Texas Roads (A Miller's Creek Novel)

by Bryant, Cathy

  Ernie lowered his head. “Sorry. I know you and Dani—”

  Steve held a hand up to stop him. The last thing he wanted was sympathy. “I need a phone number for Mike Brady.” He was through with questions and ready for answers.

  ~~o~~

  In the much-too-early hours the next morning, Steve rolled onto his side and punched the pillow. Every evening since his movie date with Dani, he’d dragged home, certain sleep would come, but it remained elusive. The problem was Dani, thoughts about her, questions. It killed him to stay away, especially in light of Otis’ finger pointing. He’d do almost anything for the chance to talk to her, but every time he went to Mama Beth’s, she was either gone or on her way out. And the few times he’d seen her in public, she avoided him like a dreaded disease.

  He flopped onto his back with a frustrated grunt. Why had he pushed her? All he’d accomplished was to shove her farther away. Farther from him and closer to Andy. He released a weary groan and rubbed his eyes. Her rejection was bad enough, but seeing her and Andy together ripped his heart to shreds. And the latest development with the investigation would only drive the wedge between them even deeper.

  The digital read-out on the alarm clock grinned its big red numbers in the darkened room. Four o’clock in the morning. Way too early to be awake, especially on a Saturday, but maybe he could get some paperwork done before the meeting with Mike Brady, a much better plan than torturing himself with thoughts of Dani.

  Steve showered and downed a cup of coffee, then climbed in his truck. As he pulled onto the main road, an orange glow lit the northern sky and set off chills between his shoulder blades. God, please don’t let that be what I think it is. He punched the accelerator.

  As he neared town there was no longer any doubt. The glow intensified, and his nostrils burned with the acrid smell of smoke. Angry flames licked the darkened sky and poured a cloud of gray smoke and ashes into the night. He raced the truck to Mama Beth’s house in a cold sweat, his mind and stomach agitated.

  The strong west wind gusted and showered the sky with sparks. When he topped the hill, Mama Beth’s house came into view, and he blew a relieved sigh from his cheeks. No fire at the house. The lights were on, which meant they were safe. He jerked the steering wheel to turn into the driveway, left the truck running, and sprinted to the door.

  Mama Beth met him, dressed in her housecoat, her eyes round.

  He hugged her close and tried to slow his breathing. “Thank goodness you’re okay.”

  When he pulled away, her lips worked, but no sound came out. He grabbed her shoulders. “What is it?”

  Her face went ash white. “Dani.”

  His heart leapt to his throat. “What about her?”

  “She’s gone. I don’t know where. Her bed hasn’t been slept in.” Her words came out in a raspy whisper.

  The air thickened and his leg muscles liquefied. Where was she? He ran full speed to the truck and tore out toward town.

  As he reached downtown, the view brought on nausea. Miller’s Creek was engulfed in flames, and Dani could be somewhere in the middle of this furnace. He stopped at the roadblock Ernie had set and opened the door. A blast of heat hit him in the face, and the fire issued a monster-like roar.

  Ernie shouted to make himself heard. “The fire department is—”

  “Have you seen Dani?”

  “Huh?” Ernie cocked an ear toward him.

  He fought back a wave of panic and yelled louder. “Dani, have you seen Dani?”

  “Yeah, she and Andy came through half an hour ago. I tried to stop ‘em—”

  He didn’t wait to hear more, but sprinted toward the fire. Half an hour? Anything could’ve happened to her in that length of time. Lord, help me find her. His eyes watered, blinded by smoke. The chalky taste of ashes filled his mouth and set off body-racking coughs. Fire trucks parked at odd angles in the street outside Granny’s Kitchen, and Will Coleman, the fire chief, barked orders to the volunteer firemen.

  Steve rushed to him. “What happened?”

  The wind carried Will’s voice. “Too early to tell, but we think a fire at Granny’s spread to these other buildings because of the wind.”

  “Have you seen Dani?”

  Will motioned with a jerk of his head. “She and her lawyer friend went that way.”

