It felt so good to sit for a few minutes, Darcy thought as she eased into a lawn chair under the maple tree. Shade stretched out in a large circle offering a reprieve from the heat of a late June afternoon. People milled around, looking at the horses up for sale. The crowd’s murmurs vied with the sounds coming from the fairway. The aroma of popcorn and grilled meat spiced the air, chasing away the scents of horses, sweat and hay.
Her father made his way toward her, taking the empty lawn chair nearby. He moaned as he sat. “I’m sure glad this will be over soon. We’ve done well.” He stretched his long legs out in front of him and crossed them at the ankles. “I appreciate all your work, Darcy.”
For a few seconds it seemed as if her heart had stopped beating. Maybe she hadn’t heard her father correctly.
He reached over and patted her arm. “You did good.”
A rush of emotions swamped her, robbing her of anything like a coherent reply. She fixed her gaze on a little boy running his hand over a mare’s coat, a huge grin on his face.
“Child, did you hear me?”
“Yes,” she finally replied, her voice heavy and full of those emotions she was trying to get under control. Here in a crowd of people, her father was telling her she’d done a good job. A rare occurrence. “Thanks. I think the sales have gone well.”
“One of the best years we’ve had, in spite of losing the barn a few weeks ago.”
We? Not I? Again his statement produced a tightness in her throat that cut off the flow of words.
“I think we make a good team.”
“Dad, are you all right?” That’s it. He’s ill and trying to break the news gently.
“Except for probably overdoing it today and yesterday, I’m fine. I’m nearly one hundred percent. Give me a few more weeks and there will be no stopping me.” He twisted in the chair so he was looking at her. “Can’t a person express their gratitude without you thinking there’s something wrong?”
“Not when it’s out of character.”
“I realize I don’t tell you how much I appreciate your efforts, but I do.”
“Why now?”
“Why not?”
“That’s not an answer, Dad.”
“Okay, if you must know, Lizzy pointed out to me all you’ve been doing and that I haven’t said anything to you. I realize you have given up your summer vacation to work on the farm, putting in twelve-hour days.”
Ah, Lizzy. That explained everything. Disappointment surged within her. Someone had to tell him he should appreciate her efforts. Why couldn’t he see that on his own?
“That’s not to say I haven’t seen all that you’ve been doing. I have. You know, girl, I’m not very good with words.”
An understatement. “I’ll stay this summer as long as you need me.”
“Things should calm down some until fall, now that the big horse sale is over. I’ll be able to work with Sean some more on riding. By the way, where is he?”
“He went with Nate to go on some of the rides. He has enough money for five of them, so he shouldn’t be gone too long.”
“Heard back from the police. They are charging Angus with trespassing but that’s all. There isn’t enough evidence for an arson charge.”
“Maybe he didn’t set the fires.”
“Do you really believe he came back to the barn to retrieve some tack he left behind—what, three months ago?” Her father snorted. “He’s lying.”
“Dad, a groom found the tack he was talking about. He might not be lying.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I’m keeping the extra guard until this is resolved. In fact, I’m hiring another one. We have too many barns for just one. That became obvious with Angus’s little escapade.” He snorted again. “Tell me, child, if he’d left tack and was so concerned about it, why didn’t he just come and get it during the day?”
“From what I understand, he didn’t leave the farm under the best of circumstances. Didn’t you physically throw him out?”
“He was smoking in the barn! What would you have me do?” Her father rose, scanning the area. “I see some buyers over there. I’m gonna have a word with them.”
He stalked off toward a group of four men near the second barn at the fairgrounds. Tact had never been her father’s strong suit, Darcy thought, realizing she might have sneaked back in the dead of night for something she’d left behind, too.
“Haven’t you heard frowning causes wrinkles?”
Joshua’s question startled her, but she recovered quickly. “So does smiling and the sun.”
He sat where her father had been only a moment before. “You know, I could stay right here and not move and probably enjoy what I like the most about the county fair.”
“What?”
“People watching. People fascinate me. Like your father over there with those men. He knows them well. Even though they aren’t from around here, he must see them every year at this horse auction.”
“How do you know that?”
“Your father isn’t a man who pats very many people on the back, but he greeted the taller man that way. That’s familiarity, and because it is unusual for your father, the relationship must be one that’s developed over many years.”
“Maybe they live around here.”
“No. I know most of the horse people in the area. Besides, when their car pulled up, the license plate was from Tennessee.”
She playfully slapped him on the arm. “You’re cheating.”
“I never claimed I was Sherlock Holmes.”
“Dad told me the police let Angus go.”
“Yep. Nothing to keep him on.” Joshua settled back in the lawn chair, stretching his legs out in front of him, just as her father had.
“You want to hear something funny? I found myself sticking up for Angus with my dad. Frankly, I don’t know why. Angus could very well be the arsonist.”
“Darcy, isn’t it obvious? You and your dad butt heads. If your father said it was sunny out, I think you would argue it was cloudy.”
