TEXAS ROADS (A Miller's Creek Novel Book 1) (28 page)

Home.

The inaudible word brought her to an upright position. That first Sunday at church in Miller’s Creek, Brother Mac had talked about Christ being her home. She hadn’t understood then, but now it made perfect sense. Not just something she believed, but something she knew in her heart. She'd been frantic in her search for home, desperate to make it happen, only to have it staring her in the face the whole time.

Joy bubbled up into soft laughter. She slipped from the bed and traipsed to the balcony to drink in the first rays of light. There was much to learn, but she didn’t feel afraid. God would help her. And miracle of miracles, the home she’d longed for her entire life wasn’t a place after all.

Jesus was her home now and for always.

Chapter Thirty

S
teve’s neck muscles knotted as a car whizzed past on his right, horn blaring. He glanced nervously in the rear-view mirror. It would help if the lady riding his bumper would back off and put down her cell phone.

His mind flashed back to the summer after his senior year in high school. On a beautiful June day he and Lauren had driven to Dallas to shop for things for their dorm rooms. One minute they’d been talking and laughing, the next minute a blur, as another vehicle crashed into them from behind, sending them into a tailspin that ended in a seven-car collision.

The image of Lauren’s lifeless body on the pavement had been forever imprinted on his brain. He tightened his grip on the steering wheel. There weren’t many reasons he’d venture in to Dallas and face traffic. In fact there was only one. Dani. He had to find her, not only for Mama Beth, but for himself. He’d called Cecille last night after church and arranged to meet with her today. Maybe between the two of them they could locate Dani and convince her to come home.

He exited the interstate onto Mockingbird Lane breathing a sigh of relief. Though there was still a lot of traffic, at least it was slower-paced. How did people survive with all the noise and miles of concrete?

A few minutes later, he turned onto Preston Road, following the directions Cecille had given him over the phone, his mouth swinging open like an unlatched barn door. Compared to these houses, his mother’s Southern mansion looked like a miniature dollhouse. With manicured lawns and sculpted gardens, the neighborhood dripped wealth. The house on his right stretched on for what seemed like two blocks before the road turned and he could view the front. This was the place. Looked like some kind of modern-day castle.

He parked his truck in the large circular drive and strode to the house. Before he could even knock, Cecille opened the door, a changed woman from the last time he’d seen her. The dark area beneath her eyes hinted at sleepless nights. He could relate.

“Hello, Steve. Please come in.”

Hat in hand, his boots thudded on the shiny marble floor as he followed her through the massive foyer, down a long hallway, and into a kitchen that would hold his entire house. She pivoted toward him. “Please have a seat. Would you care for a glass of tea?”

“Yes ma’am, please.” He perched at the counter and pulled at the collar of his polo, wondering if he’d ever felt so out of place.

She placed the glass in front of him, her expression subdued, her fingers devoid of the gaudy rings she’d worn during her stay in Miller’s Creek. “I appreciate your concern for Dani, but I’m not sure I’ll to be able to help you find her.” She lowered herself to the ornate bar stool.

“Any idea where she might’ve gone?”

Her head moved from side to side then lowered. “No.”

“Has she been in contact with you?”

“Last night.”

His pulse quickened and he leaned toward her. “And?”

“She just wanted me to know she was okay.” Her voice cracked and her eyes, so much like Mama Beth’s, flooded with tears that spilled over and slipped down her cheeks. “Will she ever forgive me?”

No matter what she’d done in the past, she clearly loved Dani and felt remorse for her behavior. He draped a hand across hers. “I believe she will. She loves you.”

Cecille pulled her hands away and wiped her tears. “I don’t know why. I don’t deserve it.”

“You must’ve done something right. You raised a mighty special lady with a heart of gold.”

The woman managed a weak smile. “She is special. I’m just not sure I can take credit.”

“Would any of Dani’s friends know where she is?”

“Maybe Andy.”

Steve stiffened at the familiar fingers of jealousy clawing his insides. This might not be pleasant, but he had to know. “Can you give me directions to his office?”

“I can do better than that. I’ll take you.” He glimpsed in her expression the same determination he’d seen in Dani on more than one occasion.

