TEXAS ROADS (A Miller's Creek Novel Book 1) (14 page)

“Thank you, Mama Beth.”

Her aunt swiveled, and a soft smile touched her face. “You’re welcome.”

Dani stepped around the corner to the side porch and positioned herself on the swing, cooing to the kitten. She studied the small creature, pristine white except for black spots, and a wave of compassion rolled over her. “I know exactly how you feel, kitty.” Abandoned and unwanted. “It hurts when no one wants you, but you’re going to make it. I promise to take good care of you. I don’t know much about being a mama, but I’ll do the best I can.”

In her peripheral vision she glimpsed movement, and twisted her head to see Steve standing nearby, his cell phone to his ear. How had he come up on the porch without her hearing him? And how much had he heard?

A strange expression flitted across his face as he eyed her and the kitten. “Hey Doc, I’m at Mama Beth’s, and we found an abandoned kitten, probably only two weeks old. Do you have anything we could feed it? You do? Good. I’ll be out later to get it.” He stopped talking, his profile one of concentration as he listened.

Her heart filled to overflowing. How considerate of him to make this effort for the kitten and for her. She puzzled once more over the incongruity in his behavior. One day he made her madder than a mother bear ready to take a swipe at his head, and the next he pulled something like this.

“That’ll be great. I’ll be waiting. Thanks.” Steve flipped the phone shut and smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

“Well, what did he say?”

“Doc has a powdered milk formula made especially for abandoned kittens and puppies. He was already on his way into town, so he’s going to swing by the clinic then come by here to drop some off.”

She raised the kitten close to her face. “Did you hear that, little bit of kitty? We’re going to get you some food here shortly.” The kitten blinked as if she understood every word.

Steve lounged next to her on the swing and reached for the kitten, enclosing her hands in his before she released the small animal. He sat the kitten on his chest, and she clawed her way to his shoulder. “I think you just came up with a great name for this cat.”

Dani moved her head to one side. “What’s that?”

“Little Bit.”

“Lunch is ready!” Mama Beth called out the words from inside the house.

Steve handed the kitten back to her with a grin. “The general’s calling.”

She cradled Little Bit in the crook of her arm as they made their way into the house.

“Happy Birthday!” Her aunt’s face shone as they entered the kitchen.

A birthday cake aglow with candles sat on the table. The moisture in Dani’s eyes made the flickering light glow especially bright. Someone had remembered after all. “When did you have time to make a cake?”

A proud gleam covered Mama Beth’s face. “Early this morning while you were still asleep.”

Dani passed the cat off to Steve then enveloped her aunt in a hug. “This is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me, Mama Beth. Thank you. How’d you know today was my birthday?”

Her aunt pulled back, a quizzical look on her face. “Well, shouldn’t I know my own niece’s birthday?”

“Of course, I just didn’t know if anyone would remember.” Mother always thought of it a few days late, like an unnecessary addendum to her social calendar. Would she remember this year, or was she intentionally punishing her for moving to Miller’s Creek?

Steve leaned close, stroking the cat’s head. “Happy birthday.”

Surprising heat rushed to her cheeks, and she ducked her head. “Thanks.”

Mama Beth snatched a package from the table. “Blow out the candles so you can open your presents.”

Dani obliged while the other two sang. When she raised her eyes to their smiling faces, she had to blink back the sudden sting of tears. Mama Beth handed her a gift.

“You didn’t have to get me a present.”

“I most certainly did. Go ahead. Open it.”

She moved to the window seat and ripped into the package, glancing up at the other two with excitement. Steve put the kitten down on the table and plunked down beside her as she uncovered a Bible with her name engraved in gold. She stiffened, unsure of what to say. "Thanks Mama Beth. It's beautiful."

“I wrote you a note on the inside cover. Open it.”

Dani followed her invitation and read out loud. “
To Dani, with all my love. This book will help you find what you’re seeking. I love you. Mama Beth.”
She choked out the words then turned a watery gaze to her aunt. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you just doesn’t seem like enough.”

Her aunt stooped to give her a quick hug. “It’s more than enough. Here’s another present.” She handed Dani a larger box. “This one is from Steve.”

She turned a questioning gaze toward him. He’d bought her a gift? Why? And when had he found the time with his hectic schedule?

“Mama Beth helped with the size. Hope you like it.”

