The Farmer's Daughter: The Dragon Dream: Book One

by Robin Janney

  She nodded, eyes bright but dry. “I’m just so confused. Two weeks ago, when Jared stayed over, Craig invited us over for dinner and a movie. It was a little rough for me because it was the Sunday I had that little panic attack. He told me the reason why he wanted to start giving me Sunday’s off was so we could start spending time together…including Jared, at least in the beginning. I said I was alright with that, and I didn’t think you guys would mind. I don’t know why, I just know it needed to be that way. And then…” Her voice cracked. “The next day Craig told me he’d acted too quickly. I’m back on the schedule for Sunday afternoons. He’s been so quiet and distant since then, but he tells me he’s still thinking about Thanksgiving. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong!”

  “I don’t think you are, honey. I don’t think you’re doing anything wrong,” he assured her. Her hand still trembled in his grasp. “It sounds to me like he’s trying to work through something on his own. I don’t know, it’s just a guess. He said he’s still thinking about Thanksgiving, so it sounds like he’s still ‘maybe’ interested.”

  “I really like him, Dad. I think I might love him a little.”

  “Oh, honey.” He patted her cheek, wiping at her wet eyes. “It sounds like you love him a lot. If he hurts you, I’ll stop shopping there.”

  “Promise?” she asked, swallowing the rest of her tears.

  “Promise. Now, I have a different question for you.” He lowered his hand back to hers. “Did Derek follow you to college and harass you there?” She nodded. “Is that why you moved off-campus?” She nodded again. “Has he bothered you since?” She shrugged. And his tone took a sharp turn. “Explain.”

  “I don’t know if it’s Derek or not. Someone’s been calling me for a few weeks. Maybe a month. I don’t know. It’s just heavy breathing.”

  Philip shook his head in frustration. “Why didn’t you say anything, honey?”

  “I don’t know. There isn’t anything anyone can do. I talked to a policeman while I was living on campus. Just following me and calling me isn’t a crime.” She shrugged.

  All it would take was one phone call to the right man, something he should have done long ago even though he’d believed the matter to be settled. But he couldn’t tell her that, not even to give her peace of mind. “I’m sorry about that. The minute you’re sure it’s him calling, or there’s a viable threat…let me know.”

  Angela nodded her head. “I will.”

  “Now, what do you say we go in and warm up? Your mom has water warming.”

  She nodded again. “Hot chocolate sounds pretty good.”

  They stood, and he wrapped an arm around her. “Thanks for chopping the wood.”

  “No problem,” she replied. “Thanks for listening.”

  “That’s what I’m here for.” He leaned down and kissed her temple. “Can you stay for dinner?”

  “Yeah, it’s my night off and Craig didn’t ask me to come in at all.”

  “His loss is our gain.”

  It was not until after the house had settled in for the night that Philip made his phone call. He waited for the other man to answer.

  “Hello, Phil. Little late for a phone call here in Mayberry isn’t it?”

  “You know I wouldn’t call without good reason,” he said patiently. “I need you to locate a man for me.”

  “Just locate?”

  “For now. Derek Foster. He’s been harassing my daughter.”

  The other man was silent at this. “He’s one of mine and I haven’t been able to find him for over a month now.”

  “Look harder. When you find him, I want his location.”

  “Understood. You’ll know when I do.”

  20

  “I

  don’t know yet!” Craig told his friend as they talked on the phone. It wasn’t the first time he and Kevin had talked since the night Craig had almost committed suicide, but he didn’t yet have an answer for either Kevin or Angela about Thanksgiving. “I still feel raw inside, and these damn dreams aren’t helping any.”

  “You do know it’s next Thursday, right?” Kevin’s voice was slightly chiding.

  “I’m aware of that!” he said crossly. He immediately regretted his sharp tone and sighed. “I’m sorry. But yes, I’m aware it’s just over a week away.”

