The last book was incomplete. Blank pages waiting to be filled with new memories. He wanted to be on those pages. Laying his palm flat against the empty pages, he prayed. He slipped from the chair and fell to his knees, head bowed.
He prayed for his girls. All three of them. He prayed for their protection. And he prayed for peace.
Chapter Ten
The sun was just waking up. Reid had his favorite cold drink, and the day ahead looked good. For two weeks, he and Bobby had secretly been working inside the house. Today was going to be big. They wouldn’t be able to hide the secret project any longer. Philip and Wade, the two cowboys he lived with, rode shotgun on the way to do some major work on the house. It humbled him the way the other cowboys stepped in and helped whenever he needed. No questions asked. They were also doing it for her.
Philip had gone to school with Danica. Wade knew her from the church. So, of course, they were more than happy to help. “Thank you, guys, for volunteering. With extra hands, we can make a huge dent in restoring the house.”
“Glad to help. Didn’t have anything else to do today.” Philip took a slow sip of his coffee from the biggest insulated metal cup he’d ever seen.
Wade yawned. “Tearing down walls sounds more fun than burning cactus.”
“There’s a bunch, so it’s cacti,” Philip informed him.
“No. It’s not a Latin word. It’s German.” Wade went on to explain the difference.
Reid chuckled. They would argue over anything and loved every minute. Despite that, he hoped they would get everything done today. Jackie had taken Danica and the girls into San Antonio. Adrian had gathered up some volunteers from the church, but there was still so much to get finished.
He took another long drink of Big Red. He needed to calm down. It was all going to work out. By the end of the day, when she saw the house, it would be too late for her to tell them to stop.
That was the plan anyway. Would Danica get mad at him, or smile at him like she used to back when his life was good? When they were dating, he’d lived to surprise her, and she’d loved it. Her laughter and her smile had made him believe anything was possible, that he could outrun his father’s legacy.
“Yo, McAllister,” Philip hollered at him.
He glanced in the rearview mirror. “Sorry. I didn’t hear you.” Lost in thought, he’d missed the conclusion of the debate.
“Who else is going to be there?” Wade asked.
“Not sure. Nikki, Adrian and George will be there for sure. He said some others would be coming, too.”
Pulling up to the ranch road, he stopped for a truck to pass. On the door was the Bergmann Lumber logo. It was pulling a flatbed loaded with lumber and panels. In the back of the truck, there were large boxes that looked like appliances. Nikki must have gotten her father to help on the project because Reid certainly didn’t have enough money for all those supplies. His heart pounded.
Following the truck through the gate, he hit the brake hard out of shock. There weren’t just a few cars, but a full parking lot. A horn honked behind him. He was blocking the road. Refocusing, he drove forward and found an empty spot in the back next to the old pecan tree.
Wade whistled. “Looks like I wasn’t the only one avoiding pasture work.”
Philip laughed as he got out of the front seat. He stood at the hood of the truck. “I remember this place. I used to make money mowing the old lady Edward’s lawn. She always paid me extra.”
Mr. Bergmann stepped out of the truck with Nikki and Samantha. Joaquin was with them, too. He started untying the lumber in the flatbed. “Where do we unload?”
Nikki started directing people. With her in charge, no one had a chance to stand still and be useless. She put everyone to work. Reid found Adrian and got the update on all the people. Apparently, more were arriving.
In work overalls and a beat-up baseball cap, Samantha stomped over to them. “I need something to do that’s dangerous.”
Reid looked to Adrian to handle this problem. He didn’t even know where to begin.
Adrian grinned. “What did he say you can’t do?”
“Apparently, I’m too weak to unload the manly lumber. I grew up in a lumberyard!” She threw her hands in the air. “Do I look too fragile to handle hard work?” She put her hands on her hips. “And don’t try to humor me. I’m a grown woman who knows what I’m capable of doing.”
“What about the roof? Not only is it hard work, but he’ll see you up there working, and you won’t have to say a word.”
“Yes.” She hugged his neck. “You’re the best brother-in-law.” She turned. “Oh, Reid. Well, you’re not my brother-in-law, you’re the girls’ father but...I mean I like you, too, I just...”
“Get out of here before you embarrass yourself even more.” Adrian pointed to the west toward his twin brother. “George is in charge of all things roofing.”
“Sorry. Everyone knows I have no social skills.” She stomped away, her long braid swinging. Turning, she walked backward. “Make sure to tell my sister I fixed that lame gate motor for her.”
Reid nodded at her, then looked at Adrian. “Mr. Bergmann limits the kind of work she does?” That surprised him. “All the girls seem to know their way around the lumberyard.”
“No. It’s not her dad.” The laugh lines around his eyes went deeper. “Joaquin teases her, and she takes the bait every time. Between you and me, they would be much happier if they’d just admit they liked each other. It’s like they’re still in fourth grade.”
Not knowing how to respond to that, Reid shrugged. “Adrian, this is so much more than I expected. Where did all these people come from?”
“Most of them from the church. The sanctuary also has quite a few friends. Plus, Danica’s family has been a cornerstone of this community. Getting the opportunity to give back to them is rare, and people want to help.”
