A Love Rekindled

by Margaret Daley

  Zane gritted his teeth but couldn’t not reply to his father. “Use me? That isn’t the type of person Kim is.”

  “Are you so sure about that? You’re a wealthy man now.” His dad swept his arm across his body. “Who better to put this place back to its former glory.”

  “You think you have to stand up for me. Don’t. I can take care of myself.”

  “A slur against you is a slur against me.”

  “Is that what this is about?”

  His dad narrowed his eyes. “I know what people think about me. I’m trying to change, yet it’s people like Kim’s dad who still give me looks like I’m a leper.”

  He closed the space between his father and him. “Give them time. They’ll see you’re staying sober. You’re strong. You can do it.”

  “You don’t really believe that.” He pushed past Zane and stalked toward the truck.

  Lord, how do I help my dad? I don’t want to lose him again to alcohol. Please show me the way.

  He mounted the stairs to the second-floor gallery and knocked on the door to the game room. Perched on the roof, he’d seen Kim down below helping Brady and Anna pick up the scraps. Once she’d looked up as he had been staring at her. He should have gone right back to work, but he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. She smiled at him and waved before her daughter said something to her and Kim peered away. But her smile had stayed with him for hours as he put the roofing felt down.

  She opened the door, and again he found himself trapped by her look, words fleeing his mind. Her eyes gleamed first, and then the corners of her mouth lifted. A warmth spread through his chest to encompass his whole body even though the night had turned the breeze cold.

  “Hi. Did you need anything?” she finally asked.

  He cleared his dry throat. “Just wanted to let you know I’ll be back tomorrow afternoon after lunch to start on the shingles. I’m gonna bring one of my workers to help me. We should have the whole roof done by late Wednesday afternoon before the storm.”

  “Great.”

  He didn’t move—couldn’t.

  She glanced over his shoulder. “Where’s your dad?”

  “Cooling off in the truck, which is why I’m not too eager to join him at the moment.”

  “Y’all have a fight?”

  “I’m thirty-four, and he’s trying to tell me how to live my life. This from a man who has spent most of his time drinking and in a alcohol haze a good part of his life.” He breathed in the scents of jasmine and cooking meat. “Smells good.”

  “Maggie is fixing a roast chicken. Would you like to eat dinner with us?” She paused for a few seconds before adding, “Your dad can, too, if he wants.”

  “No. We’ll grab something on the way home. But I’ll take a glass of water.”

  “Sure.” She stepped to the side. “Come in. I’ll get it for you.”

  He’d give his dad another couple of minutes before he joined him. Right now he wasn’t sure what he would say to him if he started in again about Kim and her father.

  When she filled a glass and gave it to him, his fingers grazed hers. He nearly dropped the drink but covered his reaction to her touch by quickly raising it to his lips and sipping the water.

  “Kim, where are you?” her father shouted right before he came into the game room. His glance strayed to Zane then Kim. “They’ve revised the weather forecast. It looks like the storm system will be here a day early. It’s really building up west of us. It doesn’t look good for us, especially with gale-force winds.”

  “That means a tarp probably wouldn’t be enough to protect our house.” Kim threw an appealing gaze toward Zane.

  “Then we have to get all the shingles on tomorrow. They’re delivering them by eleven, but it’ll be faster if I pick them up myself. If I have to, I’ll work on the roof after dark. I’ve got some floodlights I can use. Tomorrow night you’ll have your new roof.” Zane took another swig of the water, then put the glass on the counter. “I’ll be here after I get the shingles. I’ll pull as many workers as I can spare from the school to help me.” He strolled toward the outside door. He knew the owner of the supply house. He’d try him this evening. Maybe the man could open up earlier tomorrow so he could get the shingles sooner.

  Kim followed him to the door. “Thank you. Are you sure you can afford to use your men?”

  “I have to. There are a couple of other places we’re working that will need the same kind of attention. You aren’t the only one I’ll have to pull men from the school for.” He clasped her hands. “Don’t worry. I’m not gonna let anything happen to this house.”

  “I appreciate it. I’m not sure how much more Dad can take.”

  The worry and pain he glimpsed in her eyes prompted him to cup her face. “Is he the only one you’re worried about?”

  “Yes.” Her eyes glistened. “I’m fine.” She backed away. “See you tomorrow.”

  He left Kim’s and headed for the side of the house where his truck was parked. When he rounded the corner, he stumbled to a halt. His truck was gone. What did his father do?

  In the past, his dad had done impulsive things when he was upset and they usually led to him drinking. He looked back toward the lights in the game room, then tried his dad’s cell. It went to voice mail. He left a message but knew his father wouldn’t be calling him anytime soon. After trudging back up the stairs, he knocked again on the door.

  When Kim appeared in the entrance, she frowned. “What’s wrong?”

  “I need a ride home.”

  “What’s wrong with your truck?”

  “It’s gone. I guess Dad got tired of waiting.”

  She chuckled. “So he left you to walk home.”

  He gave her a grin. “Not if a pretty lady will give me a ride home.”

  “Then do you want me to get Maggie for you?”