After Cecille gathered her purse and keys, he followed her to the garage, struggling to keep his jaw from hinging open like some hick from the sticks. Folding himself into her little red sports car proved to be an even bigger challenge. With his knees riding near his chest, he grabbed hold of the arm rest and clung to it for dear life as she zipped in and out of traffic. The only thing worse than driving in Dallas was riding with someone who’s crazy driving contributed to the problem.

They pulled up outside a fancy stone building with Tyler & Coleman Law Firm plastered on the front in big black letters, self-doubt seeping into his psyche. No way could he ever compete with this kind of money. Why would Dani choose him when she could have this? Especially after the way he’d treated her. He crawled from the confines of Cecille’s sardine can of a car offering up a quick prayer for things to go smoothly. Regardless of past hard feelings between him and Andy, the last thing he needed to do was alienate the one person who might know where she was.

The receptionist at the front desk smiled as they approached. “Welcome to Tyler and Coleman. May I help you?”

Steve was relieved when Cecille answered. “My name is Cecille Hampton. I don’t have an appointment, but it’s imperative that we see Andy Tyler. Is he in?”

A minute later they were ushered in to Andy’s office, surprisingly simple for a big city lawyer like him. When he saw them he hopped to his feet, coming from behind his desk to hug Cecille. A friendly smile on his face, he offered Steve his hand. “Hey, Steve, glad to see you. I hear things are basically finished in Miller’s Creek. Congratulations.”

Taken aback at Andy’s relaxed friendliness, he nodded. The last time they’d spoken in Miller’s Creek, the tension between them had been so thick a chain saw couldn’t have ripped through it. Steve shook his hand. “Yep, almost done. Thanks for seeing us on such short notice.”

“I must admit, I never expected to see the two of you together.” Andy moved to the group of wing chairs nearby and motioned for them to sit. “Let me guess. This has to do with Dani.”

He and Cecille nodded at the same time. “Have you seen her or heard from her?” Steve tried to squelch the anxiety in his voice, but to no avail.

“We’ve been in touch.”

Lowering his gaze, he let out a shaky breath. So they were still together. No wonder Andy seemed so happy. “Do you know where she is?” He kept his eyes trained on Andy.

“No.” His direct gaze never wavered.

Cecille released a heavy sigh, her shoulders sagging. “Well, thanks for your time.” She stood. “We won’t keep you.”

Steve rose to his feet. The trip to Dallas had been a waste of time. Dazed, he turned to follow Cecille, but Andy laid a hand on his shoulder. “Could I speak to you alone for a moment?”

He glanced at Cecille, who nodded. “I’ll wait in the lobby.” She closed the office door behind her.

Andy offered a close-lipped smile. “Please have a seat.” They both settled into the chairs then Andy leveled a green-eyed gaze his direction. “You’re in love with her aren’t you?”

His brows shot up, and he released a short laugh. “That obvious, huh? What about you?”

The lawyer shook his sandy curls. “Let’s just say I’ve moved on. Dani made it clear she wasn’t interested in me right after the rodeo.”

The rodeo? That was weeks ago. “But I thought—”

“Yeah, you and the rest of the town.” He laughed good-naturedly. “Dani and I are friends and always will be. Don’t give up on her. She might come around.”

Steve leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and busied his hands with his hat. “I know she’s the one behind the foundation.”

Andy leaned back in his seat, eyes wide. “Really? Well, it’s about time someone knew.”

“Why’d she keep it a secret?”

“Her parents.”

His eyebrows wrinkled. “Sorry, I’m not following you.”

Andy raised both hands, his expression serious. “Based on what Dani’s mentioned, I think they must’ve been the status-seeker-types who used their money to buy friends. She wanted the people in Miller’s Creek to like her for who she was.”

The words knocked the air from his lungs. Why had he been such a fool? He grappled with words. “She’s a better person than I ever gave her credit for.”

Andy smiled sadly. “Yeah, she is.”

“Thanks for your help, Andy.” Steve stood and stretched out his hand. “If you happen to hear from Dani again, would you tell her we all want her to come back home?”

“Sure.”

