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

by Robin Janney

  “The only connection I can think of off the top of my head is back in August, Flynn quit his job at my store and I hired Angela to replace him,” Moore offered.

  “Interesting.” How much to share? “Flynn was seen talking with Cori Hadlock several times before she helped rob the store and frame Angela for it. I may need to talk with that young lady again.”

  Angela rubbed a hand over her face, the other hand still on her dog’s head. “He was there the day my brother died. His daughter did jail time for it.”

  “I’m familiar with the accident,” Erica assured her. Crane had made sure she was read in long ago.

  “I’m sorry, but are we done?” Angela looked at her with pleading eyes. “I’ve had about enough for today.”

  “Sure,” decided Erica. “We can be done for tonight. I’ll have more questions, but I can ask them tomorrow. Where will you be staying?”

  “She’ll be here tonight,” Moore answered. “We’ll let you know if that changes tomorrow.”

  Erica nodded, then looked at the other couple.

  “We’ll be here,” said Kevin, answering her questioning look.

  “Good enough.” Standing, she put her pad away, and pulled out another business card. She scribbled her cell number on the back again and placed the card on the table in front of Angela. “I promise you, we will get to the bottom of this. Call me if you think of anything else.”

  Angela nodded. “Thank you.”

  “I’ll see you out,” Moore said, giving Angela’s shoulders a pat.

  She followed him back out to the front door, where he undid the locks. “That your only security?”

  Moore opened the door for her. “No, ma’am. It is not.”

  “Good. I’ll be in touch.”

  C raig watched the policewoman leave and shut the door behind her. He redid the locks. Taking a deep breath, he walked back into the kitchen in time to hear Kevin saying, “You’re most likely in shock.”

  To which Angela replied, somewhat sarcastically, “No doubt.”

  Stopping at the table, he looked at them. He felt as weary as Angela looked. It had been an eventful day for both of them. “Angela, do you want to call your parents?”

  She looked at the wall clock and shook her head. “No. It’s too late to worry them. We can go out tomorrow afternoon. I can get a few changes of clothes there. I think. And I can talk to them about other things.”

  Thinking she’d probably reached her limit for the day, he gave his girlfriend a nod. “Still, we’ll need to find something for you to sleep in tonight. Sherry, do you have anything that will fit her?”

  Angela gave a polite cough while Sherry outright laughed. “Craig,” Angela said. “She’s petite. Anything of hers will be too small.”

  He sat at the table next to her, his tone tight when he said, “Then we’ll figure something else out.”

  She looked at him cautiously. He didn’t understand her confusion, but he saw Kevin and Sherry exchange a look.

  “I think we’ll head up to bed,” Sherry said. “Give you two a chance to figure out your arrangements.”

  He waited as the two replaced the trashcan and left the room. He wasn’t sure what they were seeing right now, didn’t especially care. The woman he loved was spending the night in his home and he had no idea where to put her.

  “Do you want to sleep down here on the couch?” he asked. “Or do you want one of the extra rooms upstairs?” He set his jaw, ready to give her whatever she wanted. He didn’t know if he could handle having her upstairs, even in a different room, but he also didn’t want to let her out of his sight. A very real part of him wanted her to ask to share his room.

  Angela was blushing and avoiding his eyes. Was his own face warm? It felt it.

  “I think the couch would be best,” Angela finally said. “I think anything else wouldn’t be the special you have in mind. Don’t you agree?”

  “Yes,” he answered, hearing how he clipped the word off. He tried relaxing, but it wasn’t working. “I’ll be back down with something. You’ll probably swim in my clothes, but it’ll be better than nothing…I mean…crap, I’ll be back.”

  When he returned from upstairs, the bundle he’d put together in his hands, he found her sitting on the couch. Princess sat beside her, and she had an arm around the dog. He sat on the other side, bundle in lap, and put an arm around Angela. She jumped, and her free hand flew up. He caught it before she could make contact.

  “Hey, hey…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  “I’m scared in general, and that doesn’t help.”

