Finding the Road Home

by Tina Radcliffe

  Daisy’s heart did a tiny nosedive. Mitch was a nice guy. If things were different and they’d met at another time, would she give in to the attraction she’d tried to ignore since they met? Only a spark, it pushed itself to the front of her thoughts when least expected and threatened to grow with the least provocation.

  But the timing was all wrong. She understood that completely. Yet, deep down inside, Daisy continued to hope for something she couldn’t possibly have.

  Chapter Eight

  “I was in Pawhuska this week and picked up an information packet on small business start-ups for you, Daisy.” Luna’s words broke through Daisy’s thoughts.

  “Sorry, what did you say?” Daisy stopped wiping the glass counter of the bakery.

  “You’ve been daydreaming all day.” The petite chef’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Who are you thinking about?”

  “What? No. I’ve got a lot on my mind.” Daisy turned away, certain Luna would see the pink she knew had crept up her neck. How did she know she’d been thinking about Mitch?

  “If you say so dear.” Luna slid a thick manila envelope across the counter. “This is the small business packet that details the licensing and such, and how to apply for a loan. You’ll qualify without a problem.”

  “I’m not following.”

  “The bakery. Now that I’ve seen you in action, I think you should start your own business. Rent the space from me. Be your own boss.”

  “What?”

  “I know you aren’t ready to commit full-time, but perhaps you could look through the paperwork and consider one day a week. This bakery pop-up ends in a few weeks. Why not continue? You’ve got a hungry clientele. After six weeks, you have regulars. Imagine after six months.”

  “I hadn’t thought about it.” No, she hadn’t dared to think about actually opening a real bakery.

  Luna offered a persuasive argument. There was already a loyal customer base and a growing business relationship with the Arrow Diner and Tallgrass Inn, who regularly purchased her pies. She’d learned which customers preferred which variety, and routinely set aside their favorites for them. They returned week after week.

  The shop came with basic equipment in the kitchen. Daisy glanced around the space. A coat of paint, a little decorating, including refurbished tables and chairs from the restaurant outlet online. It wouldn’t take much, and the place would be ready to go. The thought of extra income was more than enticing.

  “I’ve seen you on Saturdays, chica. This is more than a dream. Baking is a calling, and make no mistake, you are called. People respond to more than your pies. They respond to your heart.”

  A bubble of excitement pushed itself to the surface, and Daisy dared to let herself dream.

  “I know someone who will help you paint the place for almost nothing.”

  “Really?”

  “Mmm-hmm.” Luna glanced at the clock. “You go ahead home to your family. Roscoe and I will close up. And please, take the rest of the croissants with you.”

  “We might sell them.” Daisy glanced at the tray of golden flaky pastry.

  “We sold out of every one of your pies, and we close in an hour. You and your pies are the main attraction. I don’t kid myself.”

  “I’m an amateur. You know that your pastries are amazing, Luna. You’ve won awards.”

  “Sí. I agree.” She grinned. “Pain au chocolat, croquembouche and galette are in demand by the guests at the ranch. Here in town, the natives tell me that my pastries take a backseat to your lemon meringue, triple berry and French silk.”

  “I feel like I’ve insulted you.”

  Luna laughed. “Not at all.” She took Daisy’s hands. “Again, I tell you, this is your calling. You should not be hiding your light under a bushel.”

  “Is that what I’m doing?”

  Luna offered a slow nod and turned to Roscoe, who stood behind the register. “Am I right, Roscoe?”

  “This is a no-win situation for me. I’m gonna keep my mouth shut, and maybe I’ll get pie and pastries if I play my cards right.”

  Daisy chuckled.

  “It’s late,” Luna said. “Roscoe and I are going to dinner. We’ll handle things.”

  “Dinner?” Daisy winked at Roscoe.

  “Hamburgers and fries, missy. Remember what I told you about being friends.”

  “Right. Right.” She smiled, liking the idea of Luna and Roscoe, two of her favorite people, keeping each other company. “How’s the wrist doing?”

