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

by Robin Janney

  Craig had been wondering how long it would take for her to notice. “I am.”

  “Craig! You can’t do that! I mean, I appreciate it, but you can’t treat me any differently from your other employees. I know you own the store, so don’t even try that line again. Just because it worked once, doesn’t mean it’s going to work again!”

  She sounded angry, but he let it run its course without it phasing him. “Done?”

  “Yes.”

  “Angela, you should’ve read some of the fine print in the paperwork you signed your first day. There is a clause stating I have the right to pay my employees for missed work if the managers and I feel there was a good reason for the absence.”

  There was a moment before she said, rather bluntly, “Bullshit. I want to see it.”

  “I will bring you a copy when I come up later. You can also ask anyone else. They’ll tell you I’ve done it for all of them at least once. For that matter, you can go through the store’s books if you want.”

  He could almost hear her processing that before saying, more subdued, “So, you’re not giving me special treatment?”

  “No. I’ll admit, I didn’t talk to Dave or Miranda before making my decision, but that’s the only step I skipped. Still want me to bring the paperwork up?”

  “No,” she sighed. “But I might ask Becky about it. Or Larry. He missed a few days after that hard tackle back in November.”

  “He did, and he’ll tell you he was paid for it.”

  “No wonder you don’t have a high turnover,” she commented. “At least my bills will get paid, even if some of them are late. I’ll have to get Dad to take my portion of the loan payment in on Monday and hope we don’t get penalized.”

  He decided to let her father handle that discussion. “I’m sure he’ll have no problem. Did you call the police like you said you were going to?”

  “Yeah, but they’re not sending anyone out until Monday.” She let out a sigh. “Derek’s only called once, but Grandma answered. She had a few unkind words for him before he hung up on her.”

  “I bet.” He chuckled at the thought.

  “Your friend Kevin. Is he the one I remember?”

  “He is. He and his wife would like to meet you. They understand it probably won’t be today.”

  “I don’t see why not…everybody and their brother has stopped by today.” She cleared her throat. “No one’s staying long, Grandma won’t let them. Almost everybody has brought me some kind of food. I think we decided to have Maggie’s fried chicken with Nora’s macaroni and cheese for tonight. I’m sure there’s plenty to share.”

  “I think I’ll have them hold off.”

  “Alright. Are you still coming up later?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “I’m going to let you get back to your company. Can…can we hang up on our three count? I know it’s silly, but…”

  He cleared his throat. “One…”

  There was a giggle. “Two.”

  There was their small hesitation and together they said three and broke the connection.

  Kevin had a grin on his face, and Sherry was hiding hers behind a hand.

  “Is that code for I love you?” Kevin asked.

  “Probably.” He should have been embarrassed, but he wasn’t. They would tease him, but their friendship was strong enough to allow for it. Sadly, he knew it was time for a more serious subject. “Kevin, remember how I called you on New Year’s Eve?”

  “A little hard to forget. Why?”

  “There’s been an incident with Angela’s pastor…former pastor. She’s already decided to leave the church because of this.” Quickly he related how Mark had visited Angela in the hospital and told his friends what he knew of the confrontation which had led to the pastor being banned from the hospital. “And because she refused to break up with me, he talked to her parents saying more happened at New Year’s than what did. Apparently, this isn’t the first lie Angela’s father Philip has caught the pastor in so he’s taken the issue to their church Elders. I gather that’s some kind of church board. I’m not sure who you’d have to talk to, but would you be willing to…I guess testify on my behalf?”

  “Absolutely,” replied Kevin without hesitation.

  Relief filled Craig. He hadn’t doubted his friend’s support, but it was reassuring to hear how quickly he had answered. “Thanks. Let me call Philip, see what needs to happen.” Fifteen minutes later, he said to his friends, “An Elder Barry will be here in about twenty to talk with you.”

  “They’re taking this very seriously, aren’t they?” remarked Kevin.

  “Very. I think if it was up to Angela, she’d be content with just finding a new church. But her dad…” Craig held his hand level near his forehead. “He’s had it up to here with the pastor. I never want to piss that man off.”

  Kevin laughed. “No, I imagine not.”

  “I’d like to go up to Angela’s about six for dinner and some TV. I hope you guys don’t mind…” Talk about an awkward situation.

  “Hey, don’t let us get in your way,” said Kevin. “It’s not like we announced this visit. Just point us in the direction of the nearest hotel after the Elder’s visit, and we’ll get out of your hair.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Craig answered. “There’s five bedrooms upstairs. You’re welcome to stay here. If you want to go out for dinner or a movie or anything, I’ll show you where the spare key is. I’ll tell the store to put your purchases on my account.”

  “That’s very generous,” said Sherry with a smile.

  “Come on.” He stood and motioned for them to follow. “I’ll show you which rooms you can use and then you can get settled in before the elder gets here.”

  43

  M onday morning, Philip left the First Bank of Sawyersville with his daughter’s future fiancé and the two made their way down the street to the Pancake House.

  “I could get used to this,” he said as a server seated them at a booth near the front windows. He scanned the room quickly and was pleased to see Flo wasn’t here today. She had been the first time they’d met here to discuss the farm, and he was pretty sure she was the one to have carried the news to others.

