Texas Roads (A Miller's Creek Novel)

by Bryant, Cathy

  “I see.” He clipped the words then cleared his throat, his tone taking on a whine. “Can’t we work something out? I can—”

  Her patience snapped. “I need a construction crew for an out-of-town site, and I need it by next week.”

  He let out a disgusted snort. “That’s not possible. Our crews are booked for at least a month.”

  The previous heat morphed to icy steel in her veins. “Then hire another crew. Of course I’ll do it myself if you’re not able to handle it.”

  “I’ll take care of it. Just let me know the details.” The phone clicked in her ear.

  A shuddering breath stooped her shoulders. Why had she lost her temper? Now Howard would be out for blood. She definitely smelled trouble, but it didn’t start with a T.

  ~~o~~

  Half a million dollars? Steve snapped his head to attention and stared at his dad. Maybe he’d misunderstood.

  On the terrace behind the main ranch house, Dad clunked down his cup on the teak table and repeated the information. “The man said he wanted the land on both sides of the creek, plus the train yard and depot, and he’d pay half a million dollars.”

  What man, and why so much? He ran a hand across his mouth. “I have plans for that property. Did he leave his name?”

  “I wrote it down somewhere. Want me to find it?”

  Steve shook his head. “I’ll get it later.” He had too much to do to stay longer. He rose from the slatted chair and stretched, his muscles achy from lack of sleep.

  “Sure is dry.” His father peered out at the fields where round bales of hay had been placed to provide food for the horses.

  “And hot.” He sniffed the dusty air. Another scorcher on the way. The temperature was already in the eighties at seven in the morning with the two hottest months of the year still ahead. The grass had long since withered to a crunchy brown. They needed rain, and soon.

  “So, people are on board with this foundation idea?” His father clasped his hands in front and leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees.

  “Most of ‘em.” Otis Thacker’s grousing comments shoved their way into his mind, and he breathed out in exasperation. “I hate to cut this short, Dad, but I should probably head into town.”

  His father sat back in the chair to peer up at him. “But you just got here. I hoped you’d stay long enough to chat a while and visit your mama.”

  A lump of guilt clogged his throat. Not today. He couldn’t take her wordless blank stares anymore. With the toe of his boot, he kicked at a pebble. “Sorry, Dad, but I’ve got lots of work to do.”

  His father pushed himself to a standing position, his eyes sad and droopy. “I understand.” They ambled toward Steve’s pickup, parked beneath a clump of live oaks. Dad reached over and patted his shoulder. “You’re doing a great job as mayor, Son. I’m proud of you.”

  “Thanks, but I can’t take credit. I’m still dumbfounded at how it all happened.”

  “Dani certainly seems impressed.”

  He frowned. Dani? Impressed with him? Since when? “You’ve seen her?”

  “She comes out to visit Trish and the kids and stops by from time to time. She’s real good with Evelyn.”

  Dani had visited his parents? Emotions he couldn’t decipher stabbed at him. Anger? Guilt? Gratitude? He was so tired, he wasn’t sure how he felt.

  They reached the truck. “Think I should accept the offer on the land?” His father’s low words interrupted his confused thoughts.

  Steve paused beside the truck. The ranch had suffered a rough year financially, but should they sell land that had been in their family for over a hundred years? He massaged his neck and released a breath through his nose. How could he make these spur-of-the-moment decisions with no time to think? He gave a reluctant nod and climbed into the truck. “Half a million dollars is a lot of money. At that price, I don’t see how we can say no.”

  Dad pushed the pickup door shut. “Okay. I’ll call the guy and tell him we’ll sell.”

  On the ride into town, his mind churned with thoughts of Dani. The coffee he’d downed in place of breakfast curdled in his stomach, and a nasty taste made its way to his mouth. At last week’s lunch she seemed to have formed an instant connection with Tyler, and it bothered him to no end—like he’d missed something—like there was more to this story than Dani had mentioned.

