Page 40 of The Payback Adventure
Animation lit Sam’s usually sullen face, and he pointed to an open gate. “Gabe will help us.”
Gabe Logan pushed a wheelbarrow full of old bricks from what must be the backyard. He reminded Henry of a modern-day knight, except he used an electric drill instead of a sword for his rescues. “What have you got there?”
Sam pointed at the swing. “Can you tell us how to fix the porch swing Henry bought for Elisabeth?”
Mr. Fix-it Man set the wheelbarrow down and studied Henry. “You bought this for her?”
Henry nodded, wishing he’d watched a few of those home-improvement shows he’d glimpsed while channel surfing.
Gabe kneeled and checked out the swing as the girls gave him hugs. “It won’t take long to get this back in shape. I’d be happy to help. Anything for my Bess.”
His Bess? Gabe spoke with such affection, and his eyes softened.
Something clicked in Henry’s mind. He didn’t know anything about farms or building things or fixing machinery, but there was a man in Berry Patch who did. A man who wasn’t wearing a wedding ring. A man who liked kids, too.
Gabe Logan might be the perfect man for Elisabeth and the Wheeler family.
Getting these two together would be easy for Henry to do. But the realization didn’t bring any excitement or relief. Not the way playing matchmaker usually did. No, it only brought a sickening feeling in his stomach and the desire to swallow a handful of antacid tablets.
* * *
Two nights later, Henry wasn’t feeling better. It wasn’t his stomach this time, but insomnia. He couldn’t sleep. He also couldn’t move, thanks to Ruff and the nameless gray cat using Henry as a personal mattress. Henry would miss their companionship, but he wouldn’t miss sharing a twin-size bed with them when he was gone. Maybe he could talk Dash or Blaise into getting a dog that Henry could visit and spoil. The other guys traveled or worked too much to have a pet, though Wes might consider it.
He wouldn’t miss all the work it took to winterize the farm, either. At least he was no longer making so many mistakes. Or rather, not such noticeable ones.
He succeeded in playing fairy godfather. Well, sort of. Hisefforts were working for everyone but Elisabeth. The kids loved their yard sale gifts, and the porch swing was coming along with Gabe’s help.
Gabe.
Henry liked the man. Respected him, too. The guy was working miracles with the porch swing and teaching him a thing or two about carpentry. But woodworking wasn’t the only thing Gabe knew about. He also knew women.
Forget fixing him up with Elisabeth.
Gabe Logan was too much like Henry—a rogue not a hero—and that wouldn’t do for Elisabeth. She deserved better. She deserved the best.
But with Henry’s job, he didn’t have time to meet all the single men in Berry Patch and find the right one for Elisabeth. He would have to forgo matchmaking. The decision brought a rush of relief. He needed to put all his effort into not making mistakes around the farm, he rationalized.
Suddenly, the soft sounds of a trombone filled the air, followed by the plucking of strings and the crashing of cymbals… It sounded like an orchestra. But at this hour?
Henry scooted the gray cat from his chest and sat, careful not to bump his head on the upper bunk. He listened to the classical music. An odd sound, considering he’d never heard music being played at the Wheelers’ house. Not from her cell phone and not on the radio.
The music piqued Henry’s curiosity. Maybe Abby was analyzing a composer. Maybe there was more to Sam than baggy pants and a bad attitude. No, it had to be Abby.
Henry slid out of bed and headed downstairs. The onlylights were the dingy brass candlestick wall sconces above each end of the fireplace mantel. The soft glow provided enough light to see into the living room.
Halfway down the stairs, Henry froze.
Elisabeth sat on the couch. She wore a ratty light-colored robe. Her bare feet beat in time to the music. Her hair was loose and tousled.
He should go back to bed before she saw him, but then he did a double take.
Her eyes were closed. She had a serene Mona Lisa smile on her face. She swayed gently to the music. So lovely. He sat on the stairs and watched.
When a harp played its first note, so did Elisabeth. She plucked and strummed at a nonexistent harp with the skill and precision of a master. The play of emotions across her face captivated Henry. He’d never seen such passion, such concentration, such…contentment. Her expressions made him want to find a way to make her feel this way every single day, not just in the middle of the night, alone in the dark, air-harping.
This was a private moment he intruded on.
Henry didn’t care. He would stay until she made him move. This new side of Elisabeth mesmerized him.