  “Do you gentlemen want to look at a menu?” their server asked.

  “No, that’s alright, Allie. Just coffee and the buffet for me.” Philip wasn’t surprised when Craig ordered the same. As Allie left, he said to the other man, “I wouldn’t want you thinking I was taking advantage of your good nature.”

  Craig chuckled. “You must be where Angela gets that attitude. I know you well enough by now to know better.”

  The two left the booth long enough to help themselves to the large buffet in the middle of the room. The menu was mostly breakfast items, but this close to lunch other foods were available.

  As the younger man sat across from him, Philip took a sip of his coffee the server had brought while they’d been up. “I have to confess I’m a little embarrassed by this whole thing,” he said as he poured syrup over his pancakes and waffles. “I mean…”

  “Don’t let it bother you,” said Craig, opening two small cups of creamer and pouring them into his coffee. He’d already added sugar. “Farms are as much a business as anything else. Not everyone is cut out to be a businessman. Just be thankful I didn’t go into law like my father wanted me to. We wouldn’t be here otherwise.”

  With a short laugh, Philip cut his sausage links before taking a bite. “I’ve never had a good head for business. Money? Yes. Business? No. I came late to farming and even though I enjoy it, I don’t think I’m very good at it.”

  “Angela told me your family used to live in Kansas City.” Craig shoveled scrambled eggs in his mouth, his eyes looking around the room much as he himself just had.

  An action which pleased Philip to see, as much as the information the other offered turned him introspective. “Did she? Sometimes I forget how old the kids were when we moved back here. We’ve been here so long, it’s hard t
o recall the old life. Angela doesn’t talk about those days often.”

  “She doesn’t talk about a lot. Even with all our progress. Whenever she starts getting too uncomfortable with the subject matter or emotions, she’ll either change the subject or ask to watch TV.”

  “Give her time, Craig. She woke up to a different world. She’s…” Philip stiffened as a man stopped at their table.

  “Good morning, gentlemen. Craig, I apologize for interrupting, but could you excuse us for a bit?” Everett Crane didn’t look apologetic as he interrupted them. Neither did he look pleased. In fact, Philip thought the other man was as uncomfortable as he himself felt.

  Craig looked from man to man, and Philip gave him a nod without explanation. “Sure,” the young man said. “I’ll just take my food and go sit…somewhere else.” He did exactly that, taking his plate of food and his coffee to the far side of the room.

  As Everett took Craig’s seat, Philip cast another glance around the dining room, easily spotting the two toughs lounging at a booth along the wall. Regardless, it didn’t take any thought for the grip on his fork and knife to change enough so he could use them as weapons if necessary.

  “I take it you still trust me enough to feel safe with that much distance between you and your bodyguards? Were we ever that young?”

  “Don’t patronize me, Philip. I know you well enough to know I’d be dead before they could blink twice even standing next to us. And, I also know you’d never jeopardize your family by doing anything so rash.” Everett sighed deeply. “I apologize for breaking our agreement Phil, but I needed to talk with you in person. A phone call wouldn’t do.”

  “Have you found Derek yet?”

  “No. Apparently my organization has cracks in it. It’s complicated and I won’t bore you with the details. When I find this troublesome young man, I will kill him. I know you wanted his location, but I don’t want you getting your hands dirty. For Angela’s sake.”

  Philip’s hands twitched. “Is killing him necessary? Hurt him bad enough and he’ll go away.”

  Everett lifted an eyebrow at him. “I don’t care if all he did was kiss her without permission. I wish you’d told me sooner what was going on. You didn’t tell me how severe the attack was, but judging by your stance right now – even you want him dead. You’re not hiding it well, and that isn’t a problem you normally have.”

  “It was severe enough she self-harms during flashbacks,” he admitted after a moment’s hesitation. Her neighbor Maggie had told him of the scratch marks his daughter had given herself. “Still, this doesn’t seem important enough to meet face to face.”

  Everett’s face was flat. “Does she show other signs…?”

  “Answer the damn question. Is this all?”

  “No. If I’d known what ordering the bank manager to work with her meant, I’d have never done it.” Everett managed a wan smile. “I mean, the payments were low enough Angela shouldn’t have had to work half as hard as she has.”

  “You were behind that?” Understanding dawned.

  “I was. I’d have ordered the manager to continue to work with her after her illness if you and Craig hadn’t been in there today signing those papers. I honestly had no idea your quaint farm meant so much to her.” Everett cleared his throat. “How is she? Is she recovering any better than previously?”

  “She is. I think…” A glance across the room showed Craig watching intently, and he hoped the young man didn’t know how to read lips. “You know about Craig and Angela?”

  A faint smile played across the other man’s face as he too spared the store owner a discreet glance. “It would be hard not to. They were quite obvious even before his trip around Thanksgiving. Surprising, to say the least, but he seems to be a good man.”

  “He is. He’ll do anything for her. I think he’s a big part of why she’s recovering better this time around.”

  “I hope it lasts. I hope his love is real.” Judging by Everett’s face, he was lost in memories. “I still miss Jeannie. You must know that.”

