by Tijan
Too bad small towns thrive on secrets like that.
“I can’t believe you just said that to me.” Aiden stood up.
“Yeah, well, my money is personal, Aiden. You don’t have a right to demand to know that or command me to tell Jonah.”
“I wasn’t…”
She was and she knew it.
“Maybe we should call a breather?” Bubba requested and a moment later, after Aiden’s jerky nod of approval, he ushered his wife to another corner.
Dani sat down, suddenly exhausted and breathless.
“Don’t worry about Aiden. She’ll get over it. She’s just worked up cause her dad’s in town. A person can’t see straight when they’re all riled up inside.”
“I know.” Dani still felt bitter and regretful. “I feel the same.”
“What?” Robbie grinned and idly picked up the abandoned cards. He started shuffling them in his hands, hunched over, and asked, “You don’t like being rich?”
“It’s not the money. It’s the…” It’s why the money was there.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“So it’s where that money came from,” Robbie pinpointed with amazing accuracy. “Don’t worry. Like I said, Aiden will cool off and apologize. She’s good about that.”
“Mae was right,” Dani breathed out. “People don’t think logically when they’re backed in a corner.”
“Yeah.” Robbie glanced around. “I wasn’t here a while back, but Aiden said the town got pretty ugly when Jonah said no to some company’s building proposal.”
“You think it’s some government conspiracy?”
“What is?”
Dani shrugged. “Mae was hinting that people might be thinking that.”
“Do I think it’s some conspiracy? No, but do I think people aren’t thinking right? Yes. Some of ‘em anyway. Small towns operate on their own, they don’t like being told what to do and what not to do, especially when it comes to their homes.”
“There’s gotta be some reason why we’re all staying here though.”
“I don’t know. They aren’t sharing, whatever it is.”
“And there’s gotta be a reason for that.”
“I think there is and you think there is.” Robbie gestured between them, “But I don’t think some of those people out there think that.”
“Small towns.” Dani sighed. “Everyone knows each other’s business and everyone’s got an opinion about it, no matter how wrong they are.”
“A lot of these folks aren’t educated. You and me—we left. We saw what else was out there, but people can get set in their ways and their thinking when they don’t know how small they really are,” Robbie explained.
“I know, but that can be dangerous sometimes.”
“You’re not getting an argument from me.”
“I don’t have a good feeling about this,” Dani murmured as she watched the crowd. More and more furtive glances were shot around and more and more small groups were starting to separate from the larger crowd. The whispers nearly buzzed with malicious and foolish intent.
Dani saw it all in that moment and knew, no matter what happened, it wouldn’t end well.
“Oh, hey, there’s Jonah.” Robbie gestured towards a side door.
Dani watched as Jonah moved through the crowd. He talked with his sister, but the crowd moved away.
Robbie laughed. “It’s never surprising how they’ll turn on someone they used to worship the day before.”
“Was this how it was before?”
“I don’t know. I wasn’t here at that time, but it got ugly. Jonah only had a few friends, but when the report came out that the company actually would’ve poisoned the water supply, Jonah was hailed as the town’s savior.” Robbie stood up as Jonah headed in their direction. He finished, “The town’s not remembering that anymore. I can tell you that much.”
“Jonah.” Robbie nodded in greeting.
“Robbie.” Jonah did the same and settled on Dani, “You wanna go eat?”
“Sure.”
Robbie grinned good-naturedly, in farewell.
Jonah led the way into a private back room with some food waiting on a table.
“What’s this?” It was a buffet of meat, cheese, casseroles, bread, and even some lasagna. Another table was set up with drinks such as soda, water, and even some beer.
Jonah said dryly, “Even the wealthy get benefits in times of disasters.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah.” Jonah shook his head. “It’s like a first class room for the wealthy and privileged.”
“And how are we privileged?”
“I got some benefits being the Water Whisperer,” Jonah teased lightly. “The mayor trusts me…”
“Even though everyone else forgets to?” Dani finished his thought.
“Yeah.”
“Jonah,” a voice behind them boomed with authority and Dani felt Jonah stiffen beside her. She turned and guessed the middle-aged man with graying hair that only accentuated his aged rakish looks was Elliott Bannon.
And Jonah was not happy to see him.
Dani studied him a moment longer. He walked with purpose and a stride that told others to get out of his way or else. His hair was startling dark brown, but there was graying hints scattered throughout the rich curls. His jaw was firm and pointed that told anyone who glimpsed him that he had a purpose and he wouldn’t veer off his course, no matter who be damned.
