Finding the Road Home

by Tina Radcliffe

  “Reece went to medical school?”

  “I’m not sure about that, but he did call me about the accident.” She didn’t add that she’d nearly fallen apart with relief when he called to update her.

  Mitch only grumbled in response.

  “You’re in rare form,” Daisy murmured.

  “I’m wearing a gown. A gown that’s too small and has no back side. And people keep coming in here like I’m a stop on the parade route.”

  Dark eyes intense, he stared at her. “Daisy, what are you doing here?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I was a jerk yesterday.” The words were a blunt admission.

  “You were, but I’m still your friend.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t deserve your friendship.”

  “I’m here because I care about you. I would have come last night, but my grandmother was in Tulsa with friends and I couldn’t leave the kids.”

  He blew a raspberry. “I had plenty of company last night. Reece and Tucker slept in the room. They snored all night, drank my juice cups and took the extra pillows. I didn’t get any sleep.”

  “That explains a lot,” she said under her breath.

  “Did you get the bakery painted?” he asked.

  Daisy stared at him, taken off guard by the random question. The man had nearly been killed, and he wanted to know how the painting was coming along? Daisy softened her stance as she drank in the sight of him, alive and in one piece. “Not even close,” she finally murmured.

  “Come here,” he said.

  “Why?”

  “Just come closer.”

  When she stepped closer to the bed, Mitch reached up a hand and wound a lock of her hair around his finger. His touch made her tremble, and she inched away.

  “Hold still,” he protested. “You have paint in your hair.” Mitch pulled the paint off the strand.

  She was close enough to see the bruising under his eyes. “Your eyes look painful.”

  “A little tender, that’s all. I’ve had worse falling off a horse.”

  Daisy’s phone rang, and she dug it out of her purse. “I’m sorry. It’s my grandmother.”

  “Please. Take it.”

  “Seth. Sweetie, calm down. Calm down. Stop crying. He’s fine. I’m talking to him right now.” Daisy held the phone to her chest. “Seth had a few friends over today, and they told him about your accident.”

  “News travels faster than I thought.”

  “He’s inconsolable. Will you talk to him, please?”

  Mitch held out his hand for the phone. “Seth. Yeah, buddy, I’m fine. Someone’s telling you tales. I bumped my car trying to avoid a deer in the road, but I’m fine. You should have seen that deer. I wish I had gotten a picture for you.” His gaze went to Daisy. “Yeah, I’ll be over to see you real soon. Love you, pal. Bye.”

  Daisy’s eyes flew open at the words and she stared at him.

  “He told me he loved me lots.” Mitch said the words softly. “What was I supposed to say?”

  She was so stunned by the vulnerability in his eyes that it took her a minute to respond. “You shouldn’t make promises you can’t keep.”

  “Daisy, I never make promises I can’t keep. I do love Seth, and I’ll be out to see him and Grace and the rest of the kids.”

  “When will you be discharged?”

  “That is a very good question. I saw a doctor last night. He looked like he was twelve years old. He told me I could go home today if my X-rays came back clear. Haven’t seen the guy since.”

  “There has to be more than one doctor here.”

  “This is a very small hospital. I specifically told the EMTs to take me to Tulsa, and yet here I am.” Mitch shook his head. “I’m pretty sure Roscoe did this to annoy me. Then he told the nurses to pick on me.”

  Daisy laughed. “Don’t they know who you are?”

  “Yeah, they do, which is why they’re giving me the runaround. They think I’m the guy that fired you.”

  “What?” Daisy jerked back at the words.

  “Yep. Henna tells me she’s been fielding phone calls from angry citizens all day. I’m the guy who fired the pie lady.”

  “No. Tell me you’re joking.” She tried to grasp what he was saying. The pie lady? She had supporters here in Rebel? The thought bolstered her spirits.

  “Sorry, I’m not kidding.”

  “We have to do something about this situation.”