  “I know.” Craig kissed the hand he held. “You’re safe here. The doors and windows all have locks, and after I’ve walked Princess for the night, I will turn the security system on.” He saw her look of surprise. “Cautiously paranoid, remember?”

  She nodded. “What did you bring for me?”

  “Pillow, blankets. T-shirt and sweatpants of mine. I figured we could wash and dry what you’re wearing tonight. There’s no telling when they’ll let you back in your apartment.”

  “I’m not sure I ever want to go back there,” Angela said softly.

  “I know.” He tucked her hair behind her ear and kissed her temple. “Why don’t you go change and I’ll get the couch ready for you?”

  She nodded and took the clothes he offered her. She dropped a quick peck on his cheek and disappeared, Princess on her heels. He readied the couch for her and was fluffing the pillow when she reappeared. He dropped the pillow at the sight of her.

  “Where’s your washing machine?” she asked, her clothes folded in her hands. She shifted nervously before him.

  He had been right. She swam in the clothes he’d lent her. He hadn’t thought he was that much taller than she, but the sweatpants bunched at her ankles and he wondered how she was keeping them up. The t-shirt was baggy, but he could easily tell she’d taken her bra off.

  “The washing machine?” she asked again.

  He realized he was staring. “Yeah, sure. It’s in the upstairs bathroom. Here, I’ll take them.”

  Angela shook her head and clutched her clothes to her chest. “Craig, it’s bad enough I’m wearing your clothes. Please don’t make me let you do my laundry.”

  Why had he thought he was the only one having trouble? Looking at her, Craig could see her nervousness more clearly. He gave her a nod. “Give me five minutes to walk Princess and set the alarm.”

  She nodded.

  Princess seemed to pick up on their anxiety and didn’t take long outside. After turning on the security system, he led Angela up the stairs and into the large bathroom/laundry room. Lifting the lid to the washing machine, he averted his eyes. He hoped it was enough to ease her anxiety as she hastily put her clothes in. He dumped in a little laundry soap and set the controls.

  “Gentle cycle, please. For the sweater. I like it. I’ll put them in the dryer in the morning.”

  Craig nodded and switched the settings for her. As it began to fill with water, he left the room with her. Stopping at the top of the stairs, he looked down at her. “I can’t come back down with you, Angela. I wouldn’t be able to come back up.”

  Understanding dawned on her face. “I wouldn’t want you to.”

  Still, he stood there looking at her looking at him. He didn’t want her to go downstairs. “I can’t kiss you goodnight either, Angela.”

  She nodded, then smiled. “Kiss my forehead then I’ll kiss your cheek, and we’ll go to bed.”

  He relaxed. “Good idea.” He dropped the kiss on her forehead, and it took all his strength to not turn his head when she kissed him on the cheek. “Goodnight.”

  “Night,” Angela whispered before she fled down the stairs. He watched long enough to make sure she didn’t trip at the bottom like she did at the farm and then waited for the lights to turn out.

  Moments later, Craig was in his bed in his own nightclothes staring at the ceiling. He heard soft footsteps in the hallway, and God – ho
w he was praying it was Angela. But the footsteps passed by his door.

  A few moments later, the sound of shattering glass drew him out of bed. It was followed by raised female voices and the dog barking. Craig met Kevin in the hallway who looked embarrassed.

  “Sherry wanted to check on Angela,” the other said.

  “Great,” sighed Craig, heading downstairs with his friend behind him.

  Sherry’s voice came from the darkened living room almost as soon as his feet hit the bottom step. “Relax guys. I startled Angela. That’s all.”

  “That’s all?” came the strangled reply.

  “What broke?” Craig found the light switch just inside the doorway and was hard pressed not to laugh at the scene before him. Angela stood in the middle of the couch, in a full defensive karate kata. Sherry was crouched, almost kneeling on the floor, with a lamp shattered on the carpet behind her. Princess sat on the floor below Angela’s feet, her tail wagging and it looked like the dog was amused.

