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

by Robin Janney

  At her simple acceptance, Craig felt some of his fear release. His smile was close to ecstatic. “I’m glad too.”

  “I just need to know…does this mean your maybe is a definitely?”

  Her smile was teasing him, and he laughed a little. “Yes. You?”

  “Definitely. Where…where do you want to go from here? Is anything changing right away?” Her hand reached out toward him but came to a rest next to his arm just short of touching him. “Or haven’t you thought that far?”

  “Angela, I’ve been driving for the past twenty-four hours and I’ve had more than enough time to think. I don’t have it all figured out, but I think I’d like to go back to giving you Sunday afternoons off. I still want Jared to come along. That is, if your parents approve.” He reached out and covered her hand with his; her fingers were cold. “If you’re alright with that.”

  “I’m okay with that.” She looked embarrassed suddenly. “Uhm, speaking of work…”

  “David told me you’ve called off the last two days. And why. I think the boss will overlook it this time. Especially since he’s probably part of the reason for your anxiety.” He lifted his hand to touch her cheek. “I’m sorry.”

  She didn’t seem to know how to respond to that. “It’s…forgiven.”

  “Good. Now why don’t we head back for dessert?” He brought his hand back down to hers. He helped her down off the beam and didn’t let go of her hand. He let their fingers intertwine.

  They walked back slower than they had on the way out. And a thought occurred to Craig.

  “Ah, Angela…did I miss your birthday? I just remember you saying it was in November.”

  “It was the twentieth.”

  “I’m sorry,” he said again.

  “When’s yours?”

  “March fifth,” he said.

  “I’ll remember. Are you coming back to karate class?”

  “Yes.”

  Her smile was content, so he was content.

  P hilip had seen the two walking back hand in hand with smiles on their faces but wasn’t able to catch a moment with his daughter until she was readying to leave. Her little suitcase sat on a chair while her mother fixed a small box of leftovers.

  “Mom, you’re packing too much,” Angela was protesting.

  It didn’t look like much to him. Just a series of small Tupperware containers with turkey and fixings in them. “Let her fuss, Angela. It makes her feel better.”

  Angela sighed dramatically, but then smiled. “Alright, thanks Mom.”

  “Make sure you eat it before it goes bad,” Maude admonished, sliding the cardboard box across the table.

  “I promise!”

  “I’m glad you’re feeling better, sweetheart.” Maude gave her daughter a squeeze and pressed a kiss to her temple.

  “Thanks.” Angela watched her mother go, her expression bemused.

  “Craig doesn’t have any problem taking you home?” asked Philip, his arm going around her.

  “No, it was his idea.” She looked up at him expectantly. “Out with it.”

  He laughed. She’d seen her parents tag team her many times before. “I noticed the two of you were holding hands when you were coming back from your walk. Is it still just maybe?”

  “No. It’s definitely now. He wants to take things slow, so if you and Mom don’t mind – can I borrow Jared on Sunday afternoons for a while?”

  Philip nodded, smiling widely. “I’m sure your mother will have no problem with that, so I’ll give permission before talking with her. I don’t think Jared will mind either.” He kissed her other temple. “I’m happy for you, honey.”

  Angela blushed and was saved from further comment by Craig entering the kitchen.

  “Hey,” he said. “I have the truck warming. Are you ready to go?”

  “Yes. I just want to go talk to Jared a moment. I won’t be long.” She picked her little suitcase up. “Will you carry the box out for me?”

  “Sure. Go ahead.”

  “Thanks.” She beamed at Craig. “And thank you too.” She gave her father a kiss on the cheek. “Bye Daddy.”

  “Goodnight, honey.” Philip chuckled as his daughter left the room. As Craig’s hands landed on the box, so did one of his own. “A moment before you go.”

  Craig straightened, his thumbs hooking in his jeans pockets. “Sure. Ah, thanks for having me, Mr. Carman. I’ve already told your wife the same.”

