Texas Roads (A Miller's Creek Novel)

by Bryant, Cathy

  One classroom away from where he stood, the door flew open, and kids scrambled down the hall to find their parents, their joyful chatter trailing behind. Steve flattened himself against the wall to let them pass, then moved back to watch Mama Beth through the door window. He must admit she did look better. As she read to the kids, the happy light in her eyes brought sweet memories flooding over him. She’d impacted hundreds of lives by her witness and ministry to children, his included.

  His gaze traveled to Dani, and he blew out a frustrated breath. Thanks to her the whole town was in an uproar to overhaul Miller’s Creek. At the meeting last night, they’d approved her plan. His phone had jangled all night long, and she was to blame. Now, overdressed as usual, she lounged in the floor with the Humphrey girl in her lap. A tender smile played on Dani’s face as she held the girl close. A boy snuggled to her side and she placed an arm around him. The kids obviously adored her.

  At the town hall meeting she hadn’t backed down, even in the face of his anger, and it somehow impressed him. A sudden awareness hit, and he rubbed his chin in surprise. Him and his stupid pride. Dani had only been trying to help. Though he still wasn’t convinced her plan would provide the funding they needed, at least people were excited about the project. That was an answer to prayer in itself.

  Inside the classroom the story ended. Mama Beth lowered her head to pray, and the sight brought on another onslaught of memories. He offered up his own prayer of gratitude. Thank You, Lord, that she’s better.

  The kids exited in a more orderly fashion than the other class, and he entered the room behind them. Mama Beth spied him first. “Good morning, Steve.”

  “Morning, Mama Beth. Dani.”

  “Morning.” Dani turned away, her tone chilled.

  Steve raised his eyebrows and looked at Mama Beth. She shot him the you-got-yourself-in-this-mess glare and busied herself with straightening the room. Why was he always the one who had to apologize? He took a few tentative steps toward Dani while his brain scrambled for the right words. “Dani, y’all left before the vote last night, but I wanted you to know that we approved your plan.”

  She whirled toward him, her face beaming and eyes wide. “Really?”

  He nodded, lowered his head, and pressed his lips together. “And . . .” Words eluded him. This should be easier by now, not harder.

  “And?” Dani tilted her head, a teasing smile on her lips.

  A chuckle gurgled from his throat. “And I apologize for—”

  “Apology accepted.”

  He sent her a grateful grin. Better treatment than he deserved.

  She laid a hand on his arm. “So tell me what happened.” Her smile and eyes grew bigger, like a kid at an amusement park.

  “Well, we’ve set up committees—advertising, funding, needs assessment, and so on—to get the ball rolling. My phone’s been ringing off the hook. I don’t think I’ve ever seen people in this town so excited.”

  Dani clasped her hands together in front of her. “That’s wonderful.”

  The pretty glow on her face made it hard to concentrate, so he shifted his gaze to the floor. “I’d like to sit down and discuss this with you sometime, if you’re willing.”

  Mama Beth ambled over. “It’s not like you don’t know where we live. So if we can, let’s cut this conversation short. I could use both of your help to straighten this room before the service starts.”

  Sharing a conspiratorial smile with Dani, he followed Mama Beth’s command. Several minutes later they strolled to the sanctuary. Once inside, Steve stepped over for Mama Beth to follow Dani into the pew, but she pushed him in ahead of her. Great. More fodder for the town grapevine.

  He glanced at Dani, busy smoothing her skirt. Oh well, let ‘em talk.

  ~~o~~

  Dani studied the program the usher had given her. A beautiful teenager, identified in the bulletin as Graciela Soldano, stepped to the microphone, her shimmering black hair pulled back with barrettes on each side. She nodded to the music minister, and he began to strum the guitar strings. The woman’s pure voice split the silence and echoed throughout the sanctuary. The beauty of the music lulled her into a trance-like state, and as the girl reached the chorus, Dani’s heart climbed to her throat.