  “We all miss her.” Just her name brought memories of his own back. Philip cleared his throat. Now was not a good time for a trip down memory lane.

  “I’m not a praying man, you know that. But I pray every day hoping Jeannie’s curse didn’t pass down to Angela.”

  “We do too,” Philip admitted, and decided to answer the other’s earlier question. “It’s hard to tell how much of it’s from the traumatic events she’s been through, but I’m afraid she shows more than one sign of inheriting Jeannie’s illness. There were a few signs before Randy died.”

  Everett’s only response was to breathe deeply. The thought tore at both men. “Has Angela ever mentioned talking with me when I stop in at the store?”

  “You what? You had no right!” He pointed with the knife in his hand and kept his angry voice low. The two toughs stirred but didn’t leave their spot. “You promised, Everett! You signed the papers. No contact means no contact!”

  “Had the issue with the farm not risen, I would have stopped shopping there until she moved on to another job. Damn it, Philip. She’s my daughter and I worry about her!”

  “You lost all right to worry about her when you gave her up.”

  “And you know why I had to! The real reason, not the cover story we agreed upon for your wife.” Everett leaned back, visibly composing himself. “There’s more I need to tell you. You know I’ve never left the true nature of my business behind, otherwise you’d never have called me about Derek in the first place.”

  Philip nodded. He wasn’t stupid. The other man had simply brought his crime business with him when he’d followed them. “It must be pretty serious if you’re willing to break the agreement.”

  “Thank you for acknowledging that. My latest attempt to find that miserable wretch led me to discover someone in this backward county you call home has put a hit out on our Angela.”

  Philip almost bolted out of his seat. “Who? Why?”

  “I haven’t found out yet. It’s still new information. I doubt it’s Derek, he prefers to get his own hands dirty. It’s pocket change, a mere ten thousand dollars. But if someone becomes desperate enough, as many around here do, or the monetary amount increases, Angela may be in serious danger.”

  Philip let loose a string of words from a different lifetime. “Has she called about the phone calls yet? Will it be enough for the police to investigate? I know you must have some on your payroll.”

  “Enough to make it happen. She called Saturday. I will pull every string I have, Philip.” He leaned across the table, apparently so he could lower his voice even more. His tone was menacing. “I promise you: I will find this person and take them out as surely as I will Derek Foster.”

  Philip knew there was no changing the other man’s mind, even if he had wanted to. “Keep me in the loop.”

  “I will.” Everett started to rise, then sat back down. “Can I ask you something?”

  He shrugged. “Go ahead.”

  “I know what you were, what you still are. I see it in how you’re brandishing your utensils like weapons, the way your posture changed when I mentioned your daughter’s name. How do you live in this…Mayberryish area?”

  Chuckling, Philip leaned back without relaxing. “It’s my home, Rhett. Things might happen a little slower around here, but that’s how we like it. We have our flaws, but when push comes to shove – we’re here for each other.”

  “Do you really think so? I doubt you’re going to have enough of those backwards men support you in ousting that idiot boy pastor.” Everett’s contempt was clear.

  Philip sighed. “I have two on my side so far, I just need to convince two more this afternoon. Don’t even think of interfering or harming him…you said it yourself, he’s just an idiot boy.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Everett said as he left the booth. “Even I can’t kill everyone.”

  That was encouraging.

  “I’ll be in touch, Phil.”
<
br />   Philip was still clutching his fork and knife as weapons when Craig reclaimed his seat.

  “Everything good?”

  For a moment, he was tempted to lie. But he didn’t want to tarnish his relationship with the man who was planning on marrying his daughter. But how much to reveal? “Not in the least. We’re not the only ones who believe Angela’s in danger from her caller.”

  Craig leaned back against the high back of the booth. Philip thought he could see the boy connecting dots. “You’re telling me the local crime boss came to you because he thinks Angela is in danger?”

  “I am.” He stabbed a cold piece of sausage and ate it.

  “What do we do?”

  Once again, Philip knew how right this man was for his daughter. “For right now, nothing. Let Crane do what Crane does best.”

  Shock showed on the other’s face. “Can you tell me why he cares? I know he’s talked to her at the store, and sent her flowers in the hospital, but…no, you can’t be serious?”

  “Very. Still want to marry her?”

  “Of course, I do. Are you ever going to tell her?”

  He’d wondered about it for years. Ever since their little girl had dropped the bombshell during her first high fever about knowing they weren’t her biological parents, it had been in the back of both his and Maude’s mind. But Angela never said a word any other time. “When she’s able to come to us about it, and if she wants to know.”

  Craig nodded. “She won’t hear it from me.”

  “I had hoped not.” He glanced down at his watch. “I have to hurry. It’s almost time for the Elders to meet.”

  Again, Craig nodded. Philip could feel the younger man’s eyes on him as he drank down his cold coffee. Lowering his mug, Philip met the gaze, and for a moment…saw a reflection of himself. Not a physical reflection. The other was far more intelligent and calculating than the gossips made him out to be. God have mercy on anyone who harmed the ones he loved.

  Craig broke eye contact and drank from his own coffee. “I guess you have your secrets too.”

  “Don’t we all?”