  He leveled a calm gaze at the younger man. “Call me Philip. And you’re welcome. I just want to make sure of a couple things.”

  “I understand.”

  “Do I need to warn you to be gentle with my daughter?”

  “No sir, but I expect you’re the kind of father who will warn me anyway.”

  Philip chuckled, thinking the other’s smile was genuine. “You’re right. Be gentle with her.”

  “I will.”

  “Now, I need to know if you know what to do in case she ever has a panic attack when she’s with you.”

  Craig shifted his shoulders uncomfortably. “I actually talked to my friend Kevin about it. He’s a psychiatrist. What he said was to make sure I stay calm and talk to her in short sentences.”

  “That’s about it. Ask her easy questions. Try to get her to focus on something else. It also helps her if you can hold her, but would I be correct in assuming your relationship isn’t that far along?”

  “Yes.” He looked embarrassed.

  “Then it would do more harm than good,” Philip advised him. How was his daughter going to handle this relationship once it became physical? It was a worry he couldn’t give voice to, but he hoped the young man standing nervously before him meant what he said about taking things slow and gentle. “So if it happens, don’t hold Angela unless the two of you are already there.”

  Craig nodded. “Can I ask you something?”

  “I can’t promise an answer, Craig. I don’t break my daughter’s confidences.”

  The other man nodded again, his eyes steady when he asked, “Has she been assaulted?”

  Philip grunted. It was comforting to know the younger man was able to see through Angela’s facade. He hoped his non-answer would be enough of an answer. “I can’t answer that. She’s coming back down the steps, so you’d better get going. I hope to see you again at Christmas.”

  “I’d like that. Goodnight Philip.”

  “Goodnight, Craig.”

  Philip watched the younger man pick the box of food up and leave the room. He stepped to the doorway to watch as his daughter met her friend at the door. Smiles lit both faces again, or still. Their dog wove in and out between them, as happy as they. He didn’t know this man well enough yet, but he had peace about this relationship. Once the three were out the door, Philip joined his wife in the living room, where she sat with her sister and brother-in-law.

  A thought occurred to him as he reclined his tired body back in his chair. “Maude?”

  Her conversation with her sister stilled. “Yes, what is it?”

  He leaned his seat back to an upright position to look at her. “Not a word of today to Flo. She’s over there bothering these two enough as it is even though she claims to still believe Craig’s gay.”

  “You have a point. Alright.” Without further comment, Maude returned to talking with her sister.

  There. Now he had peace.

  23

  I t was the Christmas season before anyone could blink twice. Decorations popped up in all directions, including inside the store. Snow threatened, with an occasional flurry in the air.

  Beast was disgusted, but then the entire Christmas season was enough to disgust him. For now, he sat on top of his peak, surveying his domain. Sparkles of light floated in the air, his enemy’s servants slipping in through cracks in his territory. People had been praying. He just couldn’t figure out who. None of his minions were of any use. Something had changed, and he didn’t know what.

  He’d bide his time for now, but the moment he had a chanc
e to meddle in their relationship…he’d take it. They were human after all. Craig’s control would slip sooner or later, or Angela would overstep herself.

  Or both if he was lucky.

  “W

  hen’s your last final?” Becky asked as Angela worked on an order. She was spooning red sauce over rectangular pizza dough while Angela worked on a sub order. Christmas was less than a week away and parties were in full swing.

  “It was last Friday,” Angela answered, rolling a sub in a paper wrapper. The young woman spoke pleasantly, plopping the sub on a pile of others which were already wrapped and ready to go. She started another round, flattening three sliced long rolls of bread in front of her and checking the order to the side of the work area. “I think I missed a few answers. The last of my grades post Wednesday, but so far, I have two A’s.”

  “Good for you!” She sprinkled shredded cheese over the sauce. “Only one semester left, and then it’s graduate classes.”

  “I’m so close!” Angela agreed as she layered meats and cheeses on the bread spread before her. “I was a little worried because I missed some classes right before Thanksgiving, but since Dad made me go see Dr. Evans, I was able to get a note so they’d be excused absences.”