The sheriff’s patrol car pulled into the drive. Reid scanned the area. Had he done something wrong? He planted his feet, crushing the urge to run.
“You’ve met Jake Torres, right?” Adrian waved to the lawman. “He used to do construction and help renovate several houses in the county.”
There was no way Reid would ever feel comfortable around anyone in a uniform. As a kid, he was taught they were out to get him. Then they did get him. Now after serving time? They made his skin feel too tight. With an easy smile on his face, Adrian greeted Sheriff Torres, then turned to Reid.
Every breath was focused with intention. Reid made sure to relax his tense muscles before shaking hands.
“I hear you need an electrician?”
Adrian answered first. “The damage doesn’t look too extensive. The plan is to get the appliances installed before Danica shows up later today. Mr. Bergmann has all the needed supplies. Reid, will you show him the way? I’ll check the lumber for rebuilding the back porch.”
From there, the day went fast. Sounds of hammers, drills and laughter filled the air. He helped replace windows and doors. People came and went all day long.
Every few hours someone showed up with food. It was the most amazing thing he’d ever seen. At times, it felt as if he was invisible, watching all the activity from the outside. Everyone knew everyone else’s name. It was one big messy family.
New counters went into the kitchen as he stepped back to look at the work. Someone he didn’t know offered him and everyone else in the room a drink. “They look great with the cabinets. Danica is going to love this.”
Reid took a drink. There were too many people. Needing some fresh air, and silence, he walked to the big pecan tree at the back of the yard.
The need to pray was overwhelming. He didn’t belong here, not with all these good, hardworking people. Why were they so friendly? By now, they must know he’d been in prison.
Yanking the aviators off his face, Reid braced his hands on t
he hood of the truck and bowed his head. He let the words flow as he gave the Lord thanks. He turned his fears and insecurities over to God. Ray had told him forgiveness was his when he asked, but he didn’t know how that was possible. His mistakes felt like grooves in his hide that he’d never be able to sand down.
Boots crunched the grass behind him. Fists clenched, he turned. Danica’s father frowned at him. His father-in-law. The grandfather of his children. He lowered his hand, flexing his fingers. “Sorry.”
The man who probably hated him more than anyone else, and with good reason, stood before him.
“You okay?” The subtle edge of the old German accent was proof of his connection to this community. The Bergmanns had roots that ran deep. They couldn’t be more different as people.
Mr. Bergmann stared at him, waiting for a response. Reid’s lack of words made for an awkward moment. “Yeah.” He had a hard time meeting the man’s narrowed gaze. “All the people coming and going is a bit unsettling. I just needed a moment alone.”
“I’m not big on crowds, either.” Crossing his arms, he looked back to the house for a moment. Another awkward silence lingered between them.
Reid figured it was better than saying something stupid. So he let it drag out.
Clearing his throat, the older man studied Reid for a bit. “All this—” he jabbed his thumb over his shoulder “—it’s a good thing you’re doing, but I want to make it clear, I’m not going to forgive you. Don’t ever expect me to welcome you into my family. You did enough damage to last a lifetime.”
Not his family. Acid burned in the pit of his gut. “I know.” They were in good hands. “Thank you.”
His thick eyebrows shot up. “Thank you?” Hard eyes narrowed again. “For what?”
“For protecting my girls when I walked out on them. For being there for them and loving them. I...” He had no idea how to articulate what he was feeling. “Ray told me there are times in our lives we don’t even know what prayer we need. So, we trust God has us. We praise him for it all. Good and bad. Even our unspoken prayer will be answered.” Reid took a deep breath. “I don’t know if this makes sense, but Danica was always in my prayers. I made a mistake, but she paid the price for my sin. I don’t want to imagine what would have happened to her and the girls if you hadn’t taken care of her the way I should have done.”
“She’s my daughter.” His jaw tightened. “The best a father can hope for is that his children find happiness. When they don’t, I hope they can come to me.” The older man looked down. “I’m not always easy, but I love them.” The eyes that looked so much like Danica’s stared hard at him again. “I’ll protect them with everything I have. It seems at times I have to protect them from themselves. Danica has worked hard to take her life back and to become a great mother. I’m not allowing you to pull her or my granddaughters down into your muck again.”
He knew it was all truth, but it was always hard to deal with rejection. “I promised her I would be leaving as soon as she found a vet tech to replace me. I’ll stay on the Hausman ranch, and out of her life. It’s the least I can do. And I understand where you’re coming from. If some man treated Suzie or Lizzy the way I treated Danica, well, I’d probably be in jail again. So, thank you.”
Someone laughed in the background. He turned to watch the commotion. People were still so busy working to make this shell of a house into a home.
Reid smiled. “Your granddaughters don’t know how cruel the world can be, and that’s because of you. At their age, I knew how to call 911 when my mother took too many pills and how to ice her lip from the hit she took from her latest boyfriend. I learned to hide the guns and grocery money when my older brothers stopped by the house. Children should never have to grow up that way, acting like the adult. Thankfully, the girls won’t have to develop those survival skills. So yeah, thank you.”
