by Linda Warren
“Angie...”
“Have you told your father or Olivia about your daughter?”
“I haven’t had time.”
“Until you tell them, until you’re prepared to welcome her into your life, you’re not telling her. She’s still healing. She needs time.”
“Don’t you mean you need time?”
There was a long pause. “You used to not be so pigheaded.”
“And you were sweet and honest,” he countered and watched the color flood her face. Back then it had been easy to make her blush. Maybe some things just never changed. “Angie, I want her to know I’m her father.” His voice softened when he saw the look in her eyes.
“Okay, but we need to talk first.”
“About what? Haven’t we covered it all?”
“No. We haven’t talked about anything but her well-being. We need to talk about what happens after we tell her.”
“Okay. Let’s talk.”
“I’m too tired to get into it now.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Peyton and Jody are coming over in the morning, and we’ll have some time then.”
“What about your family? There’s no privacy when they’re around.”
“Tomorrow, Hardy. I’ll take care of the rest.”
His eyes narrowed as he caught something in her voice. “I’m not walking away, Angie. If that’s what you think you can convince me to do, then forget it.”
She held a hand to her head. “It’s not that. Please, I’m getting a tremendous headache. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She closed the door before he could say another word.
He went down the steps, feeling as if they’d made some progress. In a few days, he had become smitten with his daughter. The connection was strong, and he wanted it to be stronger. But he knew the truth could work against him. Erin may resent him, and he didn’t know how he would handle that. It was a risk he had to take because there were no other options. Ten years was too long to be without his child.
* * *
THE NEXT MORNING Angie was up early and helped Erin to dress. The whole family showed up before they finished breakfast. They were headed for work and wanted to check in on Erin. She blossomed under their attention.
“I know you’re supposed to be on vacation, and we agreed to do the payroll—” AnaMarie placed a plate of tea cakes and kolaches in front of Erin “—but I have a ton of orders to get out by Saturday afternoon, and I need to be in the kitchen. Do you think you could do the payroll?”
Angie hadn’t even thought of her job in the past few days. Her only thoughts had been of Erin and Hardy.
“Yeah, sis.” Bubba stole a tea cake. “I have to pick up a car in Killeen, and I’m hopeless with numbers.”
Angie sighed. “What would y’all do if I was in Florida?”
“Don’t worry about my payroll,” her dad spoke up. “I can at least write a check, unlike my son and daughter.”
With everything crowding in on her, she didn’t know how she would get everything done, but it would probably be better to deal with it now instead of trying to straighten out their errors later. “The checks might be late, but I’ll have them ready by the afternoon. Just have the hours ready. I don’t want to have to chase you down to get those.”
“Don’t put your sister through any extra stress,” Doris said. “She has her hands full taking care of Erin.”
“We know.” Patsy made a face. “We’re not idiots.”
Doris let that slide with a small smile at Angie. She cupped Erin’s face and kissed her. “I’m so glad my grandbaby’s okay. I’m going to the church to help with a fund-raiser, so I’ll light a candle and say a special prayer for you.”
“Thanks, Grandma,” Erin mumbled around a mouthful of tea cake.
Angie breathed a sigh of relief as everyone left. But it was only the beginning of the long day. Peyton and Jody soon arrived, and Angie set the girls up in the living room watching movies. The two were whispering and giggling as she and Peyton went into the kitchen.
The TV was turned up loud, so Angie knew the girls couldn’t hear them. “I have to tell you something. I’m about to burst.”
Peyton poured a cup of coffee and sat at the table. “What is it? You look stressed.”
Angie sank into a chair. “You wouldn’t believe me.”
“Try me.”
Angie fiddled with her cup, hating to tell her friend about her past, but if she could tell anyone, she could tell Peyton. “My ex is not Erin’s father.”
“Mmm.” Peyton lifted a finely arched eyebrow. “And Hardy is.”
Angie gasped. “How do you know that?”