The older woman rested a hand on his shoulder. “Steve picked up the Bible for me since I couldn’t get out of the house.”

Dani thought back to other birthdays. Never had she been made to feel so special, and from two people she’d only known a few weeks.

“Well, don’t just sit there. Open it.” Mama Beth’s voice took on impatience.

She tore through the paper and opened the box, immediate laughter spilling from her throat. “I love it! My first country clothes.” She held up the denim overalls.

“It’s about time.” Steve grinned and winked.

Dani remembered his comment about her clothing on the ride into Miller’s Creek and returned a sheepish grin before looking at Mama Beth.

Her face had taken on an enigmatic sheen, but then she seemed to snap out of it and clasped her hands together. “Well, why don’t we fix our dinner plates so we can cut into the cake?”

Steve’s laughter ripped the air. “Too late.”

They turned to look in the direction of his gaze and Mama Beth raised both hands to let out a “Hyeah!”

Unfazed, Little Bit continued her stance in the middle of the cake, licking chocolate frosting from her mouth and nose.

Chapter Fifteen

S
teve strode across the yard to his parents’ house early one morning spurred on by guilt. He’d delayed this visit far too long. In the weeks following the town hall meeting, his life had accelerated from fast to super-sonic-speed, and it was all he could do to keep up. He clamped his lips. Dani’s idea for Miller’s Creek had taken root like an invasive weed. Even the old geezers had formed a construction team, their constant questions and ideas driving him nuts. He was ready to inform them they could paint the whole town purple with pink polka dots for all he cared.

To make matters worse, not an hour went by when he didn’t think of Dani. Her tireless efforts on the behalf of Mama Beth and the town evoked a stronger reaction in him than anticipated, and he had to make a concentrated effort to stay away. If the truth be told, only two things held him back. Her earlier request for nothing but friendship, and more importantly, the fact that she still hadn’t professed faith in God. A heavy sigh poured out of him. Life would be a lot easier when she moved back to Dallas. Out of sight, out of mind, right?

He paused in front of the main house and brought a hand up to shield his eyes from the morning sun. To call the massive structure a farmhouse or even a ranch house was an understatement. More like a Southern mansion. If his mother’s goal had been to impress, she’d succeeded. Mom insisted on having this house built, a tribute to her Southern roots, and they’d moved from the family home in town, the house Mama Beth now owned. He turned his head to view the ancient live oaks which shaded the large circular drive, then trudged up the steps that led to the front door.

Steve entered the two-story foyer, complete with marble floors and an over-sized crystal chandelier. His boots thudded against the floor and echoed in the spacious room. Bypassing the grandiose staircase, he strode down the hall, his thoughts on his mother. The seven years of her illness seemed like a lifetime. He drew in a deep breath to prepare himself for what lay ahead then stopped outside the open door. Dad was stationed on one side of the hospital bed and a nurse on the other.

“Come on, honey, let’s try another bite.” Bo Miller held a spoon in his large hand, his voice pleading.

“Don’t want it.” His mother turned her head away, her lips pinched.

“But you’ve hardly eaten a bite. Please try. For me?”

Mom blurted out a string of expletives that would’ve once embarrassed her Southern sensibilities. Dad lowered the spoon and his head. His big shoulders sagged.

Steve breathed a quick prayer for help then rapped on the door frame. Dad looked up with weary eyes. “Come on in, Son. Maybe you’ll have better luck than I am.”

He smiled at his father and the nurse as he approached the bed, his heart stone-heavy, the scent of fresh flowers mingling with medicinal smells. How much longer could they endure seeing her like this? “Hi, Mom.”

“Who are you?” Her blank stare and derisive tone pierced his heart.

“I’m Steve, your son. Remember?”

“I don’t have a son. Get out of my house.”

He fixed his gaze on Dad, uncertain of what to do.

His father motioned toward the door with a jerk of his head. “I’ll join you in a minute. Go ahead and step out.”

Steve shuffled to the hallway, unable to halt the sudden rush of tears. He released a ragged breath then pushed down the bitter taste in his mouth. Footsteps sounded on the stone floors, and he swiped at his wet cheeks. Dad didn’t need any more grief.

Strong arms encircled him. “It’s okay to cry, Son.”

