On the Mend (Carolina Waves Series Book 1)

by Tina Gallagher

  I love you, Daddy, but I can’t lose my mother again.

  “You don’t think…” I couldn’t even finish the sentence.

  “She thinks you’re her mother. I should’ve figured that out before. Some of the comments she made alluded to the fact, but I was too stupid to pick up on it.”

  “I questioned some of the comments she made, but I never imagined this.”

  “I should have known what she was thinking. She is my daughter.” What he left unsaid was that she isn’t mine and never would be. Losing Lexi was hurting as much as losing Dan.

  “Do you have any idea where else she might be?” I ushered him inside and urged him onto the couch.

  “No, this was my last resort. I tried to call, but there was no answer.”

  I turned away from his questioning gaze. “I, uh, shut my phone off.”

  He didn’t ask why, though I could tell he wanted to. He stood. “I have to find her.”

  “Let me help.”

  I saw the war raging within him, but he finally accepted my offer.

  “Give me a few minutes to change,” I said, before disappearing into my bedroom.

  My mind raced as I threw on fresh clothes and pulled my hair into a ponytail. After brushing my teeth, I went to face Dan again.

  “Any idea where we should look?” he asked.

  He seemed angry with me, and I had to remind myself that the man’s daughter is missing. After we find her, I could place blame for my behavior where it belongs, but until then, I’ll have to keep my emotions in check.

  “Here?”

  “Jeff and the rest of my family have the bases covered back home. The parents of all her friends have been alerted, so if they see her, they’ll let me know.”

  “I guess we could check out the mall and the park. They were the only places we went.”

  Dan nodded and headed toward the door.

  My panic increased with each passing minute, so I could only imagine how he must feel. I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if we don’t find Lexi. Would she go home? Could she find home if she wanted to? Did someone find her and take her? I stopped my train of thought right there. Thoughts like that wouldn’t help the situation. We’ll find her. We have to.

  After searching the mall, Dan left a picture of Lexi at the security office along with our cell numbers. Next we headed to the park. It was crowded, so it took us quite some time to determine she wasn’t there either. Dejected, we headed back to the car.

  “Where to?” he asked, clearly nearing the end of his rope.

  “Let me think,” I said, racking my brain for ideas.

  “You do that,” he said. “I’m calling Jeff to see if there’s been any word.”

  I nodded and leaned against the sun-warmed car. Closing my eyes, I tried to recall everything Lexi and I had done the previous week. My cell phone chirped, interrupting my thoughts.

  “Hello,” I said.

  “Sabrina, thank God I got hold of you.”

  “Jodi?”

  “Lexi McMullen is here,” she said.

  “She’s there?”

  “Uh huh, and she’s pretty distraught.”

  “I’ll be right there.” I launched myself at Dan. “I know where she is.”

  His eyes brightened and he informed Jeff of what I’d said and hung up. “Where?”

  “At the clinic. Jodi just called.”

  “Let’s go.”

  We broke several laws getting there, but we made it to the clinic in record time. Dan and I burst through the back door and Jodi directed us to her office. Lexi sat in the leather chair just behind Jodi’s desk.

  “Oh, thank God,” Dan growled as he grabbed Lexi out of the chair and pulled her into a bear hug. She let out a sob and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Don’t ever do that to me again,” Dan said, his voice thick.

  After nearly squeezing the life out of her, Dan sat Lexi back in the chair. I took the opportunity to pull her into my arms. “You had us so worried, Lex,” I said, the tears I’d managed to hold back since Dan’s arrival streaming down my cheeks.

  “I’m sorry,” she sobbed. “But I had to find you.”

  “How did you get here?” I asked.

  “I got a ride.” She looked down toward her lap.

  Dan looked at Jodi, who shrugged. “I didn’t see who dropped her off.”

  Dan looked like he was going to lose it at that point, but he stood up and raked his fingers through his hair instead.