  Sprinting to the corner, the scene that lay before him plunged a knife into his heart. Both sides of the creek smoldered in the wake of the fire that still burned brightly on the other side of the creek, the new pavilion now reduced to a pile of metal, rock and ashes. Icy tentacles wrapped around his throat and threatened his ability to breathe. Was she lying somewhere hurt? He searched the area around the depot where a large blaze still lingered. A lone figure fought against the fire. Dani!

  The heat warmed his feet as he darted to the bridge through smoking grass. Giant flames threatened the old train depot where Dani fought the blaze like David against Goliath. Rivulets of sweat rivered down her soot-darkened face, and she swung at the flames with a wet burlap bag, the fire hissing angrily with each hit. Another bag lay on the ground at her feet. He grabbed it and joined the fight. “Where’s Andy?”

  “Went for help.” Her words came out in wheezing gasps.

  The wind picked up and sent flames spiraling higher. Black smoke filled his lungs, and the heat and ashes stung his eyes. The whine of the fire truck siren ripped the night air. Steve motioned for Dani to quit, but she refused. There was only one way to stop her. He flung the bag to the ground, picked her up by the waist, and dragged her from the fire.

  “No. Put me down.” She two-fisted his chest, but he didn’t release her.

  Once safety was certain, he set her feet on the ground, her blond curls clinging to her face in damp tendrils. With her gaze wild and focused on the flames, she continued to struggle. Only when he pointed to the fire truck, did her body relax and crumple to the ground. He knelt beside her and grabbed her shoulders. “You okay?”

  She nodded, breathless. “The depot?”

  “Fine, thanks to you.” He drew her close to his thudding chest, kissed her forehead, and rocked her in his arms, the realization of what might have happened sudden and strong. Thank you, God, that she’s okay. He placed a finger under her chin and tilted her face to him, his tone husky with pent-up emotion. “What were you doing down here this time of night?”

  Dani lowered her head, but didn’t answer.

  “She was with me.” A terse voice sounded behind him. Andy strode toward them, his expression somber except for the fiery flames reflected in his eyes.

  ~~o~~

  Dani wrapped her arms around her waist, her vision blurred by tears, all their hard work . . . gone. The air reeked of smoke, and the park lay in heaps of gray ash. Blackened rock columns, which once supported the roofs of the shelters and pavilion, bore silent witness to the devastation of the fire.

  Behind her, footsteps crunched the charred grass. Andy sidled up and rested an arm across her shoulder, pulling her to him. “You all right?”

  She nodded her head once, too tired to shrug off his arm, too numb to speak.

  “The meeting’s about to start. We should head that way.”

  Dani trudged beside him to the town square, her legs leaden. All she wanted to do was sit down and cry, not for herself, but for Steve and the people of Miller's Creek. They'd sacrificed so much to have their dream reduced to nothing but a pile of ashes.

  He took her hand and rubbed it with his fingers, his sea-green eyes focused on her. “Dani, I think it’s time for you to pull out.”

  She yanked her head around and gaped at him. After all that had just happened?

  His lips were pinched. “As your attorney and friend, I advise you not to spend any more of your money on this town.”

  “Nothing like kicking them when they’re down.” Her anger spewed out, unrepressed.

  He shook his head, his mouth set in concrete. “It’s called cutting your losses.”

  “It’s not
my losses I’m concerned about at this point.” She quickened her pace and left him behind. How could he make such a suggestion? He knew how much this meant to her. How much it meant to these people. To Steve.

  A minute later she arrived at the square. The townspeople gathered near the gazebo, waiting as Steve plodded up the steps. Loving concern for the town shone from his face, weary lines carving the skin around his eyes. Miller’s Creek surely flowed through his veins like the creek flowed through town. He momentarily met her stare then averted his gaze.

  Her heart crumpled like a piece of paper. Had pushing him away been a huge mistake?