“Hardy told Wyatt, and we don’t keep secrets from each other.”
Angie was stunned that Hardy had told someone. “When did Hardy do this?”
“Right after you told him. He got drunk and was parked at the courthouse, drinking straight Jack Daniel’s. Wyatt sobered him up, and they talked.”
Angie ran her hands over her face, not knowing what to say. At this point she felt like scum at the bottom of a pond.
“Why haven’t you ever told me?” Peyton asked.
“I don’t know. It’s just something not easy to share, and it happened before you came to Horseshoe. And maybe because I wanted you to believe I was that sweet, innocent young girl you thought I was.”
“I still do, but I’m finding it a little hard to picture you and Hardy.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know.” Peyton grew thoughtful. “I guess I see you as a hometown girl with hometown values and Hardy as an uptown man with big dreams. Does that make sense?”
“Yeah.” Angie twisted her hands around her coffee cup. She knew exactly what her friend meant. She wasn’t Hardy’s type. It had been obvious eleven years ago, and it was even more so today.
Peyton took a pinch of an apple kolache and popped it into her mouth. “These things are addictive, and I just got my weight back to what it was before J.W. was born.”
“Please.” Angie rolled her eyes.
Peyton took another pinch. “Have you ever worked in the kitchen at the bakery?”
“Heavens, no. I worked there since I was about twelve, but the baking is always left to the older ladies with the guarded secret recipe. Grandma Ruby has it in a safe-deposit box.”
“Who had the original?”
“My great-great-grandfather married a Czech woman, and she started the bakery many years ago. But, ironically, it’s been handed down through the sons. A wife has always taken over the bakery. But now AnaMarie will probably be the first Wiznowski woman to take over.”
Peyton picked up the kolache and took a big bite. “Whatever the recipe is, it’s delicious.” She got up to refill her coffee cup and leaned against the counter. “So how did you and Hardy hook up?”
Angie arched an eyebrow. “I love the way you slipped that in there.”
Peyton resumed her seat. “Spill the beans. I’m dying of curiosity.”
Angie shrugged. “It’s not much to tell. I was a friend of his sister, Rachel. Everyone was Rachel’s friend. She was very popular. Then her mother was killed and she became very reclusive and standoffish.”
“Wyatt told me about the shooting. How sad.”
“It was. Rachel struggled for a long time. Most of her friends just gave up trying to reach her.”
“But you hung in there?”
“Yeah. I became her only friend. When summer came, I’d work at the bakery and then go to her house because she kept calling. It was a pattern that summer. Hardy was finishing up law school and was home a lot. He finally moved home from his apartment in Austin, and he was there all the time. We spent most of our time trying to cheer up Rachel. We played games, watched movies and swam in their pool. It was...”
“What?”
“The best time of my life.” As she said the words, she realized it had been the summer she’d fallen in love. Hardy had paid attention to her and made her feel special. For a young Angie that h
ad been a big turn-on and...She pushed the thought away. “Rachel was an artist and spent most of her time drawing or painting on an easel. Hardy and I cooked in the kitchen, picked out movies and swam a lot in the pool. I knew I was younger and not his type, but it didn’t change the way I started to feel about him. And he...he made me feel beautiful. I never felt like that before.”
“Angie, you’re the most beautiful person I know.”
She glanced at her friend. “On the inside. People tell me that all the time.”
“Angie, that’s not true.”
“Yes, it is. I’ve never been a raving beauty, but that summer I was beautiful. Every woman needs to feel beautiful at least once in their lifetime.”
“Now you’re making me sad.”
“Don’t be. It doesn’t bother me that I’m not a knockout hottie. I’m comfortable with who I am.”
“You should be. I’ve never had a better friend than you and, for the record, I think you’re beautiful—on the outside.” Peyton slid the rest of the kolache into her mouth. “So the relationship became intimate?”
She told her about the night of the party. “I thought I loved him and nothing else mattered. Not my upbringing. Not my faith. Not my family. Just love like I wanted it to be in my fantasy. Color me naive.”
