The Patriot Girl

by Toni Lynn Cloutier

  “Where’s my girl?” David came around the corner.

  “Hey, Daddy. Sorry to hear about Rainbow.” MaKayla kissed his cheek before she headed down the hallway into the living room. She was surprised when her mother followed her father into the room.

  “So, Mackey.” David sat in his chair. “How are you and this new client getting along? Did he sign the contract Friday?”

  “Yes. But we’re not speaking now.” At least she wasn’t speaking to him. How could she face him after all they’d been through?

  Peggy sat beside her daughter on the sofa. “Is this the one from the bank robbery? The sexy cowboy Jodi says you should be sleeping with?”

  Her mother was the total opposite of Jodi. So hearing “sexy” and “sleep with” coming from her mother’s lips made MaKayla laugh. After all these years, maybe the family friend had finally rubbed off on her mother too.

  “Yes, Mother. He’s the ‘sexy cowboy’ from the bank robbery. I can see you’ve been talking with Jodi.”

  Peggy exchanged a glance with her husband. “Yes, honey, I talk to Jodi about everything you do. Don’t be mad at her this one time. It’s usually like pulling teeth to get any information about you from her.”

  It was hard for MaKayla to hear that her mother had to ask her best friend about her own daughter’s personal life. She placed her hand on her mother’s. “I’m sorry you don’t feel comfortable enough to ask me yourself. I never shared because I thought you never cared.”

  “Well, I do. Very much.”

  David sipped a beer. “So what is going on with this new guy?”

  “There is no ‘guy.’” MaKayla couldn’t talk about Dustin right now. She was still trying to comprehend the fact that her mother cried, and that the skin on her mother’s hand was so soft.

  Peggy squeezed MaKayla’s fingers. “Why are you nervous talking about him?”

  “What do you mean?”

  Peggy placed MaKayla’s hand on her cheek. “You take after me. Our hands get cold when we’re nervous. So why does this young man make you nervous?”

  “His name is Dustin James. Or at least that’s what I was led to believe.” This conversation wasn’t going to be easy. Her body began to tremble and the sting behind her eyes intensified. She rubbed her hands together for warmth, and a distraction.

  “Honey, what is it?” Her mother rubbed her back.

  There was no ignoring the situation now. She had to let her family know who Dustin was. Even they had been worried about him, after hearing he’d been in a coma. Notwithstanding all this, she was glad to know he’d pulled through the ordeal.

  “He’s actually Harold Dustin James, Mother.” She looked at her father. “The other driver involved in Paul’s accident.”

  “Oh, sweetheart.” Peggy held MaKayla’s chin.

  “Oh, Mackey.” David came and sat beside her.

  “I knew he was too good to be true, Daddy. Why did his one flaw have to be this?” She handed her father the letter from the insurance company. “This came in the mail yesterday.”

  “You know, Mackey, there’s no one to blame for what happened. You need to stop beating yourself up over this.” David read the paper. “Good. It’s over. Now you can put this behind you.”

  Her eyes filled with tears and her throat closed. Of course this was what she had wanted. But now she needed to know why he had done this—out of pity, or because he was attracted to her?

  “Let me read the letter, Dave.” MaKayla handed her mother the paper.

  “What does he have to say about the whole thing?” her father asked.

  “I haven’t talked to him since Friday night.”

  “Now what does this mean?” Peggy pointed to the letter.

  “It means our little girl isn’t going to lose everything she and Paul worked so hard for. Mackey only has to pay for his medical bills, which the insurance company is going to take care of.”

  “Oh, honey. That’s wonderful news.”

  MaKayla shrugged. Of course it was good news. But now she felt as if she owed him something. And that wasn’t good. This would have been easier and more exciting news had she not known the other driver. She didn’t want Dustin doing her any favors.

  Peggy put her hand on MaKayla’s knee. “Honey, are you in love with him?”