  “The home that you are longing for is right before your eyes.

  Set your heart on Jesus, He will lead you to the prize.

  Heaven is waiting for the faithful and the few.

  His arms are open wide; He is waiting there for you.

  This road leads home, where the Father waits for you.

  This road leads home, have the faith to see it through.

  You will find hope and peace when you fall down on your knees.

  The Father waits for you; this road leads home.”

  The song ended and the congregation erupted with applause. Dani pulled a tissue from her purse and wiped tears from her eyes, the longing for home stronger than ever. She hated that she felt so emotional today, but she knew why.

  Her birthday.

  It wasn’t as if her parents had ever made a big deal out of it, so she shouldn’t feel disappointed that no one remembered. Besides, she was too old for birthday parties anyway.

  The man Mama Beth called Brother Mac moved to the pulpit. Not what she expected. No bouffant hairdo or ten-pound Bible. No red angry face and raised voice. He seemed . . . well, normal. Not like her mother’s description of preachers. She couldn’t help but notice how the people around her listened, intent on his words. Church wasn’t a place she’d have chosen on her own, but if it made Mama Beth happy, she’d make the best of the situation and try to learn something new.

  Brother Mac finished a joke and laughter rang out, then his tone and expression grew more serious. “Let’s open God’s Word to John 14, as we continue our study of making Christ our home, just like Grace sang about.”

  God’s Word? She’d never thought of the Bible in those terms. Dani fumbled with the Bible Mama Beth loaned her. The sound of turning pages whispered across the room. Where was John 14? She thumbed through the onion-skin pages, feeling more out of the loop than ever. What was she doing here? Mother was right. She didn’t belong. Her clothes were too fancy, she didn’t know any of the songs, and now she couldn’t find the verse. Dani scooted the Bible to one side, hoping Steve wouldn’t notice her confusion. Too late. He reached across, the light scent of his cologne teasing her nose, and with the flip of a few pages located the passage.

  She attempted to discern his motives. No gloating, just a friendly smile.

  Brother Mac continued. “Let’s bow for prayer. Dear Lord, help us forget about everything else and concentrate on You and Your Word. Thanks for being our abiding place, our home. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

  Dani straightened, confusion tearing through her brain. How could a person be a home?

  “Our key verse today is verse twenty-three. ‘If anyone loves me, he will obey My teaching. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.’” He placed his Bible on the pulpit, his eyes lit from within, his tone one of conviction. “Hear me, folks. This earth isn’t your home. That pile of wood and bricks and stone you make mortgage payments on each month isn’t your home. Even your precious family isn’t your home. No place on this planet will ever be home.”

  She shifted in her seat, her pulse quickening. Then why had she moved here? Why had she given up all she’d ever known in hope of belonging to someone, somewhere?

  “Look with me at the first few verses of chapter fourteen. Remember this is the message Jesus shared with His disciples right before He was crucified. He says: ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father’s house…’”

  Tuning him out, she thought about the words he’d just spoken. Her heart was troubled. According to what he’d just said, the way to cure a troubled heart was to trust in God. But how was she supposed to trust Him when He’d allowed so much pain in her life?

  She shifted
her attention back to the words as he read. “’… so how can we know the way?’ Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”

  The words sounded . . . so final.

  Brother Mac removed his glasses, folded them, and looked across the congregation, sincerity etched on his face. “God has prepared a place—a home—for those who love Him. One day, at a time only God knows, Jesus will come back and take us home. No earthly place will ever satisfy our souls. Only Christ can fill that spot in your heart. He wants to make your heart His home.”

  The lump in her throat thickened making it difficult to breathe. Notes sounded from the piano and people rose to their feet and began to sing. “Come home, come home, ye who are weary come home …” Dani’s chest tightened. All this singing and talk about home only underscored what she already knew. Her life was empty. And now they were trying to tell her that home was God? Questions tangled in her head as she gripped the back of the pew, her knuckles white.