Darcy straightened, glaring at Joshua. “I do not. I must admit we often don’t see eye to eye, but—” She couldn’t finish her sentence because she realized Joshua was probably right. When she lived here and when she was married to Clay, she’d kept her opinions to herself. Lately, though, she was learning to speak her mind, which often meant she and her father didn’t agree.
“I didn’t used to be that way. I used to bite my tongue, literally, rather than say anything that might rock the boat.”
His gaze snared hers. “So now you’re standing up for yourself?”
“Yes, but it hasn’t been easy and I still have a long way to go. I know I need to choose the battles I fight with my father and sometimes I don’t choose wisely. I’m learning.”
“That’s what life is all about.”
Darcy lifted her hair from her neck, letting the cool breeze caress her skin. “I suppose you’ve never had that kind of problem.”
“Nope, but I’ve had more than my share of other problems.”
“Hi.”
Approaching them at a fast pace were Crystal and Tanya. The older woman brought the wheelchair to a halt in front of Darcy. “Crystal wanted to see the horses, so I had to wait until Tom was busy judging the pies.”
Darcy stood. “I’ll go get one of the yearlings we have for sale.”
“I’m so glad you suggested we stop by,” Tanya said in a rush, moving around as though she couldn’t keep her body still.
Darcy hurried into the barn and took the nearest horse from its stall, then led her to Crystal. The young girl leaned forward and touched the yearling, her face lit with a smile.
“I’ve missed riding.”
Tanya put a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “She doesn’t blame horses for what happened to her. I have to sneak in books about horses because her father would throw them away if he found them.”
Darcy blinked, trying to keep up with Tanya’s rapid fire speech. “If Crystal ever wants to ride
again, I would be glad to arrange something.”
Crystal dropped her hand away from the animal, shaking her head. “No, that’s not possible. I can’t walk.”
“It’s possible if you want to. People with your kind of injuries do ride.”
Crystal thought for a moment, then shook her head again. “Dad would never let me.”
Tanya scanned the area, her gaze darting from one thing to the next, never still for any length of time. “Speaking of your father, we’d better head back to the pavilion.” She whirled the wheelchair about and started toward the fairway.
Darcy took the yearling back into the barn, then returned. “You know, I’ve never met Tom, but—” She looked toward the area where Joshua was staring. A small man, no more than five and a half feet tall, blocked Tanya’s progress.
“That’s Tom.”
“Oh, no. He doesn’t appear to be too happy.”
“Definitely an understatement. Maybe I should go over there.”
Before Joshua could move, Tom took the wheelchair from Tanya and began to push his daughter toward the parking lot. Tanya followed the pair. Darcy shivered, even though the air was warm.
“Has Reverend Collins spoken with Tom?” Darcy asked. She wanted to do something to help the family that was struggling with the fallout of such a tragic accident.
“Several times, but Tom made it clear he didn’t want the reverend’s help.”
“He hasn’t gotten past the anger stage of his grief.”
“Some people never do. Some people need help in dealing with their grief, but won’t accept it.”
Could that apply to her father? After her mother’s death, all she’d seen from her father was anger. Had he moved on? She didn’t know because she hadn’t been around for the past ten years.
“Can you steal away for a while and get an ice cream with me?” Joshua asked, coming to stand next to her.
His presence lifted her spirits. “I’ve never been able to turn down ice cream. Maybe we’ll see Sean on the fairway. Let me tell Dad I’m going with you for a little while.”
Darcy walked toward her father, who was shaking hands with each of the four men as they were leaving. His weathered face brightened with a smile.
“They’re definitely interested in two of our jumpers. I’m sure they’ll be bidding on them at the evening session.”
“Dad, I’m going with Joshua for an ice cream. Can I get you anything from the fairway?”
“Nope.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “You’ve been seeing a lot of Joshua lately. Is there anything going on that I should know about?”
There was actually a twinkle in her father’s dark gray eyes that surprised Darcy. She almost forgot her father’s question.
“Is there?”
Blinking, she finally replied, “Joshua and I are just friends. I’m helping him out at church with the Sunday school class.”
“Is that what a few nights ago was? Funny, I would have thought you two had gone on a date. In my day that was what we called it.”
Darcy lifted her shoulders in a shrug that she knew didn’t convey the nonchalance she wanted to project. “That was different. He needed someone to go to the awards dinner with him.”
“He couldn’t go alone? I’m sure he wouldn’t be the first or the last to do that.”
She turned away. “I’ll see you later.” Her father’s chuckles followed her all the way back to Joshua.
“You’re blushing. What happened?”
“Nothing. Dad was just teasing me.”
“Teasing you? From what I’ve gathered from you, that doesn’t happen very often.”
“If you must know, he thinks we’re an item.”
“And you set him straight,” Joshua said, taking her by the elbow and steering her toward the fairway.
“Of course. We’re just friends.” And if she said it often enough, maybe she would believe it.
When had she begun to think of Joshua as more than a friend? The other evening at the awards dinner—their first official date? When he had chased Angus? When he had given her a peck on the cheek that curled her toes?
Before she knew it, she was standing in front of the ice cream truck and Joshua was asking her what flavor she wanted. She had been so lost in thoughts of Joshua that she hadn’t even realized how she’d gotten there. Boy, she had it bad!