  “Lex, how did you get here?” Dan practically growled.

  “McKenzie’s sister drove me.”

  “McKenzie Moran?” Lexi nodded. “Jesus Christ, she just got her license. She was bragging about it at the meet and greet.”

  “I’m sorry, Daddy, but I couldn’t let Sabrina leave again. I need her.” Lexi studied her shoes. “I love her.”

  My eyes clashed with Dan’s at her words. I had no doubt he blamed me for this whole situation, and I can’t say I disagree. I shouldn’t have disappeared like I did. I knew how attached Lexi was, I should have explained things to her.

  “Let’s go back to my place and talk this over.”

  After thanking Jodi again, we piled into the car and drove, in silence, to my house.

  After hearing the details of Lexi’s adventure, and how McKenize ended up driving her over a hundred miles to the rehab clinic, Dan was forced to address the big issue. “Lex, Sabrina isn’t your mom,” Dan explained.

  “But she has to be,” Lexi said.

  “I wish she was honey, but she isn’t,” Dan said. “Your mother and I went out for a short time after I got drafted by the Waves. When she had you, she wasn’t ready to be a mom, so I decided to raise you myself.”

  I watched Dan try to explain the situation to his daughter, and my heart went out to him. It’s not a position I’d want to be in.

  “But I love Sabrina,” Lexi said.

  “I love you too, honey, but I’m not your birth mother,” I said, my heart breaking for the little girl who would never be mine.

  “Will you be my mom?” she asked.

  What could I say? I don’t want to mislead her, but I don’t want to break her heart either.

  Before I could do either, Dan cut in. “Honey, why don’t you go to sleep? Sabrina and I have a few things to discuss,” he said. “We’ll talk again in the morning.”

  Reluctantly, Lexi followed Dan to the guest bedroom. I’d offered Dan and Lexi lodging for the night so they didn’t have to endure the ride home after such a stressful day.

  Lexi wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed my cheek. “I love you, Sabrina.”

  “I love you too, Lex.”

  Their images blurred as they left the room. Once they were out of sight, I allowed the tears to fall.

  Dan

  “Is Sabrina coming home with us?” Lexi asked, tearing my heart out again.

  “Sabrina and I have some things to talk about. But no matter what happens, we both love you,” I said. “And you have to promise me you’ll never do anything like this again.”

  “I promise,” she said, looking down at her hands. When her eyes met mine, they were filled with tears. “I was really scared when Sabrina wasn’t at work.”

  “You should have been. Thank God Jodi called. I was going crazy.”

  “I’m sorry.” Two fresh tears rolled down her cheeks and plopped onto her chest.

  “You understand that Sabrina isn’t your biological mother, right?”

  She nodded. “But I really wish she was.”

  “I know. Me too.” I kissed her forehead. “Get some sleep. You’ve had a long day.”

  “Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?”

  “Of course.” I pulled the covers over her shoulder and lay down next to her. Almost immediately, her breathing turned slow and even, letting me know she was asleep. I stayed there a while longer, trying to figure out what to say to Sabrina while I attempted to calm my temper.

  Once I worked out a ba
sic script, and had myself under control, I headed to the living room. Unfortunately, all was lost when I spotted Sabrina.

  41

  Sabrina

  When Dan returned to the living room, I still wasn’t sure what to say. He saved me from worrying. “What the hell is your problem?” His green eyes glowed with anger.

  “What’s my problem?”

  “That’s what I asked.” He stood directly in front of me, arms folded across his chest looking like he was about to explode.

  Any remorse I’d been feeling since my conversation with Kevin evaporated in the face of his attitude. I understand I shouldn’t have taken the coward’s way out, but his question really pissed me off.

  “I can’t believe you asked that as though I’m the only one with the problem,” I said.

  “If the shoe fits,” Dan started, but cut himself off. After thrusting his fingers through his hair, his eyes met mine again. “I called you on your cell and even tried the clinic, hoping someone knew where you’d disappeared to. I was worried sick, and Lexi has been inconsolable since you left. I finally got hold of Kevin, who told me you were holed up here.”

