“Yes, Katie told me earlier that he showed up to pick her up for the dance. Apparently the same matchmaker left him a note in his car at the fund-raiser, but Katie didn’t get one. She told me when she saw him she was speechless.”
“I saw them arrive together. Pastor Andrew didn’t know what else to do.”
Darcy moved closer to Nick. “As Katie was telling me, she was turning ten shades of red.”
When Bea joined them, she was using a paper plate as a fan. “Is it just me or is it hot in here?”
“It’s comfortable to me, but then I haven’t been dancing like you have,” Darcy said.
“That’s because all these single men have been coming up to me and telling me I asked them to the dance. They received a note to meet me here at the church.”
“Who?” Nick could barely contain his laughter.
“Seth Jacobs, the grocer and Slim. I’ve been shuffling between them. I don’t want to hurt their feelings and tell them I didn’t leave a note for them. I think I’ll lose five pounds tonight if this keeps up.” Bea’s eyes grew wide as a deputy sheriff headed toward her. “Oh, no. Not another one. See you two later. I’m ducking into the restroom.” Bea scurried away in the opposite direction of the officer.
Darcy looked at Nick and chuckled. “Poor Bea. Whoever the matchmakers are, they have been busy today.”
Nick grinned. “I guess they really wanted Bea to dance tonight. I don’t dance. I’m glad it was her, not me.”
“Speaking about dancing, shouldn’t we?” she asked as one song ended and another started.
“Ah, finally a slow dance,” Nick said, holding out his hand to Darcy.
She placed hers in his. “Remind me to teach you a Texas line dance in our spare time.”
He laughed. “When will that be?”
“After tonight, I’ll be a gal on vacation. So you can fit me into your busy schedule.”
His arms wrapped around her, and he moved in close, her light fragrance flirting with his senses. The music and people surrounded them, but all Nick focused on was Darcy in his embrace. Her soft hair grazed the side of his face, and suddenly he wished they weren’t in the middle of a crowded dance floor.
He attempted to shove that thought out of his mind. She wanted a family. He wasn’t cut out to be a father. What if he failed like his dad? He’d finally acknowledged that when she had stated she wanted to adopt Corey. If only the boy could stay here in Haven so he could be part of his life without being a father figure. When he’d been looking out for Corey, he’d considered himself to be taking Doug’s place. A big brother he could do.
Lost in thought, he stepped on Darcy’s foot. She hardly missed a beat and didn’t say a word. “Sorry about that.”
She leaned back and looked up into his face. “You warned me. Actually you’re doing fine.”
“You’re kind to say that, but I saw you wince.”
The music wound down, and some of the couples left the floor. When a fast tune blared from the loudspeakers, he grabbed her and tugged her toward the sidelines.
She limped.
“Is your toe broken?”
She laughed and adjusted her gait. “No, but I love teasing you.”
He drew her into a dimly lit corner and caged her against the wall. “You’re brave, teasing me—and dancing with me.”
“All you need are a few lessons. Maybe I can add slow dancing to the Texas line dancing lessons before I leave.”
He tensed. “When is that happening?”
“I’ve started the proceedings to adopt Corey so it might be a while. I’m trying to prove my relationship to him without including Fletcher.”
“You aren’t going to tell him?”
“After what happened today at the ranch, I don’t know that I’m ever going to tell him he’s my biological father.”
Someone gasped close by.
Darcy looked around Nick and glimpsed Avery a few feet away, almost concealed by a pocket of darkness.
Chapter Twelve
Before Darcy could say anything, Avery scurried from her hidden spot and out into the crowd of dancers, weaving her way through them.
As Nick moved, Darcy moaned. “Avery overheard what I said. Leave it to her to be sneaking around.”
“She might not say anything to Fletcher,” Nick said as he twisted around to face the partygoers.
Fletcher made a beeline for Darcy. “On second thought, she might. I don’t want a scene in here. Let’s leave the reception hall.” Being close to one of the exits, she hurried for it, not prepared to see Fletcher. His attitude during the tour still bothered her. What had made him so judgmental—and mean?
Out in the foyer, Fletcher caught up with Darcy. Avery followed a few paces behind him.
“We need to talk before rumors start flying around town,” her birth father said in a tone that meant she didn’t have a choice.
“Not here.” Surprisingly, Darcy remained calm while Nick intercepted Avery and escorted her to the reception hall.
“Yes, here!” The fury in Fletcher’s voice singed Darcy.
“Let’s go into a classroom where the whole town won’t hear.” Darcy started walking toward the hallway off the foyer. At the door, she glanced over her shoulder at Fletcher.
He scanned the large entryway and several people leaving while a couple stood off to the side, watching him. He stormed after Darcy.
When Fletcher stepped into the room, he glared at Darcy. “You are not my daughter. I’ve never had a child. If you spread false rumors about me, I will sue you. What is your plan? To wheedle your way into my life to get my money?”
Remain calm. Anger won’t make your point. “I don’t need your money, and I don’t want it. My father is Warren Hill, and he comes from a long line of wealth. He has a penthouse in New York City, a home in Hawaii and an estate in Alabama. Perhaps you’ve heard of him. He’s a renowned attorney.” She would not let him put down her real parents.
