Gabriel's Gift Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Books by Susan M. Baganz

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  7

  8

  Biography

  Thank you

  You Can Help!

  God Can Help!

  Free Book Offer

  Gabriel’s Gift

  Susan M. Baganz

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  Gabriel’s Gift

  COPYRIGHT 2017 by Susan M. Baganz

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or Pelican Ventures, LLC except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  eBook editions are licensed for your personal enjoyment only. eBooks may not be re-sold, copied or given to other people. If you would like to share an eBook edition, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with.

  Contact Information: [email protected]

  Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated are taken from the King James translation, public domain.

  Cover Art by Nicola Martinez

  White Rose Publishing, a division of Pelican Ventures, LLC

  www.pelicanbookgroup.com PO Box 1738 *Aztec, NM * 87410

  White Rose Publishing Circle and Rosebud logo is a trademark of Pelican Ventures, LLC

  Publishing History

  First White Rose Edition, 2017

  Electronic Edition ISBN 978-1-5223-9772-4

  Published in the United States of America

  Dedication

  To my own December miracle and Christmas blessing, Joy Lucille. You are a delight to my heart.

  BOOKS BY SUSAN M. BAGANZ

  Black Diamond Regency Romantic Suspense

  The Baron’s Blunder (Prequel) novella

  The Virtuous Viscount (Book 1)

  Lord Phillip’s Folly (Book 2)

  Sir Michael’s Mayhem (coming soon)

  Lord Harrow’s Heart (coming soon)

  The Captain’s Conquest (coming soon)

  Orchard Hill Contemporary Romances

  Pesto & Potholes

  Salsa & Speed Bumps

  Feta & Freeways

  Root Beer & Roadblocks

  Bratwurst & Bridges…

  and others coming soon!

  Historical Christmas Novella

  Fragile Blessings

  Gabriel’s Gift

  Short Story Compilation

  Little Bits O’ Love

  1

  Late November, 1812

  Colby, Northamptonshire, England

  Gabriel sighed as he walked out the front door of his new home and gazed at the village and the humble church building over which he now held spiritual responsibility. He longed to give hope to the brokenhearted and to spur his congregants on to good deeds, but he hadn’t stepped foot inside the place. A young woman dressed in lavender walked into the church. Half-mourning? Her blonde hair was barely visible beneath her bonnet.

  He grabbed his coat and hat, shut the door behind him, and hurried to the structure. The air was crisp and clear on this November morning, and as the sun shone bright, it added a lightness to his steps.

  Entering the church, he stopped inside the door to take in the view. The young woman arranged flowers at the altar, her movements efficient and graceful. The stained-glass windows bathed her in a soft kaleidoscope of light and colour. He stopped to savor the view and then slowly stepped forward to discover if he might capture a glimpse of her face.

  A soft cry caused the young woman to turn, and he caught her profile. Her lips opened as she gasped. “Oh, my!”

  Mattie? His breathing raced at realizing his heart’s desire stood before him. How long had he searched for her? Gabriel rushed forward. She turned her head his direction, and her beauty dazzled him. Her eyes widened in recognition before she turned away. She moved toward the pew behind her and bent down.

  Rounding the edge of the bench, he followed her gaze to a small bassinette from which the crying had come.

  Matilda crouched down and cooed to the child. “Who are you, little one? And who left you here?”

  Gabriel came close to discover a tiny child. His guess was that it was very new. “How unusual,” he whispered.

  When she turned to look up at him, he thrust a hand forward. “Good day, Miss Wilcox, I’m the new pastor here.”

  She nodded. “Gabriel. I didn’t realize that grandfather... He never gave me your name.” A delightful rose-color tinted her cheeks. “I came to add flowers for the service tomorrow. I have no idea whose child this is. I am acquainted with most of the people in the village, and no one was due to give birth. What do we do?”

  Gabriel knelt by the bassinette and scooped the crying infant into his arms. “There, there, little one.” The babe quieted as he patted the child’s back.

  “You’re good with children.”

  “You remember my large family. Some of my siblings have already presented us with the next generation, so I possess experience as an uncle.”

  She nodded and frowned. “I know nothing of caring for babies.”

  “As long as they are warm, fed and loved, they tend to do well from what I’ve been able to determine.”

  “Where do we take him? Or is it a her?”

  Gabriel’s eyebrows rose as he moved the child into the crook of his arm. “Guess we can take a peek and find out.”

  Miss Wilcox turned her head away.

  He unwrapped the child and lifted the gown it wore to peek into the nappy. “’Tis a boy.” He dropped the gown back down and swaddled the infant. “He’s probably only a few days old.”

  “How can you tell?”

  “The sound of his cry and his navel.”

  “Shall we call for the doctor?” she asked

  “What can he do?”

  “Perhaps he will know to whom the child belongs.” Matilda rose to her feet.

  “Is there a midwife about?”

  “Yes. Down the next street. Mrs. Glowery, I believe.”

  “I suggest we take him there.” Gabriel stood with the baby held tight against him.

  Miss Wilcox nodded.