  “I threw a lamp at her,” confessed Angela, not relaxing. “It’s the first thing I could get my hands on. Sorry.”

  “It’s alright.” He noticed Kevin’s mouth was twitching with barely contained laughter, like his own must be. In a few minutes, they had the mess cleaned up, and he was helping Angela down from her perch.

  And there they were, looking at each other again.

  Princess barked again, her tail wagging happily.

  Kevin slapped his hands together sharply. “So, who wants to play cards?”

  50

  c raig pulled into the farm’s driveway, wondering if Angela and her parents would consent to have it paved come summer. It was a stray thought, and he knew he was trying to distract himself. They’d finally all laid back down around two in the morning, but judging from Angela’s eyes she hadn’t slept any better than he had. She had surprised him by having a cup of coffee with him, doctoring it lighter and sweeter than he did. There had been no news from the police before they’d left his house after lunch.

  “You up for this?” he asked her, turning the truck off. She had sat in the center of the truck seat again, and he liked having her next to him. Her scent was comforting right now, even minus her usual rose perfume. Rather than have her borrow any of their soaps, he had bought some for her from the store.

  “Not really. But I have this sense of urgency I can’t explain. I spent some time thinking when I should have been sleeping. Part of me wants to ask if I can move back in. Until…you know. But I can’t shake the feeling that it would put them in danger too.” She shrugged.

  “It might be safer for you though,” he speculated, looking around the farm. “More open spaces. It’d be harder for him to hide.”

  Angela nodded. “But it’s darker at night. Come on, let’s go in. I want to get this done before Cassie and Jared get home from school.”

  He helped her out of the truck and followed her into the farmhouse.

  “Mom? Dad?” his girlfriend called as she hung their coats up by the door. “Where are you guys?”

  “In the kitchen!” was the muffled reply.

  Philip appeared from the direction of his den. “I saw you kids pull in. What’s up?”

  “We need to talk to you and Mom.” Angela hesitated. “I have a lot I need to talk about, and today seemed as good as any.”

  Her father nodded. “Have a seat on the couch. I’ll get your mother.”

  Angela did as her father asked, and Craig sat next to her. He took her hand in his, concerned over the way it was trembling already. Maude and Philip came into the room together, each sitting in armchairs across from their daughter. He saw them both cast a glance at her left hand, and when they didn’t see a ring there, he saw their concern grow. They had no idea what was coming.

  “So,” Philip began. He leaned forward in his chair, elbows on knees. “You want to talk to us?”

  “I have a few topics I need to cover. I don’t know where to begin.” She pushed at her hair nervously, trying to tuck it behind her ear even though it was bound in a braid. He’d heard her complaining about not having anything for her hair earlier and had plans to take her shopping for anything she wanted after they were done here.

  “Well, it can go two ways,” her father suggested. His hands were tapping together almost as nervously as his daughter’s. “Hardest to easiest or easiest to hardest. Pick one, honey.”

  Angela nodded. “Hardest first then. Craig tells me I have no secrets from you because I talk too much when I have a fever. Even knowing that, it’s still hard.” Her free hand rubbed against her jeans.

  Husband and wife glanced at each other, too many emotions passing between the two for Craig to read.

  “It’s about Randy…” Tears were leaking out of her eyes, and Craig could see the frustration on her face.

  Her parents were stunned, he could see that just as easily. It was the first time they’d heard their son’s name pass through their daughter’s lips without her being feverish. But then they were moving, closing the gap. Philip sat on the other side of her, and Maude knelt at her daughter’s feet.

  “What about him, honey?” her father asked, his hand resting on her back. “Just breathe. You know we’re not going to be angry with anything you tell us.”

  Even with her father’s reassurance, she visibly struggled. “But it’s my fault he died!” she exclaimed. “How can you not blame me when it was my fault we were out there in the first place?”