  The microphone squealed for a moment. “Thanks for being here, folks.” Steve’s expression wore a mixture of sorrow and exhaustion. “We’re all struggling with what’s happened. We’ve put in long hours and now some of our work has been wiped out. Repairs will be costly, and it’ll mean more hours of hard work.” He paused, his chest rising and falling with a heavy breath. “It’s normal at a time like this to question whether or not the effort will be worth it. But I want to remind you we’ve never been the kind of people who quit.”

  She eyed the crowd. Many members of the community nodded in agreement. Not only did Steve love these people, they loved him.

  “This town has survived in spite of difficulties. Some of you have seen seven or eight decades here. You’ve weathered lots of storms.” His words grew more forceful. “We face a tough problem, but we’re tough people, and we’re going to finish what we started.”

  The crowd responded with applause, whistles, and shouts as Steve shook hands with the city council members. He was no ordinary man and as different from Richard as a horse was from a cow. She struggled against the sudden lump of pain in her throat. Could he ever forgive her and let her close again? Or was it too late? Her thoughts traveled to the feel of his arms around her last night at the fire. How cherished and loved she’d felt. But when Andy showed up, he’d stood and strode away in the fire-flickering darkness, leaving her on the ground like discarded trash.

  An unexpected longing to connect with her new friends surged through her. She had to let them know where she stood. Let them know they could count on her. She turned to the people nearby, but her “hellos” seemed to fall on deaf ears. No one responded or made eye contact. Something wasn’t right. She spotted J.C. and pressed toward him through the throng. “Hi, J.C.”

  “Miss Dani.” He bobbed his head at her with a sad smile, ambled straight past her, and disappeared in the crowd. What had she done to offend him?

  “Dani!” Mama Beth shouted from across the street where she stood with the Millers and motioned for her to join them.

  She hurried to her aunt and enveloped her in a hug. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

  Mama Beth didn’t answer, but pivoted away and spoke to Trish instead.

  Was fatigue playing tricks on her? Even her aunt’s kind eyes held an angry distance.

  A minute later the older woman faced her, lips compressed. “Let me say a quick word to Steve and then we’ll go.”

  Dani watched her walk away then turned to smile at Trish and little Bo. “Hey, Trish.”

  Without glancing her way, Trish grabbed her son’s hand and moved away. “See you around. We were just leaving.”

  More tears surfaced, and she blinked against them. What was happening? She made her way to Steve and Mama Beth. His wary eyes scanned hers momentarily then flitted away. The emotions reflected there pierced her heart. Sadness. Hurt. Disappointment.

  Dani rubbed her forehead. She wasn’t imagining this. Her friends were upset. At her. Mama Beth tugged on her arm. “Come on, we need to talk.”

  “What’s going on? Why is everyone treating me like a pariah?” Her voice cracked.

  Her aunt’s lips thinned as she opened the car door. “Well, it may have something to do with your behavior the past couple of weeks.”

  The anger and displeasure on Mama Beth’s face cut into her like a filet knife. “My behavior? What are you talking about?”

  Her aunt glared and started the car.

  Dani studied Mama Beth’s drawn profile as they drove toward the house. “I’m sorry, but I don’t understand what’s going on.”

  “I can’t talk about it right now. I’m too angry. Let me get home and get a cup of coffee to settle my nerves. Then we’ll talk. You obviously still have a lot to learn about living in a small town.”

  She did have a lot to learn. Like what rule she’d broken to make them treat her this way. The stabbing pain in her heart worsened. Had she lost her only chance at home and family?

  ~~o~~

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Nightmares

  Later that same day, Steve wandered Main Street and surveyed the devastation from the fire. Half a dozen buildings had sustained serious damage, and Granny’s Kitchen was completely gutted. He reached the corner, his heart taking a dive as he viewed what was left of the city park. Many of the ancient oaks were charred, and the thought of having them removed sickened him.

  He tucked his bottom lip between his teeth and dropped his chin to his chest. Could Miller’s Creek recover from this? Would the donor be willing to give more money to rebuild, or use this as an excuse to pull out? Would insurance cover the loss? How many of these people even had insurance? The questions churned in his brain and tangled in a giant knot.