  

  “Did you want to carry the child while I take the bassinette?” He offered.

  The timbre of his voice caused gooseflesh to stipple Matilda’s arms. Gabriel Morgan, a childhood friend, had grown into a handsome man. She rubbed her arms. “I can take the bassinette. It is only a short walk.” She’d never handled a baby and was afraid she’d embarrass herself. She bent to pick up the bassinette and led the way out of the church, with Gabriel following. She’d known the village was getting a new preacher, but Gabriel—when had he grown so attractive and virile? She frowned. This was not something a spinster should notice. Past the marriageable age, she had no right to entertain attraction to any man, old friend or not—especially one who served God.

  She started down the street with him by her side. He once again held the child against his shoulder, rubbing the baby’s back and talking softly. When they arrived at Mrs. Glowery’s home their knock on the door brought only the maid.

  “Is Mrs. Glowery in?”

  “No, Miss Wilcox. She left a few days ago to visit her daughter for her lying in. I don’t expect her back for another week or more.” The maid looked past Tilly to Gabriel with the infant.


  “Oh, I’m sorry,” Matilda said. “Molly, this is Mr. Morgan, the new pastor of our parish. We found this infant in the church this morning, but I recall no one hereabouts who was due to have a baby.”

  “Oh, the poor child. I’m aware of no one who was expecting either.”

  “What should we do?”

  “There is no place for the child. Miss Wilcox, you should take him home with you.”

  “I don’t know anything about caring for a baby.”

  “Your mother might help you. It would be the best thing to do. Ask your grandfather.”

  Matilda’s shoulders drooped. “Thank you, Molly.”

  “It was nice meeting you, Mr. Morgan.”

  “I hope to see you in church tomorrow, Molly.”

  The maid’s face lit up. “I’m looking forwards to hearing you preach.”

  Gabriel nodded as the door closed.

  Tilly turned toward him. “What are we to do? It’s a bit of a walk to my grandfather’s estate.”

  “This infant weighs nothing. I can handle him if you can carry the basket.”

  Tilly nodded. “I can manage. Thank you.”

  They walked in silence as she led them on the road out of town to her grandfather’s house. She respected the fact that Gabriel didn’t badger her with questions. She covertly sneaked glances at him as the sun glinted off his brown hair to reveal lighter golden shades. He wasn’t too much taller than she, and his relaxed gait led her to consider him as a man of action, not study. Finally, she had the courage to break the silence.

  “Why did you go into the church?”

  He grinned as he turned to her. “Youngest son. It was either that, the military, or the law.”

  “Pardon me for saying, but you seem to have too much energy to be cooped up in a study pouring over the scriptures.”

  He sighed. “I enjoy my study of God’s Word and sharing it with people. Being a clergyman is far more than that though. It is faith in action. Serving others. That was something I believed would feed my own soul as well as honor God, more than my energies would on the battlefield or a courtroom. And I enjoy people.”

  “Oh,” was all she could say.

  “Do you know of a wet nurse who might help with the baby?”

  “One of the cottagers birthed a baby two months ago.”

  “Perhaps she’d be willing to help. Do you want me to go with you to find out?”

  “We need to talk to my grandfather first.”

  “While the child is sleeping at present, he will awake soon wanting to be fed.”

  “We’re almost home.”

  He nodded and slipped into silence. She obviously was not making a good impression on her old friend, but that was most assuredly a good thing.

  

  Gabriel delighted in the soft scent of lily of the valley coming from the beautiful young woman at his side. He remembered praying as he’d packed his bags to move to this area of England, that God would provide him with a suitable help-mate. Was this woman the one? She held herself with as much dignity as any lady would. Affection swelled within as he remembered how well they had gotten along when they were children.

  As they approached the house, he was struck by the grandeur of the place and the beauty of the landscaping. Approaching the front steps, he followed her. The door swung open and a stately butler stood aside to allow them entrance.

  “Good morrow, Miss Wilcox. Did you have a good walk?” the man asked kindly.

  “Yes, Simon, I did. This is our new pastor, Mr. Morgan. Has my grandfather or mother appeared yet this morning?”

  “Your grandfather is in his study. Your mother has not left her rooms.”

  Matilda sighed. “Would you inform my grandfather that I seek audience with him?”

  “Yes, miss.” The door shut behind them and Simon strode down the hall. Matilda placed the bassinette on the floor and removed her gloves and cloak, hanging the latter on a rack.

  Gabriel took in the splendor of the house. While not ornate, it was spotless with marble floors and a solid oak staircase. The chandelier above sparkled as light struck it from a window above the door. Unusual. Spectacular. It reminded him of his childhood home.

  Simon returned and nodded to Matilda and led them to the study. “Miss Wilcox and Mr. Morgan to see you, my lord,” the man intoned. They entered the room and the door closed behind them.

  An elderly man rose and came from behind his desk and strode over to Matilda. “Tilly, you have finished decorating the church?”

  “Yes, Grandfather.” She turned to Gabriel. “This is Mr. Morgan, our new pastor. We found this infant at the front of the church. Mrs. Glowery is out of town. We don’t know to whom this little one belongs.”

