She shook her head. “No, I’m fine. Really. Just a little shaken. The paramedics looked me over at the scene and said I was good to go.”
“What happened?” He pulled her to a seat in his office. “Here, sit down a moment. Can I get you anything?”
She lowered herself there, still looking a bit dazed. “My brakes went out.”
He shook his head, unable to accept her words. “That’s impossible. I checked your car out myself. Your brakes were fine.”
She shrugged. “They weren’t fine earlier today. I don’t know what happened. One minute I was driving down the road and fine. The next moment, I pressed on the pedal, but nothing happened.”
“What did you do?”
“I had the choice—a head-on collision with a truck or driving into the river. I chose the river. Thankfully, there were a couple of saplings that I smashed through first before I hit a ditch. The truck driver was able to help me out of the car and call 911.” She swallowed. “It could have been much worse.”
“Did you talk to the police?”
“You know just about how willing the chief is to accept that anything dirty is going on in this town.” Daleigh shrugged. “She did say she’d talk to you, just to make sure this was all a terrible accident but nothing more. No worries.”
Yes, that was the chief’s mantra and everyone knew it. The problem was, sometimes people needed to worry. “Doesn’t sound like she’s too serious about investigating, does it?”
“Not at all.”
“Frank, get that car up on the lift. I want to take a look at those brakes myself.” Frank gave him a thumbs-up—and a wink—before going to work on the car. Ryan went back to Daleigh. He knelt in front of her. “You could have been killed.”
“Thankfully, I wasn’t.
“Let me make you some coffee. I’ll make a fresh batch for you and won’t make you drink this old stuff.” He began to fiddle with the coffeepot. He couldn’t help but notice how she slumped in the chair, and worry coursed through him.
A moment later, he poured some coffee and handed it to her. She trembled as she held the cup. His hands covered hers to steady the mug. Finally, she took a small sip before nodding thank you.
“Ryan, the car’s up. Come take a look.”
He glanced at Daleigh one more time, studying her for a sign of her state of mind, before nodding toward the bay area. “I’ll be right back.”
He went into the garage and stared up at the underbelly of the car. The entire front end was rumpled. Water dripped down from it.
Things could have turned out much worse. Still, he didn’t like where this was going. He looked up at the brake lines.
It was just like he thought. There was a nice, clean cut there.
Someone had tampered with her car. Her accident was no accident.
And he’d bet that her father’s death was no accident, either.
***
Daleigh looked up as Ryan walked back into the office. “Well?”
“Someone did this to you, Daleigh. That brake line was cut.”
She closed her eyes. What did that mean? Why would someone want her dead?
Ryan knelt in front of her again. “Look, I’m closing up shop here in a minute. Can you wait? We’ll go talk somewhere afterward?”
She nodded, thankful for his friendship. “That sounds great.”
She watched as he shut down the garage and then washed his hands. Finally, he came back over to her. “Let’s get out of here.”
He led her to his truck and she climbed inside. Once there, she took a deep breath and tried to gather her thoughts. How had life spiraled out of control like this?
“You want to grab a bite to eat?”
“At a restaurant?” She shook her head. “I really don’t want to be around crowds right now.”
“Make something at your place?”
“How about your place instead? Maybe the change of scenery will do me some good.”
“That sounds great.”
They pulled off the main highway and traveled down a country lane for a few minutes before pulling up to an old farmhouse located on the river. The place had seen better days, but there was still a certain charm to it. The white wooden planks could use a fresh coat of paint and the flowerbeds could use some sprucing up. The place had obviously been beautiful in its day.
“It’s not much to look at.”
She shook her head as her gaze traveled up. “It’s great. Is that a tin roof?”
“Sure is.”
“I want to be here sometime when it’s raining. There’s a song in there somewhere.”
“I don’t know if it’s anything to romanticize about, but you’re more than welcome to stop by anytime you’d like.”
He jumped from the truck and ran around to open her door. They walked quietly to the front door. Inside, the place was clean and neat, though it could use some upgrades and new décor.
“I have some big dreams for this place. I keep saying I’ll get around to everything one day.”
Daleigh glanced at the kitchen cabinets, which appeared new. She’d noticed that the front porch had also been replaced. “There’s a lot of potential here.”
He nodded. “Yeah, that’s what I’ve always thought, too.”
“You seem like a do-it-yourself type of guy.”
“Yeah, I’ve done some stuff, whenever I have the time. I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands.” He pointed to a simple blue couch. “Why don’t you have a seat?”
“Why don’t I help you instead?”
“What I didn’t tell you is that I’m a lousy cook and don’t have a ton of food in the house.”
“I can help then.” She browsed through the cabinets and finally settled on making baked potato soup. Ryan peeled some potatoes while she chopped the onions. “I used to work at a café way back when. I would help to make the potato soup every day.”
“I’m sure it’s going to be delicious.”
“Now, I didn’t say it was a nice restaurant.” She elbowed him playfully.
They worked for several moments in silence.