  “No.” The minute the word passed over her lips she waited for the bolt of lightning to strike her for telling the biggest lie of her life. Her head was asking how she could be in love with him. She barely knew him. But her heart had thoughts of its own. Whatever attraction existed between them was certainly different than anything she’d experienced in the presence of any other man. But love? Don’t deny something you can’t explain. “I don’t know what I feel for him.”

  “I suggest you march over to his place and talk this out.” David pointed a finger at her. “He’s willing to help get your business going, right? There’s a reason for all this, Mackey. Take him up on the offer. Then see what the good Lord has planned for the two of you afterward.”

  “How would Paul’s parents react if they found out I was working for the person who killed their son?”

  Peggy’s voice heightened. “Since when does MaKayla Elizabeth care about what other people think?”

  “This is different, Mother. I have Alex’s feelings to consider too.” Of all the people to lecture her about others, her mother should understand how she felt. “Aren’t you the one who used to ask, ‘Won’t you be worried about what the neighbors think? This is a small town. People are going to talk.’”

  “I learned to stop worrying about the neighbors years ago. You and your father always did what made you happy, as long as no one was hurt in the process. I wouldn’t expect anything less of you now.” She patted MaKayla’s arm, and then stood. “I need to finish chopping my walnuts before I make us lunch. You do what you need to do and worry about no one. Are you hungry?”

  “No. Thank you.” Her mother had a point. M & M Public Relations would really benefit from her contract with Dustin. Having Buck signing on, too, would make her business much more reputable. She turned to her father when they were alone. “What are you thinking?”

  “Your mother’s right. You have to talk to him. If all you can see is the man you blame for Paul’s death, then you don’t stand a chance working with him. But at least you’d be able to say you tried.”

  “Yes, well—”

  “Mackey, avoiding him isn’t doing either one of you any good. I’m sure he’s worried about you.”

  Would he be? He still wanted to keep the contract, but would he be able to look at her in the same seductive way he had before he knew who she was? Now that he’d had time to analyze their situation, maybe his mind had changed.

  For now, she needed to worry about her business plans and forget how Dustin’s touch had made her want to melt into his embrace and escape from the world around them.

  She stood, but before she could leave, her mother re-entered the room. “Thank you for the advice, Mother. And I’m sorry to hear about Rainbow.” She turned so her father could join them. “How about a new bird? My treat.”

  “No!” Her parents’ simultaneous answers made them all laugh, followed by the family embracing as a unit for the first time in thirty-eight years.

  Life really was full of surprises. MaKayla’s next surprise would be her reaction to being with Dustin again.

  Chapter Nine

  MaKayla cogitated over her parent’s advice on her way home. The hardest part was going to be looking Dustin in the eye and not blaming him for the accident. And also, how would she tell Alex she was representing the driver who had hit him and his father?

  From a distance, she could see workers were putting up a new No Bulls sign.

  You need to face him. Her father’s words echoed in her mind. She needed to stop in and get this over with. She drove around the orange cones set up in the parking lot.

  If she were unable to look at Dustin with respect, she would have no other ch
oice but to rip up his contract and move on. Buck would understand, and she would figure out another way to help promote his new album.

  She paused in her walk across the dirt parking lot. There were several cars in the lot. What if Dustin was too busy to talk? Maybe she should have called first.

  A man exited the door and she heard the music coming from inside. She was already here. If she went home now, she’d be upset that the matter was unresolved. Just go!

  She pulled open the wooden door and stepped into Dustin’s path. “Excuse me.”

  “Hey.” He took hold of her arm to stop her from tripping.

  The instant his fingertips made contact with her arm, her body knew no past, and her feelings held no grudges. There was no denying that even after two days apart, he could still make her relent in the palm of his hands.

  He released his hold. “I’m glad you stopped by.”

  “Are you busy?” She straightened to get as far away from his touch as possible. Their relationship had changed, but not in the way she’d expected, nor the way she had hoped. She wanted to feel nothing. She wanted to concentrate on business only. But gazing into his eyes, she couldn’t deny her attraction. “I wanted to talk to you about a few things.”