  “Oh, sweetheart.” Angela’s mother reached up to wipe away the falling tears. “If that’s how you feel, then I’m just as guilty. I was the one who gave him permission to take you on a walk. I saw you hit him, I heard the name you called him…and when he came in and didn’t tattle but asked to take you on a walk, I hoped it meant the two of you were going to mend fences. He treated you horribly for years, and you loved him anyway.”

  Angela’s tears were flowing in earnest now, her hand clutching Craig’s tightly. “We did, Mama. He…but…we knew we weren’t brother and sister. So, when we kissed and made up, it wasn’t as brother and sister. I didn’t really care, just so long as he loved me again. I was so happy, and I wanted to bring you flowers to make up for our fighting. You were so sick that summer, Mama. I just wanted to bring you daisies.”

  “Oh, honey,” Philip pulled his daughter close and pressed a kiss to her temple. Maude had lowered her head into Angela’s lap, and she was crying so like her daughter. It was hard for Craig to believe there was no blood connection between the two women.

  “I was running back to him…I never saw the car coming!” She turned her face into her father’s shoulder. Anger filled her voice. “He pushed me out of the way! Don’t you understand? He was your flesh and blood, and I’m not! It should’ve been me under those wheels! It should’ve been me!”

  Both of Philip’s arms were around her now, his voice rough when he spoke. “Angela, I’m sorry you’ve carried this burden for so long. But there’s so very much you don’t understand.”

  It was some minutes before any of them spoke again. Angela’s grip in his hand had relaxed, but still, she clung to him. Craig let his thumb caress her hand.

  “Help me understand,” Angela pleaded. “Please, Daddy. If I’m not your daughter, why did you keep me? Not just when CYS wanted to take me for pushing Jared down the steps. But the first time too. Both times Mama didn’t want to keep me, but you did. Why?”

  “Tell us how you know this,” her father requested, anger filling his voice. Maude’s face lifted to look up at her daughter, her face filled with grief. “Who told you?”

  “Randy and I were awake the night the men in Kansas City came for me. We didn’t understand everything, just enough to know my father wanted me back.”

  Maude had gasped at this revelation and understanding dawned in her eyes. “I have never regretted not giving you back to that man,” she told her daughter. Contempt for ‘that man’ was clear. “But I was scared that night. Angela, you must understand – he is
a dangerous man. He was going to sell you to the highest bidder, but he let us buy you instead. When he asked for you back, I hoped it was because he remembered how much he loved you. I love you so much, but he was your father.

  “Your father, Philip, asked me if I really wanted to lose you. I shook my head, sweetheart. I shook my head no. I’m sorry you couldn’t see that. I’m sorry I didn’t speak up. If I’d known my two little troublemakers were out of bed…” She drew a deep breath. “After we got rid of those men, we decided to run. Rhett wasn’t…isn’t the kind of man who you tell ‘no’ without consequences. But we had. We brought you kids here, and when he followed us…he offered to make the adoption legal.”

  Philip added, “For all he is, he really does want what’s best for you.”

  Craig could feel tension leak out of his girlfriend. “Adopted legally?” she asked. “So, I’m really yours after all?”

  “In every way that matters,” confirmed Maude.

  “Then she’s not really my sister?” intruded a sharp female voice.

  As one, they looked to see Cassie and Jared standing in the doorway. Their schoolbags were still in their hands, but both their faces were white with shock and disbelief.

  “I didn’t realize it was that late,” muttered Philip.

  “They’re out early for parent/teacher conferences. I forgot.” Maude cleared her throat. “She is legally your sister, and biologically your cousin.”

  The teenager snorted as Carmans were prone to do. “I guess I don’t need to feel too guilty for not loving her then.”

  “Cassie!” Jared hissed.

  But the girl just tossed her gold and white hair before stomping up the stairs.

  Angela sighed as her mother looked back up at her. “Go after her.” There was pain in her voice as she reached out and touched her mother’s face as if seeing it for the first time. “She needs you more than she realizes. After all, she’s a lot like me.”

  Her mother reached out, returning the simple caress. “Don’t believe her, Angela. Cassie loves you. You should’ve seen how concerned she was at Christmas.”