What did she want from him? He shifted from foot to foot. “That’s good…I guess.”
She ducked her head for a moment, and when she looked at him again, complete peace glowed in her brown eyes. “All that’s to say, I’m glad I had the chance to tell you about her. I hope you’ll take the chance to get to know her someday. And I’ll be praying for you and Kip.”
Praying? For him? A snort blasted from his throat—such a rude thing to do. Mom would be mortified. But if he’d tried to hold it in, he might have imploded. “Well, you go ahead if that’ll make you feel better, but I don’t see it doing much good. Praying is speaking. Using words.” He leaned forward slightly, assuming a conspiratorial air. “There’s no power in words, Diane.”
She shook her head slowly. “You’re wrong, Kevin. There is great power in words. ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.’ That’s John 1:1, from the New Testament. Words have staying power and changing power. The Word has the greatest staying and changing power of all. That’s why talking to God is effective.” She grinned, suddenly impish. “You’ll see. Bye, now.”
Kendrickson, Nevada
Diane
“I don’t know what got into me, Mother.” Diane stroked Duchie’s soft ears and shifted into the corner of the sofa to better face Mother, who sat on her chair with her feet on the ottoman—the picture of relaxation. “First I was so uncomfortable, it was hard to talk at all. Then I got mad, like almost boiling under the surface, and it was hard to stay quiet. And then all of a sudden I felt so sorry for him, it made me feel like crying. Not for me—for him! What’s with that?”
A knowing smile lifted the corners of Mother’s pink-painted lips. “That’s compassion, my dear. You weren’t seeing him with your eyes but through God’s eyes of love and mercy. You weren’t seeing a man who wronged you but a man who is lost.”
Diane thought about Mother’s comments, and she nodded. “Yes. I think you’re right. Otherwise I would never have quoted Scripture to him or promised to pray for him.”
Mother’s eyes widened. “You did what?”
Diane laughed. “I know. I was shocked, too. I sure didn’t plan to, as he put it, preach at him. But it all came out so naturally, I can’t help but believe God prompted me. And I’m going to do it. I’m going to pray for him.” Steely determination stiffened her spine. “He says there’s no power in words, huh? Hmph. He’ll find out the power of words strung together into prayer.”
Mother chuckled. “I’ll continue praying for him. It’ll be nice to know you’ve joined me.”
Diane gaped at her mother. “You…you pray for Kevin?”
Tears winked in Mother’s eyes. “Honey, I’ve prayed for him for years—even before I knew his name. How could a man who abandoned his own child not suffer regret for it? How could that decision not impact his other relationships? So yes, I’ve been praying for him, for God to bring him to a place of need and healing.” She smiled, giving a little nod. “It could be that God used you today to push Kevin over the brink of selfishness and into a relationship with Him.”
Diane doubted it. Kevin was pretty hard. But God had reached her, and she’d been hard, too. She grinned. “That would be pretty cool. It would be best for Meghan, you know, to have a father who honored and followed God the Father.”
“Yes.” Mother’s tone and expression turned thoughtful. “But even if Kevin Harrison avoids Meghan, she does have a Father. Just as you and I both do even though our earthly fathers are gone. God the heavenly Father is always there for us, so we needn’t feel like orphans.”
“Yes, I know. But if Kevin decides to contact Meghan, and if they end up forming a relationship, then it would be best for her if he had faith.” Diane pulled Duchess into her lap and ran her fingers through the dog’s smooth ruff, seeking comfort. She’d never wanted to share Meghan with her mother, and the old desire to keep her daughter to herself attacked. Maybe she should pray for herself, too, to allow a relationship to develop if it was what God willed for Meghan and Kevin.
“Will you let Meghan know you’ve been talking with Kevin?”
Diane shot a startled look at Mother. “I hadn’t planned to. I mean, she’s diving into a new case and adjusting to working with a new partner at the same time, which can’t be easy. Kevin isn’t in Arkansas right now, so there’s no worry about running into him. Do you think I should tell her?”