  He shrugged. “Okay. I was just on my way to my sister’s. I’ll just be a few minutes. But you could wait here until I get back. You know what? If you have a second right now, I’d like you to meet someone.”

  “Sure.” Still keeping her distance, MaKayla followed him past the dance floor and then up the small ramp to the door she remembered seeing the last time she visited the club.

  He turned the doorknob. “Sweetheart…”

  Sweetheart?

  “Come say hi.” He put his hand on the small of MaKayla’s back and eased her inside. “MaKayla, this is my daughter, Melissa.”

  She followed him toward a child-sized table and extended her hand downward. “It’s nice to meet you, Melissa.” The little girl lifted her head and large blue eyes met MaKayla’s. She sat on the small chair across from the pre-schooler. “What are you coloring?”

  Melissa set the red crayon down, placed her arms over the page, and looked up. “You’re pretty.”

  MaKayla glanced up at Dustin whose hands rested on top of his daughter’s shoulders. “Did you set her up to that?”

  “Not at all.” His large grin showed off his dimples. “She just has good taste.”

  “Thank you.” She stared at Melissa. “You’re very pretty too.” Melissa turned the book around so MaKayla could admire the big red dog. The cartoon made her smile. “I love this dog too. My son used to watch him all the time.”

  Her hands slapped the table and her brows rose. “You have a son?”

  The little girl’s excitement made MaKayla giggle. “Yes.”

  “Where is he?”

  “He left for college yesterday morning.”

  “I know about college. It’s where big kids go to school. I want to go to college so I can help kids with no mommies or daddies. That’s what my mommy used to do.”

  “That’s an excellent idea.” MaKayla wondered what the little girls’ mother’s occupation was now. What kind of woman was Dustin attracted to?

  “Does your son still watch Clifford?”

  MaKayla laughed. “Yes, he does. He believes as long as you’re a kid inside, you never have to grow up.”

  She giggled. “I watch him all the time with Poppy. He acts like a kid sometimes too. I guess he’ll never grow up either. Did Daddy tell you Nana and Poppy are taking me to Florida tonight?” Melissa scurried off her chair and headed toward a leather recliner in the corner. She dragged a shopping bag larger than herself from behind the chair over to MaKayla’s side.

  “No, he didn’t. How exciting for you.”

  “Daddy bought me all new clothes so I can look pretty for my trip.” She dipped her little arm into the bag and pulled out a pink and white short set decorated with princesses. She tossed them onto MaKayla’s lap then reached her arm back into the bag.

  “How pretty.” MaKayla’s lap soon became full of clothes, socks, a sun visor, and slippers. “Goodness. You’re going to make all the other girls jealous.” The two shared a giggle as Melissa stuffed everything back into her bag and then dragged it back across the floor.

  MaKayla stood and came face to face with Dustin. “She’s adorable. I’ll bet her mother is too.”

  “She was. Liz passed away a few years ago.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry.” Now she understood why Melissa had used the past tense when referring to her mother’s occupation.

  Dustin reached for her hand, but MaKayla pulled away. This time her rejection had nothing to do with him personally, only respect for his daughter. She didn’t want the little girl to feel as though there was any threat of her daddy being taken away.

  “My sister’s waiting for Melissa. You could come for the ride and we’ll talk about whatever’s on your mind?”

  If leaving his baby were as hard on him as Alex’s leaving had been for her yesterday morning, he’d want his privacy. “Why don’t you give me a call when you get back?”

  “Okay.”

  His eyes were dark and sad as he nodded. MaKayla bent down and met the small, round face. “I hope you have a wonderful trip. Take lots of pictures, okay?” Melissa’s dimples were a spitting image of her father’s. Her blonde hair had to have come from her mother.

  “Thanks. When I get back I can show them to you and tell you all about everything.”

  “I’d like that.”

  Melissa tugged on Dustin’s hand. “Come on, Daddy. Aunt DJ’s waiting.”

