Texas Roads (A Miller's Creek Novel)

by Bryant, Cathy

  baby the life it deserves. I belong in Miller’s Creek, and without

  a father this child would be an outcast. I’ll never be able to

  provide the advantages this precious baby deserves. This is the

  best thing I can do for my baby, but it breaks my heart.

  Fresh tears overflowed and Dani grieved. Grieved for her lost childhood, the children she’d never bear, and for the sacrifice her aunt had made on behalf of her nameless child. The baby clothes in the trunk, never worn, made for a baby she’d never know. No wonder she often seemed far away, in another time and place.

  She released a shuddering breath and closed her eyes. Teardrops squeezed out and slipped down her face. This new information made the decision to move back to Dallas even more difficult, but leaving Miller’s Creek was the right call. With her tumor gone, Mama Beth could resume a normal life, perhaps with the man she’d loved her entire life. The last thing her aunt needed right now was an unwelcomed guest or an unwanted burden.

  Closing the book, she padded to the attic to return the journal to its rightful place, then hurried downstairs, an hour late for one last task.

  ~~o~~

  From atop an aluminum ladder, Dani rolled paint onto the walls of the last building scheduled for renovation. She had hoped the physical labor would provide a welcome respite from her tortured thoughts, but staying focused proved impossible. Thanks to the old journal, her insides tangled in tight knots.

  To make matters worse, Steve was here, bringing with him the familiar turmoil. Why did relationships have to be impossibly complicated? She tightened her lips. Not that it mattered. She’d soon be gone.

  J. C. stood back to survey their work. “Lookin’ good, fellas. I’m glad the last old lady is getting fixed up.”

  “Yeah, and the building, too.” Coot blared the comment then dissolved into wheezing laughter.

  Dani smiled in spite of the dark cloud hovering over her spirit. The old geezers and Steve continued to jabber like a bunch of crows. Their jokes and laughter bounced off the cream-colored walls and into her heart. Already she missed their camaraderie.

  She scanned the room, her arm at rest on the top rung, the smell of fresh paint saturating the air. They’d done a good job of repairing and cleaning the building. A new tin ceiling gleamed above her head. Once they finished painting, the oak floors would be stripped and refinished like the other buildings in downtown Miller’s Creek. Only a handful of unoccupied stores remained, the others now filled with various new businesses, including a florist, boutique and an old-time general store. With Granny’s Kitchen and Creekside Park rebuilt, the last vestiges of the fire had been erased.

  In spite of the ache in her heart, she had no regrets. She hoped the improvements would make a difference for the town’s people. Advertising and promotional work still loomed ahead, and had she stayed, she would’ve gladly taken on the task. But someone else would have the responsibility and honor now, her time in Miller’s Creek finished.

  Her ladder jostled and rattled, sending her heart into panic mode. She grabbed hold with both hands, glancing toward the floor. Steve grinned back, a shock of his dark hair belligerently refusing its normal confines. She returned a weak smile and resumed painting, her thoughts confused. He’d ignored her for weeks, and today—of all days—he wanted to play?

  Steve positioned his ladder next to hers and scaled it until he stood beside her, his expression and words friendlier than they’d been in a long time. “Looks like you’re having trouble reaching the high spots.”

  She kept painting, her gaze trained on the wall. “Yeah, even with the roller extension, my arms aren’t quite long enough for these high ceilings.”

  “Tell you what. I’ll take care of the places you can’t reach, okay?”

  Dani nodded, but no, it wasn’t okay. She didn’t want him that close. Didn’t want his stare fixed on her. Under the ruse of getting more paint on the roller, she descended the ladder then stayed on the floor, away from his probing gaze.

  An hour later, Steve sauntered toward her, his once-white T-shirt speckled with flecks of beige paint. “I’m going to Granny’s for burgers. You want one?”

  “Yes, please. Thanks.”

  “Let’s see if I remember. You like mustard, all the fixings, and no cheese, right?”

  Her throat burned. “Very good.” She tried to keep her voice light.

  “I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He hesitated, his brows knit together in the middle. “You okay?”

