have brought him some sort of comfort. Months ago, he’d prayed for his father in the tiny prayer room inside the church. He’d felt safe and secure there, having no doubt that God would take care of his father. And that God would take care of him, too.

Now, in spite of the familiar surroundings and all the smiles and greetings, he’d felt uncomfortable sitting there with everyone glancing at him. He wasn’t so secure in his faith on this cold Sunday morning.