  Dustin allowed his daughter to drag him across the room. Looking over his shoulder, he jerked his head for MaKayla to follow.

  ****

  Dustin needed his daughter to hold his hand or else he would have placed them somewhere on the woman following him. With everything that had happened, he hoped she wasn’t there to say goodbye. He switched off the light and then closed the door behind them. “Go say goodbye to Jesse while I talk to MaKayla.”

  When they were alone, he caressed MaKayla’s cheek. “What’s happening between us?”

  “What do you mean?”

  He reached for her hand, and again she pulled away. He pointed at her arms pressed against her sides. “That? Not wanting me to touch you. Are you upset because—?”

  “No.” She shrugged. “Handholding is an intimate gesture. The last thing a little girl needs is to feel threatened by another woman. First impressions are very important no matter what age or gender you’re trying to impress.”

  “Fair enough.” He sighed, thankful her rejection had nothing to do with the accident.

  Having her by his side gave him some hope things would be better. Her two-day silence had left him tired from tossing and turning at night.

  There were many times he’d wanted to call her, but Dana had told him to give her time to come around. Sometimes listening to his sister paid off.

  If MaKayla were here to keep the contract going, he didn’t want to scare her off by having octopus hands. He tucked his hands into his pockets.

  “As your publicist, it’s my job to teach you things such as first impressions.”

  “My publicist?” He rubbed his hands together. “You haven’t ripped up our contract?”

  “No. I haven’t torn up anything.”

  Yes! Her words slowly moved the storm cloud hovering overhead.

  “You know, I’m glad you popped in like this. I’m glad you and Melissa got to meet.”

  A small grin crossed her lips. “You never know what you’ll find when you drop in on someone unannounced. I should have called first. I was nervous about seeing you again.” She shrugged then caressed his chest. “I’m sorry for the other night. I hope I didn’t hurt you.”

  She pulled her hand away as Melissa came back yelling, “Daddy, Daddy. I’m ready.” The little girl smiled as she extended her hand up toward MaKayla. “Bye!”


  “Bye. Have a fun trip.”

  Dustin felt a familiar idiot grin as MaKayla walked beside him out to the parking lot. Besides the apple scent of her skin, he’d missed hearing her soft voice and admiring her sexy smile. He was happy for her mood-lightening company.

  He buckled Melissa into her booster seat, slid the door of his minivan shut, and then stood in front of his publicist.

  “One more thing…” MaKayla said. “Have you heard strange noises outside your home since the robbery?”

  “No. But I live in a condo, so there’s always noise. Why?”

  She shrugged. “Maybe it’s nothing. I’ve been a little jumpy since Alex left, that’s all.”

  “MaKayla, they haven’t caught the third robber yet, you know.”

  “I know. I’ll be fine. Call me tomorrow when you have a chance and we’ll go over a few things.”

  “I will.” Dustin had no control over the hand that reached up and caressed her cheek. “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “A second chance.”

  ****

  At two in the morning, Dustin tossed the covers off when the sound of the ringing phone woke him. Maybe Melissa’d had a bad dream and needed to hear his voice.

  He cleared his throat. “Yeah?”

  “Hello?” The whisper was faint, but he recognized the voice.

  “MaKayla?”

  “Dustin, oh gosh, I’m sorry. I hit the wrong button.”

  Her nervous tone made him sit up. “What’s wrong?”

  “I was trying to call Duke’s partner. Remember I told you I heard noises at my house. Someone kicked my recycle bins a couple minutes ago, and the screen door on my back porch was squeaking.”

  “Hang up and call the police. I’m on my way.” He pulled on his sweatpants. “Where do you live?” He memorized the address as he finished dressing. “Don’t answer the door until I get there.”

  At this hour of the morning, the town appeared deserted in the darkness and Dustin didn’t pass another driver on the roads.

  He passed his nightclub and searched the periphery of the wooded areas that followed for anything suspicious.