  For a few seconds, he didn’t know what to say to that. Then he saw her smirk and answered, “I guess I can settle for you.”

  She planted her hand on her waist. “I hope you have on some good walking shoes.”

  He peered down at his work boots, then up at her. “Well, yeah, but I’ve been working all day, and I’m just plumb tired. Can you help me? Please.”

  “Come in. I’ll get my purse. Do you want to stay for dinner before going home?”

  He started to say yes, but the word clogged his throat. Instead he shook his head. “Thanks. Another time.” He stayed out on the gallery, but through the open door, he spied the family taking their seats at the table. He didn’t know what that feeling was like to have a family sitting around a table talking, sharing dinner. Even now with his dad living with him, they rarely ate a meal together.

  When Kim came back, Zane said, “I’m sorry about taking you away from dinner, but—” he lowered his voice “—I’m worried about Dad. He might have been angrier than I thought. I didn’t think he would drive away and leave me.”

  She shut the door behind her. “I love chicken, hot or cold. I’ll be fine. Besides, it won’t take me that long.”

  In the car, Kim switched on the engine and pulled out of her long driveway onto the highway that ran along the coast. Two blocks away, she turned right and headed away from the Gulf toward the area Zane directed her to. “The area where you live is newly developed. How did it weather the hurricane?”

  “Not too bad since we’re about four miles from the Gulf. My home backs up to Lake Hope.”

  “Do you see many alligators around your place?”

  “Two in the last couple of years.”

  “Don’t tell Anna. She’d want to come to your house and keep watch for one.”

  Picturing Kim’s inquisitive daughter brought a smile to his lips. Every time he’d come down to the ground today, she’
d been right there asking questions about the roofing process. “I’ll remember that.”

  Ten minutes later, Kim parked in front of Zane’s dark house. “It looks empty.”

  “Yeah. That worries me.”

  “What did you two fight about?”

  The irony of this conversation struck him. “My father doesn’t approve of me helping you.”

  “Then why did he come and help today?”

  He didn’t need to see her face in the dark to know that Kim was hurt. It laced each word and made him wish he hadn’t said anything. But he wasn’t going to lie to her. “He knew I needed everyone I could get today. Lately he’s been doing some odd jobs around here and in the neighborhood. I’m hoping he’s getting back into the routine of working. For a long time, his drinking kept him from having a job for long.”

  “I guess you were right. We should put our two dads in a locked room and let them duke it out. My dad doesn’t want you in my life, and yours feels the same way about me. I don’t understand them making such a big deal out of it. We’re only friends now.”

  “Yeah, friends. I guess they don’t even want that.”

  “Tough. I have to be able to live my own life, and Dad is going to have to realize that.”

  “Right. I told mine that.”

  Kim shifted toward him, her fragrance of jasmine permeating every part of the interior. “Go check and see if he’s here. If he isn’t and you want to find him, I’ll take you.”

  “You would?”

  She clasped his arm nearest her. “Yes. And if you want, I can even talk to your father. Assure him my intentions are honorable.”

  He burst out laughing. “Sounds like we’re living a hundred years ago and our roles are reversed.”

  “I love your laugh. I can remember that time you laughed so hard when I fell into my cousin’s pool fully clothed.”

  “I know I shouldn’t have, but you should have seen your face. You couldn’t believe that little boy pushed you.”

  “It certainly made me reconsider babysitting a relative. I didn’t even get paid for looking like a fool in front of everyone.”

  “Not to me. You were adorable. An adorable drowned rat—I mean cute little dog.”

  Facing forward, she started the car. “I’m not sure being referred to as a drowned dog is much better than a drowned rat.”

  “Oh, yes, much better. I’ll be right back.” Zane hopped from the car and hurried into his house. A minute later, he was back. His worry mingling with a frown implied his dad wasn’t home even before he slid back onto the front seat. “Let’s go down Highway 90 and check the bars.”

  “You think he’ll begin drinking again?”

  “I hope not. His liver won’t last much longer if he does. But I’ve got to check those places in Hope first.”

  “What if you don’t find him there?”

  “Then I’ll have you take me home, and I’ll wait for him after I call Ian. His men can be on the lookout for my truck.”

  “It helps knowing the police chief,” Kim said, coming to a four-way stop on Gator Road.

  “I could have used that fifteen years ago.”

  Before putting her foot on the accelerator, she threw him a glance. “Do you think my dad was responsible for you being arrested prom night?”

  “Only he can tell you that. Even if he was, it’s not important now.”

  “Yeah, but if he did, that was so wrong of him. He shouldn’t think he can—”

  “Kim, don’t. It’s the past. I meant it when I told you I have forgiven your father for what happened all those years ago.”

  “How can you?”

  “Because it takes too much energy to keep up that kind of anger. When I left Hope, I didn’t feel that way. Even when I lived here, I was an angry guy.”

  At a stoplight on Highway 90, Kim tapped her fingers against the steering wheel. “You’re a changed man?”

  “Yeah, getting to know the Lord can do that to you.”