Mother swung her feet to the floor and sat up. “I think that’s up to you, but she might feel a little blindsided if Kevin does reach out to her and mentions that you and he have been seeing each other.”
“We haven’t been ‘seeing’ each other.” Diane spoke emphatically, erasing the image Mother’s choice of words painted in her head. “We’ve met—twice—to talk about Meghan. That’s it.”
Mother released a wry chuckle and rose. “That was poorly phrased. How about you’ve shared her history with him? She might like to know he’s asked questions and they’ve been answered.”
Diane chewed the inside of her lip for a moment. She wouldn’t want Mother and someone else discussing her behind her back. “You’re right. I don’t want her to feel blindsided if he suddenly sends an email or something. I’ll tell her.”
“I think that’s wise.” Mother shuffled in the direction of the kitchen. “I’m fixin’ to get our supper started. Baked potato wedges and toppings okay?”
“Sounds good.” Diane set Duchess aside. “I’ll give you a hand.” As she stood, her cell phone dinged. She pulled it from her pocket and glanced at the screen. A text message from Kevin stared up at her.
She hadn’t even had a chance to pray for him yet and he wanted to meet. Again. Gripping the phone in her hand, she headed for the kitchen. Before she answered him, she needed Mother’s advice. And prayers.
Carson Springs, Arkansas
Sean
Tuesday morning, Sean loaded Meghan’s suitcase in the back of his Bronco. As the bag thudded into the bed, reality struck with force—his wife would be traveling with another man—and jealousy washed through him, an emotion he hadn’t expected. He trusted Meghan. Truth be known, he trusted Greg Dane. Of the other married male agents in the unit, Dane seemed the most dedicated to his wife and children.
But Sean still didn’t like the thought of Meghan heading to Fort Smith with another man.
Strength, Lord…
Her face flushed, Meghan trotted into the garage. “Okay, I think I’m ready. There should be enough leftover casserole from last night to cover supper for a couple nights, and there’s lunch meat and cheese and a bagged salad in the fridge. Of course, you could always hit a drive-through if you want instead.”
Affection trampled the jealousy. He caught her in a hug. After their tense days, it felt so good to hold her. He rocked gently to and fro, his cheek against her hair. “You forget how many years I took care of my own meals. I know how to open a can of SpaghettiOs and boil a hot dog.”
She laughed against his neck, her breath warm and carrying the scent of their morning coffee. “I know you’re able, but I feel guilty leaving you to fend for yourself.” She pulled back slightly and met his gaze. “We’ll for sure come back Friday evening and be home over the weekend, but I’m praying God will reveal the truth quickly so I don’t even have to be gone that long. It feels so weird going without you.”
“For me, too.” He kissed the top of her head and released her. “You’ll probably be so busy you won’t realize I’m not there.”
She rolled her eyes, teenage fashion. “Like that could happen.”
He could hope. He opened her door. “Hop in. We better get moving.”
As he backed out of the driveway, she pulled her phone from her bag and held it up. “Mom called last night after we’d gone to bed, and she left a voice mail. I haven’t listened to it yet. Do you mind if I do that while you’re driving?”
>
Sean put the SUV in drive and headed out of the neighborhood. He’d rather use their morning commute to talk to each other, but he shouldn’t refuse. The message could be important. “Nope. Go ahead.”
“I’ll put it on speaker.” She pushed a button, and moments later his mother-in-law’s voice came through.
“Hi, honey. You must be sleeping. That’s good. Just wanted you to know I’ve met with Kevin Harrison—”
Sean glanced at Meghan. She sucked in her lips and frowned.
“—a couple of times. He had brunch with your grandma and me on Sunday, and then he and I had lunch together today. I told him all about how wonderful you are, and he was duly impressed.”
Meghan blew out a little breath and grinned.