“Do you still love him?”
Angie gave a fake laugh. “I don’t know what love is anymore. When I look in Erin’s eyes, I see love so pure and innocent. I see the future and happiness. Other than that, I’ve closed myself off to the yearnings of my heart.”
“That’s not healthy.”
“I know.” She brushed a crumb from the table. “Hardy’s coming over, and we have to discuss Erin and the future. Do you mind watching the girls while I talk to him in private?”
“Of course not.”
“I...I have to tell Erin today, too, and I don’t know how I’m going to do that.”
Peyton got up and hugged her. “I’ll be here if you need anything. Gramma Mae has the little tornado so I’m good for a few hours. Anything you want me to do?”
Angie looked up and tried to smile. “Would you mind telling my family about Hardy?”
Peyton shook her head. “No way in hell. I’m your friend, but I’m not stepping into that maze of total confusion and insanity. Sorry.”
“Gee. You said anything.”
“All I can say is you’d better have a lot of rosary beads around when you tell your mother.”
“I don’t think there’s enough in the world that could open her rigid heart. She might even make me wear a scarlet letter.”
Peyton resumed her seat. “Angie Wiznowski, the fallen woman. Oh, my, how will you live that down in this small town?”
“With a lot of prayer.”
“Mmm. Everyone in Horseshoe likes you and Erin, and the gossip may fly for a few days, but I believe everyone is going to see this as a love story.”
Angie suppressed a laugh. “How much coffee have you had this morning?”
“Enough.” Peyton pushed the plate of kolaches away. “What can I say? I’m a romantic.”
“I was, too. Once.” Angie glanced at the kitchen clock and got to her feet. “I’ll call Hardy. It shouldn’t take him long to get here. I’ll talk with him in the backyard. Just keep Erin occupied.”
“No problem. I’m good at keeping kids occupied.” Peyton winked. “Please smile or something. It’s not the end of the world. I promise.”
Angie took her cup to the sink. Peyton saw the world through rose-colored glasses, and Angie was more of a realist. Today just might be the end of her world.
* * *
HARDY DRESSED AND headed for the kitchen with a spring in his step. He was going to see his daughter. That filled him with an incredible joy, a joy he’d never thought he would feel. Everything was brighter and clearer, and he couldn’t wait to get to Angie’s. They still had problems, but he wasn’t so angry anymore. There was a little girl who brought sunshine into his hectic life. How could he be angry?
His dad, Mavis and Harvey were in the kitchen. He was hoping to avoid them, but he was caught.
“’Bout time you got up,” his dad said. “It’s almost eight o’clock. Don’t you have to be at the courthouse?”
Hardy poured a cup of coffee. “I’ve taken a few days off.”
“Why? You cleared up everything with hitting that little girl, didn’t you?”
“Yes, Dad. I can take care of my own life, thank you.”
“Taking a few days off doesn’t sound like you’re taking care of business. It seems personal, and personal will always get you in trouble. You have to keep your eye on Judge Wexler’s seat. The man has to be replaced at next year’s election. He’s too lenient with criminals. I don’t know how many times I have to tell you this.”
Hardy took a sip of coffee to calm himself. “Let’s make this the last time, then, because I’m tired of hearing it.”
“Don’t get smart with me. I’m thinking of your future.”
Hardy stared directly at his father. “Why? I’m thirty-four years old, and I can handle my future. Alone, without any help or pressure from you. I love you, Dad, but please give me my space.”
Hardison threw up his hands. “Fine. Have you talked to Olivia this morning?”
“No, but we spoke last night. She’s busy with a trial, and I’ll see her this weekend.” He had to find a way to tell Olivia about Erin. She wasn’t going to be pleased, but he hoped at least she’d be happy for him. They’d had their ups and downs over the past year and a ten-year-old child was not in their plans. She’d adjust, as he was.