  With a heavy exhale, he pinched the bridge of his nose and turned to join Ernie and Will in front of Granny’s. “Well, guys, how bad is it?”

  Ernie’s eyes narrowed and his mouth formed a grim line. “You’re not going to like what we have to say.”

  He tried to bolster himself for whatever news they had, but his reserves were bone dry. “Let me have it.”

  Will and Ernie exchanged looks. “The fire wasn’t an accident.” Will’s expression matched his matter-of-fact tone.

  Steve groaned and lifted his gaze to the clear blue morning. What had happened to their peaceful little town?

  The fire chief continued. “See these?” He pointed to a clump of burned rags lying right inside what used to be the front window. “They were most likely soaked in an accelerant and used to start the fire.”

  Ernie stepped to the end of the sidewalk and pointed down the alley. “Whoever did this broke in through the back door leading from the alley, laid out the rags, and then caught it on fire. That explains why it went up before anyone could get here.” He jerked his head toward Will. “These guys arrived quick enough to dowse the rags in front. I’ve already called for an arson investigator.”

  Investigator. He’d forgotten his appointment with Mike Brady. He checked his watch. Still a few minutes to spare, but only if he hurried. He offered a handshake to his two friends. “Thanks for all your work, guys. I have a meeting to get to, but if you need me, you know where to find me.”

  He strode down the street to City Hall. Who set the fire? He pushed on the old wooden door and headed for the coffee, pouring himself a cup of the aromatic brew. The front door opened, and a tall, bowlegged cowboy entered, removed his hat, and sauntered toward him, the heels of his boots scuffing the floor, and an arm extended. “Mr. Miller?” His drawl was slower than a blue-haired driver.

  Steve grabbed his hand. “You must be Mike Brady.” The man looked as if he’d just returned from a cattle drive, cheeks bronzed and leathery, with a forehead as white and smooth as baby’s skin where his hat had protected it from the harsh Texas sun. He blended in so well everyone would assume he was a local cowhand. “Care for some coffee?”

  “You betcha.”

  After he handed the steaming cup to Mike, Steve motioned him to the office. He offered the detective a chair and moved around behind the desk, gathering his thoughts.

  Brady initiated the conversation. “I noticed y’all had a big fire. Last night?”

  Steve gave a tired nod. “Yeah.”

  “Accident?”

  “Nope.” He plopped down into the desk chair and leaned back. “We’ve had an
outbreak of vandalism here lately.”

  “Is that what you want me to investigate?”

  He considered the question. Yes, he needed to stop the vandalism, but he also had to find out what Andy and Dani were up to. Besides, Ernie had already called an arson investigator. “Yes and no.”

  Brady didn’t speak, but his heavy eyebrows rose slightly as he slurped from his cup.

  “I don’t know for sure, but there’s a chance your investigation might lead to the vandals.” Steve leaned forward, rested his elbows on the desk, and entwined his hands, plowing through what he didn’t want to say. “I want you to investigate an attorney, Andy Tyler, and a woman by the name of Dani Davis.”

  Half an hour and several questions later, Steve saw Detective Brady to the door. He returned to his desk and took a drink of the now-cold coffee, not near as bitter tasting as what he’d just done. Though he still couldn’t bring himself to believe Dani had anything to do with setting the fire, she had been downtown at an unusual hour. He rubbed his eyes, gritty from ash and lack of sleep. It didn’t make sense for her to set the fire, and then place herself in danger in an attempt to put it out, but what were she and Andy doing roaming the town in the middle of the night?

  Hands folded behind his neck, he lifted his head to gaze at the ceiling. Why would Dani tell him she wasn’t ready for a relationship then veer straight into one with Andy? He shook his head. It didn’t matter. For whatever reason, she’d chosen Andy, not him. Without warning, his prayer from the night of the movie date with Dani entered his mind. He’d prayed for God’s will, and God had answered. The One who controlled the universe also controlled this situation. It was something he needed to accept.