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

by Robin Janney

  A ngela sighed at the appearance of both her father and her boss…boyfriend? How sad was it that she still wasn’t sure, even after his gift? Jewelry had to be a boyfriend gift, but she’d promised him no pressure and was in no mood to pressure for anything at the moment. All she wanted right now was a bowl of hot tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich, followed by her own bed. And she told the two men as much before they could even say hello when they walked into the small observation room of the emergency room.

  “You did say she’d be grumpy,” said Craig, looking amused as he stopped at the end of the bed.

  “Sounds like she’s just getting started too,” her father said standing at her side. His hand came to her face, and she felt the gentle pressure to turn her head. “Honey, what happened?”

  Looking up into her father’s face, she tried to stamp down the tears. She’d cried enough yesterday. “There was this kid on a sled. I think it was from the green house. He crashed through the fence, into the other lane. Domino effect…the truck coming at me swerved to miss the kid and…I had nowhere to go…no, no, I don’t want to panic again…”

  “It’s alright Angela, you’re safe now.” Despite her tears, Philip tilted her head to look at her eyes. “Have you had a CT scan yet? Miles said you were out for a couple minutes.”

  “A while ago. I know, I know…I have a concussion.” Her father released her face, but not her gaze. “Just need to make sure it’s not anything more.”

  “That’s it,” he said softly. “Just keep your focus.”

  She nodded, wincing at the pain it brought. Her ears were ringing a little too. The bandage on her forehead felt larger than she knew it was. “I didn’t learn what happened to the kid.”

  “Miles said you were the only one brought in,” her father answered.

  “That’s good.” Wiping her eyes on the sheet they had her covered with, Angela cringed to think how she was sitting here with nothing more than a hospital gown on. She pulled the sheet and blanket closer around herself, trying not to look in Craig’s direction. Continuing to address her father, she pleaded, “Please don’t make me stay here overnight.”

  “It’ll be for the best, Angela. You know Dr. Evans wouldn’t even suggest it unless he thought there was a good reason.”

  “I just want to go home!”

  Philip sighed. “We’ll see what Dr. Evans says, okay, honey?”

  “Oh, alright.” Under the blankets, she pulled her knees to her chest and hugged them.

  “I’ll go see if I can find him.” He patted her shoulder and left the room.

  She looked over at Craig, surprised to see he’d come to stand by her side opposite of where her father had been. “I’m probably going to be out of work a couple days.” She managed a small smile. “It’s not like I can lie to my boss about it.”

  He chuckled, thumbs in his pockets. “No, no you can’t.”

  “How did you guys know I was here? I haven’t had a chance to make any phone calls.” Remembering how her gown must be gaping in the back, Angela leaned back against the bed’s raised head.

  “Your doctor called your dad when you weren’t on time for your appointment, so your dad called the store to see if you were there.” Craig shrugged. “I heard about the accident and called your dad back to see if there was any way we could learn if you were involved in it or just hung up in traffic.”

  Angela started to nod again, decided not to. “Oh.”

  Her father returned then, Dr. Evans behind him.

  Evans was an older man, his gray hair standing out against his dark complexion. “Angela, your father says he can’t convince you to stay.” His disappointment was keen.

  “Please, I just want to go home.” She cursed the whine in her voice, but couldn’t take it back.

  “And who are you, young man?” Evans looked at Craig.

  “Miles, I’m sure you know Craig Moore,” said Philip. Her father looked amused about something. “He owns the store Angela works at.”

  “Of course. I’ve heard a great deal about you.” The doctor held his free hand out to Craig and the two shook hands. “At least I know she won’t try sneaking into work, not if her boss knows.”

  “She said as much,” said Craig. There was a slight hesitation. “I’m also her boyfriend.”

  Dizziness enveloped Angela, and she didn’t hear her doctor’s reply over the roaring in her ears. Not how she would have wanted to hear those words, but she wasn’t going to argue. Why was the room spinning?