  “You know buddy, most women don’t like to be kept waiting,” his friend replied. “I’m surprised Angela’s not nagging you for an answer.”

  “She doesn’t have to. Her eyes speak volumes. I tell her each time I see her that I don’t have an answer for her.”

  “And what’s her reaction to that?”

  “Nothing!” He was surprised she was taking it so calmly. “She just nods, smiles and says okay. Do you have any idea how hard this is for me?”

  “I held you while you cried for the first time in years, so yes, I think I have some idea.” From the tone of his voice, Kevin was slipping into doctor mode. Something he’d been doing more of recently. “Why does her invitation scare you so much?”

  “It’s a family gathering, Kevin. That’s a major step in any relationship!”

  “Angela asked you to Thanksgiving dinner. Friends do that all the time. You spent three with my family as I recall.”

  “This is different!” insisted Craig. “Angela…”

  “Craig, just say it…no riddles…If you want my help, we need to move beyond that.”

  He was right, and Craig hated it. He paced his living room in frustration, Princess shadowing him. “I don’t know if I’m ready to take that step. I thought I was ready to have her in my home, and I was wrong. I wanted to start spending Sunday afternoons with her, away from the store. With her brother for a chaperone so these town gossips don’t try to turn it into something else; they already consider her a slut because of the boys she dated in high school and I didn’t want to make it worse for her. But I backed out of it Kevin.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Kevin commented.

  “I want more than just friendship with her, but I’m afraid she’s not even going to want that much after she learns about Veronica. Christ, Kevin, I’m ten years older than Angela. What if…” He trailed off, unable to voice this fears.

  “Craig, having a sexual attraction for Angela, or any woman for that matter, does not make you a predator like your stepmother. That’s a whole different emotional set up and trust me – you’re not one. What you are feeling, emotionally and sexually, is normal and natural. I know you’re afraid, but at some point, you’re going to have to start facing your fears.”

  “I tried. It didn’t work!”

  “One failure doesn’t mean your next attempt is going to fail as well. I…I don’t believe I’m going to suggest this. You have time, why don’t you fly out to Montana now…spend a few days at your cabin, and if you don’t want to come back for Thanksgiving dinner, then don’t. But if you do decide to go, then you’ll have plenty of time to come back.”

  “I could do that,” Craig said after considering the idea.

  “Now, have you been talking with her at all since you backed out of Sunday afternoons?”

  “Not really. I even missed the last karate class.”

  “Oh, Craig. She must be so confused. Please, on the remote chance you decide to go ahead with this relationship, tell her something of what’s going on. You don’t have to tell her everything, just enough to let her know you’re struggling and that you’re taking a few days away to make your decision.”

  “You’re right. I’ll try. She’s working now, I’ll find her before I go.”

  “Good. My next patient should be arriving soon, so I’m going to let you go.”

  “Alright. I’ll call you when I’ve gotten to Montana.”

  “No, don’t call me until you’ve made your decision…one way or the other. You need to make this decision on your own.”

  “Okay. Okay. I’ll talk to you in a few days then. Same time?”

  “We’ll be flexible on this one. Call me anytime.
”

  “Alright.”

  The two said their goodbyes and hung up.

  Craig checked the time. If he hurried, he could be in Montana tonight. He made the necessary calls and packed a small duffle bag. Placing it in his truck, he walked across to the store intent on leaving as soon as he was done talking to Angela.

  He entered through the deli doorway, which was where Angela was scheduled to be working. He’d made a few minor changes from how he’d scheduled Harry, but so far no one had commented. Instead, Becky was on her own. He waited for his employee to finish waiting on her customer, sincerely hoping Flo would pay for her order. If she brought another order back, he’d have to take steps he didn’t want to.

  Once Flo was gone, he stepped up to Becky. “Where’s Angela?”

  Becky looked at the clock on the wall. “Probably still on break. She’s not feeling good today. I’ve been trying to talk her into going home. I told her and David I’d stay to cover her.”

