Chapter Thirteen
“A re you sure you don’t want to race ahead?
” Delia asked. She was trotting through the park beside Gabriel, the large stone bulk of Renwood Hall just behind them.
“Renoir’s disgusted by our slow progress.
” Inclining her head, she studied the wolfhound.
“Huh, Renoir, what do you think? Chase Gabriel around the park for a few rounds so I can stick to my leisurely pace without holding back either of you?”
“Don’t worry about our speed,” Gabriel said. “Renoir will have plenty of opportunity to run around the park at full tilt this afternoon when Liam and I take down the old oak behind the stables.”
“You’re felling a tree? Just the two of you?” She couldn’t suppress a quiver of apprehension. The thought of Gabriel stuck in the crown of a tree wielding a chainsaw, made her stomach turn over.
“It’s old and beginning to rot on the inside, and there’s real danger it’ll come crashing down on the stables below one of these days.” He opened his arms, palms facing outward. “So, unfortunately, it has to go.”
“Isn’t that kind of a big and dangerous job?” She peered at him. “Why don’t you get professionals to do it for you?”
He rubbed his jaw. “I’ve cut trees before; it’s not that hard. I’ll climb up wearing a harness and saw the tree off limb by limb from the top down, and Liam will be there to keep an eye on me.”
“Still, you, high up in an old and rotten tree, swinging a chainsaw about.” She paused to catch her breath. “I don’t like the sound of it.”
“I’ll be wearing a pair of safety trousers to protect me from cuts.”
He was being a bit cavalier about the risk. The tree was rotten, which meant unstable. All sorts of things could go wrong. “Do you have a helmet?”
“No,” he chuckled, “that I don’t have.”
“Please, as your friend, let me get you a helmet, nice, big, and bright orange. With a visor and ear protectors.”
He lifted his chin and soaked up the weak rays of sunlight that poked through the lime trees’ branches. “I appreciate your concern for my safety, but you don’t need to rush out and buy a helmet. I’ll be fine.”
“I’ll buy it, and you’ll wear it. Deal?” Her stance was wide and determined. There would be no getting out of this for him.
“Deal.” His laugh was low and warm. “Now, how many laps around the park today?”
“Three will do. I’ve got exams to mark and a lecture to prepare.” With her anxious worry appeased, she geared up to enjoy the rest of the run.
“Three it is then.” He threw a stick for Renoir, and the wolfhound raced toward the horizon.
“I love this spot,” she said when they reached the copse of silver birches, their leaves rustling and their slender branches swaying in the breeze.
“Of all the trees your ancestors collected for this park, I like these birches the best. Whatever about the house, I can understand you not wanting to let go of the park. It’s a magical place, so tranquil and peaceful. ”
He was silent for a moment, as if he didn’t mean to answer, but then he said, “My father planted these when I was born.”
“Oh, Gabriel.” She stopped running, and he halted beside her. Taking his hands in hers, she met his clear blue gaze. “It must be hard, every day, to pass these landmarks, to walk through these rooms, to see these objects that remind you of him.”
He folded her in an embrace, and they stood together in silence. She caught the faint scent of his fresh sweat and leaned closer to breathe it in. Beautiful pheromones to go with his terrific telomeres. She sighed into his cotton T-shirt.
“Thank you,” he whispered, “for being here for me. You have no idea how much our friendship means to me.”
“I think the world of you, Gabriel Kirwan,” she said. Then she gently disengaged herself and fell into a slow trot. “Are you going to catch up with me sometime today?” she shouted and beckoned him with a smile.
Taking the hint, he picked up the pace until he was once again level with her.
~ * ~
T om and Anjali’s kitchen was warm, cozy, and filled with the delicious aroma of freshly ground basil. Delia luxuriated in the nurturing atmosphere, ready to spend the evening in the company of the people she loved most.
“How’s work going now that you’re tenured?” Anjali put a bowl of pasta in front of Delia. “You’re so brainy, it’s unreal. How are you even Tommy’s sister?”
“Hey. What’s that supposed to mean?” Tom narrowed his eyes in mock-outrage.
“Just, you know, you’re more normal.” She put her hands around his waist and squeezed.
He coughed. “ Excuse me. The Normal One would like to get dinner started, so Jamie and Rubina won’t be too late going to bed.” He wriggled out of Anjali’s grip then placed the plates on the kitchen table.
“I don’t need to be in bed as early as Jamie.” Rubina pouted and glared at her father with the full authority of her five years. “I’m already in school, and he’s still a baby.”
“Right you are, sweetie.” Delia patted the seat of the chair beside hers. “I bet they’ll allow you to stay up an extra hour.”
