by Linda Warren
Her eyes never wavered from his. All she wanted was an honest answer.
He looked off to the oak tree shading the swing set. “It was a summer I’ll never forget for more than one reason. Rachel and I were both struggling with our mother’s sudden death. You helped us to talk about her, and the more we talked, the more the pain lessened. I was grateful to you for so many things.”
“Please don’t tell me it was gratitude sex, because I’m not going to believe that on any day of the week. I’m not that naive.”
He threw up his hands. “What do you want from me, Angie?”
“I want you to be honest.”
He stood up, brimming with restless energy. “I have a lot going on in my life at the moment. I’m planning to run for my dad’s old judge seat. Olivia is handling getting my name out to the voters. I’ll be attending a lot of meetings, dinners and rallies, but I still want to be part of my daughter’s life. I intend to be part of my daughter’s life.”
“I want to make this clear—for now Erin stays here. I don’t want Erin thrown into a political campaign, and I don’t want her thrown into a tug-of-war between us. This is her home, and until she adjusts to having a father, that’s the way it will be.”
“You don’t get to make the rules, Angie.”
She got to her feet, new energy surging through her. When it came to Erin, she would fight him tooth and nail. “I make the rules concerning my daughter. Get used to it, Hardy, because that’s the way it’s going to be.”
His eyes darkened. “I could fight you for custody.”
She stared him straight in the eye. “Really? You care so much for your daughter that you would put her through that?”
“You’re making me say things I don’t mean. I would never hurt Erin.”
“But you would love to hurt me, wouldn’t you?”
His angry eyes caught hers. “I still don’t understand why you couldn’t have found some way to get in touch with me.”
“And I don’t understand why you couldn’t have taken five minutes to talk to me or even call after that summer. You made me feel like an inconvenience you wanted to forget.”
“It wasn’t that, and you know it.”
“No, I don’t, because you’re not being honest. Did you think I wanted something from you? Like renewing our relationship?” The flash of guilt in his eyes said it all. “It was.”
He looked at her then. “Yes. That summer was also a painful time as I put the memories of my mother to rest. Every time I saw you, I thought I didn’t want to go back there. I didn’t want to relive that. I’d just rather go on with my life.”
She’d wanted him to be honest, and, oh, he was honest with a vengeance. She wanted to ignore the pain in her heart, but she hadn’t matured that much. It hurt like hell to be told she was nothing but a painful memory. Okay, she could handle this. She’d handled so much more.
“Thank you for being honest.” The words tasted like sawdust in her mouth.
“I’m sorry if that hurts.”
“Sure you are.” She hated she couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of her voice. “Let’s get back to what’s important. Erin.”
“I want you to tell her today.”
She started to object but knew she would only be doing so out of spite. She wouldn’t do that to Erin. Her daughter needed to know the truth. Damn, honesty was going to kill her.
She held up one finger. “First, you will see Erin here at her home. Second, you will gradually introduce her to your family at your discretion. As I pointed out earlier, I will not have her involved in a political campaign to further your career. She’s a little girl who only wants to know her father.”
“Agreed.”
“I will tell her sometime today when I feel the time is right. If I feel the first resistance that she’s not receptive, I will not tell her. The time has to be right.”
“Okay. We have a deal.” He held out his hand. She glanced at it and resisted the impulse to ignore him. That would make her look foolish, so she put her hand in his. His big hand clasped hers and memories swelled around her in bits and pieces like a beautiful forgotten song. He was always gentle, caring, and the strength of his hand made her very aware of that. She quickly pulled hers away.
“I hope we can still be friends,” he had the nerve to say.
She stared at him. “We’ve never been friends, not in the way that I count true friendship.”
He shrugged. “Angie, there doesn’t need to be tension between us.”
“There won’t be as long as you don’t hurt Erin. That’s my bottom line.” She turned and walked into the house with part of her pride intact. The rest of her pride had been shredded like newspaper for confetti. Tonight, when she was alone, she would shed tears over a romance that had only existed in a young girl’s head.