  “Again with the ‘we’? Daisy, there isn’t any we, thanks to my big mouth.” He raised an arm, rubbed his eyes and grimaced. “Besides, this ought to be good for your new business.”

  Her jaw sagged. “I can’t believe you said that.”

  “Me either. I’m sorry.” He shook his head. “My only excuse is that the food here is disgusting, I haven’t had any sleep, and my chest and nose ache from the airbag.”

  “Mitch...”

  “You should go. I’m too ornery for visitors.”

  “Mitch!”

  “What?”

  Daisy sat and pulled her tote bag onto her lap. “I brought you lemon meringue pie.”

  “Maybe you don’t hate me after all.” His face softened.

  She reached into her bag and put a container of pie and a fork on his overbed table. “How I feel about you has never been the problem.”

  His gaze met hers, and Daisy’s heart stuttered at what she saw there. Deep inside, she knew Mitch cared for her. Maybe even loved her. She swallowed, and held back the emotion threatening to erupt. It wasn’t enough.

  “After the crash, I sat in that truck glad to be alive and wanting to see you and the kids.” He glanced up at the ceiling and then at her again. “I’m sorry, Daisy. Really sorry.”

  She nodded. “Thank you. That means a lot. But I’m not coming back to the department.”

  “I get that.”

  Did he get it? Did he really understand that what stood between them wasn’t going to be fixed with an apology?

  He opened the pie container and offered a pitiful smile. “This is the best thing that’s happened to me since that dinner at Rebel Ranch last weekend.”

  That evening was special. She clasped her hands in her lap and sighed. Dancing with Mitch in the moonlight was something she’d never forget. Ever.

  “So what happens now?” Mitch asked.

  Daisy looked up. “Hmm? What do you mean?”

  “You and me. Rebel is a small town. Will we see each other?”

  “Once my shop opens, you’re going to want my pies.”

  “That’s confidence.”

  She looked pointedly at the empty container.

  “There may be some truth in your words.” He chuckled.

  When Daisy stood and reached over to collect the empty container Mitch put his hand on hers and held her gaze.

  “I realize I have a lot of self-work to do. Tell me that you won’t rule out the possibility of us.”

  “Right now I’m really confused. The only thing I’m sure of is that I have to do what’s best for the kids.”

  “Fair enough.”

  “I should go.” She took the container and slipped it in her tote.

  “I’m glad you came.”

  “Me too.”

  Daisy walked slowly toward the elevator knowing that whatever happened, Mitch still held her heart, and she wasn’t sure what to do about that.

  * * *

  Another perfect day. Any day he wasn’t in the hospital was a perfect day. Mitch smiled to himself as he pulled into the driveway of the Kendall house. He corrected himself. It was the Daisy house now. He grabbed the flowers off the front seat of his new truck. Then he paused to say a silent prayer.

  This was it, sink or swim time. Fortunately, he was a very strong swimmer.

  He roun
ded the corner and immediately ran smack-dab into Daisy. She smelled like apples and cinnamon and everything he’d been dreaming about for the past week. With a hand on her arm, he balanced both of them.

  “Mitch? What are you doing here?”

  He grinned and plucked a blade of grass out of her wild red curls and dropped it in her palm.

  “I was doing cartwheels with the kids earlier,” she murmured.

  She ran a hand through her disheveled hair and straightened her shorts and T-shirt. Daisy had never looked better.

  “Good to see you, too,” he said.

  “It is good to see you,” she said. Her face pinked, and she licked her lips.

  “Why am I here?” he repeated. “Alice invited me.”

  “Gran!” Her voice wobbled as she called.

  Alice opened the screen door. “Oh, no you don’t.” She scooped up one of the kittens in her arms. “You called?”

  “Yes. Mitch is here.”

  “Mitch! So nice to see you.” Alice’s face lit up with hope. The same hope he held in his heart for the two weeks since the accident. Every day since his hospital discharge, he’d wanted to come out to the house, but he held back until everything was in order. This would be his last chance, and he wasn’t going to blow it.