  “Angela…come on darling, look at me.” There was a light tapping under her chin. “I know your anxiety is high, but I don’t want to give you a sedative now.”

  She blinked her eyes. When had Dr. Evans moved? He was standing over her, leaning down so his golden eyes were in front of hers. “You look so much like Jesus,” she whispered.

  “So, you’ve told me. Now tell me what just happened.” He inspected her eyes much as her father had.

  She continued whispering. “Dizzy, roaring in my ears. He’s…never said that before. Did I pass out?”

  Evans chuckled, a deep rumble. “Not quite.” He leaned away from her. He looked down at the chart he held. “You need rest, Angela. Your concussion is mild compared to the ones you’ve had in the past, but combined with falling through the ice yesterday it’s probably hitting you harder than it would otherwise. At least two days off work, not counting today. Stay home, watch movies, eat leftovers. I’ll want someone to stay with you overnight.”

  Her doctor glanced at Craig, who in turn looked at her father. No, she agreed, they weren’t ready for anything like that.

  Her father looked over his imaginary glasses at her. It was hard to stay serious when he did that, but Angela was too tired to even giggle. “I can call home, see if your grandmother could spend the night with you. If that’s not acceptable, you can stay at the farm.”

  “Can you ask Grandma not to lecture?”

  “I think she’ll be alright with that.”

  “Do tell Pearl I said hello. I’ll get your discharge started, Angela. Stop by the clinic on Friday and we’ll see about getting those stitches out. I want a regular follow-up in two weeks.” Evans tapped her chin again. “Not up for argument, young lady.”

  “Oh, alright.”

  “And no sleeping pills until Friday. Longer if you can manage it.”

  “I can do that. Can I get dressed now?”

  Her doctor nodded. “Come, gentlemen. Let’s step out.”

  Alone, Angela took a moment in her misery to savor Craig’s words once again. From maybe interested, to definitely…and now he upped their status once more. It would lead them into dangerous emotional territory, but she was willing to take the risk.

  C raig wasn’t surprised when Dr. Evans gave him a level look after they had exited Angela’s room and walked a few steps away.

  “Mr. Moore, I say this kindly. The two of you really need to work on your communication skills.”

  His meaning was clear. Craig needed to work on his communication skills. “Yes, sir. I am working on that.”

  “Good. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to have the nurses set her free.”

  “Thank you again, Miles,” said Philip as the doctor began to walk away.

  The doctor nodded as he walked to the nurses’ desk.

  Craig looked to Angela’s father, saw the look of amusement on the other’s face. “I probably should have said something to her first.”

  “Probably,” Philip agreed. “But it was said, which is all that will matter to Angela. I’ll let you take her home. Swing by the farm on the way through and pick up her grandmother. I don’t want Pearl driving in this weather.”

  “I’ll do that.”

  “And, drive carefully. That’s my daughter.”

  “Yes, sir.” As his girlfriend’s father left, Craig wasn’t sure where to wait for Angela. A nurse directed him to a small waiting area, and he took a seat. He sat there, legs stretched out. He didn’t have long for
introspection before she appeared. “You look a little wobbly,” he said as he rose to his feet.

  “Don’t say that too loud or they’ll put me in a wheelchair.”

  He wrapped an arm around her. “Come on, I’ll help you.”

  She made a quiet sound as they walked. “Pretty sure my car is totaled.”

  “Probably,” he agreed. “I’m just thankful you’re okay.”

  “Me too.”

  A t Angela’s apartment, Craig helped Angela out of his truck and didn’t dare let go of her as one foot slid out from under her. The ride from the hospital to the farm and then to here had taken its toll on the young woman. She didn’t look steady on her feet.

  “Angela,” her grandmother was saying as she came around the truck. “Is your door locked?”

  “No.”

  Craig watched as she stood there between him and the open door.

  “I’m going to go turn some lights on then.” Pearl looked up at the two-story row house. “Which one’s yours, sweetheart?”