“So, did you find out anything new today?” Ryan asked, peeling another potato. His muscles rippled gently beneath his short sleeve T-shirt. Daleigh’s heart sped just looking at him. She quickly turned away, her gaze focusing on the butter melting in the pot on the stove. Daleigh filled Ryan in on the rest of her day, before the accident.
Ryan shook his head slowly. “I can’t believe Fanny died. I thought that woman would live forever.”
“My dad went to visit her every week. I thought she might know something about his death. I stopped by her house on Monday. I don’t think I ever mentioned that, mostly because I didn’t learn anything new except that she makes some killer collard greens, apparently.”
“She was a piece of work. Did Civil War reenactments religiously. Can’t leave home for church, but when one of those comes around . . .” He chuckled. “She’s going to be missed, that’s for sure. But no clues about your father?”
“I didn’t walk away with much. But she did say something about seeing a lot of traffic on the river lately, especially at night. Does that mean anything to you?”
He shook his head. “I can’t say it does.”
“I’m still trying to fill in all of the time on his schedule during the week before he died.”
“How about your sister? Maybe she can fill in the missing pieces.”
Daleigh frowned. “She probably could, but every time we talk it turns into an argument. I’m close to giving up. We’ve never really gotten along, if you can’t tell.”
“I’m sure that’s tough.”
Tough would be an understatement. Sometimes their relationship left Daleigh feeling plain miserable. “It amazes me sometimes that my sister and I came from the same parents. She doesn’t get me and I don’t get her. What more can I say?”
“It sounds strange, but it almost seems like the two of you bring out the worst in each other.�
�
Daleigh chewed on the thought. “It does, doesn’t it? Maybe that’s why we try to avoid each other in general.”
“That would be a disservice to both of you, if you did that.”
“What do you mean?” She glanced up from stirring the pot.
“You’re sisters, whether you like it or not. People will come and go from your life, but family is constant. You should hang on to that.”
Her heart plunged with guilt. Ryan was right, she should be grateful.
He nudged her chin up with the crook of his finger. “Hey, it wasn’t meant to condemn you. I was just speaking from my experiences.”
“No, you’re right. I should make more of an effort. She is my sister, whether I like it or not.”
They worked in silence another several minutes, Daleigh’s thoughts heavy. She hated feeling like she was carrying these unseen burdens, but she was doing a terrible job laying them down.
Ryan cleared his throat. “I had an interesting conversation today, Daleigh.”
She paused. “Go on.”
“A guy who works for the Coast Guard station over near Weeksville brought in his truck to the shop today. While we chatted, he mentioned they’d been especially busy lately.”
“Did he say why?”
“He said there’s been some suspicious activities going on along the coast. He asked me to watch for anything that sets off alarms.”
“He didn’t give anymore details?”
Ryan shook his head. “But I just remembered what you said about Fanny, how she’d seen things on the river. I couldn’t help but think there was a tie-in.”
Daleigh’s mind raced with possibilities. Could this be the first official confirmation from authorities that something really was going on?
“What kind of crimes take place on water?” Daleigh asked.
“If we were in Florida, I’d say immigration.”
“But here?”
“These waters around here were known for pirates in their day. Their peacefulness can be deceiving. There are all kinds of hidden coves where unseen things can happen.”
“Like drugs?”
Ryan shrugged. “It makes sense. Don’t you think? Your dad could have been out on the water and seen something meant to be kept a secret.”
Daleigh’s thoughts pounded in her head. “How do we prove it? How do we know who’s involved?”
“That’s probably better left to the police.”
She frowned. “I suppose you’re right. All of this just seems like a nightmare instead of reality.”
“It’s going to get better, Daleigh. I know sometimes it seems like these dark days will never pass, but they will.”
She stole a glance over at him. “You speak about it like you know.”
“Yeah, you could say that.” He scooped up a handful of potatoes and dropped them in the pan.
She waited for him to say more, but he didn’t. She stirred the onions and potatoes again, feeling like she’d been transported from her old life to this new life. In a certain way, it felt like a second chance, a new start.
She paused for a moment. “Did you have any doubts that you were supposed to walk away from your life on Wall Street?”
His eyes widened. He wiped his hands on a dish towel and glanced up at her a moment as if contemplating his answer. “Before I answer that question, what do you have left to do? Just add the chicken broth?”
She nodded.
Using a manual opener, he opened the cans she’d pulled out earlier and then dumped the liquid into the pot. Daleigh gave it a final stir and then put the lid on it. Ryan took her hand and led her outside. They walked to the river where she saw a pier with a gazebo at the end. Neither said anything until they settled beside each other on the bench at the end.
The stars reflected down into the water. This place seemed like the picture of all that was peaceful. Not a car or another soul was in sight.
Finally, Ryan spoke. “To answer your question, it was easy to walk away from Wall Street, because I realized it was sucking the life out of me. I realized there were more important things than money and titles and your placement on the social ladder. We’ve only got one chance to do right in this life. We’ve got to make it count.”
“It’s true.”
He looked down at his hand. It was still intertwined with hers. Daleigh made no effort to let go. “I’ve never told you that I was married, Daleigh.”
Her throat burned. “What happened?”
