by Elsie Davis
Brody licked her hand.
“Beautiful dog. Seems to listen well.” Her dad let Brody sniff the scent of his hand before petting him.
The man might not know anything about kids, but he understood animals. “Brody, you be good for…Chad. Mommy will be back soon.” It was one thing to think of the man standing next to her as ‘dad’ in her head, but he didn’t deserve the title. Calling him Chad was the best she could do.
“He’ll be fine. I’ll take care of him, don’t you worry. And Gemma, it would mean a lot to me if you could stay a few hours or even the night. I’ve got plenty I can fix for supper.”
She slid into her Jeep, Chad closing the door behind her. Gemma lifted her hand in farewell, deciding it was easier not to respond, mostly, because she didn’t know what to say.
* * *
It was a short drive to the outskirts of Glen Haven and where Katie lived. Gemma pulled into her driveway, hoping she’d be home. The last time they’d talked had been over a year ago, and Katie had just moved back in with her mom and dad. Gemma hadn’t seen the old house since they moved away, and it seemed as though it hadn’t been worked on in as long. The white, two-story house now stood weathered; the paint chipped off to show the gray wood beneath.
She knocked at the door.
“Gemma, is that you?” The voice came from behind. She turned to find Katie coming down the path from the direction of the chicken coops, hauling two baskets filled with eggs.
“It is.” She grinned at Katie, reaching out to take one of the baskets. “I was hoping you’d be home.” Seeing her childhood friend brought back some of the better memories Gemma treasured.
“It’s great to see you. Come on in. Ma’s gone to the store, and Pa’s working at the Peterson’s dairy farm. If you’re hungry, I’m sure we’ve got something here I can fix you to eat.”
Gemma followed her into the kitchen. Katie set her basket down on the table, and Gemma did the same. The two of them hugged, and it was suddenly just like old times. The knot that gripped her stomach since she first arrived in Hallbrook began to unfurl.
“My throats a little dry so a soda would be perfect. I stopped in Hanover on the way in and grabbed lunch before I got here, so don’t worry about anything to eat.”
“Well, I’m sure you didn’t come all the way from Syracuse to see me, especially without warning, as much as it would be flattering. We haven’t had a chance to catch up in almost a year. So, what brings you to Glen Haven? Or are you just passing through? Not that I’m complaining. I’m thrilled to see you.” Katie was always the talkative one of the two of them.
“I made a stop in Hallbrook. I came to meet my dad.” She let the words tumble out without preamble, easier just to get it over with.
“What? You know?” Katie crossed the room and put the sodas down on the table, pulling out the chair and indicating for her to sit. Her friend sat down across from her, a huge smile on her face. “Tell me, I’m dying to know.” Katie leaned forward, the anticipation of the long-awaited mystery to be solved written on her face.
“Chad Andrews.” Gemma waited for the words to sink in and her friend to recognize the name.
“Chad Andrews, as in PBR Chad Andrews?” Katie’s mouth formed a wide o in disbelief.
“The one and only. Can you believe it? I found a photo album in my mom’s closet, and it had all his pictures and stories for almost twelve years. When she met Mark and got remarried, she stopped keeping track of him.”
“I can’t believe your mom dated him and that he’s your dad. Wow!”
“Tell me about it. I went there first, prepared to tell him off and leave. Get closure. But instead, he shocked me by knowing who I was before I said anything. It’s as if he knew, knew me. It threw me off my game, and when he invited me to stay and talk, I wasn’t sure what to do. I told him I’d think about it. I should have just driven away and never looked back, but I couldn’t quite do it. He’s watching Brody, my dog, while I visit you. What should I do?” Nothing about the day had gone the way she’d imagined.
“All your life you’ve wanted to know who he was and why he left. Half the puzzle is solved, and it’s up to you to ask the tough questions and demand some answers. What can it hurt? Your mom couldn’t have been very old when she got pregnant.”