Fletcher didn’t back down but moved closer. “Then why are you spreading false rumors? Is it because I’m against the boys ranch?”
She placed a hand on her waist. “Why are you really against the boys ranch? In all the years it has been operating, Haven has grown. I don’t see its existence as a deterrent to the growth of the town or the value of property here. You want to take away hope and a real chance for these boys to do better. Why are you so bitter?”
Fletcher’s face flushed red. “I’m not bitter. I’m trying to save the town.”
“And I’m not gullible. I don’t buy that. Are you in with Avery, trying to milk as much money from the Culpepper estate as she can? Is that why you are representing a fraud?”
“Avery isn’t a fraud! You are, if you think I’m buying this story of yours.”
“You don’t have to. I know what the truth is. You had an affair with Charlotte Myers and the result of that was me.” She pointed at herself. “I have the birth certificate to prove it. Does Avery have one to prove who she is?”
His eyes narrowed, as if he were assessing Darcy and finding her lacking.
She didn’t care what he thought. Charlotte had rejected her, so she really wasn’t surprised that he would too. “I’m leaving. Frankly I wasn’t going to say a word to you. All I wanted to do was find out about you and your family. To see if there were any heredity concerns I needed to be aware of. I love my parents who adopted me. I don’t need you.” She charged toward the hallway, needing to get away from her biological father.
As she left the classroom, she ran into Nick waiting for her. “I have to get out of here.”
Nick put his arm around her shoulder and began walking in the direction of the exit. “I’ll let Lana and Flint know we’re leaving.”
After he assisted Darcy into the passenger sid
e of his truck, he made a call on his cell. At the moment she didn’t want to be around others. A steamroller might as well have flattened her. She’d known her birth father would deny her. He hadn’t really sought the truth, or he would have seen through the fake Avery.
As Nick started his pickup, he snuck a look at her. “Where do you want me to take you?”
“Home to Alabama.” She said the first thing that came to her mind. She sighed. “But that isn’t possible right now. I’m not going to let Fletcher get in my way. Please take me to the Blue Bonnet Inn. Everyone is at the dance, so I won’t have to answer any questions.”
When they reached the bed-and-breakfast, Darcy intended to say good-night then hole up in her bedroom to nurse her bruised feelings. But Nick opened the front door and entered before her as if he’d known what she was going to do.
“I’m not good company right now.”
“That’s okay. You don’t have to talk, but if you do, I’m a good listener.” He took her hand, drew her into the living room and sat next to her on the couch. “For as long as I’ve known Fletcher, he hasn’t been a happy person. Where you look for the good in people, he looks for the worst.”
“Why? What happened?”
“Maybe nothing. That might be what he’s like.”
Like Nick being so closed off. Had he always been that way? She didn’t think so, but he didn’t share himself with her.
“I think there’s more. My biological mother wouldn’t even talk to me. She had a family and wanted nothing to do with me.”
Nick slipped his arm around her shoulders. “That’s her loss. You’re special, and she’ll never find that out.”
His words washed over her, numbing some of the hurt caused by the mother who gave birth to her. She’d hoped Fletcher wouldn’t reject her too. “I need to look at my blessings in all of this. I have two terrific parents who loved me as though I was their biological daughter.”
“See what I mean? You’re already turning it around and focusing on the good. That doesn’t come naturally for a lot of people.” He stared across the room, a far-off look in his eyes.
He was referring to himself. She wished she could help him, but she’d asked him about his past and he’d avoided it. Telling her required trust, and he didn’t trust easily.
“I try to keep my focus on the Lord,” Darcy said. “When I do, it helps me get through the hard times.”
“What if He’s forgotten you?”
“He doesn’t forget anyone. That doesn’t always mean that your life will go smoothly, but He’s beside you through those tough situations. You have to choose to take His support.”
“So what are you going to do next concerning Fletcher?”
“Nothing. I’m still applying for guardianship of Corey. If Fletcher chooses not to believe me, that’s his problem. He was listed on my original birth certificate. My main concern is for Corey. He does have family who cares.”
“When are you going to tell Corey?”
“Probably Monday when I work with him. I want him to know now that I have the process for adopting him in the works. Are you okay about this? I know we’ve talked about this but—”
He placed his forefinger against her lips to still the rest of her sentence. “I don’t want to lose Corey. He’s become important to me, but once I stopped and thought about it, I realized you are the best person to take care of him.”
He shifted closer to her and combed her hair back behind her ears, and then he cradled her head. As he slowly leaned toward her, she knew he was giving her time to pull away, but that was the last thing she wanted to do.
His mouth covered hers in a kiss that stole her heart. Nick had made coming to Haven so much easier than it could have been. She surrendered to the touch of his lips.
When he finally pulled back, his gaze caressed her face as though he were memorizing her features to remember later. “I figure Carol and Clarence will be coming home soon, so I’ll leave and let you go upstairs. I know Carol. She’ll quiz you on the dance the first chance she gets.”