“I don’t know about this long-distance relationship, but I know Olivia is good for you and your career.” The judge got to his feet. “I’m going into Austin for a day or two. I’ll stay at the club. Hector and Palo have gone to Mexico to visit family, and Harvey could probably use your help around the ranch.”
“Now, Judge, I don’t need any help,” Harvey said.
His father had a one-track mind, and everything had to be done his way. Hardy had dealt with that attitude since he was a kid. Maybe it was time for him to find his own place. He’d certainly want to make a home for Erin so he could spend some time with her.
Going to a club was his dad’s way of saying he was seeing his lady friend. But to be fair, he did belong to a private men’s club and he spent a lot of time there playing golf and cards. It was his way of dealing with stress.
“Sorry, Dad, but I have other plans today.”
“Like what?”
“I plan to spend some time with Erin.”
His dad frowned. “Who’s Erin?”
My daughter, he wanted to say. But instead he said, “The little girl I hit.”
“Haven’t you done enough damage control there?”
“Not nearly enough.” He headed for the door. “I’ll catch you later.”
“Don’t you want breakfast?” Mavis called.
“Thanks. I’m good.”
In minutes he was on his way to Angie’s. This could be the day. No. This had to be the day Angie told Erin about him. He had to be prepared for Erin’s reaction.
* * *
ANGIE PACED IN the backyard. A privacy fence enclosed it, and it was the only place they wouldn’t be disturbed. The fence had been a big selling point to the house. Erin would have a big yard to play in. The large oaks were another plus.
The cowbells, petunias and zinnias were in bloom. The Knock Out Roses against the fence were about to burst forth with color. She had worked for weeks so the yard would be perfect for Erin’s birthday. The shrubs were trimmed and not a weed dared to poke its head up in her flower beds.
The trampoline had been Erin’s birthday gift last year. The swing set Erin had gotten when she was five. Bubba had also hung a rope swing on a branch of a big oak. Angie had added the barbecue pit, picnic table and chairs to the patio soon after she’d bought the house. It was all familiar to her, and it would be easier to talk in this surroun
ding.
The side gate opened, and Hardy walked toward her. The concern on his handsome face was a warning this wasn’t going to be an easy conversation. He wore jeans, boots and a long-sleeved white shirt. He had an easy way of moving that denoted strength and confidence. His lean body was well toned from exercise. She often saw him running around Horseshoe before he started his day.
It was the beginning of June, and the weather was getting warmer. A natural heat bathed her face. She wanted to look away from him, but she had to admit she was as attracted to him as she’d always been. But now she could control her feelings and not dream stupid dreams.
“How’s Erin?” he asked.
“She’s fine. She’s watching movies with Jody.”
“I saw Peyton’s Suburban out front.” He stepped onto the patio and sat at the redwood table. “If you’re planning to talk me out of telling Erin, you’re wasting your time.”
She took a seat across from him because her legs were shaky. “I’d like to know your plans concerning Erin.”
He frowned. “What do you mean?”
“You have a girlfriend. I’d like to know how Erin will fit into your life. Erin’s happiness is my main concern.”
“To tell you the truth, I haven’t had time to think about it.”
“Have you told Olivia? I believe that’s her name.”
He rubbed his hand across the surface of the table. “No.”
“Why not?”
“This has hit me out of the blue, and I’m more focused on forming a connection to my daughter than anything else.”
She had to say the words she hadn’t said the night she’d told him. She took a deep breath. “I apologize for never telling you about Erin. I know it doesn’t mean much now, but at the time I did the best that I could.”
He shifted uneasily in the chair. She would’ve sworn he would never apologize, but he said, “And I apologize for not getting in touch after that night.”
His sincere words opened a floodgate of questions. “Why didn’t you? Why wouldn’t you call to see how I was? Maybe you’ve had a lot of nights like that. I’m sorry if I sound naive, but we had a fun summer and I couldn’t imagine why you would just suddenly push me out of your life. I never expected anything from you.”