“She said they were both eighteen. I’ve already asked him why. He didn’t say much except he had chased his dreams and followed the rodeo circuit. And he was sorry. Beyond that, everyone knows the story of the Bullbuster.” What else was there to know? The time to get to know each other had long since disappeared.
“So, come on, it wasn’t that long ago you were eighteen. At that age, I’m not sure any of us make the best decisions for ourselves. Look at me. Married and divorced, a baby, and living at home with my mom and dad. Even the men who stick around in the beginning, don’t always stick around to the end.”
Katie was right but being right didn’t ease the ache of a young girl having to make up pretend stories about where her daddy was and when he was coming home.
“A beginning with him might have been nice.”
“Well, now you have your chance. I hear a lot of awesome things about him around town, and he’s well-respected in the community.” Her words and smile eased some of Gemma’s tension.
“Like, what do you hear? What kind of person is he? I know he retired sometime in his late thirties after he was stomped by a bull, but other than the bull-riding information I found on the internet, I don’t know anything else about him.” Gemma was eager for information. Anything. Another sign she wasn’t ready to walk away. Not yet, anyway.
“He goes to church most Sundays and shops at the food store once a week. I know because I work at the Piggly Wiggly in Hallbrook.” Katie shrugged, one finger tapping the side of her soda can. “The rest I think you should hear from him. Part of the get-to-know-you conversation he wants to have. But I will tell you this, he almost died when the bull crushed his hip and pelvis. Luckily, he didn’t, and you get a second chance to get to know him. It can’t hurt to try, Gemma.” Katie took a swig of soda.
“For the record, this would be my first chance.”
An hour later, Gemma left and headed back to the ranch, still unsure what to do. It would be better if she got Brody and got at least partway home since she’d already stayed longer than she planned. Maybe after she had more time to digest the shock of Chad recognizing her, and more time to come to terms with who her father was, she’d be in a better place to make other decisions. But now wasn’t the right time, not with her emotions in meltdown mode.
She turned onto the gravel drive, passing under the wooden archway that announced she’d arrived at Whispering Pines. Halfway up the hill, she spotted her dad walking down the driveway. Brody’s leash was in his hand, but her dog was nowhere to be seen. Probably chasing a squirrel. At least he’d sleep good tonight. Her dad held up his hand for Gemma to stop. The worried expression on his face caught her attention. After setting the emergency brake, she hopped out of the Jeep.
“What’s wrong? Where’s Brody?” Gemma scanned the woods, needing to see her furry canine baby as reassurance he was okay.
“I don’t know.” Chad’s words sent a wave of dread rippling through her chest and down her body.
Chapter Three
“What do you mean?” Gemma ground out the words, demanding an answer. In a little over an hour, Chad managed to prove he hadn’t changed. Still irresponsible, but he wasn’t a young man anymore and couldn’t use that as an excuse. She should’ve never left Brody there. Not with him. Not in a place Brody didn’t know.
“He was doing good with me, so I let him off the lead to walk down to the quarry. Next thing I knew, a couple of squirrels chased each other across the driveway and into the woods, and he took off after them. I called and called, but he didn’t come back. I’m sorry. He’s got to be here somewhere. We just need to keep searching.” Lines of tension marred Chad’s face.
Sorry didn’t solve
the problem. Her dog could be anywhere. She didn’t need this. Not now. “Brody!” She searched the woods to the side of the driveway, hoping to see his golden coat of fur running through the trees. This time of year, he would blend in all too easily.
“Brody!” Chad called out, his booming voice echoing through the leaf-barren trees.
Gemma scanned the area, her stomach knotted in fear. “Brody!” He always came when she called. There was no way he was within earshot range at this point. This couldn’t be happening. Please, Lord, let him be okay. Please.
Chad headed back her way. “I’m assuming your Jeep has four-wheel drive, if not, we can take my truck. We should drive around the quarry to look for him, it would help us cover more territory quicker.”