  “Just tired.”

  His cinnamon eyes sparked hope. “It’s almost over.”

  “Yep.” As if she needed a reminder.

  Steve touched her arm gently, drawing her eyes to his face once more. “Thanks for all you’ve done to make this possible, Dani. You’ve worked hard on this project and I appreciate it.” His words were soft and sincere.

  Tears threatened and she turned away, pretending she had a speck of dust in her eye. “No big deal. Now would you go after those burgers before I starve to death?” Pent-up emotion wobbled her words.

  He laughed, loud and hearty, the sound and his dimpled grin slashing through her. “Okay, grouchy. I’ll sure be glad when this is over so you can catch up on your sleep.”

  Without further comment, he ambled out the door with a cheery whistle, taking her heart with him.

  Not two minutes after he left, overwhelming nausea descended and she pressed a hand to her abdomen. Her head hammered furiously, and her mouth watered, but not in a good way. A short time before she’d felt fine, but now feared losing the meager contents of her stomach, probably a combination of no breakfast and paint fumes. She snatched her purse from the work table and pulled out a ten dollar bill. That should cover lunch. With a quick word of explanation to J. C. she left for home.

  A few minutes later Dani pulled under the carport, her head feeling like someone had buried a hatchet in her skull. As she entered the back door, raised voices spewed from the living room and stopped her cold.

  “Cecille, you have to believe me. I haven’t told Dani anything—” Mama Beth’s words sounded strained. What was she talking about?

  “Don’t give me more lies, Beth.” The hostility in Mother’s tone produced chills throughout her body. “You must have told her something or she wouldn’t have stayed in Miller’s Creek this long. I want the truth and I want it now!”

  Mama Beth spoke again, and behind the words Dani heard tears. “I made you a promise thirty-five years ago and I’ve kept it. I kept it even when I wanted to tell her the truth. She deserves to know—”

  What promise?

  “Oh, please. I’m sick of your Little Miss Innocent act. If people only knew the truth about you.”

  Dani’s anguish built and pounded against her already throbbing temples. Her stomach lurched, and the room began spinning. Mama Beth needed her help. She gripped the cool stone counter, bent at the waist, and prayed for the dizziness to end.

  Mother’s harsh tirade continued. “I never believed your story. Not for one minute. It was all just an act to protect your precious reputation, wasn’t it?”

  “That’s not true. How could you say something so cruel?”

  Dani pressed a hand to her spinning head, her vision blurring as Mama Beth sobbed.

  “If I find out that Dani knows you’re her mother—”

  A roar rumbled in her ears and drowned out the rest of the words. Mama Beth? Her mother? Stormy waves of pain surged, threatening to drown her in their undertow. More betrayal at the hands of those she loved. Why hadn’t they told her the truth?

  The bitter contents of her stomach rose to her mouth and she raised shaky fingers to halt its progress. She needed to escape, and time to think. A voiceless word exploded in her head. Run.

  Shivering uncontrollably, she attempted to leave the rotating confines of the kitchen, but as she pivoted a glass on the counter toppled, crashed to the floor, and shattered into a million tiny shards. The room spun out of control again,
and Dani grabbed one of the pine stools at the island to steady herself.

  Mama Beth and Mother scurried into the room.

  “Dani.” Mother’s ashen face registered shock and fear.

  “Are you okay?” Mama Beth came toward her, cheeks wet, eyes full of sorrow and concern. She laid a hand on her arm. “Let me help you.”

  Dani yanked her arm away and lifted a trembling hand. “Stop, I . . .” Body-racking sobs tore from somewhere deep inside, a keening wail. “I—I’ve heard all I want to hear.”

  Wild panic swirled through her. She needed out. Now. She backed toward the door, twisted the knob, and stumbled down the back steps. Five minutes later she left the Miller’s Creek city limit sign in her rear-view mirror.

  ~~o~~

  Steve leaned against a wall in the newly renovated Granny’s Kitchen, waiting for the burgers, when his cell phone rang. He flipped it open and brought it to his ear. “Hello?”

  “This is Mike Brady.”