  “Thanks, Alice.” Mitch walked up to the porch and handed Alice a bouquet of cornflowers, and then handed Daisy a bouquet of gerbera daisies.

  “You are such a gentleman. Isn’t he, Daisy?” Alice held the kitten in one hand and the flowers in the other.

  “Um, yes. He is.” Daisy stared at the flowers as if confused. “Thank you.”

  “Children, Mr. Mitch is here,” Alice called.

  The screen door banged open, and all four of Daisy’s kids raced out the door. Seth whooped, Grace laughed and Christian and Sam called his name.

  “Mr. Mitch, we haven’t seen you in forever,” Grace said.

  “I know,” Mitch answered. His heart swelled at the love in Grace’s eyes. “And you’ve grown even prettier.”

  Seth peeked around the corner of the house and grinned. “Did you get a new truck?”

  “Yeah. We’ll take it for a spin later.”

  Christian grabbed Mitch’s hand and yanked. “Are we still going to the zoo?” His eager eyes searched Mitch’s.

  “We’ll talk to your aunt about that later. Promise, little buddy.”

  When Sam tugged on his pant leg, Mitch lifted him into his arms. Sam planted a wet kiss on Mitch’s chin. His heart melted at the sweet, pure love shining on the little man’s face.

  “I missed you, Sam,” he murmured, his voice shaky.

  Daisy stood next to the steps watching, her lower lip trembling.

  “You okay, Dais’?” he asked.

  “I’m good.” She clutched her flowers and turned to Alice. “Why didn’t you tell me Mitch was coming?”

  “I thought I did. Remember when I delivered pies to his house after he got out of the hospital last week?”

  “Yes.”

  “That’s when I invited him, and I was sure I told you.”

  “Is this a bad idea?” Mitch asked, glancing between the women.

  “No,” Alice said. “As you can see, we’ve all missed you.”

  “I missed you all too.”

  “Mr. Mitch, did that deer punch you?” Christian asked.

  “Looks like it, doesn’t it? Let me tell you about that deer. She was as big as my truck.”

  Their eyes grew.

  “Did you hit the deer?” Christian asked.

  “No. Mr. Mitch said he didn’t,” Seth said. “I told you that.”

  “That’s right. I stopped so the momma deer and her baby deer could cross the road.”

  “Why do you have black eyes?” Christian asked.

  “This is from walking into my steering wheel. No big deal.”

  “Children, come and get cleaned up. Dinner is in twenty minutes,” Alice called. She turned to Mitch and Daisy. “We’re having peaches and homemade ice cream for dessert. Would you two please go pick some fruit for me?”

  “Gran,” Daisy protested, her eyes filled with thunder.

  “Don’t Gran me. Pick peaches or no dessert for you, young lady.”

  “Fine.” Daisy carefully placed the flowers on the porch and grabbed a basket.

  “Okay if I come with you?” Mitch asked.

  “If you want dessert then you better.” Daisy swung the basket and strode across the lawn.

  “Are we racing?” he asked.

  “Oh, sorry. No.” Daisy inclined her head to the left. “The good fruit is on this tree down here.”

  He followed her down the orchard path.

  She cleared her throat. “I’m sorry. I didn’t even ask. How are you feeling?”

  “Pretty good. Sore everywhere, but it was worth it.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Near-death experiences are like a kick in the behind.”

  She stared at him for a moment. “I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

  “Like I said, I had some common sense knocked into me.”

  “You had something knocked into you.” She clucked. “Those are some shiners.”

  “It’s been ten days. I thought they were getting better.”

  “Maybe so.” She put the basket on the ground and started to examine the low hanging peaches.

  “How’s the bakery?”

  “Good. I ordered the awning.” She turned to him. “Navy with gold lettering.”

  He couldn’t help but smile at the excitement in her eyes. “Tell me what it will say.”

  “Daisy’s Pies & Baked Goods.” She grinned. “It won’t be here for another month though.”