The look of contempt on Mr. Bergmann’s face shifted. Reid rolled his shoulders. He didn’t need anyone’s pity. His life was just what it was—his life. Like thousands of other kids’. But not his girls, because they had Danica and this man scowling at him.
Reid gestured to the house. “Looks like they’re unloading the appliances. That’s my cue to get back to work.” He nodded at Danica’s father and left to join the others once again. No more moping.
In the house, all evidence of the fire was erased. It was coming along great. His throat tightened.
“The floors look great.” Vickie, the sheriff’s wife, stood on the counter, hanging some fancy curtains over the window. “I can’t believe how much work was finished without her knowing.”
Philip laughed. “Reid hasn’t slept in two weeks. I’m surprised no one called to report suspicious activity.”
“Oh, I thought it was Bobby and Adrian.”
Reid shifted on his feet. He didn’t want people to know how much he had put into this project. They might start asking questions.
Sheriff Torres walked up to him and patted his back. “They did. The first time I showed up, I thought he was going to run.” He looked up at his wife and frowned. “You shouldn’t be up there.”
She rolled her eyes. “It’s way too early for you to get this bossy. This is my third pregnancy. I think I know what I can handle.”
Jake moved closer, glaring at her. “Well, it’s my first, so you’ll just have to deal with it. Let me help you down.”
“As soon as I’m finished you can carry me off caveman style, but not until then. Help the guys get the refrigerator hooked up.”
Shaking his head, the sheriff grinned at him. “Pregnant women are hard to deal with.”
Reid nodded like he knew anything about it. Had Danica climbed up on high places? Had anyone helped her down?
With help, they slid the big black appliance into its new home. Sheriff Torres went to his wife and with one gentle motion had her safely standing on the ground. A quick kiss was added to the movement, making Reid feel a little guilty for being in the room with them.
Philip’s smirk didn’t help. Then the room went silent. The hairs on the back of his neck itched. His back was to the door. Slowly, he turned and came eye to eye with Danica.
She scanned the area. Confusion, awe and shock tumbled across her face. Her attention shifted to him. Everything and everyone blurred on the edges of his brain. He could see her beautiful mind working, but he couldn’t tell if it was good or bad.
“Surprise?” He straightened and took the gloves off.
“You did this?” She didn’t move, just stood there staring at him, her fingers clenched around the leather strap of her bag. The large open kitchen got smaller as the number of people doubled.
Samantha rushed in from the front door and threw herself at Danica. “Isn’t this amazing? Surprise!” She laughed and held her sister at arm’s length.
Envy crept into his blood. He wanted to hug his wife and stand next to her with pride.
The youngest Bergmann entwined her arm through her sister’s. “Let me show you what we’ve done. Everyone’s been working since sunup. There is even a new roof.”
With Samantha dragging her sister through the room, people started laughing and smiling. Shouts of thanks went back and forth. Everyone crowded the house to talk to her, to show her what part they had in the makeover.
The open door was calling to him. Easing his way outside, he tried to fade into the background. Air was hard to find.
“Mr. Reid!”
As one, the twins greeted him with arms wide-open. He went down on his haunches so he could return the hugs. For a moment, he held them tighter than necessary. He knew they greeted everyone in their world with such enthusiasm, but for this moment he imagined it was just for him. For this moment, he pretended they were a family, all of them together at their home.
Jackie walked up behind them. She was looking at the house. “Wow. There are people everywhere, and the
house actually looks livable.”
He stood. “It’s almost there. Another week and it’ll be ready.”
“Ready for what?” The girls looked up. Their gazes darted between him and their aunt.
Reid placed his hands on top of their little heads. “We’re fixin’ the house for you and your mom to live in.”
“Really?”
“We’ll live with the animals?” They both clapped. Both of them took one of his hands and pulled him to the house. “Is Momma already inside?”
Lizzy suddenly stilled. The whole group stopped with her as she stared at her sister. “Wait. We’ll still be in the same room, right? Do we have to sleep alone now?”
Jackie rubbed her red curls. “You get to share a room as long as you’d like.”
The girls let go of him and ran ahead.
“Did you and Danica share a room?” he asked Jackie. Her glare sliced him, making it clear she didn’t want to talk to him about her sister.
After a moment, she shook her head. “We did until my father remarried. Shelia believed we needed to learn to be apart and made us move into separate rooms, but she found out we were slipping into Nikki’s room and all sleeping together. She told us we weren’t dogs. The next night, she started locking our doors.”
Her jaw flexed, making her look just like her father. “Wanting to be as close as possible, we slept on the floor against the door that separated our new rooms. We could always see a bit of each other through the gap under the door. It was enough.”
Gleams of tears hugged her lashes. With an even harder glare, she turned on him. “I’m not going to let anyone hurt her ever again.” Without giving him an opportunity to say a word, she stomped off after the girls.
There were two Bergmanns that would never accept him. How would it feel to have family that loved him as much as they loved Danica?
The thought of a tiny Danica locked away from her sisters, alone and curled up on the floor, tore at his heart. He pictured her against the door, wanting out and not being able to get to the sisters she loved so much. Her support system. He was glad this Sheila woman was gone from their lives.
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