  “Hey, Mike, glad you called. I’ve been meaning to let you know. I decided to call off the investigation.” He glanced around to make sure no one was listening. “Just let me know how much I owe you.”

  “That’s actually why I called. I uncovered some information you might be interested in. Want to discuss it sometime this afternoon?”

  Steve pursed his lips. What information? It wouldn’t hurt to at least listen to what the man had to say. “Okay. Twelve-thirty work for you?”

  A minute later he hung up the phone, uneasiness hanging over him like a buzzard. He’d finally get some answers, but at what cost? The sizzle and smell of fresh burgers on the grill momentarily distracted him, and then his thoughts turned to Dani. Maybe over lunch they could find a quiet spot near the creek to talk.

  She’d kept a healthy distance between them all day, quiet and withdrawn. Gray shadows of fatigue parked beneath her eyes and her mouth tilted down at the corners. When was the last time he’d seen her smile? He clenched his jaw. This was his fault. If he lost her he had no one to blame but himself. He had to find a way to mend fences, and better yet, a way to tear them down. A smirk landed on his face. Knowing Dani, that wouldn’t be easy.

  Above the normal restaurant babble, he heard her name mentioned at a nearby table. “Otis thinks Dani is the one behind the vandalism. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if Mama Beth didn’t throw her out.”

  Otis and his thoughtless words. Sudden remorse rained down on him, seeping into his spirit. He’d questioned her behavior too, declaring her guilty until proven innocent. Steve rubbed a hand across his face, his mouth dry. No wonder she seemed withdrawn and sad. She’d worked as hard as any of them, maybe harder, and people treated her worse than an outsider. The thought soured his stomach.

  One of the Grannies plunked four white sacks on the counter and rang up the total. He paid, grabbed the sacks, and headed to the door, his mind racing. On one hand, Dani’s behavior had been suspicious. But he and the rest of the town had made the situation worse by their judgmental attitudes. Why hadn’t he just gone to her and asked instead of harboring doubt?

  Now it might be too late. What were her plans once the work was finished? His chest tightened. No one had given her a reason to stay, but they’d all given her plenty of reason to leave. He quickened his pace and lengthened his stride, reaching the building a short fifteen minutes after he left.

  Dani was already gone.

  ~~o~~

  Shoulders heavy, Mama Beth collapsed in a chair at the kitchen table, her soul troubled by all that had transpired. She’d prayed for years for Dani to know the truth—even allowed herself to dream about it—but never could she have imagined it would be like this, as if the very air she breathed disappeared with Dani. There was nothing she could do but pray. Tears sliding down her face, she bowed her head. Lord, watch over Dani. Be near her and turn her to You. If it be Your will, bring her back home.

  Cecille paced the kitchen, her shoes clicking against the wooden floors, her face twisted with emotion. Clearly she loved Dani, but based on what she’d seen, their relationship was in serious trouble.

  A patch of sunlight fell across the table, bringing with it a bittersweet joy. God specialized in hopeless situations, and if ever a situation seemed hopeless, this was it. Mama Beth hauled herself to a standing position, feeling old beyond her years, and headed to the living room.

  “Where are you going?” Her sister’s voice shook, her eyes rounded with pain.

  “To call Steve and let him know what’s happened. He might know what to do or where to find her.”

  Wavy lines creased Cecille’s forehead. “Don’t you think she’ll come back after she’s had a chance to cool off?”

  Mama Beth considered the question, remembering Dani’s dazed expression. She glanced down at the furry kitten Dani had so carefully tended the past several weeks. No, she wouldn’t be coming back, at least not for a long time. And maybe not ever.

  ~~o~~

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  Finding Home

  Words scattered like a covey of quail at the crack of a shotgun. Dani financed the whole project? Steve sensed the truth before the question finished reverberating in his brain. Dumbfounded and slack-jawed, he sat at his cluttered desk grappling with the news Mike Brady had just announced. He blinked hard and scratched his head. Why had she kept her involvement a secret, especially once the entire town turned against her?

  “There’s more.” Brady spoke in a drawling monotone, a western-style robot delivering factoids.

