Heat rushed to her face. “Is it that obvious?” She laughed then admitted, “I do.”
“And he loves you.”
“He said as much.”
Father O’Malley patted her hand. “He wouldn’t say it unless he meant it, and you can trust that from someone who has known him since he was three years old.”
The comment lightened her heart, but he hadn’t needed to tell her Jake loved her. He showed her in so many ways. “I know Jake will be excited to see you. Let me take you to him.”
“That would be lovely.” He picked up a leather satchel from a chair, then joined her in the doorway. “Lead the way.”
She led him through the house, stopping in the kitchen to introduce him to Hilde and Aunt Felicity, as well as to Savannah and Miguel, who were busy at the table cutting shapes in cookie dough. Ramón giggled from his highchair, completely content with his own piece of dough. Even Toughie seemed absorbed in pounding the dough on the table. Smudges of flour and bits of dough were on his face as well as in his hair.
“You have a lovely home and a beautiful family, Miss Miller,” Father O’Malley said when they stepped outside to the patio, “and from what Jake wrote me, a fine ranch.”
“Thank you.” She smiled at him, seeing in him what Jake must have seen—a kind, gentle soul. A genuinely good man in all the ways that mattered. “And it’s Evie, please.”
She led him to the riding ring and stopped at the fence. Flower, the other two cats, and the dog were there as well, watching Jake who was in the middle of the ring. He was on Cinnamon’s back, gently tugging on the reins and squeezing his thighs against her sides as he put the horse through her paces. There was more Cinnamon had to learn. Jake, too, for that matter, but they were learning together and doing well.
Father O’Malley laughed as he dropped the satchel beside the fence and just stood there, his hands on his hips. “Well now, will you look at that? I never thought I’d see Jake Hannigan working with horses. He always had a healthy fear of them.”
“He’s not afraid of them anymore. In fact, he’s developed quite a fondness for them.” She watched man and beast in the middle of the ring and her heart swelled. “As you can see, they respond to him very well, especially Cinnamon. It’s a gift when one can communicate so well with an animal and Jake has that gift.” She gestured to the cats and dog. “With them, too, especially Flower, the orange one.”
“Jake always liked cats.” The priest agreed as he rested his arms on the fence. “I remember the one who used to sneak into the home every night. More than once, I found that stray cat asleep on Jake’s cot.” A knowing look settled on his face as he turned toward her, and his voice lowered, as if imparting a secret. “The boys didn’t think I knew about it, but I did.”
He turned back to Jake in the ring and a satisfied sigh escaped him. “Never thought I’d see the day when that maverick would become respectable either. I never approved of his gambling.”
Pride filled her, making her heart sing. “He hasn’t touched a card or made a bet since he came here.”
His gaze swept over her and once again, Evie felt like she was being given a test, but it didn’t bother her, especially when he gave her a benevolent smile. “Perhaps he’s understood something clearly at last. I think that may be because of you, but whatever the reason, I’m glad.”
Her cheeks grew warm from the compliment.Ifshe was the reason Jake never picked up a card again, she’d take it. She forced her gaze away from the priest, called Jake’s name, and waved at him.
Jake turned in their direction and his smile, the one she loved to see, froze for a moment before it grew wider. He directed Cinnamon to the fence, slipped from the saddle, and crawled between the slats.
“Father! What are you doing here?”
The old priest opened his arms for a hug. “I came to see you, boyo. I have something to tell you.” He laughed. “Actually, I have two things to tell you.”
Evie’s eyes instantly misted as the two men drew each other into a bear hug that would have broken the ribs of any other person. There was plenty of backslapping, too.
“I’m so happy to see you. It’s been too long!”
“Yes, it has.” The priest took a step back and blurted out, “First, the good news. You’ll be seeing more of me. I’ve been transferred to the boys’ home in Santa Fe.”
Shock at the news made Jake’s mouth fall open. He recovered quickly, but there was still surprise in his voice. “You’ve left St. Anselm’s?”
“I have. After thirty-five years, I was asked to run St. Gideon’s here in Santa Fe. It’s a feather in my cap, to be sure.” The man’s expression was pure pleasure mixed with not a little pride. “I arrived only yesterday and my first thought was to see you.”
“Congratulations are in order then. I’m pleased for you. The boys at St. Gideon are about to have their lives changed for the better.” Jake shoved his hands in his pockets. “What’s the other news? Is it just as good?”
Father O’Malley instantly sobered as sadness flitted into his bright blue eyes. “I’m afraid not, boyo.”
Jake stiffened, his smile fading as a slew of emotions passed over his face. Whatever joy he’d found in Father O’Malley’s visit disappeared in an instant and his face drained of color.
The priest hesitated, his eyes darting from Jake to her then back to Jake, and that feeling of dread she’d experienced earlier intensified. It could only mean one thing, but she hoped it didn’t.
“It’s all right, Father. Evie knows everything.”
