When they arrived in Selinsgrove the following afternoon, they drove immediately to Richard’s house. Julia called her father as soon as they pulled into the driveway.
“Jules! Welcome home. How was the flight?”
“It was fine. We had to leave really early, but it’s good to be back.”
Tom breathed heavily into the phone. “About that, Jules. I already told Richard that I can’t join you all. Deb was a little put out that I was bailing on her, and so I said I’d have dinner with her and her kids tonight. Rachel suggested you stay with her so you aren’t home alone.”
“Oh.” Julia looked over at Gabriel, feeling conflicted.
“Deb said you’re more than welcome to join us and she’d love to have you there.”
“Absolutely not.”
Tom sighed. “Then maybe we can meet at Kinfolks restaurant for breakfast tomorrow.”
Julia fidgeted with her fingernails, wondering why she always came second or third in her father’s life.
“Okay. I’ll ask Rachel to drive me. Around nine?”
“Sounds good. Oh, and Jules, give my best to Rachel and Aaron. And stay away from Gabriel.”
She flushed furiously. “Bye, Dad.”
She disconnected her call and glanced over at Gabriel. “You heard that, didn’t you?”
“I did.” He took her hand in his and stroked her palm with the pad of his thumb. “We have a few minutes before someone notices we’re here. Can I ask how Tom reacted when you told him about Simon? You wouldn’t tell me before.”
Julia looked down at their conjoined hands and watched as Gabriel touched her.
“Julianne?”
“Sorry. Um, he said he wouldn’t give out my number.”
Gabriel looked grim. “Did you mention the video?”
“No, and I’m not going to, either.”
“He’s your father, Julianne. Shouldn’t he know what’s going on so he can protect you?”
Julia shrugged and looked out the window. “What can he do? It’s my word against his.”
Gabriel stopped stroking her palm. “Is that what your father said?”
“Not exactly.”
“Is he going to take this seriously?”
“Simon has him fooled, just like he fools everyone. Dad thinks it’s just a misunderstanding.”
“Why in God’s name would he think this is a misunderstanding? You’re his daughter, for Christ’s sake!”
“Dad really liked him. And he knows next to nothing about what happened between us.”
“Why didn’t you tell him?”
Julia turned to Gabriel with a desperate look in her eyes. “Because I don’t want him to know. He wouldn’t believe me anyway, and I can’t lose another parent.”
“Julia, there is no way your father would disown you because you broke up with your boyfriend.”
“He’s been watching me my whole life to see if I was going to turn out like my mother. I don’t want him looking that way at me. He’s the only family I have.”
Gabriel closed his eyes and rested his head back against the car seat. “If that boy made you do things you didn’t want to do, if he assaulted you or took advantage of you, then you need to tell your dad. He needs to know.”
Julia exhaled slowly. “It’s too late.”
Opening his eyes, Gabriel looked at her and cupped her face in both hands. “Julia, listen to me. Some day you are going to have to tell somebody.”
She blinked back tears. “I know that.”
“I’d like that person to be me.”
She nodded as if she understood, but made no promises.
He leaned over and pressed a chaste kiss to her lips. “Come on. Everyone will be waiting.”
As soon as they walked through the front door, Julia felt—odd. The furniture was arranged as it always had been. The décor was the same, minus the fresh flowers Grace loved to display in a large vase on one of the side tables. But the instant Julia exited the foyer and gazed around, she realized that the house felt empty, cold, lonesome, even though it was filled with people. Grace had been the heart of the household, and now everyone could feel her absence.
Julia shivered unconsciously, and without warning, Gabriel’s right hand flew to the small of her back—a gentle pressure, a reassuring warmth, then it was gone. They hadn’t even exchanged glances. She felt his comfort leave her body, and she wondered what it all meant.
“Julia!” Rachel fairly ran from the kitchen. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
The two friends embraced, and then Rachel hugged Gabriel. Scott, Aaron, and Richard rose from their chairs to take turns greeting the new arrivals.
Julia nervously tried to find the words to tell Richard how sorry she was that she’d missed the funeral, but Rachel interrupted her. “Let’s get rid of your coat. I’m making Flirtinis. Gabriel, help yourself. The beer is in the refrigerator.”
Julia mumbled something Gabriel didn’t catch, and the two women disappeared into the kitchen, leaving the men to return to the football game.