“Father,” Jonah greeted. “I wasn’t aware that a boat had been sent for you.”
“Elliott Bannon.” He thrust a hand in Dani’s direction. “You’re the O’Hara girl that I’ve been told so much about.”
Dani grinned coolly, “Well, I wouldn’t believe anything that you’re told from Drew Quandry. He just found out about my existence a few days ago and he’s not exactly a fan.”
Startled, Elliott took another assessing glance and chuckled with a deep baritone. “You’re spirited. That’s what Quandry told me, but he wasn’t the one filling my head. I heard about your courageous feat during the tsunami in Indonesia. You saved ten children, did you not? You were hailed a hero there. And yet, you’re here in Podunk America and you’ve shacked up with my son.”
Jonah held himself ramrod straight, but Dani swiftly murmured back, her teeth barely in check, “My response to your obvious bait is that Podunk America is my home and your son is the hero around here, which he’s rightfully earned. I’d take my visit here, if I were you, to learn a few things from what money can’t produce.”
Elliott gleamed, calculating, “You got a healthy award, didn’t you? Near a million, from what my figures-head told me in a memo.”
“Father,” Jonah interrupted as he stepped between them. “Dani’s not going to be intimidated because you researched her.”
“If you want to learn the art of intimidation, I’ve got a dying aunt who could still give you some pointers,” Dani mused behind Jonah’s back.
“Father, get away from them,” Aiden cried out as she stood, frozen in the doorway, but now pushed herself towards them.
“Hello, my daughter.” Elliott was cool as ice and not a curl was ruffled. “Your home is really beautiful.”
Aiden sucked in her breath, but shook her head sadly, “It’s not my home and you know it. Although, Robbie said we could stay there until my real home is livable.”
“Aiden, I can handle this,” Jonah murmured, softly.
“You shouldn’t have to. You weren’t damaged by him. I was, I’ve got a few more things to say to him than you.” And Aiden switched her focus. “Why’d you come here, Father? Was it really to spearhead for the Quandrys or did you finally decide to call our bluff? Okay. I don’t live in a beautiful mansion. My husband isn’t an executive for a local business that trades internationally. We have an average home and I don’t care what you think anymore. I’m not moving into the city and working at one of your offices. I’d rather—have my home flooded first.”
/> Dani caught sight of the Quandrys in that moment. They’d arrived and had settled into the opposite corner of the ‘First Class’ buffet. Drew’s head was bent in a private meeting with another middle-aged man around his fifties or sixties. Dani guessed that was the eldest Quandry while Boone sat at a table with Susan and Lari. Lari didn’t have her arm on Boone’s leg, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t trying.
She had scooted her chair close enough to nearly be in his lap, but Boone met Dani’s gaze and promptly scooted his chair away from Lari’s seeking self.
Dani also saw Trenton come to the doorway and pause, hesitant, as he saw the scene that unfolded before him. Dani saw the rapt alertness on his face and then turned back towards the Quandrys. Drew glanced over to their group and she saw a flash of triumph in his eyes.
“Stop,” Dani murmured huskily with a hand to Jonah’s arm. She pulled him back and away. Aiden still exchanged bitter daughterly yearnings with a businessman who merely deflected them with years of practice.
He hadn’t even started his carnage and Aiden had already reared her ugly spiteful head that had been earned from too many years of as a rejected daughter.
“What?” Jonah asked, but watched his sister and father.
“That’s why he’s here.”
“What?” Jonah looked at her now.
“He’s here to get in your head and mess you up.”
“That’s exactly why he’s here,” Jonah relinquished and caught sight of Trenton. “I have to go, anyway. I’d run from here. Run and hide.”
Dani chuckled. “I’ll hide behind Mae’s skirt.”
Mae had never worn a skirt in her life—unless it was a miniskirt. There wouldn’t be much hiding behind those, but that wasn’t the purpose.
“I have to go,” Jonah said again and with a weary glance cast in his sister’s direction, he turned and joined Trenton as they both turned together and left the room.
Dani was left watching.
It was around ten o’clock that night when Dani heard her aunt sigh disgustedly.
Jeffries, who’d been explaining what the dolphin on his wedding band stood for, turned away from Barney and asked Mae, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Everything.” And Mae’s decision was decided. She stood up and said curtly, “The water’s almost completely gone. I’m going to make sure my livelihood is still standing. I’m a bit more worried about that than whatever secret plan they got cooking here.”
