Gold in the Fire and Light in the Storm

by Margaret Daley

  She was about to rise when he finally said, “It’s not really a big secret. In fact, the whole town knows. My fiancée left me at the altar last year because she was having another man’s baby.”

  His words caught her completely by surprise and wrenched her heart. How awful. But she suspected he didn’t want to hear those words. She let the silence grow while he wrestled with his demons. The clenching of his jaw and the stiffening of his body spoke of the emotions gripping him.

  “I’d spent six months getting this house ready for Carol. I’d wanted everything perfect. The problem was, while I was lovingly carving the bookcases and bed, she was seeing another man. I…” His voice trailed off into the silence. He swallowed hard and reestablished eye contact with Darcy. “I should have spent the time with Carol. But I love working with my hands and this—” he swept his arm to indicate the whole house “—was my way of expressing my love for her.”

  “She didn’t want to help?”

  “She did a little, but she didn’t like physical work. Computers were more her thing. She would spend hours in front of one. I need to be up and working. Sitting for too long drives me crazy.”

  “About the only time I sit is to read a good book. That’s what I do when I have the time.”

  The corners of Joshua’s mouth lifted in a lopsided grin that eased the tension momentarily. “Since you’re a librarian, that makes sense.”

  Darcy chuckled. “I guess I’d better like books or I’d be surrounded by something I don’t like every day at work.” She shifted on the couch, leaning back against the cushion. “Does Carol live in Sweetwater?”

  “Yes. She married the man and they have—” he cleared his throat “—a seven-month-old son.”

  “Do you see her much?” There was a part of her that was shocked at the boldness of her questions; the other part wanted to know the answers, wanted to know Joshua.

  “Not often. She used to go to the same church, but now goes to a different one across town.”

  “I’m sorry things didn’t work out, but maybe what happened was for the best. If you aren’t right for each other, it’s better to discover that before the marriage rather than after.” Like I did, Darcy thought, folding her arms over her chest.

  “I keep telling myself that. The worst part about the whole situation is that it makes me doubt my judgment. How could I be so wrong about Carol? We’d known each other for years—dated for three of them.”

  How many times had she asked herself that very question concerning Clay? “Maybe you didn’t see the true Carol. People have a way of putting up a front. The problem is, that front won’t last forever. A person’s true character comes out in the end.”

  Joshua picked up his drink and finished it in several swallows. “Speaking from experience?”

  She wished she could tell him. But she wasn’t used to sharing much of herself with anyone. She’d tried with Clay and he’d rejected her feelings. Between her experiences with her father and Clay, she’d learned to keep everything buried deep inside. “I was just making an observation. I’m sure everyone has dealt with people who aren’t always who they seem to be.”

  He studied her. The silence in the room stretched to an uncomfortable level. Darcy crossed her legs, then uncrossed them.

  “I suppose you’re right,” he finally said.

  His words cut through the silence, but did nothing to relieve the tension building in Darcy. She pushed herself to her feet. “I probably should check on Sean, make sure he’s staying out of trouble. It’s been awfully quiet for the past twenty minutes.”

  “He’s got three dogs to play with. When I left him, he was smiling from ear to ear while they licked him.”

  “That’s my son. Give him an animal and he can entertain himself for hours.”

  “Then Sean and I have something in common.”

  Darcy followed Joshua through the kitchen, a sunny, cheerful room decorated in yellows and reds with dark walnut cabinets polished to a rich sheen. The tan tiled countertops and floor contrasted with the plaid wallpaper, complimenting each other.

  When she stepped out onto the deck, she was taken by its beauty. A rose garden graced the east side, while a garden full of wildflowers stood along the west fence. A pond fed by a fountain was the focal point in the rock garden along the deck. Several maple trees with two stone benches under them presented a place to seek shade in the heat of summer.

  “Do you like to do yard work, too?”

  Joshua glanced around, his gaze touching each garden. “Yes. I do draw the line at housework, however. I have someone come in once a week to clean for me.”

