Redeeming Gabriel by Elizabeth White Page A

in his own way, but he never adjusted to the coastal climate. Reckon he knew, between me and the Indian family system, his wife and kids would be cared for.” He paused and folded brawny arms, watching his nephew sleep. “Reckon they were.”
    Camilla pushed away her plate. “Didn’t you have a family of your own?”
    Diron colored to the ears. “Never had the manners nor inclination to keep a woman.” He chuckled. “Besides, once I had young Gabriel running around here raisin’ the roof, wouldn’t no woman come within a mile of the place.”
    “Why would Gabriel’s mother send only him to live with you? Why not the older boy, too?”
    “Oh, Johnny was getting along just fine. But Gabriel was—I guess you could say a bit of a handful. He was reading and writing by the time he was four, and talking like a college professor. If he wanted to know how something worked, he’d take it apart and put it back together, sometimes in better shape than it was to start with. Anything he’s seen one time, he’ll never forget.” Diron shook his curly gray head. “He could think of more questions than his poor mama had time to answer in a lifetime. She sent him to me out of pure self-defense. Didn’t take me long to realize he needed more education than I could give him. The Catholic schools didn’t have room for him, so I talked the Methodist missionaries into taking him on. Gabriel finished Barton Academy when he was only fifteen and won a scholarship to medical college.”
    Camilla leaned forward. “And that’s where he met—”
    “Uncle, you gossip like an old woman.” The subject of their discussion reached over Camilla’s shoulder to pluck a biscuit from her plate.
    She jumped. “I just wanted to know—”
    “I know what you wanted to know. It’s ancient history.” He towered over her, chewing, his expression bland. “Uncle, where’s that bundle of stuff I brought you to keep for me a few days ago?”
    Diron set his mug down with a thump. “I put it away, but you owe me some explanations before I hand it over.” He eyed Gabriel’s travel-stained suit and Camilla’s boy’s clothes. “I ain’t asked no questions, figured you’d tell me why you show up here at daybreak with this pretty little lady.” His grizzled brows slammed together. “Her papa ain’t comin’ after you with a shotgun—”
    Gabriel shouted with laughter, and Camilla found her breath snatched away. Gabriel Laniere with a genuine grin on his face was a sight to see.
    “I imagine her papa’d be glad to get rid of her.” He chuckled at the indignant lift of her chin. “We’re on our way to Fort Morgan to take medicine to Camilla’s brother. I’m no cradle robber,” he added with unnecessary relish.
    Camilla bristled. “I’m a grown woman, and I come and go as I please. It’s easier to travel in boy’s clothes, and Gabriel is kind enough to escort me.”
    “Yep, young Gabe’s the soul of kindness.” Tongue in cheek, the older man got to his feet. “Sit down, boy, while I fix you a plate.”
    Gabriel shook his head, pilfering another biscuit and a couple of sausage links. “We’ve got to get on our way. Camilla’s daddy will pull out the shotgun if I don’t have her back by sundown.”
    Diron nodded. “Serve you right, you scalawag. I’ll get your bundle.” He set the remains of his breakfast on the porch, just outside the back door. “Come and get it, Ajax!” A blue tick hound, snoozing peacefully under a mimosa, lifted his head and lumbered to his feet.
    While Diron climbed a ladder into a tiny sleeping loft, Camilla wandered around the room. She picked up a small hand-carved wooden replica of the hound slavering over his breakfast on the porch. It was cunning, lifelike and crafted with a loving hand. “I’ve never met anyone quite like your uncle.” She looked up to find Gabriel leaning against the kitchen table, watching her with hooded eyes. “What is it?”
    “We’ll have to get on that packet