  “Maybe.” The light switched to green, and Kim pressed her foot down on the accelerator, shooting across the intersection.

  “Slow down a little. There are a few bars he used to frequent along this strip.”

  Silence descended for the next few minutes as Zane searched the parking lot of every bar they passed—until they came to the last one before leaving the city limits.

  “He’s there.” Zane pointed toward his black truck parked boldly in front of the bar.

  Chapter Six

  “Thank you. I can take it from here.” Zane opened the passenger door and put one foot down on the ground.

  The light from the bar’s neon sign shone on his face, revealing deep lines of sadness etched into his features. “Will you be all right?” Kim asked.

  “Sure. It’s not like I haven’t gone after my father before and brought him home drunk.”

  Her heart wrenched at his words. She didn’t want him to be alone. It was hard enough dealing with an alcoholic but doing it by yourself was doubly difficult. She opened her door.

  As she rose and peered over the top of her car, his gaze met hers. “No. A bar isn’t a place for you, especially this one. Why do you think it’s on the outskirts of town?”

  “I’m going in with you. Otherwise, I would be left sitting by myself waiting in the car. That doesn’t sound too safe, either.”

  “How about driving away? I’ll even wait to go in until you’ve left.”

  “Nope. You aren’t alone this time dealing with your dad. I’m here. Just as you have been these past few days for me. I won’t be able to leave until I know how your dad is.”

  He stared at her for a long moment then pivoted toward the entrance. “Suit yourself. I warned you.”

  Kim scurried after Zane into the bar, a wall of smoke blasting her in the face. She blinked her stinging eyes. How could anyone sit in here and drink?

  As blaring music from a jukebox played, Zane paused and took stock of the place. The bartender saw him and gestured toward a booth in the back on the right. Zane swung his gaze toward it and stiffened.

  Kim glimpsed the top of his dad’s head, the light from above shining on his bald spot as he bent over the table, his chin resting on his upper torso. Zane reached back and grabbed her hand, then moved in between the tables until he stopped at the last booth.

  His dad slowly raised his head. Tears filled the older man’s eyes, the same dark blue as Zane’s. “What are you doing here?” he asked in a voice full of anger.

  “Taking you home.” Zane touched his father’s arm.

  He jerked it away. “I don’t wanna go. I might not drink this.” He waved his hand at a small glass with a dark liquor in it. “Then again I might. It’s my decision. Not yours.”

  Zane slipped into the booth across from his dad and tugged Kim down next to him. “Then we’ll stay here and keep you company,” he said over the loud music playing in the background. “Staying here may be your decision, but driving my truck home isn’t.”

  The old man straightened, fastening his intense regard on Kim. “What’s she doing here?”

  “She gave me a ride and wanted to make sure you were okay.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure she cares.”

  Kim held his look. “I do care. You’re Zane’s father. You helped me when I needed it today.”

  “I remember what you said to me when I wouldn’t tell you where Zane was.” Mr. Davidson tapped the side of his head. “I don’t forget those kinda things.”

  “Dad, that was—”

  “I don’t care. She told me to go drown myself in a bottle.”

  Zane shot her a look.

  “I did, but I was upset and hurting. I said some things I’ve regretted. I�
��ve wanted to apologize to you.” That was the only thing she could do when she saw the pain on the man’s face as he struggled with his addiction.

  Mr. Davidson tilted up his chin. “What’s stopping you?”

  “Nothing. I’m sorry for what I said. It was wrong. Please accept my apologies.”

  “Nope. I won’t.” Zane’s dad clasped the glass in front of him, and slowly with hands trembling he brought the liquor toward his mouth.

  Zane tensed. His hand clenched.

  When the drink reached Mr. Davidson’s lips, Zane knocked it from the man’s grasp. “No, don’t do it. It’s killing you.”

  The glass shattered against the floor. Drops splattered on Kim’s jeans.

  The older man scrambled from the booth. “Get out of here. I don’t need a keeper. I’ll do what I want,” he shouted, drawing everyone’s attention in the bar. He swiveled around and stormed to the counter to order another drink.

  “I shouldn’t have done that.”

  “If he doesn’t want to change and stop drinking, nothing you do will change that.” Kim slid out of the booth followed by Zane.

  “I know, but I can make sure he doesn’t drink and drive.” Zane marched to where his father stood at the bar and held out his hand. “I want the keys to my truck now.”

  “How am I supposed to get home?”

  “Call me or a cab when you’re through doing whatever you think you’re doing.”

  Digging into his pocket, his dad scowled. He ignored the outstretched palm and tossed them toward Zane. He managed to catch them before they fell to the floor, then he stalked toward the door.

  Kim hurried after him and nearly ran into him right outside the door. She settled her hand on his arm. “Do you know who his sponsor is?”

  “Yeah, Ian.”

  “Call him. Let him talk with your dad. Sometimes we’re too close to the situation and only make matters worse.”

  “I will, then I’ll go back to the house and wait.”

  “He might not be home for a long time. Is this my fault?” she asked, still hearing the beat of the music throbbing against the walls of the bar.