Steve hugged him back and swallowed against the pain in his throat. “I know. I just don’t want to burden you with my grief. You’ve got enough to deal with.”

His father pulled away. “You’re not burdening me.” Dad sniffed and pulled a handkerchief from his pocket. “It helps to have someone understand what I’m going through. She doesn’t know me half the time.” He stuffed the cloth in his back pocket and pointed a gnarled finger at him. “If I ever see you trying to hide your crying from me again, I’ll take you to the wood shed.”

Steve smiled through a mist of tears. “I’ll remember that.”

“You have time to sit and visit?”

He didn’t, but he’d make time.

They traveled to the terrace, canopied by live oak trees, and sat on the wooden patio chairs. “Son, I appreciate all you’ve done for the ranch these past few years. I couldn’t have made it without you.” Dad’s voice quivered.

“And I couldn’t have done it without Clay.” Steve leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, his gaze trained on a trail of ants. “Without his help as ranch foreman, there’s no way I could serve as mayor.” He struggled to find a topic to take Dad’s mind off his problems. “You should see downtown.”

“So I’ve heard. Sounds like Beth’s niece had a good idea.”

Was it a good idea? On one hand, it had created a new spark of life in Miller’s Creek, and for that he was grateful. But how could they keep going with a shortage of funds? His plan would’ve corrected that issue. “Yeah, but we need more money. The donation from HomeAcres Building Supply is only going to stretch so far.”

His father stared toward the fields, a vacant look in his eyes.

Steve patted him on the back. “You okay?”

Dad shook his head and let out a shuddering breath. “Your mama’s going down in a hurry. The doctor thinks in a few months she’ll be gone.”

The words knotted his stomach. How much more could Dad endure? The illness had taken its toll. His shoulders were more stooped, hair more gray, face awash with fatigue. Steve patted his father’s arm. “I’m worried about you.”

The big man’s eyes watered. “It’s just so hard to see her like this. Only God’s grace gets me through each day.” He rubbed his chin and blinked away tears. “How’s Beth doing?”

“Doing well. A little tired from the radiation, but her prognosis is good.”

A tender look crossed his face. “Glad to hear it. Now tell me about this niece of hers.”

Steve clenched his jaw. Should he start with her bullheadedness or the big blue eyes that sometimes kept him awake at night?

* * *

Dani gave a happy sigh and inhaled the flower-scented air. What was there about a beautiful June day that made you feel like a kid? In some ways she’d never really had a childhood, but nothing stopped her now. She tilted her face and spun around, arms flung to the side in joyous abandon.

When she stopped, the landscape continued to spin for a few seconds. Her head finally cleared, and she viewed her recent work in Mama Beth’s garden. Knowing she’d planted and nourished these small pieces of life brought satisfaction. Like the flowers she’d planted this morning, she was a transplant, but the move had gifted her with the home she’d always longed for and a chance to start her life anew.

She watched as Little Bit busied herself chasing a grasshopper then looked up as another car drove by at a crawl, the old women inside craning their necks to stare as they passed. Her happy mood spiraled to the ground and crashed. The one thing she didn’t like about life in Miller’s Creek. Nosy people. A scowl planted itself on her face as they continued to stare. “Take a picture. It’ll last longer.”

The screen door slammed. Mama Beth stood on the porch with a glass of fresh-squeezed lemonade which she raised toward Dani. “I brought you some lemonade. How’s the gardening going?”

“Good. I still have more to plant, but I don’t mind. I’m having a wonderful time.” She ambled to the porch for a drink, studying the woman who’d become such a vital part of her life. Every day she looked better. “Thanks, Mama Beth.”

A slow smile spread across her aunt’s features.

Dani cocked an eyebrow. “Why are you looking at me like that?” She guzzled the tangy lemonade, quenching her thirst.

“It still takes me by surprise when you call me Mama Beth, but I like it.” Her voice lilted like that of a happy child.

She gave her a hug. How she loved this woman! “The longer I’m around you, the more you feel like my Mama.”

A dark frown altered her aunt’s face. “Have you talked to Cecille lately?”

Well, that was a great way to ruin the day. “I’ve tried, but she’s still mad.” The hum of another slow-moving vehicle caught her attention. “What is it with these people? They’ve been driving by all morning, gawking like I was an animal at the zoo.”

Her aunt laughed. “Don’t be too hard on them. They’re just curious.”