  “Mr. Morgan. It is a pleasure to meet you. And this is the infant abandoned at the church?”

  “The pleasure is mine, Lord—”

  “Oh, I am so sorry!” Miss Wilcox exclaimed. “This is Lord Hennison.”

  “My benefactor. It is a pleasure to meet you, my lord.” Gabriel said and extended a hand in greeting. A firm handshake came from the older gentleman.

  “Yes. Yes. It was good to meet you. I knew your grandfather. I was sorry to hear of his passing. Is your father well?”

  “He is in good health. Thank you for asking. He was pleased that I would be serving in your parish. Grandfather spoke well of this place before he passed.”

  “He was a good man and I am pleased to be acquainted with his offspring. Well, now, it seems we have an orphan who needs a home. Tilly, would you go fetch Mrs. Adams? We’ll need to see if Mrs. Clark would be willing to care for this infant along with her daughter for the nonce.”

  “As you wish, Grandfather.” Matilda departed the room.

  “You have a way with children, do you, Mr. Morgan?”

  “If it would please you to call me Gabriel, my lord.”

  “Gabriel. You were named after your grandfather, then?”

  “Aye, ’tis true.”

  “Please sit. Hopefully, we can find this babe a safe place where it will be nurtured while we try to decide what to do from thereon.”

  “Do you have any ideas?”

  “Scripture exhorts us to take care of widows and orphans. I am inclined to do what I can to provide for the child.”

  “He should have a name.”

  “Wise thinking. A child with no identity will struggle. Any suggestions?” Lord Hennison asked.

  “Joshua? Joseph? Henry? Edward?”

  “Let me take a look at the lad,” Lord Hennison said.

  Gabriel tried to move so the baron could see the face of the child.

  “He at least looks healthy. How about Bennett?”

  “A diminutive of Benedict. It means blessing. A colloquial, but meaningful, name that gives him a future and a promise. I approve,” Gabriel said.

  “Good, now Bennett will be provided for while we try to locate his parents. In the meantime, I suspect Mrs. Clark won’t mind caring for another child if she is compensated for it.”

  “You are generous, my lord.”

  “Let me call for a carriage to convey you to the cottage. Tilly can accompany you there.” The man rose to go to the door and left to speak to the butler.

  Tilly? Gabriel nodded and hid a smile. He had shortened Matilda’s name to Mattie when they were younger. Then she was light-hearted and laughed often. He longed to be awarded with one of her smiles now. What it would take to be so blessed? He also wondered how she came to live with her mother and grandfather. What had happened to Mr. Wilcox? Curiosity was his most besetting sin. Obviously, Matilda lived in comfort under the care of her grandfather. That was sufficient enough information for the nonce.

  She returned. “Oh, where is Grandfather?”

  “Bespeaking a carriage.”

  She nodded and sat in a chair adjacent to his. Her back was straight and her gaze on the infant.

  “Do you want to hold him?” Gabriel asked. “Your grandfather
gave him the name Bennett.”

  “’Tis a nice name for one so little. He is comfortable in your arms and can remain there.”

  Lord Hennison came back to the room. “The carriage will be ready shortly. A messenger has been sent, and Mrs. Adams is preparing a basket for you to take. Tilly, I want you to accompany Gabriel to deliver the child to Mrs. Clark’s care.”

  “Yes, Grandfather.” She rose and Gabriel did as well.

  “It was a pleasure to meet you, my lord. May I anticipate your attendance in service on the morrow?”

  The older man grinned. “Wouldn’t miss it. We’ve been without a pastor for a few months now.”

  “Who has been preaching the Word?”

  “Grandfather has taken it upon himself to do so until your arrival.” Matilda volunteered.

  “I hope I can do as much justice to the Word as you have.”

  “Never fear, young man. I anticipate the congregation will enjoy your youthful countenance to my dry, dusty sermons.”

  Matilda remained silent. Interesting that she did not gainsay her grandfather.

  “The Apostle Paul said he was not a great speaker, yet look at the power of the words he shared. It is the power of the gospel, not the presentation, which is key. I pray I can do it justice.”

  “Well said, Mr. Morgan. Off with you now before that child starts crying for his supper.”

  Gabriel followed Matilda out of the room. She donned her cloak and gloves and led the way down the steps to the awaiting carriage. A footman retrieved the bassinette and placed it inside, and then Matilda followed. Gabriel climbed in last and sat rear-facing so he would lose no opportunity to gaze upon his friend who had grown into a stunning young woman. Why had she never married?

  

  Once the baby was settled in his temporary home, Gabriel insisted that the carriage return to the manor house so Miss Wilcox would arrive safely. He walked back to the village with a bounce in his step. Little Bennett possessed a benefactor and would not be abandoned to die. Gabriel praised God for His provision and began to ponder the text from which he was to preach on the morrow. He prayed as well that Matilda would be joining her grandfather, and wondered more about what had happened to his childhood friend. Given her stiffness around him now, he suspected she would be a challenge should he choose to court her.