She shook her head in disbelief. Why would she team up with him for anything, much less finding Brody, the dog he lost? Gemma took a deep breath. Brody was more important than her issues with her dad, and if she had a better chance of finding him by teaming up with the man, then she’d set aside her differences.
“It does,” she snapped. She would do it, but it didn’t mean she had to enjoy it. She glanced around one last time. “Brody!” No sign of her baby anywhere. She hopped in the Jeep, expecting her dad to do the same.
“He’ll be fine, Gemma. Don’t worry. We’ll find him. He’s probably already found the quarry and is down there playing in the water. Follow the driveway up around the house. It leads to the trail that goes all the way around the property. It’s our best shot.”
“I hope so. I can’t believe you couldn’t even keep him safe for an hour.” She didn’t try to hide the disgust in her voice.
He stared at her as he considered her words. “Yeah, well, I guess it proves what I’ve always known. I wouldn’t have been any good as a father. I’m clearly not even good enough to be a dog sitter either.” The resignation in Chad’s voice was unsettling, but it was his fault.
Both times.
“Clearly.” Gemma opened the windows before putting the Jeep in drive and maneuvering up the gravel road that eventually became a wide dirt trail path in the woods. Calling Brody’s name over and over, she drove at a turtle’s pace, hoping to catch sight of him. They stopped halfway around the property, where the trail led straight to the pond.
She’d never seen an old quarry, and it came as a complete surprise to find a place of beauty such as this tucked within the wooded forest. The sheer rockface of granite rising from the water had to be well over a hundred and fifty feet. Various shades of orange, brown, gray, and white all mingled together, created a spectacular view. She would have liked to stop and admire the scenery, but there was no time. Not with Brody missing and no sign of him playing in the water as Chad had hoped.
By the time they made it to the house, Gemma’s stomach was wrapped up in knots.
“It doesn’t make any sense,” Chad said. “Let’s check the house and make sure he’s not sitting on the porch waiting for us. If not, we can start searching for him on foot. Do you have anything better to wear for shoes? This isn’t exactly high-heeled territory.”
“I didn’t exactly know where you lived, and I didn’t exactly expect to be traipsing through the woods. What I did expect was to come here, give you a piece of my mind, and leave. So, no, I didn’t bring multiple changes of shoes as if I were going on a vacation.”
She parked back at the house, and they made their way to the top of the stairs. There was still no sign of Brody.
“In that case, you need to stay close to the house, in case he returns. It’s dangerous by the cliff, and I wouldn’t want you to slip and fall. Or twist your ankle.” He chose to ignore the rest of her comment, but the square set of his jaw meant it hit home.
Good. All she cared about was finding Brody and going home. “There’s no way I’m staying at the house when I need to be out looking for my dog. He’s like a child to me, something you wouldn’t understand.” She regretted the harsh words the minute they slipped out.
“You may be right about me, but this is my property, and I know how dangerous it can be. This is not up for discussion. I’ll search around closer to the cliff area. If you’re not content sitting still, then drive around the trail again.” Her dad seemed to take her comments in stride and didn’t miss a beat in taking charge of the situation.
Gemma followed him into the house, ignoring his instructions. She was old enough to make her own decisions, and Brody was her responsibility.
He turned and look at her, shaking his head. “Headstrong woman, just like your mother.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“She always knew what she wanted, and she wouldn’t let anything get in her way. For the record, I did offer your mother the chance to travel on the PBR tour with me. But she was right, as usual. The tour was no place to raise a child, something I learned pretty quick out in the real world.”
The bomb he dropped exploded in her head, forming pinpricks of pain as she fought to comprehend the little tidbit of information her mother failed to mention. A change of subject was in order.
“Whatever. Guess we’ll never know. We need to find Brody.” There’d be time to think about what he said later, and maybe even call her mom, but right now, she needed to find her dog.