“That’s no excuse. Haven’t they ever heard of privacy?”

An I-told-you-so look replaced Mama Beth’s smile. “I tried to tell you that life in a small town would be different.”

“And I expected it to be, but I didn’t expect this.”

Otis Thacker, the next-door neighbor, appeared at the fence, his hands on his hips.

Dani blew a puff of air between her lips. Not him again. “Snoopy neighbor alert.”

“Morning, Otis! How are you?” Mama Beth called out and waved an arm in the air.

“Fine.” He glowered as he took in her gardening work on the side of the yard that edged his own. “That niece of yours planted cannas over here.”

She grimaced. Now he was going to tell her what to plant and where to plant it? In her own yard?

Mama Beth placed an arm around Dani’s shoulder. “I told her to plant what she wanted. I can’t work the garden this year, so I’ve turned it over to her. She’s done a marvelous job, hasn’t she?”

“Well, I’d thank you to have her move ’em somewhere else. They’ll get so tall they’ll block the morning sun from my tomatoes.”

Gladys Thacker joined her husband at the fence. “How much longer is Cecille’s girl going to be here anyway?”

How rude! It wasn’t like she was holding all-night parties and disturbing the peace. Dani crossed her arms and shifted her feet. “My name’s Dani, you old snoop.” She kept her voice lowered, but her temper continued its ascent.

Mama Beth giggled then spoke to Gladys. “Just ’til I get better.”

Dani stretched her lips into a tight line. Could she ever convince her aunt that a permanent move was for the best? Since the gentle nudges didn’t appear to be working, maybe she needed a shove. “I’m actually thinking about moving to Miller’s Creek,” she shouted to Gladys.

Her aunt’s eyebrows shot up her forehead.

“Why would you want to do that for?” Gladys Thacker’s scratchy voice split the air.

“So all you busybodies can stick your nose in my business.” The words ripped from her mouth before she could stop them, and she popped a hand over her loose lips.

Mama Beth’s mouth flew open and consternation sparked in her eyes. “Dani!”

Immediate remorse washed over her. She turned to apologize, but the Thackers stormed away from the fence, their heads wagging. Okay, maybe she’d carried this childhood thing a little too far.

* * *

Later that day Dani finished planting the last flat of marigolds in the side yard, brushed her hands on her new denim overalls, and tightened the bandana she’d tied around her hair to keep it out of her face. She looked and felt like a bona fide country girl. A smile spread her lips out wide.

With a happy hum she picked up the aluminum watering can and moved over to the marigolds, their pungent scent filling the air. She knelt to give them a drink. The hum turned into a happy tune that burst from her lips.
“The farmer in the dell, the farmer in the dell, hi-ho the derry-o, the farmer in the—”

“Be careful you don’t drown those plants.”

Heat scurried to her cheeks, and she jerked her head around to see Steve standing near the corner of the house. She jumped to her feet, her gardening clogs slipping on the saturated ground, and landed in the middle of the marigolds. On her backside.

Steve doubled over with loud guffaws, tears rolling down his face.

She sent him a daggered glare. It wasn’t that funny.

He caught his breath and wiped his face. “Sorry I laughed, but that’s the funniest thing I’ve seen in a long time.” He ambled toward her to offer a hand, his face still creased with laughter. “You all right?”

Okay, cowboy, payback time.
She bent toward her ankle, careful to keep her face hidden. “I don’t know. I think I may have sprained something.”

He squatted down next to her, his face full of concern.

Opportunity pounded on the door. She grabbed a handful of mud and plopped it on top of his unsuspecting head. Dark streams of goo trickled down his face. That would teach him to laugh at her. She dissolved into a fit of the giggles. “Sorry I’m laughing,” she mimicked in a singsong fashion, “but that’s the funniest thing I’ve seen in a long time.”

The look in his eyes...no! “Oh no, you don’t!” She sprang to her feet and bolted for the front yard. A wad of muck made contact between her shoulder blades, and she let out a scream.

Dani turned to see Steve make a fist in the air and bring his elbow down in a motion of victory. “Yes!” He beamed a triumphant gloat.

This fight wasn’t over. Not by a long shot. She bent down to pick up mud balls to chunk at him and he returned the favor. One of his tosses pelted her in the face and deposited grit in her mouth.