  Becky didn’t comment as she layered pepperoni over the shredded cheese next. She didn’t know exactly what had happened at Thanksgiving, but their boss had come back to spend the day with Angela and her family. And that was even before he’d learned of the younger woman’s panic attack.

  “Time?” Angela asked as she wrapped the new subs she’d finished.

  She looked at the clock on the wall behind the young woman. “Ten of. How many do you have left to make?”

  “Ten.” She smiled at she set out three more split rolls. “I’m so jealous. They never got my youth group subs and pizza for our Christmas party.”

  Becky laughed, sliding the finished pizza in the oven. The heat washed over her face and she wiped sweat away from her brow. “Their last pizza is in, they should only have to wait a few minutes.”

  “Did Alice say who’d be picking them up?”

  “No.” Becky started to move towards her chair, but saw Flo approaching. She felt herself beginning to waddle, but forced herself over to the counter. “Evening Flo. What can I get for you?”

  “I’d like two dishes of salad. Macaroni and potato.”

  “Coming right up.” Becky grabbed a mid-sized bowl and showed them to the older woman. “These are all we have left, they do?”

  “They’ll be fine. Hello back there, Angela!” Flo leaned in a little and waved.

  Angela waved back but didn’t answer.

  “She’s in the middle of a huge order for the youth group. They’ve been practicing for their Christmas Eve skit tonight.” She filled the bowls with salads.

  “I’m looking forward to it myself,” replied Flo, shifting as she waited. “Are either of you going to be coming that night?”

  “I’m going to a family gathering Christmas Eve,” Becky answered. She placed lids on the containers and weighed them. “You going, Angela?”

  “Going where?” asked a new voice.

  “Oh, hi Everett,” Becky said in greeting as she handed Flo her order.

  “I was just asking the girls if they were coming to the Christmas Eve service,” explained Flo. “Have a good night.”

  Becky’s eyebrows flew up. “Night Flo. Your usual Everett?

  “Please, but first…” The tall man held out a box of candy. “Chocolate?”

  “I shouldn’t, especially with all the other stuff I’m going to be eating this weekend.” Becky was glad for a moment to slow her pace though. He did this around all the holidays. “What are they?”

  “Chocolate-covered cherries. I paid for them already.” He flipped the lid, so she could see the sticker.

  “One won’t hurt.” She accepted his offer and popped one in her mouth. “Mmm… Angela, take a second and come have a candy.”

  The young woman came over as bade, peeling clear plastic gloves off her hands and tossing them in the trash. “I just finished the last one!” She took a chocolate from the box. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” Everett closed the box. “I see the store is going to be closed for Christmas this year. That’s new.”

  “It is, but no one’s complaining.” Becky chuckled and cast a subtle glance toward Angela. “Craig’s been in a pretty good mood recently.”

  “I’m glad to hear that,” he commented. He too looked at Angela, albeit more directly. “You’re looking better than the last time I saw you.”

  “I’m feeling better,” said the other woman. “Hey Becky, do you mind if I slip back to the office really quick? I have a question for Craig. I won’t be long.”

  “Be quick about it.” Becky chuckled as the younger woman nodded and took off.

  Everett was putting candy in his mouth. “Are they in a relationship?”

  “It sure seems it,” answered Becky as she began to gather the items needed to fill his usual order. Looking around casually to make sure neither Flo nor Angela were in sight, she continued, “I’m not sure if it’s anything official. Maude doesn’t even give me a straight answer when I ask. And I don’t know what happened around Thanksgiving, but they’ve both been happier since.”

  Everett smiled, offering her another candy, but she waved a refusal. “Well, if there is one, I hope it works out. They both seem like good kids.”

  The timer buzzed shrilly and Becky sighed. “She’d better hurry back. Hang on Everett.” She left his order to get the pizza out.

  “No hurry,” he said. “She’s coming now.”