“We’re actually meeting again tomorrow afternoon at the building on Las Vegas Boulevard he intends to purchase. Believe it or not, he wants my input on updates to the loft apartment. He hasn’t yet said if he’s ready to meet you, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he lets me know that tomorrow. Just so you know, he doesn’t have any other biological children, but he adopted his wife’s son, so you kind of have a stepbrother named Kip.” A nervous laugh rumbled. “Kevin said Kip is pretty much a brat. Just what you always wanted—a bratty little brother.”
Meghan’s frown returned.
“Anyway, I’ll call again and update you after tomorrow’s meeting. Grandma thought it was best to keep you in the loop concerning my communication with Kevin, and I agree with her. If you have any questions or worries, give me a call or shoot me a text. Tell Sean hi for me.”
Sean waved at the phone.
“I love you. Goodbye.”
Meghan placed the phone in her lap and stared at it. Sean waited a few seconds, but when she didn’t speak, he bumped her shoulder. She looked at him.
“You okay?”
Meghan gestured to the phone, the movement choppy. “He adopted someone else’s child, but he never once tried to get in touch with me. That makes me so…so…”
“Mad?”
“Yes. No. I’m not sure.” She gripped the cell phone in both hands and squeezed. Sean wondered if she was pretending to squeeze Kevin Harrison’s neck. “Disappointed maybe. Or…unworthy.”
“Hey. None of that.” Sean couldn’t look at her—he needed to pay attention to traffic—but he used a stern tone he hoped would make an impact. “Don’t let any feelings of unworthiness take hold of you. His decisions were his decisions, made without even knowing you.”
“I know, but…”
Wisdom, Lord…He tapped her shoulder again. “Listen. What’s to say he didn’t adopt his wife’s son because he felt guilty about not being your father? It could have been his way of making restitution.”
She sighed and hung her head. “Maybe. I don’t know.”
Sean caught her hand and peeled it away from her phone. He linked fingers with her. “Your value as a person has nothing to do with whether or not Kevin Harrison chose to be in your life. You are precious—to me, your mom, your grandma, and most especially God. We all love you. Don’t you dare let a man you haven’t met make you feel unworthy.”
She leaned sideways and put her head on his shoulder for a moment. “Thanks, Sean. I love you.”
“I love you, too. Why don’t you call your mom…talk to her?”
She shook her head. “It’s too early. Not yet six o’clock there. She and Grandma are probably sleeping. I’ll call her later. Maybe on the road to Fort Smith.”
They drove the rest of the way in silence, their fingers woven together. Maybe it was best Meghan was going to Fort Smith with someone else. If Kevin Harrison returned there in the midst of the investigation, and if by chance their paths crossed, Sean might be tempted to sock the man right in the nose for hurting Meghan.
Patience, Lord…
Sixteen
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Meghan
Meghan, Greg, and Sheila arrived in Fort Smith a little before eleven. Meghan didn’t call her mother on the drive. She didn’t want Greg or Sheila, who ended up riding in the back seat of Greg’s SUV instead of following in a separate vehicle, listening to her conversation. She planned to call from the privacy of her hotel room as soon as they reached their destination, but when Greg asked about getting into their rooms, the hotel clerk said they had to wait until three. So she postponed the conversation with her mom.
She did send a text while on the road—a benign “Be careful, Mom.” She received a reply, too—“I will. No worries.” She wanted to say more, to ask more, but concern that either of her traveling partners might read the messages prevented her from sharing her thoughts or inner turmoil.
What was wrong with her? She’d wondered about her father for so many years, had imagined different scenarios. Now that she had some pieces of reality, why did the truth bother her so much? Because now she knew he hadn’t bailed out of a desire to avoid fatherhood altogether. The fact that he’d raised a child—someone else’s child—eradicated her long-held assumption.
He’d only bailed on her.
“How about we grab an early lunch and then go to the bank?” Greg angled his vehicle out of the hotel’s parking lot. “What sounds good?”
Nothing sounded good to Meghan, so she peered into the back seat at Sheila. “Sheila, do you have a preference?”