  Steve glanced at his watch. Work called, but it would have to wait until he put the pieces of this puzzle together. He steered a path toward Mama Beth’s house, and minutes later let himself in the front door and strode to the kitchen.

  “Andy, no one else can know.” Dani started as he entered the room, her eyes and mouth widening. In less than a heartbeat her voice took on instant cheer. “Thanks for calling. Good to talk to you. Bye-bye.”

  A stone of suspicion sank in his gut. What was between her and Andy that no one else could know? And why did he get the impression she’d known the man for longer than a few days?

  “Hey, Steve.” Dani leaned down to pick up the kitten. Still unsteady on its feet, it’s white round tummy dragged the floor when it toddled around. She’d done a good job of caring for the cuddly critter. Holding Little Bit up to her face, she landed a smooch on the kitten’s pink nose. “There’s my cute baby. Come to Mama.” Her voice took on the sound of a mother crooning to a infant.

  He scowled at the conflicting emotions rolling inside him. One minute she had him doubting her every move and the next admiring her mothering skills.

  Dani turned toward him. “If you’re here to see Mama Beth, she’s at her Bible study.”

  “Actually, I came for a cup of coffee. Mind if I pour myself a cup?”

  She hesitated briefly then nodded. “Sure, go right ahead. Hope you like it chunky.”

  “That strong, huh?” Steve sauntered to the coffee pot and filled his travel mug. Her expression told him she didn’t want him to stay, but why? Well, too bad. He was here for answers and answers he’d get. “I couldn’t help but hear you talking on the phone when I came in. Were you talking to Andy Tyler?”

  Bright red blotches appeared on her cheeks. “Um, yeah.”

  He pulled out a chair and sat across the table from her, his eyes glued to her face. “What is it that no one else can know?”

  She swallowed. Hard. “Sorry, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “I thought I heard you say that no one else could know.”

  Dani tucked her top lip between her teeth, shifted her weight, and lowered her eyes. “I don’t remember.”

  He scrutinized her face. She did remember, but she wasn’t going to share it with him. Maybe he’d have more success with a different tactic. He took a swig of coffee. “You two seemed to have hit it off pretty quickly.”

  “I guess so.” She busied her hands playing with the kitten, who chewed on her pinkie finger. “This baby’s hungry again.” Without even a glance his direction, she rose to her feet and moved to the cabinets. A minute later she returned with a saucer of the pet formula and an eyedropper. Soon the kitten greedily sucked down several droppers full of liquid, her eyes closing in slumber.

  Steve watched with interest as Dani gently brought the black and white fur ball to her chest and moved to the pet pillow in the corner of the dining room. Anyone with that much compassion couldn’t be planning something underhanded. Could she?

  She returned to her seat, took a sip of coffee, and looked him straight in the eye. “Andy and I have a lot in common. We both grew up in Dallas. It’s only natural that I would hit it off with him, don’t you think?”

  “Guess so.” Why did he feel so . . . disappointed? The answer hit him like a wrecking ball. He cared about her and had hoped that one day circumstances would allow them to move their relationship to a different level. The thought added another weight, and his shoulders slumped. “Well, I guess I’d better get going.” He pushed himself away from the table and stood.

  She rose to her feet. “How are things going downtown?”


  “Great. So fast I can barely keep up actually.”

  “But that’s a good problem, right?” She seemed eager to know his answer.

  He nodded. “Yeah, it is. I can always sleep after the renovation’s complete.”

  Her musical laughter echoed off the walls as she escorted him to the front door. “I totally understand the lack of sleep thing.”

  Steve took in the dark circles beneath her eyes. Why was she tired? Maybe it had to do with the kitten. He checked his watch, not wanting to leave, but knowing he had no choice. “Well, I’ll see you later.”

  “Maybe so. I promised J. C. I’d help him and the old geezers clean out a couple of buildings.”

  He took notice of the news. It wouldn’t hurt to be on hand while she was downtown. Just to keep an eye on things. “I’ll try to drop by and help. What time will you be there?”

  She glanced at the clock, the same expression on her face as when he’d invited himself to stay for a cup of coffee. “Hmmm, I don’t really know. I’ve got a couple of other errands to run first.”