  Sure enough, Angela rushed into the deli. “Pastor Mark’s on his way back. I’ll box the subs.”

  “That bothersome man,” Becky muttered. She sliced the pizza quickly, hoping the blade cut all the way through. Lowering the lid of the rectangular box, she placed it on top of three others. “I’m going to finish Everett’s order. Can you handle the pastor?”

  “I can,” Angela answered, though she sounded irritated.

  The pastor had two youths in tow. “Merry Christmas everyone! Is our order done? I have a gaggle of hungry kids up at the church.”

  “Here it is!” declared Angela, setting the box of subs on the counter. “Well, part of it. I’ll be right back with the pizzas.”

  “Here boys.” Pastor Mark gave the box to the oldest teen with him.

  Angela slid the boxes of pizza on the counter next. “Here you go. Enjoy!”

  “We will. See you at the service, Angela!” The trio left, still jubilant.

  Angela remained standing there as Becky brought Everett’s order over.

  “He seemed awful certain of that, if you don’t mind my saying so.” Everett offered her another chocolate and she accepted.

  “He makes a lot of assumptions,” she answered, biting the candy in half. “Mmm, I need to get a box of these before they sell out.”

  “I think mine was the last box,” said Everett, looking guilty. He passed the box across. “There’s a few left, go ahead…take it.”

  “I couldn’t.”

  “Please, I insist. I have what I came for,” he assured her. He left the box on the counter and picked up his sliced meat and cheese.

  “I…”

  He was already walking away. “Merry Christmas ladies!”

  Becky laughed at the younger woman’s consternation. “He does this all the time, Angela. He’ll come back here with a box of candy, share a few then leave it.”

  She sighed. “Rich people are so weird.”

  “They’re allowed to be,” she commented. “I cannot wait for the holidays to be over. So, what was Craig’s answer?”

  “To what?” asked Angela, reaching for another candy.

  “To whatever you went back to ask him.” She watched as the other woman turned a little pinker.

  “Oh, he said he’d come to the Christmas Eve service.”

  With me was imp
lied but not said.

  “Good.” Becky made a move to go sit down, but saw the Thompsons coming. She sighed happily. Nora had her new baby with her. “I’ll be so glad when the holidays are over. I haven’t had a chance to sit in hours.”

  “We’re almost there,” said the younger woman. “I still haven’t decided whether to get a gift for Craig or not. Or what to get him if I do.”

  “Sketch book or pencils,” the deli manager answered without hesitation. She saw Angela’s confusion. “You’ve never seen him sketching out on the back deck? He does that until it gets too cold to sit out there.”

  “No. I’ll have to watch closer I guess.”

  “You’d have found out sooner or later.” She turned her attention to their customers. “Nora, let me see that baby!”

  24

  C raig was late.

  The Christmas Eve service was already in progress, but no one gave him a glance as he entered. He found a seat in a side pew near the back, trying to locate Angela or her family in the crowd.

  Neither Angela nor her family were to be seen. Angela’s car was still in the parking lot of her apartment building, but her apartment had been dark except for the electric candles in the window, so he assumed she had walked. He wasn’t sure what to do now.

  He didn’t want to sit through the service by himself, but she had to be here somewhere. He didn’t want to disappoint her if she was. It looked like a typical Christmas Eve service from what he remembered. The narrator, a teen girl reading from a script, stood to one side reciting the Christmas story. Teens portraying Mary and Joseph were walking up the other aisle.

  Did Angela really believe this? he wondered. For that matter, had he? He still remembered the summer he’d given his life to Christ. He’d been fifteen, and like Angela had said in her impossible prayer – it had been the last perfect summer of his life. Angela had said she’d tell him why she was so certain there was a God, but it was a conversation that hadn’t happened yet. How had she managed to find faith despite the tragedies she’d faced in life? He admired her for it, something which bothered him. Because if he admired Angela for her steadfast faith, what did that say about the One she placed her faith in?