But today was simply about freedom. He was living out the dreams he’d held dear since he was a small child.
It had been the perfect day to put Bessie in the air even though it was his day off. The sky was the color of a robin’s egg. Snow-capped mountains and Sitka spruce trees greeted him when he looked down at the rugged terrain. The waters of Kachemak Bay glistened with the sun’s rays bouncing off the surface. He was fairly certain he could spot some owls soaring down below. They were graceful and precise as they hunted their prey. The lack of daylight in November meant that sunset would settle in later this afternoon in true Alaskan fashion. Sometimes he enjoyed being up in the air just in time to see the sun dip below the horizon.
Gabriel hadn’t been able to stop thinking about Rachel. It had been shocking enough to come face-to-face with her after all this time, but the knowledge that she’d given birth to twins had left him reeling. The love he’d felt for Rachel had faded a long time ago, but he couldn’t seem to rid himself of all their shared dreams. Kids had been a large part of their plans. Seeing her two gorgeous babies reminded him of everything he’d lost when she abandoned him.
And despite everything, it gnawed away at him.
Had he been such an awful prospect for a husband that Rachel hadn’t been able to commit to forever with him? Had she fallen out of love with him before the wedding? Was it possible she’d run off to be with someone else? So many questions still lingered in his mind. A part of him still craved answers.
Gabriel. I’m so sorry, but I can’t marry you.
His body tensed up as the words from Rachel’s letter crashed over him in unrelenting waves. He hadn’t thought about it in a very long time. It was dangerous to allow his mind to go back to that bleak period. During the really dark days after Rachel’s desertion he’d battled a myriad of emotions—shock, denial, anger then finally acceptance. The only way he’d been able to endure the loss had been to bury those feelings and move on with his life. But now, with Rachel being back in Owl Creek, everything was rising to the surface.
He looked at his watch. It was time to head back to the hangar. He turned the plane around and began to descend bit by bit until the clouds were above him and he could see the land below. Within minutes he was landing the plane on the airstrip behind the hangar. He jumped out of the plane onto the tarmac and rushed toward the small building.
Flying provided a calming experience for him, but he had lunch plans with his two best friends, Connor North and Hank Crawford. Although Gabriel knew it would only be a matter of time before the news spread through town about Rachel’s return, he wanted to alert his buddies to her arrival. He imagined they would both be pretty shocked by the news.
When he walked into the Snowy Owl diner, the smell of French fries and bison burgers rose to his nostrils. His stomach growled in appreciation of the delightful scents. Breakfast had been hours ago, and he was in need of sustenance and a good dose of camaraderie. Both would serve as salves to his uneasiness regarding Rachel’s return.
“Hey, Gabriel.” Piper Miller grinned at him from behind the counter. “Your partners in crime beat you over here.” She winked at him. “They’re sitting in your usual spot. I’ll get some coffee sent over right away for you.”
“Thanks, Piper,” Gabriel said, smiling at Hank’s younger sister. Piper had taken over the ownership of the diner after the death of her father, Jack. She was a sweet and beautiful young woman who had lots of pluck and grit. Because of his close relationship to Hank, she’d always felt like a kid sister to him.
Gabriel slid into the booth beside Hank. “Hey, guys. Sorry I’m late. I took Bessie up for a quick spin among the clouds.”
“I thought you had the day off,” Hank said. “You should have been sleeping in and relaxing. Your schedule has been crazy lately.”
His buddy was correct in his assessment. Working as a bush pilot didn’t allow for much downtime, but it was a well-paying job that left him feeling fulfilled and energized. Being a pilot was the only vocation Gabriel had ever wanted to pursue. He loved what he did for a living.
“It’s relaxing. There’s nothing more peaceful than being up in the clouds. I flew to Raven’s Pass, then turned around and headed home.” Sometimes Gabriel struggled to put into words how euphoric flying made him feel. Hopefully after all these years of friendship, Hank and Connor both understood that flying was an integral part of him.
Gabriel smiled up at the waitress who’d come over to fill up his mug with a piping-hot serving of coffee. “Thanks, Rose. It’s just what I needed.” Hank slid the cream and sugar in his direction and Gabriel added liberal doses of each to his coffee before taking a long, satisfying sip.
His friends’ gazes met across the table. A strange, almost imperceptible look passed between them. Gabriel immediately sensed something was up. He’d known both of them since they were all in diapers. Neither one had the ability to pull the wool over his eyes. Not even on their best days.
Gabriel placed his hands down on the table. “Okay. Spill it. What’s going on with you two?”
Connor cleared his throat. “Some news reached our ears that you might find unsettling. So you need to brace yourself,” he instructed. He was fiddling with his fingers and not making eye contact.
Gabriel nodded. “Is it about Rachel being back in Owl Creek?”
Connor swung his gaze up. His blue eyes widened. Gabriel almost wanted to laugh at the stupefied expression etched on his fa
ce.
“You knew?” Hank asked with a frown. “Why didn’t you say anything?” His expression was a mix between irritation and relief.
Gabriel let out a sigh. “I just found out yesterday. I went to drop some items off for Helene, and Rachel answered the door.” He let out a brittle laugh. “You have no idea how shocked I was to see her back in town. It was surreal.”
Hank sat back in the booth. “I can’t imagine. It’s been three years since she left, right?”
Gabriel was too embarrassed to admit it, but he could probably pinpoint the exact number of months she’d been gone. Although he wasn’t in love with Rachel anymore, he still hadn’t managed to move past their relationship. Coming face-to-face with her yesterday had only served to remind him of that fact.
“Yeah. Three years since the wedding that wasn’t.” Although he tried to inject some humor into his statement it fell flat. He of all people knew there wasn’t anything remotely funny about being left in the lurch by one’s fiancée. Hank and Connor had stood by him in the aftermath of Rachel’s desertion. He didn’t imagine either one would have much to say to her if they crossed paths with Rachel.
“You’re better off,” Connor grumbled. “She clearly wouldn’t have gone the distance.”
“I have to agree with Connor,” Hank said with a nod. “You deserve to be with someone who’s going to love you through thick and thin.” Hank had a dreamy expression etched on his face. He had recently gotten engaged to Sage Duncan, the love of his life. She happened to be Connor’s long-lost sister Lily, who had recently been reunited with the North family twenty-five years after she’d been abducted from their home in Owl Creek. From what Gabriel could see, Hank and Sage were blissfully happy. Sometimes when he least expected it, he felt niggling feelings of envy. To love and be loved was a beautiful thing.