  He wasn’t letting her off the hook that easy. “Like what? We could meet for lunch and then get to work on that cleaning project.”

  “I already have lunch plans, but thanks anyway. I’m eating at the ranch.”

  Suspicions surged to the surface like bits of ocean debris after a hurricane. Why did she spend more time at the ranch than he did?

  ~~o~~

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Torn

  Dani peeked furtively between the mini-blinds of the daycare office window. Good. No one should walk in on her unannounced like Steve and Mama Beth always did. The kids and workers congregated on the playground and would remain there until the heat forced them inside. Cell phone to her ear, she faced the door. Andy answered on the second ring.

  “It’s me, Andy. Sorry I hung up on you earlier, but this time it was Mama Beth who walked in on our conversation.” She hated keeping secrets from her aunt—hated the sneaking around—but it was the only way. Dani nibbled her thumbnail. Father and Mother had utilized their wealth to purchase people’s admiration and friendship. In a word, to manipulate, and she refused to follow their example. From her front-row perspective, she’d seen enough of their grand-standing to leave a permanent sour taste in her mouth.

  Muffled voices sounded over the phone before Andy spoke. “No problem. Listen, we have a couple of law students clerking for us this summer, and they can handle a lot of my work load here. That will allow me to spend a few days a week in Miller’s Creek to keep up with this paperwork.”

  “Okay.”

  “Just okay? I was hoping you missed me more than that.” His words took on a mock tone of hurt.

  Her spine stiffened. Was he serious? She cleared her throat. “I’m sorry. What were you saying?”

  Andy’s voice flattened. “Never mind, I’ll see you on Friday.”

  Friday? She eyed the applications she’d just approved. They needed to be processed now. “Okay, but I’m going to fax some approved applications for you to forward to Steve.”

  After goodbyes were said, she flipped her phone shut and powered up the fax machine. While it hummed and zipped, her thoughts returned to the conversation with Andy. Surely he wasn’t interested in her as more than just a good friend. Anything else would be awkward.

  Laying the next application on the machine, she closed the lid and punched the button. Steve made life awkward enough. His latest behavior had her bamboozled. At first he seemed overly eager to be around her, but not in a good way, almost as if he didn’t trust her. Here lately he’d been distant and aloof, and his visits to the house timed for when she was gone.

  Dani released a heavy sigh. The renovation would be through in a few months. Then hopefully she and Steve could resume their original camaraderie. She missed their friendly banter. She missed him. The realization rattled her. Maybe it was a good thing that the renovation project kept them both busy.

  Once she finished the paperwork, she stuffed the requests for funding into her bag, peered out the window, and smiled. Now she could do what she’d been itching to do all day—spend time with the kids.

  The shaded canopy of pecan trees behind her aunt’s daycare provided the perfect location for children to play during the heat of summer. She breathed deep of the morning air. This place was an anchor of sanity in her chaotic life.

  Her gaze traveled the playground, pain coursing through her. She squeezed her eyes shut. Having a child of her own would never happen, just an old dream that wasn’t meant to be.

  Moisture gathered in her eyes, but seeing Little Bo brought a frown. He straddled the sand box wall in front of her, tears streaming down his round cheeks. She hurried to him, intentionally slowing her pace as she approached. “Hi. Can I sit here?”

  He hoisted one shoulder, then sniffled and wiped his face against his shirt.

  Dani perched on the big timbers surrounding the sand pit, dug one hand in the sand, and allowed it to sift between her fingers. Little Bo’s light brown eyes focused on the movement, and he joined her. “You want to tell me what’s wrong?” She took care to keep her tone non-confrontational.

  He didn’t answer.

  Maybe a back door approach would work better. “Seen any movies lately?”

  Another shrug.

  “I heard about a good kid’s movie showing in Morganville. Maybe we can go sometime.”

  Again no response. Okay, she was running out of ideas here. She brightened at the next thought. This would work. “Your mom told me you got a new horse.”

