“No more secrets. The girls are the only ones who don’t know, but right now, we need to figure a way to keep you out of jail. We’ll talk to them later. Go on, get in before Sammi calls shotgun.”
“Okay. Later.” The idea that she not only knew about his problem with crowded seating but that she also cared just about undid him. He didn’t deserve her. It had to be some fluke that she’d agreed to marry him six years ago, and now they were in the same place again.
What’s the plan, God? Because I’m in way over my head. I have nothing left. Maybe this was where God wanted him. Paul had done ministry from prison. It wasn’t the life he wanted, but he feared it was the life God intended for him.
Driving down the old highway, Mr. Bergmann glanced over at him. “You haven’t said a word. What are you thinking?”
Reid didn’t want to even try to put his thoughts into words, but Mr. Bergmann had offered a truce and deserved his respect. “I’ve heard people say God doesn’t give us more than we can handle.” Facing forward, he watched the lines on the highway. “But I think we get more than we can handle all the time. The trick is learning to trust God for strength and—”
He had to swallow. A hard knot clogged his throat. He wasn’t saying it right. “I need to learn to let others help me. It’s hard to let people see you when you’re—” he looked out the side window “—not in a place of strength. I don’t deserve your help.”
“My daughter thinks you do. You protected her.” He reached up, pulled an index card from his visor and handed it to Reid. “With all the girls in my house, I started using my car for prayer time years ago. I keep a couple of verses here. It seems appropriate for both of us to remember.”
Written across the top in pencil was the verse 2 Corinthians 12:10. The last line went straight to his heart. For Christ; for whenever I am infirm, then I am powerful.
He looked at the man sitting next to him. The man who’d raised the woman Reid loved. “Raising four daughters alone had to take a great deal of faith and strength.”
Gray eyebrows went up as he looked in the rearview mirror. Women’s voices talked over each other, filling the vehicle. He shook his head. “I should have used more faith. I built walls and tried to control things I couldn’t control. I made huge mistakes, and my girls paid the price.”
Danica leaned across the bench seat in front of her. “Daddy, what are y’all talking about?”
“Daughters.” Mr. Bergmann winked into the rearview mirror.
She rolled her eyes. After Mr. Bergmann had parked in front of the old corner drive, everyone climbed out. Thankfully, the restaurant was empty. They scooted into a large round corner booth, and orders were soon placed.
The sisters spoke all at once. Reid couldn’t keep up with the threads of conversations. They only paused when the drinks were sat on the table.
Adrian interjected, and they all went quiet. “None of that will matter if we don’t find out who actually set Danica up. Who knew where all the drugs were kept and was also at the rodeo? They took that money out of the concession stand.”
Silence settled over the group as they all turned inward. Reid hated his gut instinct. Danica wasn’t going to like it. “I think we need to look at the lawyer, Stephanie. She has the most to gain if the sanctuary is closed.”
Danica shook her head. “She doesn’t want the land. But it doesn’t matter. She wasn’t at the rodeo.”
Adrian frowned. “Yes, she was. I had spoken to her right before I left to join y’all in the stands. She told me she was worried the committee was wasting money by giving some of the earnings to Danica’s rescue efforts. I thought she was just being a lawyer and looking at the negatives.”
Playing with her straw, Danica kept her head down. “I don’t want to believe it, but even if it were true, how would we even prove it?”
Everyone stopped talking as the smiling waitress loaded their table with pancakes, bacon, eggs and hash browns. Joaquin was the first to grumble something. “If only we had enough money for a security system at the sanctuary. We’d be able to catch whoever stole those drugs.”
Reid cut into the tall stack of syrup-drenched pancakes, then froze. “The bats!”
Everyone looked at him as if he’d lost the last bit of his brain, but Danica sat straight up, her eyes wide. “The camera you installed. You can see the locked cabinets.”
“There should be a seventy-four-hour backup. We need to get to the hard drive.”
Jackie pulled her phone out. “I’ll call Vickie and see where Jake is. He can get the recordings and give it to the right people.”
Samantha stood and waved down the waitress. “We need to-go boxes.”
“I’ll take care of the check.” Mr. Bergmann moved to the register by the front door. “Tell Jake we’ll be there in under an hour.”
The trip was a blur. They all ate on the way, talking over each other. The Styrofoam box in his lap was empty, but he didn’t remember eating a bite.
Jake’s car, his parole officer’s car and one he didn’t recognize were parked in front of the bunkhouse.
Everyone climbed out and headed inside, but he found his body didn’t want to move. Was it really going to be this easy? Nothing in his life ever worked out the way he wanted. His door opened.
Danica stood there. “What’s wrong?” She took a step closer and placed her hand on his arm. “They aren’t here to arrest you. We’re going to find out who did this and the right person will go to jail.”
“Why did you do this? Bailing me out. Trying to find out who really did it.” Could she love him again?
“Because you didn’t do this. I couldn’t stand by and just let it happen. It’s wrong, and it’s my fault. They were after me, not you.” She moved back, giving him room to get out.
Samantha stuck her head out of the door. “Are y’all coming? They’re downloading the recordings.”