  “Frankly, I don’t know when you would have time to do that anyway. You do like to be busy.”

  “There’re so many things I want to do and so little time.”

  “Mom, watch this,” Sean shouted from beneath a maple tree.

  Her son held up a Frisbee and sent it sailing through the air. Arnold leaped up and caught it, then trotted back to Sean.

  “Isn’t he great?”

  Two more dogs, one a cross between a collie and a German shepherd and the other with a lot of Chow in him, vied for Sean’s attention. He tossed a ball for each of them to fetch.

  “Where do you draw the line at taking in strays?” Darcy asked, turning slightly so she faced Joshua.

  Sunlight danced in his blue eyes. “I haven’t found that point yet. I usually manage to locate homes for my strays, but if I can’t, I keep them until I find one. Every once in a while one of the strays touches me in a certain way and I end up keeping him for a pet.”

  “Hence the four dogs and two cats?”

  He nodded, silent laughter making his eyes sparkle. “That’s one of the reasons I fell in love with this house. The yard is so big.”

  “You know, when we return to Panama City I’m gonna have a hard time with Sean. He’ll probably start wanting a larger house so he can have more pets. I won’t be surprised if he doesn’t start finding strays. Joshua Markham, you have made quite an impression on my son in the short time we’ve known you.”

  He straightened, satisfaction stamped on his features. “I aim to please.”

  That was the problem. He was pleasing to look at, pleasing to be around. She had no intention of getting serious about a man after her marriage to Clay, but she was finding that harder and harder to remember the more she was with Joshua.

  “Why didn’t Grandpa come with us?” Sean asked as he hopped from the car and started for the church.

  “He was tired and thought he would go to bed early tonight.” Darcy trailed behind her son with Lizzy at her side.

  “Maybe he’ll come on Sunday with us.” Seeing Nate Bradshaw, Sean hurried into the building.

  Lizzy stopped on the sidewalk to catch her breath. “You and I both know your father won’t come on Sunday or next Wednesday night. He hasn’t stepped foot in church since the day of your mother’s funeral.”

  “I know. Maybe Sean can do what you and I couldn’t—get Dad to come to church.”

  Lizzy shook her head. “I’ve been trying for the past thirteen years to no avail. He’s unusually quiet about his reasons behind stopping, which in itself is a mystery. Your father is rarely quiet about anything.”

  As well Darcy knew. She had been on more than one occasion at the other end of her father’s sharp tongue and biting opinions. She held one of the double glass doors open for Lizzy, who carried a large casserole dish for the Wednesday-night potluck dinner and church service. While Lizzy headed toward the kitchen, Darcy was letting the door close when a woman about her age with a young girl in a wheelchair approached. Smiling at the woman and child, Darcy stepped to the side to allow them into the building. The young girl, her face with an ashen complexion, grinned up at Darcy.

  “Hi, I’m Darcy O’Brien.”

  “I’m Crystal.”

  Darcy glanced at the tall, slightly overweight woman with shoulder-length light brown hair and hazel eyes pushing Crystal’s wheelchai
r.

  “And I’m Crystal’s mother, Tanya. Lizzy said something about Shamus Flanaghan’s daughter and grandson coming home for the summer.” The woman smiled, two dimples appearing in her cheeks.

  “That would be me,” Darcy said, responding to the upbeat, enthusiastic tone in the woman’s voice and the happy expression on her face.

  “Well, it’s a pleasure meeting you. Lizzy has been such a dear to me and my family since the accident.” Tanya started toward the rec hall, maneuvering the wheelchair around people in the foyer. “This is our first outing in a long time. Crystal’s been dying to see her friends.”

  Inside the large room with rows of tables set for dinner, Tanya wheeled Crystal toward a group of children standing around the piano. The music director was playing and the kids were singing. When a song ended, everyone greeted Crystal, a couple of the girls hugging her. Tanya backed away and stood next to Darcy.

  The woman blew out a relieved breath. “I’m glad that’s over with.”

  “What?”

  “Crystal was anxious about this first meeting.”