The house was stunning with its rustic appeal, and under normal circumstances, she would’ve been hard-pressed not to stop and admire the place. But nothing about the situation was normal.
Stepping out the back door was like stepping into a new world. A world where one could view the entire countryside. But it wasn’t a landscape that eased out to the woods. Instead, less than thirty feet away, it was as if the land disappeared, a split-rail fence marking the edge.
She crossed the patio and put a hand on the fence, looking down at the pond. The greenish hue was marred only by the darkness of a passing cloud. The clarity of the water made it possible for her to spot a couple of huge fish swimming near a rock ledge.
Chad had moved off to a rock outcropping at a place where the fence ended. Not a place for her to follow in high heels. She wasn’t stupid and didn’t need his warning to stay away.
She scanned the edge of the quarry in search of Brody, hoping to spot him. The view was amazing with most of the leaves off the trees, and she could see a fair distance all around the quarry. Everything except the area directly below the ledge.
Chad squatted on his knees and peered over the side, holding on to one of the pointed edges of rock sticking up from the massive piece of granite.
Gemma drew in a deep breath, a nudge of fear pitted in her throat, making it hard to swallow. He might not have done a first-rate job babysitting her dog, but she didn’t want him to get hurt in the search.
Admittedly, Brody could be a handful at times. And it wasn’t as if he’d never run off on her before either.
“Gemma, he’s down here!” Chad’s shout sent chills throughout her body. Thank you, Lord. Her prayer had been answered and they’d found him, but now, she hoped he was okay. She raced over to where her dad waited to help her up on the rocks, his hand outstretched.
“Lose the shoes first. I don’t want you joining him down there.”
She didn’t question the command and did as she was told, slipping off her high-heels.
“Is he okay?" Gemma hesitated only a second before placing her hand in his, letting him pull her up onto the rocks. The ground was cold against her bare feet, but she didn’t want to dwell on her discomfort. This was all about getting Brody back to safety.
“He’s up on all fours and looking at me. And he’s not whimpering or barking which is an excellent sign. He seems scared, but other than that, okay.”
Grateful she had on jeans, she knelt and peered over the edge. Chad had one hand wrapped around her arm, and she didn’t mind one bit. It was a long way down.
Her gaze landed on Brody. He was about sixty feet down on a small sloped ledge. There didn’t appear to be any trails leading toward the area where he was located, which m
eant he had to have slid down the rock or fallen. Either way, getting him out wouldn’t be easy. He whimpered when he noticed her, the sound tearing at her heart.
“Hang on, Brody. We’ll get you, baby.” She gazed up at Chad for guidance, hoping he had a solution.
“He’s not in a good area. See the trail right there.” He pointed toward the area where she’d been standing earlier. “My best guess is he slid down the path on some loose pine needles, maybe chasing a squirrel or just being curious. We’re lucky the trees were there to stop him. But I can’t get to him that way, and it’s not possible for him to come back that way either. It’s too steep.”
“What can we do?”
“I think I can get to him if I go around to the wash area in that back right corner.” He pointed to an area which sloped into the water at a forty-five-degree angle with what appeared to be heavy washout from the rain and dirt above.
It appeared dangerous to her. “Isn’t there another way? That looks almost impossible to get down, and then how will you get across the washed-out area?”
“The section over there,” he pointed to the left, “cuts off with an impassable rockface. Coming in from the right is the only chance to reach him quickly. The last thing we need is for him to slide farther down the side.”
Chad’s last sentence drove fear into her heart. Enough so, that if he thought he could make it, she’d let him try.
“What do you need me to do?”
“Just stay right here and keep talking to him. Keep him calm. But please be careful, I don’t want to have to rescue you also.” He cracked a smile, taking the sting out of his words.
“I promise to stay right here. You’re the one who needs to be careful. Here, take his leash. He’s liable to be excited when you get to him and might start jumping.” Gemma tried not to show the nerves tearing her up inside.