“Hmm. I like so many. I could have a triple scoop with each layer a different flavor.”
“Talk about me taking risks. Do you know what that will do to your arteries?”
“Not to mention hips. Okay, I’ll settle for a double-scoop butter pecan and cookie dough ice cream.” Darcy’s mouth watered as she waited for the woman behind the counter to make her cone. When the lady handed it to her, Darcy took a big lick and said, “Mmm, this is delicious. Isn’t life grand?”
Sean and his friend Nate ran up to them. “I’d like an ice cream cone, too.”
“How about the money you were given? Where is it?” Darcy asked, knowing perfectly well it had left his hands the minute he’d gotten it.
“Gone.” He gave her an innocent look, meant to appeal to her good nature.
Which wasn’t too hard with Joshua next to her and a beautiful day surrounding her. She dug into the pocket of her jeans. “Okay. But you’ll need to check with Ken and see if there’s anything he wants you to do. Nate, do you want one, too?”
“Yes, and I can help Sean with any chore he needs to do. Mom said she’d pick me up at the barn in an hour.”
“Is your mother at the pavilion showing her dolls?” Darcy remembered being the recipient of Jesse’s first doll-making attempt. She still had the doll displayed in her bedroom, which had annoyed Clay.
“Yes, ma’am.”
After Darcy purchased the two ice-cream cones, the boys thanked her and took off toward the barns on the edge of the fairgrounds. She caught Joshua staring at her.
“You’re a good mother, Darcy O’Brien. You have a solid relationship with your son.”
Heat flooded her cheeks. “A lot of the time it was just him and me. With Clay being gone so much, Sean and I became very close. I hate, though, that he doesn’t have a man’s influence in his life. I think that’s important.”
“He’s taken to your father.”
And you, Darcy thought. But both relationships were fleeting and hundreds of miles from their home in Panama City.
“Have you ever thought of having children? I’ve seen you with the kids at church and you’re great with them.”
His eyes conveyed a haunted look that struck a chord in Darcy. Remembering his ex-fiancée, she stepped closer, suddenly wanting to comfort him. “I’m sorry. I forgot about Carol.”
“We’d talked about having children. I wanted at least three. She wasn’t so sure she wanted any.”
“And yet, she has a son now.”
“I know I need to get past her betrayal, but we had known each other for years and I never saw it coming. It makes you doubt your judgment when something like that happens. It makes this risk taker—” he patted his chest “—cautious.”
Someone jostled her, sending her into Joshua. He steadied her, so near that his breath fanned her, causing her heart to beat faster. She tilted her head to look him in the eye, and even though hundreds of people were around them, she felt no one’s presence but his. He was a good, kind man who had been hurt terribly. That, they had in common. She lifted her hand to cup his jaw—strong, firm. Like the man himself.
“We’re human. We make mistakes. We hopefully learn from those mistakes.”
He veiled his expression. “I’ve learned to be very careful, not to rush into anything.”
His warning, spoken in a harsh whisper, cautioned her to protect her heart. Falling in love with Joshua was a risk she wasn’t willing to take. He wasn’t ready for a relationship beyond friendship, and neither was she.
Darcy moved back and inhaled deeply to calm her rapidly beating heart. “I’d better get back. The afternoon au
ction will be starting in an hour and there are things to do.”
“Can I help?”
“Surely you have something better to do than hang around a smelly barn?”
“No, I’m all yours for the afternoon.”
His statement caused a hitch in her breathing. He meant nothing by that, but she began to dream of more. Her overriding thought was: How could Carol have betrayed him with another man?
Darcy headed toward the barn area, conscious of Joshua next to her. Halfway down the fairway she felt the hairs on the nape of her neck tingle. She scanned the crowd and stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Angus Feehan not three yards away, staring at her with narrowed eyes that transmitted his anger.
“What’s wrong?” Joshua asked, moving to stand in front of her and blocking her view of the fired groom.
“Angus, behind you to the left.”
Joshua glanced over his shoulder, stiffened and pivoted. He stalked toward the man. Angus’s eyes widened, then he spun about and disappeared into the throng behind him. Joshua searched for a few minutes before returning to Darcy.
“I know this is a free country and he has every right to be here, but why is he here?” Darcy asked, hearing the panic in her voice.
“That was what I was going to ask him before he so conveniently vanished. Come on, let’s get back to the barn.” He placed his hand at the small of her back and guided her through the mass of people.
She heard raised voices coming from inside the barn where their horses were stabled for the auction. One, she knew, was her father’s, and she quickened her pace. She found him arguing with Mike Reynolds, his arms waving as he spoke.
Shamus finished his tirade with “Get out before I call Security.”
Mike lounged back against a stall. “Go ahead. I have every right to be here. This is public property and you can’t order me off it.”
Darcy stepped between the two men before they came to blows. “Dad, calm down. We aren’t at Shamrock Stables.” Then she turned to say to Mike, “Please go.”
“Fine. But one day, old man, someone’s going to knock you down a peg or two. You have no right to spread rumors about me.”
Gold in the Fire and Light in the Storm Page 10