  A part of her was missing, leaving in its place a gaping hole. She knew that much. The part she’d searched for her entire life, the part that had brought her to Miller’s Creek. But was God the answer?

  After what seemed like an eternity the song ended and church dismissed, her heart brick-heavy. She gathered her belongings with trembling hands.

  “You okay?” Steve grabbed one arm, drawing her gaze to his.

  “Yeah.” She lowered her head and moved out of the pew. It wouldn’t do for him to see the tears lodged behind her eyes.

  “Why don’t you come over for lunch, Steve?”

  Dani jerked her head up at Mama Beth’s question. Why today? She needed time alone, time to process all that had just transpired.

  Steve nodded. “Thanks for the invite. I think I’ll take you up on that, so I can talk to Dani about the renovation plan. I’ll meet y’all there.”

  Within a few minutes, they all congregated in the kitchen. Mama Beth wrapped an apron around her waist. “Dani, why don’t you go up and get comfortable. Steve can help me get lunch started.”

  “Okay. It’ll just take me a second.”

  After changing into a t-shirt and pair of jeans, she hurried down the stairs, the dialogue between the other two immediately halting. She studied their faces. Why did she get the distinct impression she’d been the topic of conversation?

  Mama Beth stirred a pot on the stove, while Steve pulled plates from the cabinet and headed to the table. “Dani, do you mind me picking your brain for the renovation project?”

  “Pick away. What do you want to know?”

  “For starters, I want to know the best way to approach businesses for donations.”

  A car door slammed outside and Mama Beth snapped her head to attention. “Did y’all hear someone pull into the driveway?”

  Dani and Steve both shook their heads. A second car door slammed, and a car horn blasted. They moved to the front door in time to see a red Volkswagen speed off down the road.

  “What in the world is going on?” Mama Beth swung open the screen door, and Steve and Dani followed her into the front yard.

  On the opposite side of the road the tall grass stirred, followed by a tiny mew. Dani rushed out the front gate. A baby kitten! She knelt and scooped it into her hand, so small it fit perfectly into one palm. Mama Beth and Steve joined her.

  “Well, my goodness, that cat can’t be more than a few weeks old. Did they drop off a mama cat, too?” Mama Beth peered around Dani.

  “I don’t think so. What do we do?” She met Steve’s gentle gaze.

  “I’m not sure it will make it without the mother, Dani.” His words came out soft and concerned, and he reached to take the kitten from her. “A baby girl. Probably the runt of the litter. She looks healthy enough, but she needs a mama.”

  Dani reclaimed the kitten. “Well, we’ve got to do something. We can’t just leave this poor baby out here to die.” She turned toward Mama Beth. “Can I keep her? I promise to take care of her.”

  “Good heavens, how are you going to have the time to take care of a baby kitten? Have you even had a pet before?”

  She shook her head. “No, Mother and Father wouldn’t let me.” She knew her voice sounded desperate and whiny, but this cat needed her. Mama Beth’s hardened face didn’t offer much hope, so she turned to Steve.

  His eyes softened. “Y’all go back in and get lunch finished. Let me make a quick phone call.”

  As they trekked toward the house, Mama Beth eyed the kitten with disdain. “I can’t believe I’m going to let you keep that thing in my house. I’d suggest you not get too attached. There’s every chance in the world that cat won’t last a week.” She bustled up the porch steps. “You stay out here. I’ll call you when lunch is ready. Maybe by then, I’ll figure out something for you to keep that cat in.”

  “Thank you, Mama Beth.”

  Her aunt swiveled, and a soft smile touched her face. “You’re welcome.”

  Dani stepped around the corner to the side porch and positioned herself on the swing, cooing to the kitten. She studied the small creature, pristine white except for black spots, and a wave of compassion rolled over her. “I know exactly how you feel, kitty.” Abandoned and unwanted. “It hurts when no one wants you, but you’re going to make it. I promise to take good care of you. I don’t know much about being a mama, but I’ll do the best I can.”

