Chapter Twenty-One
Luna
The long ride back proved too much for me, and I woke when we reached our destination, resting my head against Gabriel’s shoulder.
All around, lush greenery hung from arbors and blooms of bright colors blew in the breeze, as if waving a welcome. We were stopped outside of the main entrance, and Gabriel opened the door and took my hand. “You’ll be nice and rested for your introductions,” he teased.
“Introductions?”
I peered out the doors and discovered Joe shaking hands with a man who was more around my father’s age than Joe’s. The man glanced around Joe’s shoulder, and when he met my eyes, he smiled and nodded, scratched his graying head, and then said something to Joe, though I couldn’t hear what was being said. Behind him, coming out of the door, was a woman; her hair was pulled back in a tight bun, and her smile was as tired as her eyes, though kind.
“That is Judy and Carl. They’re my staff here. I don’t keep anyone but Joe with me anywhere else, but this home needs special care. Judy was a lifelong friend of my mother’s, and Carl gave me my first job mowing lawns. He’s a groundskeeper. Does beautiful work, don’t you think?”
The place was as beautiful as anything I’d seen in a magazine, and as we stepped out of the car and forward to greet them, my nerves got the best of me. I clasped hold of Gabriel’s arm and he offered a smile of reassurance as we approached.
Gabriel shook Carl’s hand and offered Judy a warm hug. The two regarded him with pride and then met my eyes with curious hesitation. “I’d like you two to meet my wife, Luna.”
The introduction surprised me as much as it did them, and I thought for a moment that Carl would have to grab a shovel to dig Judy’s jaw out of the concrete below. The woman collected herself before offering a smile as she nodded. “It’s very nice to meet you.” She swept her hand to lead the way and stepped aside as Gabriel and I entered the house.
Behind me, I heard Carl whisper, “Well, done, Gabe.” When I glanced his way, he had a wide smile.
Gabriel kept his hand on my lower back and we walked into the front room of the house, which was warm and sunny, much like a dream, especially compared to the honeymoon suite we’d stayed in. “I do hope you’ll like it here. I think it’s a vast improvement over our past residence.”
“It’s beautiful. I don’t think I could ever be bored here.” The view alone would keep me busy for weeks. Around every corner was another intake of breath at a glorious view, and I couldn’t wait to see more.
“I’ll take you upstairs and show you to our room.” A part of me wanted to be excited by the idea of sharing his space, but the more reasonable side knew it was only for show, like the introduction to his staff. Despite the validity of our marriage being solid, I had a part to play. I couldn’t think of a more lovely stage.
Upstairs, we walked a long hall to the master suite. Gabriel opened the door, and for the first time, I saw genuine relief wash over him. “Man, it’s good to be home.” He lowered himself on his bed and plugged his phone into the charger on the table beside it. “I hope you don’t mind sharing, but I think it sends a better message. Besides, I want you close.”
“I love it. I’m fine with any room.” I wondered if there’d come a time where I could be honest and open up about my excitement from being close to him. I wanted us to be a true couple, but I understood that whim surrounding our marriage had been realized and regretted hours after it happened.
“The bathroom is through there, and I think you’ll appreciate the tub.” He motioned toward a door and I crossed the room to check it out.
The room was almost as big as his bedroom. Covered in stone, it was as if the fixtures had all been carved from one slab, and the amount of plants in the place made it look more like a greenhouse than a bathroom.
“I could spend my time here,” I called to the bedroom, but turned to see him in the doorway. “I didn’t realize you liked so many plants.”
He tilted his head with an indifferent shrug. “Carl loves them. I think they’re nice, but I appreciate his artistry and give him free reign. You should tell him you like them. He’ll get a kick out of that.”
“I’ll make sure I do. I want them to like me.” As soon as the words left my lips, I wished I could pick them from the air and shove them back in. I didn’t want to sound like a dope or someone who needed approval. Truth was, I didn’t know if I’d be so welcoming in their position. “Maybe you should have warned them.”
“And be like a guest in my own home?”
“Well, I could offer to help Judy. I don’t mind a little housework.” I glanced around, wondering if I could find a speck of dust and shook my head. Nope, the woman had that chore well in check.
“I assure you, you’d only offend her. The only thing I’ve ever managed is cooking a few meals, so if you’re so inclined, she might let you near the stove.” He gave a short laugh and walked back into the bedroom.
I followed him out. “How many others are here?”
“You’ve met Joe and the staff, and then of course there are a couple of security guards who look after the grounds. Two stay in the guard shack at the main gate and there’s another at the gate to the winery. Sandra, my sister-in-law, will be here soon, as well as her son, Harbor, my nephew. I called them while you were sleeping in the car.”
My stomach tightened. I’d be meeting his family; my family, for all intents and purposes, who would surely know the nature of our marriage.