When they finally walked in, the sheriff was on the phone. Two suits were at the computer. James came over and shook his hand. “There’s been developments in the case.”
His nerves knotted. Developments were never good when it came to him.
Danica stepped forward. “That was fast.”
“It seems the stash found in your Jeep was connected to another case that is connected to Stephanie. A couple of people also called the sheriff’s office today.” He looked at Danica. “They didn’t realize it until later, but they captured some photos with Stephanie around your car. One actually has her opening the back and putting a bag in it.” He gave Reid a lopsided grin. “Seems everyone wants to make sure we know you’re innocent, even though you confessed.” He slapped Reid on the shoulder.
“So, you know he didn’t do it?” Her gaze darted to her father, then back to James. “Once she’s seen stealing the drugs, he’ll be cleared, and everything will be dropped, right?”
“Basically, yeah.”
“We got her,” one of the suits called out. “We have to take this computer as evidence.”
The sheriff joined them. “We have a warrant for her home and office already.”
James reached over to place a hand on Danica’s shoulder. “Sorry about Steph. I know you counted her as a friend. I didn’t see this one coming, either. It’s been a crazy day. Why don’t y’all clear out and go home? Bobby’s here. We’ll make sure everything is locked up.”
“Good idea.” Mr. Bergmann pulled Danica into a hug before turning to leave.
Reid’s feet didn’t move. He was missing something. “It’s over? I can go?”
“You’re no longer a suspect. You’re still on probation, so don’t go all crazy on me, but yes, go home. Get back to work.” He left to join the other officers.
Adrian slapped him on the back. “Congratulations. Seems kind of anticlimactic, but that’s for the best.”
Reid couldn’t clear his head. Danica grabbed his arm and
pulled him outside. He felt stuck in slow motion. They all climbed back into the Suburban like it was the end of a regular day on the ranch. He wasn’t going to prison. He was still free.
The Bergmann sisters started talking at once again as they drove away. Mr. Bergmann eventually pulled into the drive of the family home. The family poured out of the Suburban, everyone except Danica. “Daddy, I’ll take Reid home.” She crawled out of the back seat. “Reid. You stay right there. I’m going to check on the girls, then I’ll be back.”
So, he wasn’t invited inside. Mr. Bergmann didn’t move from his seat, but Reid couldn’t take his eyes off Danica as she walked away. The way she moved in the faint light of the early morning seared into his brain. The days were closing in on him. Soon, he would be back to only having memories of her.
At the side door, Danica stopped and looked back at the car. Was she going to invite him in to see the girls? He stopped breathing. His hand on the door handle, ready to open it with one word from her.
She started back to them. “Daddy? What are you doing?”
“You go on. Get inside. It’s time Reid and I had a talk.” He had rolled down his window.
“Daddy?” There was a warning at the edge of her voice.
“Go on in, Danica.”
Reid wasn’t sure he wanted a heart-to-heart with Danica’s father, but he was right. It was past time.
Standing with hands on her hips, she looked like a warrior. With a shake of her head, she turned and disappeared inside the house.
“Everything worked out tonight, but it doesn’t erase the last six years. What exactly are your plans?” The older man kept a tight grip on the steering wheel. His hard jaw popped as if each word he spoke painfully slipped through.
“First, you have to know I’m not the man I used to be. I think Danica saw the potential all those years ago, but I let her down.” He took a deep breath. Lord, give me the words. “I know it sounds cheesy, but in some ways, prison was the best thing that ever happened to me. Through Ray and his ministry, I truly found the Lord.”
“So, Danica should forget and forgive. You want her to take you back?”
Acid burned his gut. “No. But I did want to tell her face-to-face that I was wrong. I hadn’t planned on working for her. I had no idea we had children. That sort of changed things for me. I know I don’t deserve it, but I want to be their father, even if she no longer wants to be my wife.”
With a nod, Mr. Bergmann finally turned to him. Eyes that looked so much like Danica’s glared at him. “I haven’t always been the best father, but I love my daughters. Anyone that hurts them is not welcome in my home.”
“Yes, sir. I—”
“I’m not finished. Six years ago, she brought you home. I basically shut you out for no other reason than I didn’t like your background.”
“I under—” A sharp glare told Reid to stop talking.
“I was wrong then. I’ve prayed a great deal about my role as a father this last year. If I had been...I don’t know, more open, it would have allowed both of you to talk to me. Better decisions could have been made. All I’m saying now is that I am here for my daughter. If she wants a divorce, then I will help her with that. If she wants you in her life, I will be here to support her and my granddaughters. If you stay, I do pray you are the man of God you claim to be. Their welfare is the most important thing to me. I will always be close. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Now, what are your plans with my daughter and granddaughters?”
“I love them. I want a second chance, but that depends on Danica.”
Thunder rumbled over the hills, and Mr. Bergmann looked out the open window. “Looks like we might get a morning storm. Those are rare.”
Reid frowned. Was there a hidden message, or were they finished? Texans loved talking weather when they had nothing else to say.
Danica darted out of the house and approached, opening the driver’s door. “Everything good?”
