AN: Okay folks, I want to be up front with this story. In later chapters there is talk about past child abuse. If that is something that is going to be a problem for you, then you may not want to read. If you do choose to read it, then I hope you enjoy the journey as I have enjoyed writing it! Like my previous story, there will be appearances by characters from When Calls The Heart. Those characters and the characters for When Hope Calls are not mine, just the storyline.
Stepping out of the office, Gabriel looked around. The area around Brookfield was blanketed in white. As it was nearing the end of January, Gabriel knew the snow wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. If anything, another storm would only add to it.
Normally Gabriel would have been anxious for winter to come to an end. He had always found the cold weather and snow to be restrictive. Being caught out in the open when a snow storm barreled its way into the area was the last thing anything wanted to deal with. In years past, Gabriel found he saw too much of the walls that made up his living quarters, no matter where they may be.
This winter had been different though. For starters, the weather had cooperated and he had been able to get to Hope Valley for Christmas. It had been the first time he had been able to see Nathan and Elizabeth's new home and he had found it very inviting. It had been nice celebrating the holiday, and Little Jack's third birthday, with Nathan's family. Not only had his friend's family made him feel welcomed, but everyone in Hope Valley had welcomed him with open arms.
The Christmas trip hadn't been the only difference though. Looking south of town, Gabriel saw the house that stood alone. The house that Lillian and Grace had turned into an orphanage. It was New Hope Orphanage that had changed the way he had felt about winter this year. Hiding inside from the cold wasn't so bad when you spent that time with other people. The walls of the orphanage contained the sounds of children. Sometimes it was laughter and other times it was arguing. Either way, it was better than the silence that met him in his own quarters behind the jail.
The children weren't the only draw though. As much as he enjoyed spending time with the children, Gabriel enjoyed spending time with Lillian even more. His love for her had only grown the better he had gotten to know her. He could only hope that she felt the same way. What he was sure of, was that she smiled and her cheeks flushed every time he showed up at the orphanage.
The more time Gabriel spent at New Hope Orphanage, the more he was sure that he wanted to make it a permanent part of his life. He loved Lillian. He wanted her to be a part of his life, and that meant embracing her calling as well. Gabriel just hoped that when he asked her to let him be a part of her life that Lillian had finally gotten to the place where her heart and mind were in sync and she would say yes.
Gabriel had plans on when that would happen. For now, he was just being patient and enjoying his time spent with Lillian and the others.
Moving from his spot, Gabriel headed toward the general store. He was low on both matches and coffee. Either item wasn't one he wanted to get stuck in those little rooms because of a storm without.
Reaching the general store, a shout reached his ears.
"Hey, stop! You didn't pay for that!"
Gabriel instinctively grabbed for the short figure heading quickly in his direction. He caught the young boy by the arm, bringing him to a stop. The kid was dirty and held a muffin and some crackers in his hand. Gabriel had a feeling it was more the boy's well being than the items that Joe was worried about. After all, Gabriel had seen Joe give a young mother a whole crateful of groceries before.
The boy struggled momentarily in Gabriel's grasp.
"Where are you going so fast?" Gabriel asked calmly.
The boy went still and looked up at Gabriel.
"Somewhere to sit and eat the muffin and the crackers. I didn't eat at all yesterday."
Gabriel nodded at the reply. From behind the counter, Joe spoke up.
"Just let him go, Gabriel. It's not important."
Though Gabriel felt for the boy, he didn't think letting him go with the food would be beneficial to him. Even in good weather, being out alone in the world wouldn't be good. Especially if the boy didn't learn simple lessons about right and wrong. If the boy wasn't alone, and he had other family members somewhere, the food he had taken would do little good. In either scenario, the boy more help than just being let off for stealing food.
"If you were hungry, perhaps you should have just asked instead of stealing the food."
"I've tried asking before," the boy replied. "I usually get told to scat. One guy swung a broom at me."
Gabriel nodded. It sounded to him like the boy had either run away from a city or been in a city recently. Most people in a small town like Brookfield would have shown sympathy toward the child.
"Sorry that you've had those experiences. However, stealing in still wrong, no matter how hungry you are."
"I know," the boy said, looking down at their feet. "You won't arrest me though, will you? The other guy said to let me go."
"Where are your folks?"
"Dead," was the quick answer.
"Do you have any family?"
"Don't need family. I'm better off on my own."
"Except that you didn't eat yesterday and what you stole isn't going to help your hunger long."
The boy shrugged his shoulders.
"There's an orphanage outside of town," Gabriel told the boy. "You can get cleaned up, have a warm-"
Gabriel's words turned into a hiss of pain as the boy bit the hand that held onto his arm. Gabriel instinctively let go and the boy bolted, dropping the crackers as he went. Not bothering to even look at his hand, the Mountie started after the boy. The boy hadn't gotten far, having run into Ben right outside the general store. The feed store owner had instinctively grabbed for the running boy.
"Where are you going so fast?" Ben asked.
"Let me go," the boy demanded.