As if he could see the panic I so carefully shielded, he closed the distance between us and placed his hands on my arms. “It’s a lot to take in, I know. But we’ll be fine. We’re on the downward slope of this mess, so I want you to relax here and consider it an extended vacation.”
“Thank you.” I squeezed his hand, but then he stepped away.
He crossed the room to a set of double doors. “This is my home gym. You’re welcome to use it or the pool or the study downstairs. Make yourself-”
A commotion sent him running as Joe’s voice boomed out. I followed as he hurried down the stairs and into the front lobby where we could see that Joe had a man down on the ground outside on the steps.
“Daddy?” I rushed forward as Joe picked him up and my father jerked his arm away from Joe to hug me. He put me behind him protectively, and I held on to him to calm him down.
My father attempted to catch his breath, but it took him a minute. Finally, he pulled in a long one and steadied. “What kind of people are you? I knocked a dozen times. I only opened the door so you fools would hear me calling.”
Gabriel regarded Joe with a hard glare. “What the hell happened?”
“Before I could get to the door, he opened it. I wasn’t sure who he was, so I tackled him. Can’t be too careful.”
“He’s my father!”
Joe stepped forward and held out his hand. “My apologies, sir.”
Dad shook his hand and straightened his collar. “Well, at least I know you’re properly guarded.” He met Gabriel with a hard glare of his own. “I suppose you’re the man who married my daughter.” I imagined he’d left off a few of his other opinions.
I pinched his arm. “Dad.” Realizing Carl and Judy were also watching, I stepped toward Gabriel. “Dad, this is Gabriel Grant. Gabriel, this is my father, Jay Spencer.
“Pastor Jay Spencer,” Dad corrected. Gabriel stepped forward and offered his hand, which Daddy reluctantly took.
“It’s good to meet you, sir. Your daughter speaks fondly of you and I do want to apologize for this rough greeting. We’ve been under some stress from reporters.”
Dad kept the handshake short and sweet before hiking up his belt. “Yeah, well, they’re gathering at your gate.” He aimed his thumb toward the drive behind him.
“Dad, how did you get in?” I held my breath, hoping he wouldn’t embarrass me further with a story of how he’d climbed the fence, and Gabriel and Joe’s level stare told me the two of them were curious, as well.
“The young man in the guard’s gatehouse is a member of my church. I told him I was here to see you. He’s seen the news. I’d imagine the whole darned congregation has by now.”
Joe excused himself and headed out to the gate, and I hoped that whoever the guard was, he would still be employed when Joe got there. If Gabriel’s expression meant anything, he might fire the poor man.
He gave my dad a once over, as if making sure there weren’t any injuries. “Again, my apologies, but next time feel free to have them notify us so we can anticipate your arrival.” Gabriel straightened his cuffs and led the way inside, where he offered my father a seat. “We’ll be having dinner soon. I hope you can join us.”
Gabriel’s sincerity was refreshing and put me at ease, but as my father fidgeted, I thought he might still be a little shaken by Joe’s attack. “When you called me from the car, I got online and found the address. I wanted to check on you.”
Dad hadn’t gone that long without seeing me since the day I was born. Not even college had taken me away from home, and when I moved out, I’d at least see him once a week at church and twice during the week for dinner.
Judy walked out from the kitchen and announced that dinner would be ready within the hour. As Gabriel asked her to bring out some wine, she smiled at my father.
Dad stood a little taller as he smiled back. “Judy?” I exchanged a shrug with Gabriel as the woman stepped forward and shook my father’s hand.
“I wasn’t sure you’d remember me.” The two exchanged a warm smile.
“It hasn’t been that long, though I am getting older. By the way, I saw your son out at the gate. He’s always been a great kid.” Well, that explained that. As a pastor, my dad knew so many people. We’d never been able to go anywhere without him seeing at least one person he knew.
Judy gave a final nod. “Thank you. I’m glad he’s had a fine man like your son-in-law to look up to.” She tilted her head toward Gabriel and winked, then she retreated herself to the kitchen.
I exchanged a smile with my father, who was still beaming from greeting Judy, although his lip had curled at the mention of son-in-law. At least he couldn’t complain about the type of people I was around, and I was grateful that Judy had put in a good word for Gabriel. Maybe my dad would start to lighten up.
“So, Mr. Grant, what are your intentions for my daughter?”
So much for that. “Dad,” I scolded under my breath.
He sat up a little straighter and looked down his nose, but he didn’t go on, and Gabriel didn’t answer. I imagined he wasn’t too interested in explaining himself, and I doubted that my father would like what he had to say.
But as I gave up hope for his response, he leaned forward, steepled his fingers, and rested his elbows on his knees. “Despite the haste of our marriage, I care about your daughter very much and intend to do right by her.”
My father narrowed his eyes. “Does that mean you’ll give her a speedy divorce?”
Though my face reddened with embarrassment, I anticipated his response.