The Shepherd's Voice by Robin Lee Hatcher

loved him.
“Good heavens!” Jane exclaimed.
The instant Akira met Jane’s gaze, she knew her secret had been discovered. Jane must have read Akira’s feelings on her face. She’d never been any good at hiding them. It was too much to have hoped she could do so now.
Jane turned toward Nora. “Would you like more tea?”
“No thank you.” Nora waved her hand over the rim of the glass. “This will do me fine.”
Akira sat on the empty chair, feeling miserable. She wondered what was happening at the Talmadge mansion. She wondered if Hudson would ask his son to stay. If he did, would Gabe agree? Of course he would. Who wouldn’t want to live in such a place? And why else would Hudson have summoned Gabe if it wasn’t to extend the olive branch of peace? To welcome his son home.
It’s why he came back to Ransom. It’s what he wanted, what he hoped for. You should be happy for him.
Yes, she should be happy for him. She should be praying for reconciliation between father and son. She should want it for him.
But what I want is for him to be with me at Dundreggan. I want to love him and have him love me. Is that so very terrible?

The Talmadges had been well-off when Gabe was growing up, but if this house was any indication of his father’s wealth, Hudson’s fortune had multiplied many times over.
“Would you like something to drink?” his father offered as they sat down in the elegantly spacious drawing room.
“No thanks.”
“You’re sure? I’ve got a fine brandy. Or there’s whiskey if you prefer.”
Gabe shook his head, at the same time wondering when Hudson would get to the point.
Not until I’m suitably impressed, I bet. He had to suppress a smile as the thought crossed his mind. That his father would want to impress him seemed ludicrous.
Life often turned on an instant, he reflected, more soberly thistime. Such had been proven the night Max died, and it had been proven again the morning he’d surrendered his heart, his sins, himself, to God. Could this be another turning point?
“You’re wondering why I asked you here,” Hudson said, breaking the lengthy silence.
“As a matter of fact, yes.” He looked the older man straight in the eyes and waited for him to continue.
“Things are different now than when you went away.”
“Went away?” Gabe cocked an eyebrow, remembering the part his father had played in his arrest and conviction. “I guess that’s one way to put it.”
Hudson frowned. “You were always belligerent. I see prison didn’t change you.”
Several different retorts flashed in his head, none of which, Gabe figured, would please God. So he took a deep breath and said, “No, it didn’t. I’m sorry.”
Judging by Hudson’s expression, the apology threw him off balance. He seemed to forget what he wanted to say.
Pauline touched Gabe’s knee with the tips of her fingers. “You’ll dine with us, of course. Our cook has prepared something special.”
“Sorry. I’ve got chores awaiting me.”
“I thought you were supposed to rest on the Sabbath,” she said in a slightly amused tone.
“God knows the animals must be fed.” He looked at Hudson again. “Why’d you send for me?”
“I want your help with the Macauley woman.”
Now Gabe was the one thrown off balance. “My help? With Akira?”
“I have plans. Big plans. They could mean a great deal to the people of Ransom. This economic depression can’t last forever. If I succeed in developing this valley, Ransom will thrive in the coming years and so will those who live here. You, too, if you’ll help me.”
“What sort of help?”
“I want the Macauley property. I need it. I’ve offered good money, more than she could hope for from anyone else, times being what they are. But she refuses to sell. I was hoping she might listen to you.”
“Why would she?”
“You’re with her every day. And every night, I suspect.”
“What do you mean by that?”
His father’s laugh was unpleasant and all the explanation Gabe