  “I’ll check the break room and let you know if you need to stay. I’ll be checking back anyway before I leave to see if Flo brought her order back.” He started to walk away.

  “Craig, it’s not my place, but is everything okay?”

  He paused and turned back to her long enough to answer her question. “No, not yet. Thank you for asking. I’ll be back.”

  “I’ll be here,” she assured him.

  Walking down the side to the break room, he stepped through the door and saw Angela stretched out on the couch. Her arm was thrown over her face. He grabbed one of the chairs and sat down next to the couch, straddling it like he did when they were in his office. “Hey, are you okay?”

  She startled. “Crap.” Her arm lowered, and she wiped at her eyes. “I was asleep. Crap. Am I late from break?”

  “Becky didn’t act like it. Said she’s been trying to convince you to go home.”

  “Oh.” Angela sat up, pulling herself to the end of the couch and into a ball seated in front of him. “I’m just tired. I had dinner out at the farm last night, and after…I had a huge fight with Cassie. I can never sleep after a fight with her.”

  “None at all?” he asked for clarification. What terrible timing, but his flight was already booked.

  “No. I finally gave up this morning at about four-thirty.”

  “What was your fight about?”

  Angela blushed. “It’s pretty personal. She just said something to remind me of my past behavior and I let it get to me.” She shrugged. “And she’s right about the kind of boys I used to date. It’s no more than I deserve for how I treated her growing up.”

  “That’s bull, and you know it,” he said firmly. “I’m surprised to hear you even say that since you’re a Christian. Aren’t all your sins supposed to be forgiven and forgotten?”

  “God may forgive and forget, but people don’t.” She covered her face with a hand. “I’m so tired.”

  “I know what you mean,” he said. He reached over and brushed at the hair along her temple. “The fact remains, you don’t deserve to be treated poorly, by anyone. Including me. Your sister doesn’t believe the same way you do?”

  She shook her head, and he pulled his hand back. “No, she just goes to church because it’s one of Mom and Dad’s rules.” Angela’s hand lowered, and she looked at him. “Can we talk about something else? Please?”

  “Alright, fair enough.” So here it was. He took a breath and braced himself. “I came to tell you, I’m leaving for Montana.”

  Dismay filled her face. “When?”

  “As soon as I’m done talking with you. I…”

  “So, you’ve decided not to come to dinner?” she interrupted.

  “I didn’t say that. Look, just let me say this. Please?”

  Her confusion was clear, but she nodded.

  “I’ve been struggling since the day you and Jared were over for the movie. I thought I was ready to have you in my house, but I was wrong. I rushed it, and I’m sorry for the hurt that’s caused you. Things have happened that I can’t share with you right now, but I need a few days away from here. My friend Kevin pointed out I have a decision to make, and I’m going out early enough so if I decide to come to dinner with you, I’ll have time to come back.”

  “A decision?”

  “About our friendship,” he said honestly. It wasn’t fair to her, but he reached out and cupped her face like he had the day Princess had been hit. Part of him wanted to take her with him. “It’s not fair, I know it. But it’s the best I have to offer right now.”

  She started to reach up, as if to touch his hand, and he pulled back.

  “Can you wait just a few days?” he asked her.

  Angela nodded, her fingers twisting together in her lap. “Just – call me? Let me know either way?”

  “I will. Now, do you want to go home? Becky said she’d cover for you.”

  “No. I…called off my classes today and Pastor Mark found out. He chewed me out pretty good. If he sees me coming home from work early, it’ll be round two.”

  Craig held his tongue while he tried to find a solution. Her dislike for the other man was beginning to sound like intimidation to him. He didn’t like it, but it wasn’t his place to comment on it. Not where things stood right now. “Why don’t you go across to my place and crash on the couch? Stay as long as you like. Princess won’t mind. In fact, you might want to spend a little more time with her while I’m gone.”

  “You don’t mind?”

