Morning Star by Charlotte Hubbard

Author:Charlotte Hubbard [Hubbard, Charlotte]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zebra Books
Published: 2020-04-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Regina gaped at the handsome young man across the table from her. Gabe’s playful question made her heart race, because no one had ever gazed at her so intently, with such obvious interest in her.

What if we began dating? What if we fell in love? I wouldn’t have to live forever with my aunt and uncle—

The squeeze of Gabe’s hand brought her back to reality, however. What did they have to lose? It was a dangerous question. If he’d been discussing such things as sin and forgiveness with an English girl—and if he fell under the influence of such worldly ideas and left the Old Order—the Amish believed he had everything to lose, including his salvation in the Lord. Not to mention his family.

“Who would’ve guessed that you and I were kindred spirits?” he asked softly. “You could’ve knocked me over with a feather when I realized you’d painted those fabulous wildlife pictures, Red. I admire you for having the guts to come clean—but I’m even more amazed that you had the nerve to concoct a fake name so you could open a shop and sell them!”

Regina’s cheeks burned at his praise, at the attention he was paying her.

“Your name’s not Hartley, but you’re indeed a fox, Red!” Gabe went on before she could formulate a response. “And it’s worth considering that you’ve quietly pursued your God-given talent rather then pretending it doesn’t exist—trying to banish it from your life. If I got rid of my guitar, I might just cease to breathe.”

The sudden seriousness of his words strummed a chord deep inside her. Regina gazed into Gabe’s eyes again, deeply grateful that at long last someone else understood what drove her to paint and create.

“I’d love to hear you play sometime, Gabe,” she whispered.

His face lit up. “That can be arranged.” He released her hand when the waiter placed their pizza in the center of the table.

Regina inhaled the aromas of sausage and cheese as the steam from the pizza warmed her face. When had a simple meal ever seemed so inviting—so exciting? She always enjoyed her meals in town with her maidel friends, but this was so different. She was on a date, with Gabe, not to mention indulging in talk about forbidden pastimes while everyone else was at the Slabaugh sisters’ farmhouse.

“Do you suppose they’re talking about us at the common meal?” she asked.

Gabe placed two pieces of pizza on a plate and handed it to her. “Between the two of us, we’ve given them plenty to say, ain’t so?” he replied lightly. “I wonder if they’re also asking if maybe we’ve got it right—if maybe God intended for us to use the gifts He gave us rather than hide them away. If we’ve made them think about that, it’s worth being cast out for a while.”

Regina shook her head. “I can’t see Uncle Clarence—or Deacon Saul or Ammon Slabaugh—ever considering our artistic inclinations acceptable.”

Gabe took a big bite of pizza, thinking as he chewed. “So

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