  “Feeling good.” Roscoe proudly held up his bright blue cast adorned with autographs and drawings. “Everyone in the department signed it. I’m thinking I’ll keep it when it comes off in five weeks.”

  “Five weeks. Was it worth it, Roscoe?”

  “Yeah, it was. I’ve got bragging rights forever, and by the time cherub season comes around next year, I’ll be retired.”

  “Any plans for retirement?”

  He offered a wistful smile. “This go-round, I’m going to do something creative with my spare time.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Who knows? Baking, maybe, or I could dabble in a pottery class or painting once I get that community center up and running at the beginning of September.”

  “Good for you.” Daisy scooped up the croissants with waxed tissue and put them in a white paper bag. “I’m off. The Eagle brothers are supposed to start on the roof today.”

  “Daisy,” Roscoe called.

  “Yes?”

  “Never did thank you for being my wingman during our adventure on the Fourth of July.” He held up his cast once again. “Or for all you did.”

  “I’ve got your back. That’s what partners do.”

  “True that. You need anything, you’ve got my number.”

  “I’ve had your number since the first of June.”

  Luna laughed as Daisy pushed open the door and started the chimes singing.

  There were three trucks in her driveway when Daisy arrived home twenty minutes later. Three trucks on the ground, along with a dumpster. And there were four men on the roof. One truck looked suspiciously like Mitch’s. Daisy stepped out of the van, and was slammed with a wall of noise and the thick odor of asphalt. This seemed overkill for a roof leak.

  Outside the house, her grandmother stood talking to a dark-haired, stocky gentleman.

  “Gran, what’s going on?”

  “Mr. Eagle was explaining the intricacies of the roof replacement. He’s very knowledgeable.”

  Her grandmother smiled almost coyly. Was she flirting? Daisy’s jaw sagged as she assessed the situation.

  “Mr. Eagle, this is my granddaughter, Daisy.”

  “Nez Eagle.” He bowed slightly and removed his ball cap to reveal a thick head of pepper gray hair. “Pleased to meet you, Daisy. You work with my niece. She speaks highly of you.”

  “Thank you.” Daisy shaded her eyes with a hand and looked up at the roof. “Roof replacement. I thought we were fixing a leak?”

  “That is the original roof. It’s over sixty years old. It would be a disservice if I patched what needs to be replaced. The next strong rain or tornado winds, and your roof would be in Mrs. Shupe’s yard down the road.”

  “I...I...” Before she could respond, Mitch Rainbolt appeared from inside the house. Daisy caught her breath. “Chief? What are you doing here?”

  “I was bored, so I thought I’d lift a hammer.”

  Mitch bored? Not likely.

  He adjusted the tool belt on his hips and turned to her grandmother. “Alice, do you want to show me that leaky faucet?”

  “Daisy, could you show Mitch? I promised Nez that I would show him the fruit trees.”

  Daisy blinked, her head spinning. Mitch? Nez? “Where are the kids?”

  “There was an event at the Rebel Community Church. They�
�re even feeding them. I’ll pick them up in a couple of hours. No worries.”

  “PJ too?”

  “Saylor Tuttle, the pastor’s wife, invited PJ. To keep her granddaughter company.” She smiled. “It’s PJ’s first playdate.”

  “Right.” Daisy said the word slowly and met Mitch’s gaze.

  He nodded toward the house. “The faucet?”

  “They’re replacing the roof,” she said as she followed him inside. “The estimate was for repair work. I’m not sure I can afford—”

  “Mr. Eagle donated the labor on the roof job. So you’re getting this at rock bottom cost. He’ll work out a payment plan.” Mitch looked at her, his face serious. “It’s supposed to rain again soon.”

  “Okay. I suppose I don’t really have a choice, do I? And what else is going on?” Daisy asked.

  “Henna’s brother is repairing your kitchen ceiling. Insurance will cover the cost.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “That’s how it works. Besides, your grandmother called them. She told me so.”