  “I left a note,” I said, knowing I sounded overly defensive.

  “Yeah, a note that said you didn’t know if you could deal and that you had to think.”

  “Where did you think I’d go?”

  “I figured you’d come here, but when you didn’t answer the phone, I was ready to put out an A.P.B.”

  “I’m sorry you were worried.”

  He nodded and ran his hands through his hair again. Tears glistened in his eyes when they met mine. “So I guess we’re back where we started.”

  The tone of his voice made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.

  “Not necessarily.”

  “Bri, how can we have any kind of relationship if you don’t trust me?”

  “I trust you, but…”

  “If you really trusted me, this wouldn’t even be an issue.” The pain I saw in his eyes matched what I was feeling in my heart. “I’ve got a little girl in there who loves you so much, she left home alone to come and find you. I can’t take the chance that you’re gonna run every time a pretty woman looks my way. I have to know you love and trust me enough to stick around no matter what.” He stepped closer and placed his hand on my cheek. “I love you, Sabrina, and I want to be with you more than anything, but I don’t know if you’re really ready for it. Maybe I rushed you into this.”

  “No, you didn’t.” I felt my whole life being pulled out from under me, and I was powerless to stop it. Dan was speaking nothing but the truth. I’m embarrassed by my actions.

  Ten years may have passed since I faced a similar situation with Dan, but obviously my maturity level hasn’t grown. I handled things the same way I did back then. It’s amazing how hindsight puts things into focus.

  “I don’t know what to say.” My voice was barely a whisper. I’m actually surprised I got the words past the lump in my throat.

  “There’s not much to say.” Dan sounded as choked up as I felt.

  That said, he went to join Lexi in the guest room.

  42

  Sabrina

  The next couple weeks followed in a blur of tears, sleep, and pints of Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food. Once again, I was holed up in my house, but this time I had only myself to blame for that fact.

  Before Dan and Lexi left for home, the three of us sat down and had a long talk. Mostly Dan and I explained the situation to Lexi, but Dan’s words left no doubt in my mind about the state of our relationship. I couldn’t ignore the irony that he’s the one who wanted into this relationship, and I’m the one who fought it with all my strength…now I’m the one wishing he was here.

  I was throwing a one-woman pity party when my ringing cell interrupted the festivities. I had let Kevin’s two previous calls go to voice mail. If I did the same for this one, he’d probably call the police.

  “Hello,” I said.

  “What are you doing at your apartment?” Kevin asked.

  “Uh, I live here.” I loaded my spoon again and shoved it in my mouth.

  “I just called Dan looking for you.”

  “Why’d you call him?”

  “Because, when you didn’t answer my calls, I’d hoped you two worked things out.”

  “Well, obviously we didn’t.” My words were forced out through a mouthful of ice cream.

  “Sabrina,” Kevin sighed, “put down the Phish Food and call the man.”

  I looked at the half-empty pint in my hand. My brother knows me way too well.

  “That sounds wonderful, Kev, but he’s not speaking to me.” I punctuated my words with a heaping spoonful of ice cream. Granted, Kevin couldn’t see my defiant gesture, but it made me feel better just the same.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  For the next fifteen minutes, I detailed the events that led to the demise of my relationship with Dan. Aside from an occasional “uh huh” or “right,” Kevin remained silent. When I finished my sad tale, I waited for him to comment, yet he didn’t.

  “So?” I prodded.

  “So what?” he said.

  “What do you think?”

  “You really want to know?”

  I blew out frustrated breath. “Would I have asked if I didn’t?”

  “Okay, but remember you asked,” Kevin pointed out. “I think the ball is in your court. I think you need to go win him back the same way he did you. You need to convince him that you love and trust him,” he said, putting a distinct emphasis on trust.

  “I don’t know how to do that,” I said.