  “You said something about an accident. What happened?”

  Tanya frowned, the lines on her forehead deepening into grooves. “She was taking a riding lesson when her horse got spooked and bolted. She fell and injured her spine. The doctors say she’ll never walk again.”

  Darcy remembered her own falls from a horse and shivered. “I’m sorry.” The words seemed inadequate.

  “Crystal’s got a great attitude. She’ll be okay. That’s more than I can say about her father.”

  The children finished singing and began moving toward the couch area with the youth minister. Tanya rushed forward to push her daughter. Darcy headed toward the kitchen to help Lizzy with the dinner setup.

  “I see you met Tanya Bolton and Crystal,” Lizzy said, handing Darcy a stack of plates to put on the serving table.

  “Yes. When did Crystal have her riding accident?”

  “Last fall. Tragic. Tom, her father, has been a hard man to live with. I try to help as much as I can, but he is so angry. Tanya had enough to cope with before the accident. Now I don’t know how she does it.”

  Darcy came back to pick up another stack of plates. “Money problems?”

  Lizzy nodded. “Crystal’s accident has been very hard on the family, financially as well as emotionally. Tanya needs all the friends she can get right now.” She pinned Darcy with a worried expression. “And your prayers.”

  “That I can give.” Darcy peered through the door into the rec hall and found the woman standing by her daughter, listening to the youth minister. Her heart went out to Tanya Bolton. If something like that happened to Sean, she wasn’t sure how she would handle it.

  Darcy’s gaze shifted away and lit upon Joshua speaking with the reverend. Her heartbeat responded with a quicker pace. He looked good to the eyes, Darcy thought, taking in Joshua dressed casually in a pair of tan slacks and navy-blue polo shirt. The blue brought out the color of his eyes.

  She recalled the pain she’d seen reflected in those eyes when he’d talked about his ex-fiancée. She, too, had been through a difficult relationship, so she felt a kinship with Joshua. That was all she could allow, however. In a few months she and Sean would return to Panama City where their home was. Sweetwater wasn’t home anymore. Sometimes she wondered if it ever really had been.

  Joshua caught her looking at him. A smile lit his eyes, the lines at the corners of them deepening. A dimple appeared at his mouth and held her attention for a few seconds before she averted her gaze.

  She turned back toward Lizzy. “What else do you need me to do?”

  “We just need to get the dishes on the table and then we’re ready to eat.”

  “Sounds good to me. I haven’t eaten since breakfast.”

  “Can I help you two?”

  Joshua’s question brought her around to face him. “Sure. As you can see, we have a lot of food.” Darcy waved toward all the dishes on the counter.

  Side by side she and Joshua worked to put the food out on the long serving table while Lizzy put finishing touches on some of the dishes. Seeing Joshua here this evening added a bounce to Darcy’s walk, as though his presence completed the night. She shouldn’t feel that way. She had every intention of leaving Sweetwater when the summer was over. She and her father couldn’t stay in the same town for long. She didn’t want to fall into the same old pattern she’d been in while growing up, and even while married to Clay. She was just discovering who Darcy O’Brien really was.

  “I’m glad to see you here tonight.” Joshua’s deep, rich voice cut into her thoughts, bringing her back to the present.

  “You are?”

  “Yes. I was going to call you tomorrow. Ned says that Sean can have his puppy a little earlier than usual. After your son’s visit the other day, he decided that Sean would be a great owner and there wasn’t any reason to wait another week.”

  “Have you told Sean yet?”

  “No, I wanted to run it by you first.”

  “If I know my son, he’ll want to go over to Ned’s tomorrow morning before the sun rises.”

  Joshua laughed. “Afraid he’ll have to wait a little. Ned doesn’t go off duty until the afternoon.”

  “Sean will be beside himself. Dad has arranged for him to have a horse. He’ll be riding him for the first time tomorrow morning. Are you off?”

  He nodded. “Why?”

  “This would be a good time for you to go riding with us. Remember you said you wanted to ride more? Well, I’m giving you the perfect excuse to. Then you can go with us to pick up the puppy, since you’re the reason we’re getting her.”