Chapter Seven
Before Angie turned away, Hardy saw the hurt in her eyes. At the sight, all the anger swooshed from him like air from a balloon. He tried to understand why he’d hurt her. It wasn’t intentional, but it sure felt like it.
* * *
PEYTON LEFT TO pick up J.W. and Jody stayed with Erin. They were engrossed in a movie. Angie sat at the kitchen table, and her mind went back to that night long ago.
She’d never had any kind of liquor or beer, and the spiked punch had had her reeling. Hardy was like her knight in shining armor coming to rescue her. He’d helped her into his bed and she’d wrapped his sheet around her and rested her head on his pillow. That manly, soapy scent she associated with him was all around her, and she’d drifted into blissful sleep.
When she’d awoken, he had been there and it had been like a dream come true. She’d been in love with him for so long, and it seemed natural to kiss him because in her heart she knew he felt the same way about her. The kiss was the most sensual experience of her life. She hadn’t thought; she’d just gone with her feelings. Touching his skin, his shoulders, his chest until they were skin on skin and the world was forgotten. It was only them in that moment.
It had been her first time. When she’d felt the pain, he had tried to draw away, but she wouldn’t let him. After that, there had been no turning back. It was an experience she would never forget because she’d given Hardy a part of herself that morning and he had given her the most precious gift of all: Erin.
Everything had been just like she’d dreamed. Hardy was all she’d ever wanted. Then he had moved from the bed, leaving her alone and vulnerable. She’d scooted up in bed, holding the sheet around her bare breasts and watching his troubled face.
“I’m sorry, Angie,” he’d said. “This should never have happened. God, I’m so sorry.”
“What for? I wanted it, too.”
“You’re so young you don’t know what you want.” She hadn’t missed the note of regret in his voice.
“I may be young, but I know how I feel about you.”
He’d rammed his hands through his disheveled hair. “Please don’t say you love me.”
“I do.”
He had shaken his head vigorously. “No, you don’t. It’s just a crush. That’s all, and I took advantage of it. I knew how you felt about me, and I should never have touched you.”
She’d bitten her lip to keep from crying. Everything she had believed about love had just been destroyed. She wasn’t someone special. She was just another girl to him. She’d wanted to hang her head and run until she couldn’t feel the pain anymore. Instead, she had crawled from the bed, grabbed her clothes and slipped into them as quickly as she could.
Her hands had shaken while her stomach heaved.
“Angie, please, I’m not trying to hurt you.”
“Doesn’t matter,” she’d mumbled, slipping into her sandals.
“This was a mistake. Can’t you see that?”
She’d stood up straight and stared at him with more courage than she’d been feeling. “I’m sorry I’m not up on the proper etiquette for affairs or one-night stands.” Gathering every ounce of her pri
de, she had marched out of the room and left behind both the man she’d loved with all her heart...and her girlhood.
With a sigh, Angie got up and went into the living room. Peyton and J.W. came back, and Peyton agreed to stay so Angie could run to her office to do payroll. The girls were laughing at J.W.’s antics as Angie went toward the door.
“Stay put,” she said to Erin. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“Aw, Mama. I’m not a baby.”
“But you’re injured, and I expect you to be on the sofa when I return.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
It didn’t take long, and she was back within thirty minutes. She waved goodbye to Peyton and the kids as they drove away and then walked back into the house. It was time, and Angie struggled to find the right words. How do you tell a child you’ve lied to her for years? By being as honest as possible now.
Erin sat on the sofa, propped up on pillows with her legs outstretched in front of her. She had iPod earbuds in her ears and was singing Katy Perry’s “Roar.” Angie sat on the coffee table facing her.
Erin removed the earbuds. “When is Mr. Hardy coming? He’s usually here by this time.”
The perfect opening. Angie carefully chose her words. “You like Mr. Hardy?”