“Mae.” Dani also stood up and turned from her mindless chatter with Robbie.
“I’m sorry. I know you’re invested here, but I’m going. We’re going to be wasting an entire night and they’ll only come in the morning and tell us to leave. I’m going to save myself the wait and leave now.”
“They told us to stay here for our safety.” Robbie also stood up.
“From what? We’re in the clear. The flooding is up north and the water’s not coming down or it would’ve been here by now.”
“The topsoil is eroding quickly up there. They’re worried about what that’ll do to the river down here.”
Mae could’ve rolled her eyes, her tone bounced off the warning and she scorned, “The river hasn’t flooded since the dam was built. We’re fine. We’re always fine. I’m going.”
Barney and Jeffries stood too.
“Let’s go, guys,” Mae commanded and they followed behind. Jeffries offered Dani an apologetic smile, but he sighed and fell in line behind his safety blanket.
As they left, Robbie shook his head. “That’s funny.”
“What is?” Dani asked, but her attention had just left the building.
“I didn’t even know Jeffries was married.”
“There are some secrets that are kept in stone. I’ve learned that much since moving home,” Dani said faintly and sighed raggedly, “I have to get out of here.”
“What?” Robbie asked, taken aback.
“No. I’m not going far, but I just need a walk to clear my head.”
The town was near vacant. Everyone had left for their homes while the others remained inside. She found herself in front of the boat store. All the jet skis were still locked up on trailers.
“Dani?”
She turned around. “Jake.”
“I thought…” He held his hat in hand, but that was only metaphoric. “I saw you and I figured you were out for a walk, to clear your head or some sorts…” He gestured helplessly along the road, “I thought maybe it was time, you know…”
“Aren’t you supposed to be working or something?”
“Folk can’t get arrested for going to their homes.” Jake shrugged. “I’m not going to do that anyway.”
Dani knew it had arrived. She’d been waiting since her arrival and now it was time. It was time for that talk.
Dani asked abruptly, “Did she say anything—when she died? Like…” she had no idea.
“No,” Jake only said, no note to the absurdity of her spoken sentiment. “She just…she did say something, but…”
“It’s okay.”
Jake stopped. His eyebrows arched.
“It’s okay, Jake.” Dani nodded, her throat tight with emotion. She didn’t know why. She didn’t know where it came from. But she felt something, enough for it to reawaken something inside that she had thought was left bereft.
“She was so much like you, Dani. But…she was different.”
“She was stronger.”
“No.” His response was swift. “She…she was different.”
His eyes held his truth.
Dani swallowed. “How…?”
“She was funny. She was sarcastic, opinionated, thoughtful, regretful, she…she had the hardest times with Aunt Kathryn, but she knew that Kathryn needed her and Julia so she sucked it up and was dutiful.” Jake laughed. “That was the only time—or the only person—that I ever saw her be nice to and just…she was different. She was…Erica would turn into the girl that you knew, Dani, when she was around Julia and Kathryn, but she was…she was so different.”
He added, an afterthought, “I wish you would’ve known that Erica. I wish you would’ve been friends. It was the Erica that I loved that I knew was in you too.”
Dani wiped the first tear aside.
“She…” Jake continued, hoarse. “She…she’d always put cloves in our food. I hated it. They were awful, but Erica said that they had to be in there. They had a purpose and I should just be patient. ‘The purpose will come to me when I need it most. She loved lilies. She had them in vases all over the kitchen and she even put up a wallpaper border of lilies in our bedroom.”
Jake was allergic.
“I—I hated them, but…”
“You loved her so much.”
“Yeah, she was mine. She was a part of me and…”
Dani drew a ragged breath and confessed—the first time ever—, “I used to…it was you that she took away. You were mine. Ten years—you were my best friend and I lost you to her, but I’ve never admitted to myself that it wasn’t you I lost that night. It wasn’t…I lost her. I didn’t know her and I’m realizing that…we never had a chance. We were never given a chance. Lies, jealousy, love, years and years of dysfunction—we were kids,” Dani spat out, bitter. “What were we supposed to do? I didn’t know. I didn’t…”
“Erica kept a wall to the world. She lost her mother too, Dani and she had two older sisters. Julia kept it together by controlling everything. Erica—she told me that she had to play along or Julia would’ve ‘freaked.’ Her words. And then she had you—you pulled away before Erica knew what was going on. She…”