Steve made his way to the door, but Andy’s voice called out from behind. “Steve?”

He turned. “Yeah?”

“For what it’s worth, I think she loves you, too.”

Lips tight, he lowered his head. “After the stupid moves I’ve made—”

“Don’t underestimate her. You’ve already done that once.”

Steve nodded and walked from the room, his heart heavier than one of the boulders perched beside the creek.

* * *

Early Tuesday morning Dani clicked the cell phone shut, tears gushing down her cheeks as she weaved her way through the I-30 commuter traffic in Dallas. She glanced into the rear-view mirror and used one hand to wipe away tears. Calling Mama Beth had been the hardest thing she’d done so far. The sorrowful plea in her aunt’s voice made her want to rush back to Miller’s Creek immediately, but she couldn’t make that kind of promise until she and Mother worked things out. Thoughts of Steve flowed to her mind, followed by a flood of feelings. She missed Mama Beth, but her heart ached for Steve, to see his face and hear his voice.
God, please help us.

She’d left Mustang Island yesterday, hoping to make it all the way to Dallas, but road construction and snarled traffic had spoiled her plans. Instead, the late hour and fatigue from the difficult drive had forced her to spend the night in Waco. It was for the best. Feeling more rested could only be to her advantage when she confronted her mother.

As she pulled up to the front of Mother’s estate several minutes later, she glimpsed a foursome of men at the Country Club across the street strolling back to their golf carts. Did they know? Lately the question was never far from her mind. The lady behind the counter at the gas station, the teenager in the drive-through, the homeless man crossing the street in front of her as she waited at the traffic light, did they each know how much God loved them?

Breathing a quick prayer for strength and wisdom, she opened the car door and headed up the massive steps to the front door. From outside she heard the chimes pealing her arrival. A minute later her mother opened the door.

“Dani!” Mother flew out the door, embracing her and sobbing. “I’m so glad you’re okay. I’ve missed you so much and been so afraid...” She pulled away, resting her hands on Dani’s upper arms, her eyes full of sorrow and tears. “...so afraid I’d never see you again.”

She gave her mother another hug then grabbed her hand. “Let’s go inside where we can talk.”

Once in the living room, Dani glanced around. The place had been emptied of some of its furnishings, and less stuff cluttered the tables and walls. Her mother's gaze was fixed on her like she might evaporate.

Smiling, she placed a hand on Mother’s knee. “Don’t be afraid. I’m sorry I left the way I did, but I needed to be alone to think through things. I'm back to stay.”

Her mother’s bottom lip disappeared, and she sat quietly as if pondering what to say and how to say it. “I never meant for you to learn the truth about your adoption, but I was wrong. And I’m so sorry about the way you found out. Please forgive me.”

“I already have, but I’m not sorry I learned the truth.”

“What are you going to do?” Mother’s face paled, her voice hesitant.

How would her mother react to her plan? She licked her lips. “First I want us to spend some time together, then I’m going to finish the work in Miller’s Creek and do a lot of praying. God will show me the road He wants me to take.”

Her eyes flickered with unspoken questions. “You sound as if—”

“As if I’ve found God?” She smiled, her heart full to overflowing. “Actually, it’s the other way around. He found me.”

“You look happy.”

“I am.”

Head lowered, her mother continued. “Then I’m happy for you. There was a time when I believed.”

Heart bursting, she knelt in front of her mother. “It’s not too late to try again.”

Mother smiled then reached a hand to cup her face. “Oh, my darling, I’m so sorry for what I’ve put you through. For making you feel like a thing instead of a person. I wouldn’t blame you if never had anything to do with me as long as you live.”

Dani shook her head. “That will never happen. You’ll always be my mother.” She hugged her again then sat beside her on the couch. “I want to help with your bills.”

Her mother raised a hand and gave her head a vehement shake. “I’ve already sold my jewelry and a few other things and found a buyer for the house. That gives me more than enough to live on.”

Frowning, she studied Mother’s face, not sure she recognized the changed woman in front of her. “But where will you live?”

“A nice town home close to my friends. I’ve already moved a few of my things.” A sad smile trembled on her face. “I want you to go back to Miller’s Creek.”