  Daisy stepped into the kitchen and stopped. “What were we doing in here?”

  “The faucet.”

  Right. The faucet. That would explain why he was in her kitchen, taking up so much space she could hardly breathe.

  “The kitchen faucet.” Daisy nodded. “It’s really fine. You were here on Thursday. I mean, occasionally those porcelain cross handles come off, and sometimes they leak. Not a big deal in the scheme of things.”

  She glanced longingly at the coffeemaker. “I could use a fresh cup of coffee. How about you?”

  “Sure. I’ll take a look at the faucet after.”

  Daisy sighed, wishing he’d just let that go.

  He frowned. “Everything okay?”

  “Perfect.” She was being churlish, she knew, but on top of days of sleep deprivation, there was now a house full of people doing work that she couldn’t possibly afford. Overwhelmed was the theme of the month.

  Things were out of control, and she had no idea how to rein her life back in.

  Daisy grabbed the carafe from the coffeemaker and jerked the cold-water knob roughly. The handle came off in her hand, splashing water into the sink where it ricocheted against a dish and up into her face. She jumped back, astonished. Still clutching the knob, she blinked through water that dripped off her face.

  “Here.” Mitch shoved a towel into her hand. He reached over to move the plate that targeted the water at her. “Maybe I better fix that first.”

  Eyes laughing, lips twitching, Mitch accepted the knob she held in the palm of her hand. She dabbed at her wet clothes and face, and all but glared. Her expression dared him to laugh out loud. Much to his credit, his restraint remained exemplary.

  Mitch turned over the handle in his hand. “These are so old they’re back in style again.” Then he opened the cupboards beneath the sink and examined the pipes. “You’ve got a leak under here too.”

  Daisy held back a maniacal laugh. “Of course, I do. I thought it was the kids spilling water.”

  “I’m going to have to turn off the water to repair this. You want to fill up that pot before I do?” He motioned toward the faucet where the water continued to run.

  “Fine.” Head high, she tried to maintain some dignity despite her poor behavior.

  “I can’t believe Mary Sunshine is cranky. Where’d all that optimism go?”

  For a moment she thought she’d imagined the comment. “Excuse me?”

  “Who are you so mad at?”

  “No one.”

  “So you say.”

  Daisy turned to meet his gaze as he leaned against the refrigerator and scrutinized her. In return, she searched for a clue to what was going on inside the man’s head. The light of sympathy reflected in his dark eyes. Well, she wouldn’t have him feeling sorry for her. Needy she was not. If only things were that simple.

  “I’m sorry.” She took a calming breath. “It just feels like everything is out of control, Mitch.”

  “This is temporary chaos. Stop fighting. Let people help you.”

  “Let people help me.” She repeated the words like a mantra spoken in an unknown language.

  “Lots of dust and noise here. Too many things for kids to get into. Might be a good idea to move you and the kids to Rebel Ranch for the next few days.”

  “What?”

  “It’ll be easier on everyone if you and the children aren’t in the house while they’re working.”

  “I can’t go to the guest ranch.”

  “I’ve mentioned that the ranch has quarters upstairs at the main house.”

  “For VIP guests. I’m not a guest, and I can’t afford Rebel Ranch. I’ve looked at the brochure. That place is pricey.”

  “Reece wouldn’t charge you. Besides, this is only for a couple of days. Three max.”

  “Three days?” That meant three days of making sure that five children behaved and didn’t spill on the nice furniture or break anything.

  “Think of the kids. They get to spend time on a ranch. Interact with horses. Reece even has chickens, goats, pigs and a cow or two. The whole experience. They’ll love it.”

  “I don’t know, and I don’t understand why a few repairs are going to take so long.”

  “The Eagle brothers are making you a top priority, in between their regularly scheduled customers.”

  Daisy rubbed her forehead. “I feel like a charity case. An ungrateful one at that.”

  “Ah, so that’s what this is. Pride.”