“Yeah. He’s cool. Mama, Jody and I watched a scary movie. You might have to sleep with me so I won’t be freaked out.” Erin’s attention span jumped around like the ten-year-old she was.
“I didn’t get you any scary movies.”
“We watched it on TV.”
“Did Peyton know you were watching it?”
Erin shrugged and looked guilty.
“You switched the channel when I left, didn’t you?”
Erin played with a bud of her iPod she had in her lap and didn’t answer.
“You know I don’t like you watching those movies. It’s hard for you to sleep.”
“I have a big mouth.”
“But I love you.”
“Aw, Mama.” She looked up with an impish grin. “It would be real hard to punish me ’cause I’m hurt, right?”
“Right.” She tried not to smile.
“Can we have pizza for lunch? You know, the kind you make with cheese and pepperoni that’s so-o good.”
Angie glanced at the clock on the wall. “It’s almost noon. How about if we have the pizza for supper and something simple for lunch?”
“Okay.”
“I’d like to talk about something first.”
“What?”
Angie took a deep breath. “You’ve asked me several times about your father.”
Erin sat up straight. “He heard about my accident and he’s coming to see me?”
Angie shook her head at Erin’s excitement. “No, sweetie.”
Erin sank back, disappointed. “Then what?”
Angie searched for words, but none were there. She had to go with what was on her mind. “I’d like to talk about him.”
That got Erin’s attention. She sat up again. “I know his name is Dennis Green and Grandma said he was a loser and we were better off without him and I wasn’t to ask any more questions.”
Angie was horrified. She had no idea her mother had told Erin this. That was Angie’s fault, though. She should have been more open with her daughter.
She took another deep breath. “I have to tell you some things, and it’s not going to be easy, but I hope you will listen with an open heart because above all else I love you.”
“Jeez, Mama, you scaring me more than the movie.”
This was it. She had to say the words. “Dennis Green is not your biological father.”
Erin’s eyes grew huge, and it was obvious she didn’t understand. “But you married him. He has to be my father.”
So simple in a child’s mind.
“I made a lot of bad choices when I was young. I fell in love with a man who was older and I thought I loved him. In my heart I did.”
Erin just stared at her. Angie forced herself to continue. “He left town soon afterward. When I found out I was pregnant, I couldn’t get in touch with him. I was scared and didn’t know what to do. Then I met Dennis, and we were very good friends. We decided to get married because I couldn’t face your grandmother. I guess I was a coward because that was one of the worst decisions I ever made.”
“Grandma would have had a cow.”
That was putting it mildly. “Yes, but it wasn’t fair to Dennis for me to marry him when I didn’t love him.”
“So you got a divorce?”
“Yes, baby.” The marriage was later annulled, but Erin didn’t need to know that right now.
“My daddy left and never came back and he never asked about me?”
“He never knew about you.”
“You should have told him, Mama. Maybe he wanted us.”
All those protective walls Angie had built around herself were beginning to shake and crumble, and she didn’t know if she could continue.
She swallowed something that felt like a Brillo pad. “He finally came back to Horseshoe, and I didn’t know how to tell him that he had a daughter.”
“It’s okay, Mama. He probably didn’t want us anyway.” Erin saw the sadness on Angie’s face and she was trying to make it better. That was her daughter. She had a loving spirit.
Angie blew out a breath. “Fate took it out of my hands, sweetie, and I had to tell him.”
Her eyes grew big once again. “He knows about me?”
“Yes.”
“Is he coming to see me?”
“You’ve already seen him—many times.”
“I have? Who is he?”
Angie drew a scorching breath and knew she had no choice but to answer. “Your...your biological father is Hardison Hollister.”
Erin’s mouth formed a big O, and she couldn’t speak for a moment. “Mr. Hardy is my father? My real father?”
“Yes, baby.”