“My wife was one of the reasons I moved back here. She couldn’t stand life in the big city. I worked long hours and was never home with her. She hadn’t managed to make very many friends, said she couldn’t relate to the people in New York. She had two miscarriages also, and those nearly did her in. I didn’t think I’d ever get her out of the apartment again. My heart just broke for her.”
“So you gave everything up for her.”
He nodded, his face grim and lined with sorrow. “I’m afraid it was all too late, though. She’d started taking antidepressants before we left to come back here. I thought being back here in Hertford would lift her spirits. We bought a place and dreamed of making it a home. I thought she was doing better. I really did. But I came home one day, and I found her. She’d overdosed.” His voice sounded raw with emotion.
She squeezed his hand as grief squeezed her heart. “I’m so sorry, Ryan. I can’t imagine.”
“There were some really dark days that followed. All of that really brought me to the end of myself. I realized how desperately I needed Jesus in my life.”
“That’s beautiful.”
“It wasn’t long after that I met your father. He really helped me find some perspective and reminded me of who I’m called to be. He was an amazing man, and I’m so glad he was a part of my life.”
“I’m glad too, Ryan.”
He glanced up and his gaze caught hers. “Daleigh, I’m really glad I met you.”
Her heart sped a beat. “I’m glad we met, too. There’s something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about.” She drew in a deep breath, trying to find the right words. The nice part to writing songs was that she could ponder the right words for days. In real time conversations, that was never the case. “Ryan, I know you’ve seemed upset with me, and you have every right—”
He squeezed her knee, his head waving back and forth. “I wasn’t upset with you, Daleigh.” He pulled away and ran a hand through his hair before looking away and chuckling. “No, Daleigh. I wasn’t upset at all.”
“Then what was it?” Had she done that bad of a job reading him? Something had been wrong; she was certain of that.
“It’s just that . . .” His gaze caught hers and something unsaid passed between them.
Electricity tingled through Daleigh. “Yes?”
Daleigh could feel his breath against her cheek. She took a deep breath and inhaled his cologne, along with the faint scent of oil. Her heart sped.
He paused, mere centimeters away from her, as if giving her the chance to pull back.
Not in a million years.
Finally, his lips brushed hers. He leaned in closer and pulled her toward him. An aura seemed to swirl around them, locking them in the moment. Tingles ran down her spine and back up again.
Then, just as quickly as the kiss started, it ended. Ryan darted to the other side of the gazebo as if he’d touched fire. What had just happened? Ryan stood far away from her, his eyes closed and regret pulling at his features.
“Ryan—”
“I’m sorry—”
Daleigh stared at him, her heart squeezed in confusion. She had no idea what was going on, except that Ryan had just apologized for . . . kissing her? This wasn’t exactly the way she’d hoped things would play out. “Sorry about what?” Her voice sounded breathless, even to her own ears.
He shook his head and ran his hand through his hair. His thoughts were obviously heavy and burdened. Even his voice sounded tight and husky with emotion. “I know you hav
e a boyfriend, Daleigh. I’ve known it all along. I should have stayed away. I tried. God knows I tried. But then tonight—”
She moved across the gazebo and placed her hand on his shoulder, everything suddenly coming into clarity. “Wait, Ryan. You need to hear me out. Vince and I aren’t together anymore. We broke up.”
He looked up and his eyes widened. “But he was just on the news talking about you. He showed up at your cottage. He kissed you.”
“Talking is what he does best, Ryan. Getting his way is another one of his many talents.” She glanced at Ryan’s chest and shook her head. “I don’t know. Relationships are just messy sometimes, aren’t they?”
“It’s that same messiness that makes them real, though.” He stepped closer, his hands going protectively to her waist.
“I can’t argue with that.” She shook her head again. “I don’t know. I guess I knew a long time ago that my relationship with Vince was over; I just didn’t want to face the facts. It’s easier to stay with what’s familiar than to face the unknown. He hasn’t always been faithful, but I always took him back. He could be very convincing. But I’ve just realized that my life is spiraling out of my control. Everyone wants a piece of me. Everyone wants to tell me what to do. It’s been going on for so long that I don’t even know what I want anymore.”
His finger went to her chin, and he nudged her face up. “Hey, I can tell you one thing. You’re worth fighting for. Your dreams are worth holding on to, whatever direction it means that you take.”
She sucked on her bottom lip, her throat suddenly dry. “People would sell their souls to be in my shoes, Ryan. But my own soul is the one I need to worry about. I feel so far away from everything that I, at one time, thought was important.”
“Have you prayed about it?”
“Not as much as I should, but I’m working on it.” She glanced over at the reflection of the moon on the river. “All I ever wanted to do was be a singer. I was the stereotypical kid who sang with a hairbrush in front of the mirror. Then I moved on to school talent shows and special music at church. My dad, in all of his wisdom, took a walk with me by Lake Victoria—we were there on one of his trips the summer between my junior and senior year. The moon was reflected on the water. He leaned over the pier, touched the moon’s reflection, and told me that sometimes reaching your dreams was as easy as changing your perspective.”
Home Before Dark (Christian Romantic Suspense) (Carolina Moon Book 1) Page 14