  “It’s the one straight across from the bottom steps,” Craig answered for her. Angela still wasn’t moving, one hand held onto the door’s armrest. It took him a moment to make his decision, but when he did, he didn’t hesitate. He scooped her up into his arms and cradled her against his chest.

  “Is this necessary?” the woman in his arms asked breathlessly as he elbowed the truck door shut.

  It was comforting to know this position affected her as it did him. “You weren’t moving, and I don’t want you slipping. Your landlord hasn’t cleared any of the path.”

  “And if you slip? We’ll both go down.” Her head fell on his shoulder.

  “Not going to happen, Angel. Trust me.” He didn’t dare look down at her. His eyes on the steps, he took them carefully.

  His Angel’s voice was soft when she answered. “I do trust you.”

  It was enough to bring a smile to his face. “Good,” Craig said as he passed through the door Pearl had left open for him. “Now where’s your bedroom?”

  “No, just set me down, please.”

  Kicking the door shut behind him, he spied an open door on the far side of the living room. Her apartment was long and narrow, meaning that door had to be to her bedroom. “I’ll put you down outside the bedroom. Will that be okay?”

  “Yes.”

  He crossed the living room and set her down outside the open door. Sensing her discomfort, he didn’t even glance inside. “There you go. Steady?”

  She took a moment to make sure, but said, “Yes. Thank you.” She turned her face up to him. “Could you bend so I can kiss my boyfriend’s cheek? I don’t want to go on my tiptoes just now.”

  He offered his cheek to her, then placed a return kiss on the part of her forehead not covered by the bandage. “I’ll work on my timing and communication.”

  She managed a small laugh. “I’d appreciate that.”

  “Get some rest, Angel. I’ll call tomorrow. Maybe I can come up and see how you’re doing?”

  “I’d like that. G’night.”

  He placed one more kiss on her forehead. “Goodnight.” He retraced his steps across her narrow apartment. Intending to lock the door behind him, he was shocked to see there was no way to lock the door. Not even a simple chain lock she could use from the inside.

  Well, that was disturbing.

  31

  “O

  h God, I still hurt,” said Angela as she entered Craig’s office late Thursday night. He had left the door open, but apparently hadn’t heard her approach as he slammed the book he was working in shut and hastily put it away in a desk drawer. “Oh, are those your sketches?”

  “Yes. You ready to go then?” He rose to his feet and pulled his coat on.

  “Yeah, just clocked out. Can I see your sketches?”

  “No.”

  She stopped short at his tone. Was he angry? Why? “But…”

  “No buts.” He looked embarrassed as he opened the office’s backdoor. “I’m not ready to share that part yet, Angela; I’m sorry.”

  “Oh, okay.” What else was there to say to his boundary? No pressure meant no pressure. She wrapped her knit scarf around her head and ears as she crossed the office. “Are you still coming in for pie?”

  “I am.”

  Shortly, the two were in her apartment and seated at the kitchen table, a plate of pie in front of each of them. Angela pushed at a blueberry with her fork. It wasn’t the first time they’d done this since her accident, but Tuesday and Wednesday it had been in the afternoon. Now, it was nearing one in the morning and for some reason it made her nervous.

  “What time is your appointment tomorrow?” he asked. His eyes flicked towards her forehead as he lifted his pie laden fork to his mouth.

  Touching the two-inch gash above her eyebrow, she set her fork down. “I hope it doesn’t scar. There’s no set time. Dad’s going to pick me up about ten to take me in, then he’s going to let me borrow the truck until I get the insurance check. He said they’ll be fine with just the car until then.” She shrugged. “It’s barely two-thousand dollars. I don’t know if I’ll be able to find anything decent for that amount. Dad said he’ll start looking around for me.”

  Craig nodded. “I think Millie Langtree is selling her old Buick. Would you like me to ask her about it?”

  “If you want.”

  He nodded again. “You’re quiet tonight.”

  “Just tired.” She shrugged. “It’s been a trying week.”