  “I’d say begging would be a good start,” he said around a chuckle. “Seriously Sabrina, you have to be willing to eat a little crow. Maybe a lot of crow.”

  “I could eat five courses of crow, but how do I convince him that I trust him?”

  “Dan’s a pretty smart guy. I’m sure he’ll be able to figure it out.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Look, if you want to sit there drowning in Ben & Jerry’s for the rest of your life, that’s your business.” My eyes slid to the nearly empty pint and I flushed. “But I love you and want you to be happy, and I know Dan makes you happy.”

  “I’m not denying it,” I said.

  “Then go after him.” Kevin paused for, what I’m sure was, dramatic effect. “Call me when you get things straightened out.”

  That said, he hung up.

  Kevin’s words flowed through my head all night long. I knew he was right, but still thought he was oversimplifying things. I can’t imagine Dan falling at my feet just because I show up pledging my undying love and trust. After all, look at the hard time I gave him when he did it to me. The fact that Lexi is involved just complicates things.

  I tossed and turned searching for a solution in my sleep-deprived, sugar-saturated brain. Somewhere around dawn, I made up my mind and finally fell into a sound, untroubled sleep.

  43

  Dan

  I don’t think I’ve ever been so miserable. I’ve been doing my best to act normal, hoping it will break Lexi out of her funk, but so far I haven’t been too successful. She’s way too perceptive, and I’m not that good an actor.

  She spent a couple nights at my mother’s and now Jeff has her at Tori’s. At this point, the less time she spends around me, the better.

  I’d hoped Sabrina would call so we could work things out, but that hasn’t happened. I’ve picked up the phone a hundred times to break the silence, but put it down each time. She needs to come back on her own.

  My profession can be hard on relationships. I’ve seen it with my teammates and have heard their stories. If we’re going to survive, I can’t have Sabrina doubt me or us.

  For the third time in the last half hour, I opened the refrigerator and dismissed its contents. I need comfort food. Some calorie-filled, make-you-fill-better, greasy goodness. Maybe I’ll take a page from the women’s playbook and grab some ice
cream on the way home, too.

  I grabbed my keys and headed to the door. When I opened it and walked onto the porch, I crashed right into Sabrina, nearly knocking her down the steps.

  Sabrina

  I stared at Dan’s front door, willing my hand to raise and ring the bell. My inner battle was halted when the door swung open and Dan bounded through it, crashing right into me. His hands gripped my shoulders, holding me steady.

  “Sabrina.” If his tone was anything to go by, he was both surprised and happy to see me. At least we’re off to a good start.

  “Hi.”

  During the drive, I rehearsed what to say, but nothing was coming to mind at the moment. When I realized we were standing there staring at each other, I asked, “I’m sorry, are you going somewhere?”

  “I was just gonna grab dinner, but that can wait. Come on in.” He stepped aside and gestured toward the open door. “Would you like a drink?” he asked as we entered the kitchen.

  “Some water would be great,” I said.

  Anything to postpone the inevitable.

  Dan retrieved two bottles of water from the refrigerator and asked me to follow him into the family room. I settled onto the love seat. Dan seated himself directly across from me on the sofa. I took a sip of water and looked around.

  “It’s awfully quiet around here.”

  “Mrs. Evans is gone for the day, and Lexi and Jeff are over Tori and Nancy’s house.”

  I flashed a knowing smile. “I guess things are still going well.”

  Dan nodded. “They told Tori and Lexi about their relationship a few days ago, so I guess it’s getting pretty serious.”

  I was about to ask another question about Jeff’s love life when Dan asked one about my own. “Why are you here, Bri?”

  I placed my bottle on the coffee table and tried to remember my carefully orchestrated speech, but not a single word came to mind. So I decided to keep it short and to the point. “Because I love you.” You couldn’t get shorter and pointer than that.

  Dan’s smile was sad. “I know that, but it’s not really the issue.”