  Mitch grabbed a perfectly round velvety soft red-and-gold peach. He plucked it and put it in the basket.

  “We got the funding,” he said.

  “Yes. Henna told me. I’d laugh at the irony, but it’s not as funny as it might have been last week.”

  “Daisy, I’m sorry. I’ve been a complete numbskull.”

  “Yes, you have.” She pulled two peaches from the tree and placed them in the basket. “I thought we already agreed on that.”

  “Should I throw in narrow-minded and pigheaded?” he asked.

  “You know, it really can’t hurt at this point.”

  “I’m leaving the department.” He blurted out the words.

  “What?” Daisy dropped the fruit in her hand and whirled around to face him.

  “I’m stepping out in faith. First of the year, I am gone.”

  “What is the department going to do without you?” Her blue eyes were round with surprise.

  “The mayor will appoint an interim chief, and that person will hire officers to replace you and Roscoe. I’ve got it all lined up. This wasn’t a hasty decision.”

  “Mitch, I’m speechless.”

  “You were right about one thing. Life is short. I need to go after my dreams. I’m going to work full time at Rebel Ranch.”

  “You decided all this since your discharge?”

  “Reece has been after me for some time, and suddenly everything fell into place.” He grinned. “Or crashed into place. I’m turning things over to God.”

  “That’s wonderful. We both know that God isn’t an instant fix. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that He’s a healing balm, and healing is a process.” Her soft breath caught and she continued. “We’ve all been through a lot. Grief and guilt aren’t easy emotions to navigate.”

  “Yep. I agree. Pastor Tuttle has me going to a counselor in Tulsa. One day a week for as long as it takes for me to get through this.”

  Daisy blinked. “Oh, Mitch, I’m so glad you’re doing this for yourself.”

  “It’s not just for me. It’
s for us. The only thing I’m sure of is that I want to go through that process with you. No one else.”

  “I can’t give you any promises, Mitch.”

  “I’m not asking for promises. I just don’t want us to become strangers who pass each other on the street, pausing only to wonder what might have been.”

  She was silent, her blue eyes hopeful.

  “Give me a chance, Daisy. A chance to prove to you that I’m willing to do whatever it takes.”

  “I don’t have a choice, Mitch. I love you too much not to try.”

  He pressed his forehead to hers. “Daisy, I want to work toward a future with you and Seth, Grace, Christian, Sam and PJ. I want to teach you how to make a proper macaroni and cheese.”

  She burst out laughing. “Mitch, this is the part where you tell me you love me.”

  “Daisy, you’re the woman I was meant to love. How could I not love you?”

  “Oh, Mitch.” She wound her arms around his neck and pulled him close.

  “I love you, Daisy Anderson,” he whispered as he touched his lips to hers. “Forever and ever.”

  Epilogue

  One Year Later

  Daisy parked PJ’s stroller and stared up at the lettering on the canvas awning. Daisy’s Pies & Baked Goods was spelled out in gold lettering against a navy blue background. Would she ever tire of looking at those words when she opened the shop each day?

  Today was Saturday and her busiest day of the week. But she’d finally hired help so she didn’t have to come in at 3:00 a.m., and she had given up pulling twelve-hour shifts for the time being. While PJ played with a toy in her stroller, Daisy straightened the outdoor tables and chairs, and then bent to inhale the sweet spicy scent of fragrant begonias. She trimmed a few deadheads from the huge pots of the pink blooms that flanked the doors of the bakery.

  Her bakery.

  It still didn’t seem real that a year ago she wondered if she’d get to stay in Rebel. Now it was her forever home.

  When she pulled open the door to push the stroller into the shop, the bells sang out a familiar melody of welcome.

  The walls of the bakery wrapped her in a buttercup glow. A monochromic mural of daisies covered one wall, its gray tones a contrast to the yellow field flowers.

  Gleaming glass counters held domed crystal cake stands filled with her best pies, baked by her newly hired assistant. The room held a few oak chairs and circular tables to encourage customers to relax with their favorite dessert.