  Joshua ran a hand through his hair, thinking. “I have to confess I’m not a good rider. In fact, I’m no kind of rider.”

  “Then you and Sean will have something in common. Sean’s only ridden a few times.”

  “I hope I don’t regret saying yes.”

  “Joshua Markham, you are a man who takes risks every day in your job. Riding a horse is much easier than fighting fires.” Even as she said the last sentence, the image of Crystal in her wheelchair popped into Darcy’s mind. She shivered.

  “Cold?”

  “No, I just thought about Crystal Bolton.”

  “My point exactly.”

  “Accidents happen all the time, Joshua. You know that. We can’t worry about what might happen. If we did, we’d live in fear all the time and never get up in the morning.” Another picture flashed into Darcy’s thoughts: her mother locked in her bedroom with the drapes drawn all day long, sleeping and sleeping. She shook the memory from her mind, determined not to journey into the past. “You’re a risk taker and you love animals. Riding is perfect for you.”

  Joshua held up his hand. “Okay. You’ve convinced me. Why the hard sell?”

  “I need a referee. My father is determined to work with Sean and his horse. I’m going along to—” Suddenly she stopped, realizing what she was admitting.

  Joshua moved closer, until only inches separated them. “Why are you going along, Darcy?”

  “To protect my son.” There, she had said it.

  “From your father?”

  “He taught me to ride but he isn’t a very forgiving teacher. But Sean was so excited when Dad said something about it at breakfast, I didn’t have the heart to say no. My father is a hard man and Sean is so impressionable.” Joshua’s scent, with a hint of musk, teased her senses. She should step back. She didn’t. “Now that I’ve told you, do you still want to go?”

  His eyes glinted with humor. “Only if you promise to be my teacher.”

  His look mesmerized her. Her mind blanked—until someone behind her coughed, reminding her that she and Joshua were not alone.

  “Hi, Mike. It’s good to see you. Do you need something?” Joshua glanced over Darcy’s shoulder.

  “That spoon in your hand for the casserole if that’s not too much of an inconvenience.”

  Hearing th
e chuckle in the man’s voice, Darcy spun about, feeling the heat searing her cheeks. “I’m Darcy O’Brien.”

  “Shamus Flanaghan’s daughter?”

  “Yes.”

  “Sorry about that,” the man said belligerently before turning to spoon tuna casserole onto his plate.

  Stunned, Darcy opened her mouth to say something, thought better of it and snapped her jaws closed. Anger welled up in her. It was one thing for her to say something about her father, but she didn’t like anyone else to criticize him.

  “That’s Mike Reynolds, the assistant manager your father fired a few months back.”

  Joshua’s whispered words washed over her, sending a chill down her spine. Again his nearness caused her heart to speed up, something it was doing a lot of around Joshua.

  As Mike moved down the line, Darcy stepped away from the serving table to allow others to select their food. “Not a particularly friendly guy.”

  “I heard the Colemans let him go after the fire. He left in a huff.”

  “Could he be responsible for the fires?”

  Joshua shrugged. “He certainly doesn’t stay long at a farm. Soon it will be hard for him to be hired at all. He’s garnishing quite a reputation.”

  “How so?”

  “He’s too rough with the horses.”

  The tightness about Joshua’s mouth indicated he didn’t care for Mike’s techniques. “So that was the method my dad didn’t like.”

  “Probably. Mike gets results from his horses, but at a cost.”

  Her father might have been tough on her when he was raising her, demanding perfection, but he was always gentle with his horses—in fact, any of the animals at the farm. She could remember once when she was a little girl wishing she had been a horse so her father would love her. Hurt, buried deep, rose and threatened to overwhelm her.

  “Darcy, are you okay?”

  She blinked, focusing on the here and now. Coming home had been tougher than she had thought possible. She slowly gave Joshua a nod, but inside she didn’t feel all right. The fragile new life she was building for herself was beginning to unravel and she wasn’t sure how to hold it together.