  “That it has,” he agreed. He slid his empty plate away. “I know I should have asked about this sooner, but what’re you doing Saturday night for New Year’s Eve?”

  “The store still closing at nine?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then I would be done around ten. Mom and Maeve both invited me to the New Year’s Eve service, but I think I’ll just be coming home after work. Make homemade pizza, watch It’s a Wonderful Life, and go to bed.”

  “May I join you?” he asked.

  She looked over at him. “Sure. You won’t mind the movie, will you? Michelle always teases me because it’s such an old one.”

  “It wouldn’t be my first pick, but it’s been years since I’ve seen it.” His smile was warm. “If it’s alright with you, I’ll just bring you home after work and hang out.”

  His smile was infectious, and she found herself smiling shyly in return. “Okay.”

  “Think your landlord would let me bring Princess?”

  “No. I’ve asked about her so many times already.”

  He nodded in acceptance and stood. “I’m going to go so you can get to bed.”

  “Yeah, okay.” She rose to her feet and kissed his cheek. She breathed in deeply as he kissed her forehead, and not just because he always smelled pleasant. His hands ran along her temples.

  “Before I forget, can you tell me why there isn’t a lock on your door?”

  She blinked, mildly surprised at the question. “It’s not common knowledge, but none of these apartments do.”

  “Have you thought about installing a chain lock?”

  His fingers were still touching the side of her face, and her neck. It made thinking very hard. Each time he touched her like this, she wondered if he was thinking about kissing her. She wanted him to, but knew she had promised no pressure.

  “I asked about putting something in when I moved in and I was told no.” She shrugged, hoping he wouldn’t move his hands. “It’s probably why the rent’s so cheap. I couldn’t afford much more.”

  “Do you feel safe?”

  That was an odd question, so out of the blue. Especially since she’d never talked about her phone calls with him, or how things seemed to move on their own when she wasn’t here. “Most of the time. Why?”

  Craig shrugged, his hands dropping from her face. “You’re my girlfriend, Angela. I worry about you. That’s all.”

  What was there to say to that? It warmed her tired heart. “There are a few times I’ve heard no
ises at night, like something prowling around. If I’m scared enough, I slide a chair under the doorknob. The windows in my bedroom lock, and that’s usually how they are.”

  He nodded. “If you ever get too scared, you know you can call me, right?”

  “I do now.” She reached up and kissed his cheek again.

  “Good.” His eyes searched her face, and for a moment she was sure he was going to kiss her lips. Instead, he changed direction, and it landed on her forehead. “I’m sorry,” her boyfriend whispered.

  “No pressure,” she reminded him, hoping she didn’t sound disappointed. “Maybe you’d better go though, before you end up being the one with the panic attack.”

  He chuckled but didn’t argue. “Goodnight, Angela.”

  “Goodnight, Craig.” He left, and she shut the door behind him. She watched him drive away and sighed when her phone rang.

  “Why?” Angela said to the ringing phone. He always called after Craig left. She looked around at the homes on her street, and even the next street over. Where was he watching from?

  His voice was altered, like it always was and she didn’t pay attention to his words as they came over the answering machine. A quick up and down of the receiver broke the connection.

  S tanding in her kitchen New Year’s Eve night, Craig wondered if Angela was nervous. She wasn’t letting him help with her pizza preparations, so he leaned against the wall by the table. She plopped the dough onto the round pizza pan and began to spread it out with her bare hands. Her hands glistened from the olive oil she had drizzled over them to prevent the dough from sticking to her fingers. “Are you sure you don’t want help?”

  She shook her head. “No, I got this. It won’t take long.”

  He didn’t answer. Instead he picked up the package of pepperoni slices sitting on the table and opened it. He popped one in his mouth as he waited. If he did it just right, he could help by putting the rest on the pizza. “Your forehead still looks sore.”

  “It is,” she answered. Her motions were quick and sure, a sign she was feeling better. “Especially if I move my eyebrows a lot, so excuse me if I look bitchy or anything. I’m not, just trying to save myself some pain.”