The O was replaced with a big frown. “Mr. Hardy has been in Horseshoe for a long time. Why did you never tell me? Why did you never tell me I had a father?” The frown deepened. “You said we should never lie, and you lied to me. I’ve seen him over at Jody’s. One time I fell and scraped my knee and he carried me inside. My father carried me, and I didn’t even know it. How could you keep that secret from me? I’m not a baby. I hate you.” Erin struggled to her feet. Angie trembled, but she knew not to touch Erin now. She was angry, and she had a right to be. Erin grabbed her crutches. “I don’t want you to be my mother anymore. Real mothers don’t lie.” Fat tears ran down her cheeks. Angie felt sick to her stomach as Erin hobbled to her room. Angie slowly followed.
Erin plopped onto her bed; the crutches fell to the floor.
Angie picked them up and placed them against the wall. “I’m sorry, baby.”
“No, you’re not,” Erin shouted. “Mr. Hardy is a nice man and he would’ve wanted me, but you—”
“Erin—”
“I want to go live with Jody.”
Angie fought to breathe. “Sorry, that’s not going to happen. I’m your mother, and you belong with me.”
“I’m old enough to know,” Erin shouted again.
“Yes, you are. I failed you. I’m sorry.”
Angie didn’t have any strength left. She walked out of the room and sat at the kitchen table. Where did she go from here? If she lost her daughter, she would lose everything. That was when the tears came. She cried for all the mistakes she’d made. She cried for hurting the one person she loved most in this world. And she cried for the young girl who’d been so young and foolish.
Chapter Eight
After leaving Angie’s, Hardy went to the courthouse to check his schedule and his messages. He didn’t have court until Monday, so his weekend was free to spend with his daughter. He checked his phone several times, but Angie hadn’t called. It was hard not to call her, but he would be patient. Telling Erin would be tough for Angie; he understood that.
He spoke to his secretary, Alice,
and there was nothing that needed his immediate attention. As he left his office, he ran into Wyatt.
“How’s it going?” Wyatt asked.
Hardy glanced at his watch. “Angie’s telling Erin I’m her father.”
“You want to go get a cup of coffee and talk?”
“Nah. I’m waiting for the call, and then I’m going to see my daughter. This time it will be as her father.”
Wyatt slapped him on the shoulder. “I’m glad. Erin will adjust quickly. She’s just as sweet as her mother.”
Hardy already knew that. Erin was a clone of Angie: her mannerisms, her smile, her personality. She had the ability to charm people just with her presence. Of course, he might be prejudiced.
“I filled out a report on the accident,” Wyatt said. “For the record. I know you don’t want anything to come back and bite you in the butt when you run for office.”
The election was the furthest thing from his mind. All that mattered was his daughter. The thought surprised him. For years all that had mattered was his career.
“Hardy Hollister, how could you run over that sweet child?” Mrs. Satterwhite walked up to them, clearly armed with gossip and ready to defend Erin.
“I didn’t do it on purpose,” he replied. “It was an accident.”
“You weren’t paying attention.” She shook a finger at him. “You were probably on your phone like all young folks.”
“No, ma’am, I wasn’t. Erin came out of nowhere before I could stop.”
“That’s true, Mrs. Satterwhite,” Wyatt spoke up. “I saw the whole thing. I was there. Erin was playing with a ball, and it bounced into the street. She ran after it without thinking. Hardy turned the corner about the same time, and there was no way to prevent what happened. It was an accident.”
Mrs. Satterwhite pushed her purse farther up her arm. “If you say so, Sheriff. That poor baby. Angie must be beside herself.”
“Yes, she is,” Hardy said. “I’m making sure Erin has everything she needs, and she will be better soon.”
Mrs. Satterwhite touched his arm. “You should. Your father would want you to.”
Hardy gritted his teeth and kept his response to himself.
“Good seeing you, Mrs. Satterwhite.” Wyatt tipped his hat as the woman walked off. Wyatt glanced at him. “Get used to that attitude.”