The younger woman shrugged. She’d sat with her arms folded and the same unsmiling expression the entire two hours and twenty minutes it took to reach Fort Smith. Meghan felt sorry for her—Sheila couldn’t possibly feel at ease with two strangers—but her taciturn nature was putting Meghan on edge. She wished the captain had talked Sheila into staying behind.
Meghan stifled a sigh and turned to Greg. “Let’s see what’s available on our way to the bank. Fast food’s okay with me. We can plan a nicer dinner.”
“That sounds fine.”
Greg chose a taco joint, and the three of them sat around a tiny table and ate in silence. Meghan missed Sean so much her stomach hurt. When they were away on a case, they talked and laughed through meals, using the time to relax and revive from the tension of investigating. If she spent the entire time on this case uptight, with their only conversation centered around the missing man, she might have an ulcer by the time they went home.
They finished eating and headed for Greg’s car, Sheila trailing well behind Greg and Meghan. The man sent a quick look over his shoulder, then whispered, “She’s a strange one.”
The protectiveness Meghan experienced surprised her. “She’s a sad one. What else could she be after burying her mother a little over a month ago?”
Greg rubbed the side of his nose, sending his silver-rimmed glasses off kilter with the action. “S’pose you’re right about that. But…” He glanced back again. “Have fun sharing a room with her.”
Meghan gave a start. “What do you mean?”
“The hotel clerk said there’s no reservation for Menke. Just the two rooms Cap booked for us. Looks like she intends to stay with you.” He snickered. “She sure isn’t staying with me.”
Meghan hadn’t planned on a roommate. She’d have no privacy at all. “But Cap said she understood she’d need to cover her own expenses.”
Greg shrugged and dug in his pocket. “Maybe that’s what she told him, but that’s not how it’s turning out. I mean, she got in my car without a word, she didn’t reserve a room for herself…” He paused, key fob in hand. “She did buy her own lunch, though.”
Yes. One taco and a small soft drink. Either Sheila didn’t have money to cover her expenses or she had a very small appetite. Meghan suspected it was the former.
Greg pushed the fob, and the locks opened. Sheila hurried the last few feet and resumed her seat in the back. Greg and Meghan climbed in, and Greg started the engine. “All right. First stop—Union National Bank and Trust.” He flashed
a grin at Meghan. “Cap alerted the bank officials that we’d be coming, and they’ve set aside a meeting room for our use while we’re in town. We can make it our home base. Beats using the extra bed in a hotel room, huh?”
“That’s very kind and helpful of them.” Meghan shifted in the seat and looked into the back. “Sheila, did you bring a book or anything?”
The girl frowned. “No. Why?”
“You’ll want something to pass the time while Greg and I talk to the bank representatives.”
The most life Meghan had seen sparked in the young woman’s eyes. “No way. I’m going in, too.”
Greg harrumphed. “We brought you as a favor to Captain Ratzlaff. You aren’t an investigator. You’ll get in the way.” He spoke as if to the windshield, but there was no doubt where—or to whom—his statement was directed.
“Mr. Ratzlaff knows I want to help. So I’m going where you go. I’m going to help.”
Greg’s eyebrows descended. “Listen here, Miss Men—”
“I’m going to help.” Sheila glared at the back of Greg’s balding head.
Meghan faced forward. “Let’s talk about it when we get to the bank.”
“There’s nothing to talk about,” Greg and Sheila said at the same time.
Meghan rolled her eyes. At least the two of them had taken her mind off her father. One small reason to be grateful.
Little Rock, Arkansas
Sean
Sean never would have anticipated being grateful for Farber’s input, but he stared in pleased amazement at the piece of evidence Farber had brought to the forefront. “Why didn’t I see that before?”
“Probably because your pretty little wifey is a distraction.”
Appreciation whisked away, and anger swept in. But then Sean glimpsed Farber’s smirk, and he tamped down the irritation. Farber meant to rile him. He wouldn’t let the man win. Patience, Lord…“You could be right. She is pretty cute.”
Unveiling the Past Page 12