  Bingo! A big grin that reminded her of Steve spread across his face. “Yeah, I named him Domino, ’cause he has spots all over him!”

  She laughed out loud at his enthusiasm, but the ache in her heart for a child of her own returned with a stabbing intensity. What would it be like to cradle a child of her own in her arms, to watch him take his first steps, to hear him call her Mama?

  ~~o~~

  Steve eyed the encroaching pile of paper stacked on his desk. At first he’d been able to keep up with the requests for funding and had thrown himself into the work, mainly as a distraction to keep his mind off Dani. But over the past three days the workload had tripled, with more and more people adding their applications to the pile. Would the mysterious donor be put off by all these requests? He shook the thought off like a dog after a swim. As if he didn’t already have enough to worry about. Why add more?

  He circled his head to relieve the tension in his shoulders and neck, every creak and pop a reminder of age. In addition to the paperwork, his personal responsibilities mounted. Mom’s health declined more everyday. Part of him wanted to pray for her suffering to end, but that kind of prayer seemed almost impossible. How could you pray for something when it meant loss for you and those you loved?

  Dani had been so good to visit his parents, and though he didn’t understand her motives, he was grateful. He clasped his hands behind his neck and stretched out straight in the chair. The image of her happy face at church yesterday floated to his mind. Country life certainly agreed with her. She’d changed somehow, as if her sorrow had been gently erased and replaced with joy. Was it because of God or Andy? The thought of losing her thrust ice through his veins, and he immediately chastised himself. You couldn’t lose something that wasn’t yours.

  His office phone buzzed. He punched the speaker button and leaned forward to hear Wanda’s nasally voice. “Trish on line one.”

  He smiled, clicked to the other line, and brought the phone to his ear. “Hey, Sis.”

  “How much do you love your little sister?”

  A chuckle erupted. “Okay, what do you want?”

  “I’m doing some shopping in Morganville and running a wee bit behind.” From her pleading tone he could visualize her puppy-dog eyes. “I called Doc, but he’s snowed under. And I think Dani must already be at the daycare. Can you pick up Little Bo for me? I promised him I’d be there before lunch.”

  Stev
e viewed his own snowy mountain of paperwork and raised his eyebrows. “Sure, why not?” Besides, if Dani was at the daycare . . .

  “I owe you, big brother.”

  “Yep, but I can be bought for the right price.”

  Her throaty laughter made him grin. “Okay, I’ll bake you a batch of caramel brownies. How’s that?”

  “Perfect.”

  He hung up, gathered the papers, and stood, suddenly overjoyed at the prospect of spending time with his nephew. Or could it be the chance to see Dani? The walk into the open sunshine planted a sense of freedom within him, like a kid on the first day of summer vacation. A ton of work screamed for his attention, but he shut it out and continued to walk away. He needed this. He’d swing by the daycare to get Bo, treat him to an ice cream, then dash to the lake for a picnic, boat ride, and afternoon swim.

  A short two blocks’ drive placed him at the country blue bungalow now converted into Just for Kids daycare. Mama Beth kept the place looking like a storybook cottage, with white shutters and planter boxes loaded with flowers. The carefree laughter of children at play brought a grin to his face and sent him in the direction of the playground. A little girl pointed him to the sandbox, where Bo sat deep in conversation with Dani as they built a sandcastle.

  His heart skipped a beat, and he puzzled over why the scene evoked such a strong reaction. Steve pressed his lips together. Probably best if he didn’t think too long on that question. He sauntered toward them, neither one noticing him until he spoke. “Is this a private conversation or can anyone join?”

  “Uncle Steve!” Bo yelled out his words, then jumped up and engulfed him in a hug that knocked the air from his lungs.

  “Hmph.” Steve brought a hand to his abdomen with a soft chuckle. “Hey, Tiger, how are you?” He tousled his nephew’s hair.

  Bo’s eyes twinkled. “Good. I was telling Dani about Domino.”

  “You were?”

  “Yep. Why are you here?” Bo squinted up at him and pooched out his lips.