  In her peripheral vision she glimpsed movement, and twisted her head to see Steve standing nearby, his cell phone to his ear. How had he come up on the porch without her hearing him? And how much had he heard?

  A strange expression flitted across his face as he eyed her and the kitten. “Hey Doc, I’m at Mama Beth’s, and we found an abandoned kitten, probably only two weeks old. Do you have anything we could feed it? You do? Good. I’ll be out later to get it.” He stopped talking, his profile one of concentration as he listened.

  Her heart filled to overflowing. How considerate of him to make this effort for the kitten and for her. She puzzled once more over the incongruity in his behavior. One day he made her madder than a mother bear ready to take a swipe at his head, and the next he pulled something like this.

  “That’ll be great. I’ll be waiting. Thanks.” Steve flipped the phone shut and smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

  “Well, what did he say?”

  “Doc has a powdered milk formula made especially for abandoned kittens and puppies. He was already on his way into town, so he’s going to swing by the clinic then come by here to drop some off.”

  She raised the kitten close to her face. “Did you hear that, little bit of kitty? We’re going to get you some food here shortly.” The kitten blinked as if she understood every word.

  Steve lounged next to her on the swing and reached for the kitten, enclosing her hands in his before she released the small animal. He sat the kitten on his chest, and she clawed her way to his shoulder. “I think you just came up with a great name for this cat.”

  Dani moved her head to one side. “What’s that?”

  “Little Bit.”

  “Lunch is ready!” Mama Beth called out the words from inside the house.

  Steve handed the kitten back to her with a grin. “The general’s calling.”

  She cradled Little Bit in the crook of her arm as they made their way into the house.

  “Happy Birthday!” Her aunt’s face shone as they entered the kitchen.

  A birthday cake aglow with candles sat on the table. The moisture in Dani’s eyes made the flickering light glow especially bright. Someone had remembered after all. “When did you have time to make a cake?”

  A proud gleam covered Mama Beth’s face. “Early this morning while you were still asleep.”

  Dani passed the cat off to Steve then enveloped her aunt in a hug. “This is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me, Mama Beth. Thank you. How’d you know today was my birthday?”

  Her aunt pulled back, a quizzical look
on her face. “Well, shouldn’t I know my own niece’s birthday?”

  “Of course, I just didn’t know if anyone would remember.” Mother always thought of it a few days late, like an unnecessary addendum to her social calendar. Would she remember this year, or was she intentionally punishing her for moving to Miller’s Creek?

  Steve leaned close, stroking the cat’s head. “Happy birthday.”

  Surprising heat rushed to her cheeks, and she ducked her head. “Thanks.”

  Mama Beth snatched a package from the table. “Blow out the candles so you can open your presents.”

  Dani obliged while the other two sang. When she raised her eyes to their smiling faces, she had to blink back the sudden sting of tears. Mama Beth handed her a gift.

  “You didn’t have to get me a present.”

  “I most certainly did. Go ahead. Open it.”

  She moved to the window seat and ripped into the package, glancing up at the other two with excitement. Steve put the kitten down on the table and plunked down beside her as she uncovered a Bible with her name engraved in gold. She stiffened, unsure of what to say. "Thanks Mama Beth. It's beautiful."

  “I wrote you a note on the inside cover. Open it.”

  Dani followed her invitation and read out loud. “To Dani, with all my love. This book will help you find what you’re seeking. I love you. Mama Beth.” She choked out the words then turned a watery gaze to her aunt. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you just doesn’t seem like enough.”

  Her aunt stooped to give her a quick hug. “It’s more than enough. Here’s another present.” She handed Dani a larger box. “This one is from Steve.”

  She turned a questioning gaze toward him. He’d bought her a gift? Why? And when had he found the time with his hectic schedule?

  “Mama Beth helped with the size. Hope you like it.”

  The older woman rested a hand on his shoulder. “Steve picked up the Bible for me since I couldn’t get out of the house.”