  “Probably,” she said. “I’ve been a solo act for a very long time.”

  “Allow your friends in Rebel to bless you. Let them give back. You’ve already done a lot for this town. You’re here and you care. That makes you part of the Rebel family.”

  “I’ve never been part of such a large family. It’s been my grandmother and my sister and me for years.”

  “This is an adjustment. I get that, Daisy. You adopt five kids and an entire town adopts you.”

  “Exactly.”

  “Think about Alice. Your grandmother deserves a break. She’d enjoy some R & R at Rebel Ranch. They have a hot tub and all sorts of amenities for the guests.”

  “Ouch.” Daisy grimaced. “You have me there. I’m being selfish. She’s been babysitting in an overheated house for weeks. You’re right.”

  “Thank you.”

  “What for?”

  “For not fighting me on this.” He pulled out his cell. “I’ll call Reece and let him know you’re coming.”

  “Wait. Wait. What about Star and Rascal?”

  “I can handle your cats. They can stay at my place.”

  “You’ve got all the answers.” She stared at him. Every day her life became more and more tangled with his, and she wasn’t sure it was a good thing to put all her trust in this one man.

  “Daisy? Can we do this?”

  She nodded slowly. “Thank you, Mitch.”

  “No need to thank me. I’m only helping. This isn’t saving the world.” He smiled. “Cheer up. A few days and things will be back to normal.”

  Normal? Daisy nearly laughed out loud. She hadn’t seen normal in a long time, and she wasn’t sure she’d recognize it if it decided to show up.

  * * *

  “Are you afraid of horses?” Mitch asked. He couldn’t keep the surprise out of his voice. Horses had been part of his life for so long. Even growing up in a double-wide, horses were always a given.

  Daisy avoided his gaze as they stood outside the Rebel Ranch stables. “No. I’m pacing myself.”

  “Pacing yourself?”

  “Yes. I’m acclimating to Rebel in baby steps. I went to the Western barbecue party, and I went fishing. I should get an A for my efforts.”

  He tried not to laugh. She looked
so cute in jeans and a long-sleeve pink dotted T-shirt. He’d insisted on protective clothing, in hopes he could persuade her to get in the saddle.

  Daisy wasn’t having any of it.

  “You’re sure you don’t want to ride?” he asked again.

  “This is Sunday. Your day off. No working today.”

  “Daisy, horseback riding isn’t work.”

  “It is for me. Reece took Seth and Grace for a lesson. That’s enough equine mastery in this family for one day.”

  “Chicken.”

  She raised her chin. “Yes, and proud of it. You can’t turn me into a cowgirl in one summer.”

  “I can try. Come on.” He inclined his head toward the roughly hewn double doors of the stables, which stood open and welcoming.

  “Come on? Where?”

  “We’re going to say hi to the horses.”

  “Hi. That’s all.”

  “Yep. That’s all.”

  Daisy lagged behind as he headed into the building. “Are you coming or not?” he called.

  “This is the day of rest. I will not be rushed on a Sunday.”

  Mitch groaned at her words.

  When Daisy finally stepped into the stables, she stopped and glanced around with wide-eyed wonder, her gaze moving from the stalls to the overhead fans and the feed sacks. “This place is huge. How many horses are there?”

  “I’d have to ask Reece.” He paused. “You know to watch your step, right?”

  “That was lesson one. Day one.” She wrinkled her nose. “I’m getting used to the smell of things too.”

  “There’s hope for you yet, Anderson.” Mitch stopped outside the stall of a particularly gentle Appaloosa. “Meet Domino.”

  Daisy stood behind Mitch. “Is Domino a girl or a boy?”

  “Domino is a mare. A female.”

  “Her spots are beautiful.” Daisy glanced around. “Why is she inside when most of the other horses are outside?”

  “I brought her in earlier and groomed her in case you wanted to ride.”

  “I’m sorry you went to all that trouble.”

  “No trouble. Domino enjoyed herself, and it gave me time to tell her all about you.”