  “Go on.”

  “For the past month, Mrs. Davis has been involved in a battle for control of her father’s company. That’s why the construction team pulled out of the park when they did. They worked for the company. The last crew was paid for by foundation funds, which of course she provided.” He stroked his handlebar moustache. “Seems like the woman has plenty of money and plenty of trouble to go along with it.”

  The detective’s words slammed into him, and the thought of her solitary struggle minced his heart in fine pieces. Questions continued to tumble inside like cement in a mixer. He needed to apologize and quick. But could she ever forgive him?

  Brady cleared his throat. “There’s something else that might be of interest to you.”

  More? Steve leaned forward. “What’s that?”

  “She’s adopted.”

  Air dammed up in his throat. No way. She looked too much like Cecille and Mama Beth. “That’s not possible.”

  “It’s the truth.”

  He let the news sink in, compassion for Dani welling inside, then rose and stretched a hand toward the detective. “Thanks for all your work, Mike.” He patted the bill in the front pocket of his shirt. “I’ll get a check in the mail to you right away. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have somewhere I need to be.”

  Steve escorted him to the door then re-entered the office to grab his things. J.C. had mentioned that Dani left because she hadn’t felt well. He’d make a quick run to Mama Beth’s to make sure she was all right. Just as he reached the door the phone rang. Muttering under his breath he returned to the desk and grabbed the phone. “City Hall, Steve speaking.”

  “I’m so glad I caught you.” Trish’s urgent tone captured his full attention. “Dad fell off a ladder. I’m following the ambulance to Morganville.”

  “I’m on my way.”

  As he reached the door a second time the phone rang again. This time he let it ring.

  ~~o~~

  She’d already left? The air whooshed from him like someone had punctured a lung, his knees buckling beneath him. “What do you mean, she’s gone?” He stared into Mama Beth’s tear-filled eyes. “When?”

  “About one this afternoon. I tried to call.”

  Still stunned, he attempted to quell his shock with a slow breath. “Dad fell off a ladder. I was at the hospital with him, or I’d have been here sooner.”

  Her eyes rounded until worried brows pushed them down. “Is he okay?”

  “
A little bruised, but other than that he’s fine. He’s at home resting. Why did she leave?”

  Mama Beth struggled to speak. “She overheard a fight between me and Cecille. Things she shouldn’t have learned that way. Oh Steve, if you could have seen her.” She buried her head in her hands, gut-wrenching sobs filling the room.

  He hugged her, his heart heavy. Where would she have gone?

  The creek.

  With renewed hope, he placed his hands on Mama Beth’s shoulders and peered in her eyes. “I’m going to check a couple of places, but I’ll be back.”

  Steve sprinted to his truck then tore out of the driveway, his mind reeling. This couldn’t be happening. Life without her would be so empty. The thought sent jolts of disappointment and fear coursing through him, and he pressed the accelerator to the floor and raced to the park. He screeched to a stop in the parking lot, shining the truck headlights in the direction of the creek. She wasn’t here. Only one other place she might be, but only if she hadn’t already left town.

  As he whipped the pickup in reverse, his headlights revealed a lone figure on the sidewalk skulking into the shadows of the store awning. The person shrank back further into the darkness as he passed. Herman Talley? Why would he be in downtown Miller’s Creek this time of night? He lived in Morganville. Steve thought back to the last time he’d seen the man. He’d been none too happy that another contractor had been hired to take care of repairing the mortar on the buildings.

  Motive. Could Herman Talley be the vandal? The arsonist? Though protecting Miller’s Creek mattered, finding Dani mattered more. He sped down the country road and punched Ernie’s number.

  “Sorry to bother you, Ern, but I just saw someone downtown that you need to check out.” He relayed the details of what he’d seen. “Oh, and if you see Dani would you let me know?”

  By the time Steve reached the pasture gate it was almost too dark to see. He rolled down the window to get a closer look. A late summer rain from two days earlier had muddied the area and left an earthy scent in the air. His pulse beat faster at what he saw. Fresh car tracks pressed down the grass. Someone was here. Or had been.