Her niece was pacified and took her allocated place. It must be difficult to be the elder sibling, always having to monitor whether the younger one hoovered up all of the attention. Delia was more than happy to make a fuss over Rubina if it helped her adjust to the change in the family dynamic.
“To answer your question,” Delia smiled at Anjali, “work is not that different, but I’m more relaxed since they can’t pull the rug from under me.”
“It took them an awful long time, if you ask me.” Tom gave a wry grin. “The job insecurity was getting to you.”
“Yes, but that’s in the past now.” Delia gripped her fork and played with its tines. “Let me have some of that lovely looking pasta. I’m starving.”
“So am I,” Rubina piped up.
“All right.” Tom spooned pasta on everyone’s plate, while his wife scooped up Jamie and put him in his highchair where a bowl of mashed vegetables was waiting for him.
After dinner, Tom took Jamie to bed, and Anjali did the dishes, refusing Delia’s help because she preferred to work in peace while Delia kept Rubina occupied.
Delia and her niece sat at the table, heads together. “We could create a table volcano or a tin hedgehog or a foam monster.”
“Oh, yes. All three.” Rubina rubbed her hands.
“I’ll get the chemistry kit for you, and you can do the experiments with your parents or with me.” Delia’s heart expanded with joy at the glow of excitement in Rubina’s face. This lively girl would go far, and Delia’d be there to help when needed.
“I hope those experiments are safe for children.” Her brother returned to the kitchen and settled into the chair opposite them.
“Oh, they’re totally safe. And a great way to stoke the nascent scientific curiosity in your daughter.” She winked at Rubina.
Anjali laughed and flapped the dishcloth at Delia. “Have your own kids instead of raising my daughter in your image.”
Delia straightened. “But that’s what I’m about to do.”
“What? You’re pregnant?” Anjali quirked an eyebrow at her husband. “Tommy, why didn’t you tell me?”
“You’re pregnant?” Tom stared at Delia.
“No. Stop.” She held up a hand. “I’m not yet, but I’m planning to. I found a sperm donor.”
“I didn’t know your plans were that far along, sis.” Tom folded his arms. “I mean, you could have said.”
“Gabriel offered, and I jumped at the chance. He has a great genetic profile and is also willing to co-parent.” Delia pressed her palms together. “You keep telling me raising kids is tough. An extra pair of hands will be useful.”
Tom frowned. “Gabriel who?”
She dropped her gaze. “Gabriel Kirwan.”
He leaned across the table. “First, he paints you, and now, he wants to be the father of your child?”
“Who’s Gabriel Kirwan? Someone you went to school with?” Anjali asked her husband.
“Oh, no, he’s Lord Renwood of Renwood Hall, and he went to a posh-boy school, I bet. Wasn’t at my school anyway.”
“Gabriel is a nice, normal man, totally sound, and a friend. And what’s most important, he’ll be a brilliant father. He’s very caring.” Delia tugged at Tom’s sleeve and glanced at his daughter then back at him. “Details to be discussed at a later date. Now who’s up for a game of Uno?”
“Me,” Rubina shouted. She stood and pushed her chair back. “I’ll get the cards.”
Several rounds of Uno later, most of them won by the youngest and most enthusiastic player, Delia gathered her things. “Okay, folks, thanks for having me over. It was pure joy as usual, but now I have to head home. Early start tomorrow.”
Tom hugged her. “Always good to see you and feel free to tell me more about your plans .”
Delia nudged him with her elbow. “Overprotective brother alert.”
“Ha, ha.” His face was pinched. “I’m serious.”
She swung an arm around his shoulder. “Understood. I promise you regular updates.”
~ * ~
D elia paced at the entrance of the park.
Where is he? Had Gabriel forgotten their run today?
She tied her shoelace and, straightening, jogged on the spot for a few moments to keep herself warm.
Late summer had cooled into a bracing-but-glorious early autumn.
The leaves on the trees around the park had begun to turn, and the light of the afternoon sun shone low and golden.
Gabriel and she had fallen into a routine of weekly runs—an arrangement that had eased their awkwardness when she’d collected the first sperm sample. The second time had been much easier.
She checked her watch; he had forgotten her. He was never this late. Usually, he was waiting for her, with Renoir at his heel. Not so today. She tried the gatehouse, but all within was dark and silent. He must be in his office lost in work.
She re-tied her pony tail, then ran up the driveway toward the mansion to pull the seventh Earl of Renwood away from his desk and into the fresh air. At the big house, there was no answer to the bell. She rang again.
“Hi there, Delia.” Mary greeted her with a distracted air. “Come in, come in. I have to run. I’ve brown bread in the oven, but Gabriel’s in his office.”