  “No. Come on, I’ll walk you back to the deli exit. I have to talk to Becky anyway.” He stood and put the chair back at the table. She walked out of the break room at his side. “Tell me where the farm is, just in case I decide to come. I have to go to Simmons Crossroads, right?”

  She nodded. “Coming from Tyler’s Grove, you’d turn left onto Carson Road. We’re the first farm on the road, just over a mile out.”

  “Sounds simple enough to find.”

  “It is. Is that Everett Crane at the deli?” she whispered.

  “Looks like it.”

  Sure enough, it was.

  “Hello Craig, hello Angela,” the tall man said in greeting. He was eating from a bag of chocolate covered peanuts and offered it to them. Neither of them accepted it.

  “Hi Everett. I’m just on my way out the door,” Angela was saying. “Thanks Craig, I’ll talk to you later.”

  Becky waited until the door shut behind the younger woman, her hand dipping into the bag the red-haired man was offering. “Did she agree to go home?”

  “No, she’s just stepping over to my place for some sleep. I don’t know how long, so if you could stay until she comes back, and close if she doesn’t, that would be great.” Craig crossed into the deli, only nodding at the customer.

  “Of course. I said I would.”

  “Thanks. And did Flo bring her order back?”

  The short woman shook her head. “Nope, she took it. She hasn’t brought one back since I talked with her.”

  “Good. I hope it stays that way.” Because the woman had asked if everything was alright, he decided to share a little with her. Baby steps, Kevin had said. “Becky, I’m going out to Montana early this year, and I’m not sure when I’ll be back exactly. Can you…will you keep an eye on Angela for me? Nothing to do with work, it’s personal. Get my contact number from David if you think there’s anything I need to know, and I’ll come back immediately.”

  “Sure,” said Becky, her head nodding.

  “Alright, thank you. Have a good night. It was nice seeing you, Everett. Sorry for the delay.”

  “No problem,” said Everett with a smile, his long fingers in the bag of candy. “Have a safe trip.”

  “I’ll try.”

  Craig left through the deli doorway, hearing Everett asking for his usual order as the door shut behind him. He crossed over to his truck and climbed in. He had a long journey ahead of him, and it had nothing to do with the miles he was putting between himself and Angela.

  21<
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  T he days passed slowly for Angela, her heart pounding with anxiety more often than not. She attended her classes, she did her job, she cared for her dog…walking around like some kind of zombie.

  She didn’t think anyone noticed, though Becky did ask her a few times if she was alright. She had just kind of shrugged and then Becky had patted her back. With Craig gone, she helped David close the store and count the cash trays. She even spent a couple nights on Craig’s couch just to save herself some time caring for Princess…and because she felt safer there.

  The Tuesday morning before Thanksgiving, Angela walked into her apartment to check messages and get ready for her last day of classes before Thanksgiving break. Her message light was blinking, and she hit the play button.

  The first call was from her stalker and she rolled her eyes. Heavy breathing, a few snarky comments from an altered voice…It had to be Derek, none of it was very original, but there wasn’t anything to prove it was him.

  The second call was from…who? The message was static-filled, and the man spoke with a light but definite English accent.

  “Miss Angela, my name is Wyatt Baxter and I work for Craig Moore. I’ve been trying to get through since yesterday, but service has been terribly spotty. At any rate, Master Craig wishes you to know he is on his way. He left yesterday morning in the middle of this terrible blizzard. He tried calling himself, but like I said, terrible service. He’ll do his best to get in touch when possible, but he said to tell you he’s on his way to Thanksgiving dinner. Do try not to worry, Miss. He’s a very good driver and the truck he left in has four-wheel drive. Have a wonderful holiday.”

  Don’t worry? The man who sounded like a butler had just told her Craig had left in the middle of a blizzard to come to Thanksgiving dinner. He was coming to Thanksgiving dinner. What did that mean about his decisions concerning their friendship? If anything, her anxiety increased tenfold.