They both nodded but didn’t say anything.
“Okay.” She grinned. “Were any real words spoken, or was it just glares and grunts? Seems to be a language you both know.”
Her father slipped out of the car and kissed her forehead. “Don’t be such a smart-mouth.”
She patted his cheek. “Better than being a dumb one. Since I seem to be without a car for now, can we take the green monster?”
“She’s all yours.” With a nod to Reid, he turned and left.
As the soft rain started tapping the top of the car, Danica climbed in and backed down the long drive. On the road, she glanced at him. “So, what did y’all talk about?”
He shrugged. “Daughters.”
“Again?” She laughed. “That must be a loaded topic.”
He sat back and enjoyed the sound of her joy. He closed his eyes, trying to memorize it for the days ahead. They settled into silence as the wipers created a rhythm with the rain that fell harder. They needed to talk about the future. He couldn’t hang on the edge, not knowing, any longer.
“Reid.”
“Danica.”
Speaking at the same time, they now slipped back into silence.
He rubbed his forehead. “Sorry. You first.”
“I was just going to thank you. You shouldn’t have said anything. They didn’t even consider you.”
“The thought of handcuffs on your skin or the girls seeing you being arrested was... I couldn’t let that happen.” He shoved his hands in the pockets of his denim jacket. Anything to stop from reaching for her. The need to touch her consumed him at times. “Danica, I need you to make a decision about my role in the girls’ lives. I don’t think we can keep it from them much longer.”
“I know. But I’m... There has been so much...”
He wanted to drop to his knees and beg her to let him stay, but this needed to be her decision. Calming his nerves, he gripped the Bible tucked into the inside of his jacket.
He took it out and opened the small book, pulling at the faded yellow ribbons. “I can’t live on the edge anymore.” He laid the strips of cloth on the console between them. “I told you about the song ‘Tie a Yellow Ribbon Around the Old Oak Tree,’ remember?”
“I do.”
“I understand if you don’t want me to be part of your life. The girls are thriving without me as their father.” Fear of rejection was just his pride talking, not God. He had to put it aside. “I want you to know that I’ll always love you. Doesn’t matter if I’m in Clear Water or on the other side of the world, my heart will always be with you.” Looking down, he ran his thumb over the worn silk ribbons. “I’ve written my number on these, so if the girls ever want to call me, I’ll be there for them.”
He swallowed back the acid that burned in the pit of his belly. “I need to know if I’m welcomed, so tie one to the gate if I can come home to you. If I don’t see one, I’ll keep driving.” He kept his gaze down, not wanting to see her reaction. “No awkward goodbye.”
“What if I need that awkward goodbye?”
“You mean for closure?” He was sick to his stomach. “Just call me anytime. I’ll meet you wherever you want.”
Silence filled the space. He wanted to press her, to hear her say she didn’t need the ribbons. That he was welcomed. But she stared down the road, and he didn’t ask.
Driving through the ranch, she stopped in front of his little bunkhouse. His roommates were sitting on the porch, watching the rain and drinking coffee. They stood and waved, stupid grins stretched across their faces.
“They actually look happy to see me.”
“Why wouldn’t they?”
He looked at her. “Most people don’t like having a housemate that just got out of prison.”
“I’ve found that cowboys for the most part are a pretty loyal group. Once they count you as a friend nothi
ng is going to change that. Plus, they know you didn’t steal the drugs from the sanctuary. The foreman even offered to help. He told me to make sure you got back to work as soon as possible.”
He looked out the window at Philip and Wade. “They’re smiling like idiots.”
“They probably know we’re married. I’m not keeping it a secret any longer.”
His focus jerked back to her. “Everyone knows? Not just your family? What if we get divorced?”
“Then we get divorced. I’m done with secrets.” She shrugged as if holding his whole world in her hands was no big deal. To be fair, she didn’t know he was giving her full control. He wanted her to come to him because she wanted to, not out of guilt or obligation.
Reluctantly, he went for the door handle. Words swirled in his brain, but he didn’t know which ones to use, or how to put them together.
He wanted to be her hero. But he was a McAllister. Not hero material. “I better be going. The sun will be up soon, and we need to be out feeding.”
He wanted to hit his head against the window. He was so lame.
“You need to get some sleep.”
He grinned. “Don’t think a night in jail is a good excuse to miss work.”
“You’re too hard on yourself.” She glanced at the ribbons in her hand as if they held some great knowledge. Looking up, her eyes pulled him back from the opened door.
He had to say something, or he’d regret it forever. “I’ll never be the man you deserve, but no one will ever love you more than I do. No matter what you decide, you will always have my heart.”
Without waiting, he turned and launched himself out of the Suburban. In a couple of long strides, he was on the porch. He didn’t look back until he heard the big green monster crush the gravel under its tires. Once it was safe, he turned to watch his Dani girl leave.
She paused at the first gate. His phone vibrated.
“Oh, he’s already getting a honey-do list.” Philip and Wade laughed like they had made the funniest joke, instead of some old lame one.
Thinking the text was from his parole officer, he looked down. It was from her.
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