"Hang onto him, Ben," Gabriel instructed, finally looking down at his hand as he continued toward the pair. It was bleeding a lot and Gabriel wished he had put his gloves on when leaving the office this morning. The heavy leather would have done a lot to protect him. Pulling a handkerchief from his pocket, Gabriel quickly wound it around his hand.
"You okay, Constable?" Ben asked.
"I will be," Gabriel told the feed store owner.
"This kid do that?" Ben questioned, nodding to the boy he had a hold of. The boy was struggling to get free.
"Yes, he did," Gabriel replied easily.
"You going to arrest me?" the boy asked, stopping his struggles and looking up at the Mountie.
"Right now, I'm putting you in a cell while I send out some inquiries to see if I can figure out where you come from," Gabriel told him, reaching out and taking hold of the boy. "Ben, could you go to the hotel and get breakfast for him?"
"Of course," Ben said with a nod. Changing direction, Ben headed for the hotel, his original errand on hold.
Making sure he didn't give the kid another opportunity to bite him, Gabriel ushered the boy toward the jail. "So, would you like to make this easier and tell me your name and where you ran away from?" Gabriel asked.
"I'm not going back. I'd rather be in jail," the boy stated.
Gabriel looked down at his hand. Blood was already seeping through the handkerchief. He definitely needed to have Maggie take a look at it. Between the boy biting him and the fact that he doubted it was the first time the kid had stolen something, Gabriel knew there were grounds to officially detain him. What he wasn't so sure about was whether that was the route that would be best for the kid. However, the kid was a flight risk, so for now a jail cell was the best course of action.
"So there was a reason you ran away?" Gabriel asked, trying to get some kind of information from the kid as he led him into the Mounted Police office.
"Don't matter. You wouldn't do anything about it. No one ever did. I'm better on my own."
Gabriel sighed. This wasn't going to be easy. Leading the kid over to the cell, he opened the door and ushered the boy in. The boy went quietly this time, walking over to the bed and sitting down on it as Gabriel shut and lock the cell door.
Standing outside the cell, Gabriel took a good look at the kid. If the boy wasn't going to provide him with information, he was going to have to send in a description of the kid and hope there was some kind of report of the boy as a missing person or runaway. The kid was skinny and dirty which indicated that he had probably been out on his own for a while. There were no visual injuries, though if she could do so safely, Gabriel would prefer that Maggie take a good look at the kid.
The boy sat with his back against the wall, and his arms wrapped around his bent knees. Despite clearly not wanting it, the boy needed help. For now, Gabriel intended to give him a decent meal, and send an inquiry to headquarters to try and get an identification. Though he'd have to mention the bite in his report, Gabriel didn't intend to file charges. He doubted Joe would file charges about the stolen food either. However, the boy couldn't be just left on his own either. Perhaps after getting his hand checked out, sending a wire to Judge Avery in Hope Valley for advice might be in order as well.
"Here you go, Constable Kinslow," Ben said, walking into the office, a tray in hand.
Gabriel turned and headed in Ben's direction. "Thank-you, Ben," Gabriel said, reaching out for the tray. He winced slightly at the pain in his hand but tried to ignore it for now.
"You should probably have Maggie take a look at that," Ben commented as Gabriel took the tray from him.
"I intend to," Gabriel said.
"Anything else I can do for you, Constable?"
"No," Gabriel replied. "Thank-you for your assistance."
"You're welcome," Ben said, turning and heading back out of the office.
The tray in hand, Gabriel turned back toward the cell. Going over to the tray slot, he called out to the boy.
"Here you go. I have a feeling this might be the first full meal you've had in a few days at least," Gabriel told him.
The boy hesitantly moved from the bed. Cautiously, he came over to the bars and reached out for the tray.
"This is really for me?" the boy asked. The disbelief in his voice was clear.
"It is. Letting someone, especially a child, starve to death in a cell would not do my career any good," Gabriel replied, trying to sound nonchalant about it. He knew he had to start building trust with the kid in order to help him, but he also knew he had to take it slow. He could tell the boy was fearful, and that led to a clear mistrust.
The boy took the tray from Gabriel, his gaze falling on the hand wrapped with the handkerchief. He looked up at Gabriel.
"I'm sorry I bit you," the boy stated, a sincerity to his voice.
"I forgive you," Gabriel told him. "If there is a second time, I won't be so forgiving."
"Yes, sir," the boy said, turning with his tray to return to the cell's bed. He placed the tray on the bed and then sat down himself.
"I gave you breakfast, can I perhaps get a first name for you?" Gabriel asked, not confident about getting a reply but wanting to make an effort.
"Billy," the boy replied, picking up his fork and scooping up some of the scrambled eggs.
"Well Billy," Gabriel said, not sure if the name would help his search out at all or not. It was likely short for some other name and might not even be the kid's legal name. However, it was a start of getting information from the lad and Gabriel would take whatever he could get. "I'll be back shortly," Gabriel told the boy as he headed for the door. "Enjoy your breakfast."
Billy didn't reply as he continued to do just that.