“And it’s hard to keep from telling her everything. At least now I can freely tell her that Fletcher is my father if I want.”
He rose and offered his hand to her. She took it, and he pulled her to her feet. He didn’t release his grasp until he reached the front door and opened it. After a quick kiss good-bye, he left.
Her hand on the handle, she rested the top of her head against the door. She wanted more from him, but something was eating at him and he didn’t trust her enough to share it with her. He might not be capable or ready to do that. He’d quickly become important to her, but he didn’t seem to return those feelings. She wanted a family. He didn’t. It was that simple. Somehow she needed to start protecting herself from being crushed when she returned to her home in Alabama.
With a long sigh, Darcy headed for the staircase. The sound of someone inserting a key into the lock prodded her to go faster. But the door swung open when she put her foot on the second step. She glanced back and groaned.
“I need to talk to you.” Avery’s voice held a shriek to it.
“I’m tired and going to bed.” Darcy continued up the stairs.
But Avery flew across the foyer and grabbed her arm, halting Darcy’s escape. “I heard what you said about me being an imposter. How dare you accuse me of that. My grandfather died, and I get attacked.”
Darcy shook off her hand and faced the woman, who was dressed in a rhinestone-and-sequined dress—Avery’s attempt to appear as though she grew up on a ranch. It didn’t work. “Do you mean, why did I state the truth?”
Carol and Clarence entered their house through the open door.
“What you said isn’t true. Everyone knows it!” Avery yelled.
“Why? Because you said so? Do you have any real evidence to support that claim? Where is your birth certificate?”
“I don’t have one. I was in foster care.”
“I’m adopted and I have my original birth certificate. It hasn’t been amended. I had to ask for it. Foster children have theirs and don’t have to petition for it.” In case Avery went to Fletcher, Darcy decided to add, “I know the names of my biological mother and father.”
Avery’s eyes became pinpoints, her forehead creased. She opened and closed her mouth, but no words came out.
“You had no idea your birth mother’s name was Elizabeth and the real Avery was born on February 2.”
Avery stiffened. “I knew that.”
“No, you didn’t. I asked those questions specifically.”
The woman perched on the step below Darcy and stabbed her in the chest with her finger. “You’re a liar.”
“Like I said, come up with hard evidence to prove your claim or leave Haven now before I take this to the police. Come Monday morning I will. You knew facts that were easy enough to dig up if you did a search on Cyrus and John Culpepper on the internet or hired a private investigator.”
Avery glared a hole through her as she shoved Darcy to one side and stormed up the staircase. When a bedroom door slammed closed, Carol and Clarence clapped.
“Thank you, Darcy. Information about your confrontation with Avery and Fletcher zoomed around the dance so fast I was getting whiplash.”
“Everyone knows about Fletcher being my father?”
“By now, even the ones who didn’t come tonight probably know.”
“Good night, Carol, Clarence. I need some sleep.” Hoping she could actually get some rest after everything that had happened, Darcy climbed the rest of the steps.
She didn’t care if the news concerning Avery was fuel for the gossipers, but she hadn’t wanted the fact that Fletcher was her father making the rounds. If only Avery hadn’t overheard her and Nick talking, she could have picked the time and place. No doubt Fletcher would hunt her
down again and let her know how upset he was that everyone in town knew that he had a child out of wedlock.
* * *
When Nick thought about kissing Darcy Saturday night, all he wanted to do was berate himself. She’d made it clear on a number of occasions that she would return to Alabama when Corey’s adoption went through. The first time he saw her, she had city gal stamped all over her, and that hadn’t changed in the few weeks she’d been here.
He’d fought hard these past sixteen months to make his family ranch a success again, and he was starting to see progress. Haven was in his blood. Ranching was his life. Being a father wasn’t. He knew Darcy was disappointed in him for not sharing his past. He wanted to forget it, not dredge it up all the time. He’d wanted to please his father so much that every time he had rejected Nick, something died in him. He’d stopped hoping and didn’t know how to get that hope back.
No, he was best as a bachelor like Uncle Howard. He’d failed as a son. Being a husband and father was much more difficult.
Wyatt finished examining Sunshine, a mare not in foal but one of the favorite horses at the boys ranch. “She’s impacted. I’ll give her something for it that should take care of the problem, but if it doesn’t, let me know. Keep her in a stall and keep an eye on her progress.”
Nick nodded. “Flint went into town. I’ll tell him when he comes back here.”
“I’ll let you know when I’m finished treating her. Tell Johnny he did good picking up on something being wrong with Sunshine. It’s much better when we catch it early.”
“I will.” Nick backed out of the stall and had turned to make his way to the tack room when he caught Gabe Everett coming into the barn. He headed toward the president of the Lone Star Cowboy League. “What’s going on? Why the frown?”
“I came to let you and Flint know we’re having an emergency meeting at my ranch tonight concerning Avery. Could you tell Flint I’d like Lana there? And could you ask Darcy to come too? After what happened Saturday, we need to make a decision concerning the woman who says she’s Avery. If we don’t accept her claim she is Avery, then we need to find the real one.”
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