by Linda Warren
“I could care less what the old biddies of this town think.” He looked at his watch again. “I don’t understand why Angie hasn’t called. I think I might go over there and check.”
“Don’t push it, Hardy. Peyton and Jody were at Angie’s most of the morning. Angie probably hasn’t had time to tackle such a sensitive subject. Just be patient.”
“See you later.” Hardy ignored the advice because his very life depended on what was happening at Angie’s house.
Hardy drove around to the garage. Angie’s SUV was inside, so he got out and walked to the back door. After tapping lightly, he waited. There was no answer. He opened it slightly.
“Angie,” he murmured, not wanting to speak too loud in case she was with Erin. Still no response. Against his better judgment, he walked into the kitchen, then stopped short.
Angie was pounding some dough on the kitchen table. Flour was all over the table, Angie and the floor. She kept striking it with her fist. He assumed she was supposed to be kneading it.
“Angie, what are you doing?”
She looked up, wiped a tear away and smeared flour across her cheek. “Making Erin a pizza. She wants pizza and...”
Seeing she was about to fall apart, he caught her arms and guided her backward to a chair. “What happened?”
“She hates me. She doesn’t want me to be her mother anymore because I lied to her all these years.” She wiped more tears away with her floury hand and made white trails on her face.
He squatted in front of her. “She’s just hurt. She didn’t mean it.”
Angie hiccuped. “I didn’t think she would take it this hard. She has a loving spirit and a good heart. We’ve always had a good relationship. Now...I’m a mother who lied and she’s never going to forgive me.”
He glanced at the hammered dough. “But you’re making her pizza, so she must’ve asked for it.”
Angie hiccuped again. “She asked for it before I told her.” She got up and grabbed a napkin off the counter and wiped her nose. “I did what you wanted. Now could you please leave us alone so we can have some privacy?”
He stood, thinking about his options, thinking about her hurt feelings. He didn’t see any other way. “No. As I see it, we’re in this together—as parents. May I talk to her, please?”
She glared at him. “Why? So you can tell her what an awful person I am? I’ve had enough for one day, Hardy.”
“Do you really think I would do that?”
She flung out a hand. “I don’t know. I don’t know anything anymore. All I know is I’m losing my child.”
“She’s ten years old, and she’s hurt. We just have to give her time.”
“And you’re an expert now?”
He clamped his mouth shut and took a moment. “The two of us bickering is not helping matters.”
She blew her nose into the napkin. “Fine. Go talk to her, but if she wants you to leave, I want you to go. We all need some time.”
He stared into her troubled eyes. “You really wish I would just go away, don’t you?”
Glancing away to some childish drawings on the refrigerator, she replied, “I wish I could go back and change things. I wish I had been stronger and not cared what my mother thought or what anyone thought. I wish so many things, but one thing I don’t wish is for Erin to be without her father any longer.”
“Thank you.” Without knowing what else to say, he turned toward the hall.
His feet felt as if they had been encased in cement as he walked toward his daughter’s room. He wasn’t known to be a praying man, but a lot of prayers shot through his head as he tapped on the door and waited for his daughter to respond.
* * *
ANGIE REACHED FOR a dish towel and rinsed it under the faucet and then wiped her face. She was a mess, and she had to regain control. Erin would come around, she kept telling herself. But when Angie remembered the hurt in her child’s eyes, she hated herself for what she’d done to someone she loved with all her heart.
Mistakes and regrets were knocking on her door like avenging angels seeking revenge. The next few hours would define her future, and she didn’t know if she had the strength to face it. But she had to, as she had years ago. This time she hoped she made better decisions.
Unable to stop herself, she tiptoed down the hall to see what was happening. Yes, it was wrong. At this point, though, she didn’t care. She just wanted her daughter to be happy again.
“I guess your mom told you,” Hardy was saying.
“That you’re my dad? Yes.” Erin’s voice was still defiant, and Angie’s stomach cramped.
“How do you feel about that?”
“I’m mad at my mama, and I’m mad at you, too.”
“You have a right to be angry.”
“Good, because I am.”
“Do you mind if I sit down?”
“I don’t care.”
The only chair in Erin’s room was her desk chair, and Angie heard it as it dragged across the hardwood floor.
“I like your room, pink and white and bright. Are the drawings on the wall yours?”
“Yes. Mama had them framed. She thought they were good.”
“My sister is an artist, and she lives in New York.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. I think she would like you.”
There was silence for a moment. Angie wanted to creep away, but she couldn’t make herself move.
“You know, sometimes adults make mistakes.” Hardy’s voice was soft yet strong. “Your mother and I made a big mistake, and all we can do now is try to make it better.”
“Why didn’t you call my mother? Why did you leave her and not come back?”
The silence scraped along Angie’s nerve endings.
“I’m not real sure. I had a new job and new responsibilities. I moved on with my life. Your mom did, too.”
“That’s just an excuse. My mama is the best. I don’t want to talk to you anymore.”
Angie heard a movement, and she knew Hardy had gotten to his feet.
“I hope in the days ahead you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me. If not, please forgive your mother. It’s breaking her heart that you’re hurting and it’s breaking mine, too. She loves you more than life itself. Maybe one day you will give me a chance to love you, too.”
Angie hurried back to the kitchen, wiping away more tears. She picked up the ruined dough and tossed it in the garbage. She had literally beaten the life out of it, and she had to start over.
Hardy stood in the doorway, pale and a little shaky. “I’ve known pain before, but nothing like this.”
With a dish towel, she wiped some flour off the table, trying not to look at the hurt on his face.
“I’ll check back later,” he said, heading for the door.
“Mama. I want my mama!” Erin screeched.
Angie dropped the towel and ran toward Erin’s room. Nothing mattered but her daughter.
* * *
HARDY STOOD IN the middle of the kitchen, unsure of what to do. Sucking air into his tight lungs, he quickly followed Angie.
She sat on the bed, holding Erin while their daughter sobbed into her chest. Neither acknowledged his presence.
“I’m sorry. I don’t hate you. I don’t want anyone else for my mama. I love you.”
Angie stroked Erin’s hair. “Shh. It’s okay. Stop crying.” But the crying didn’t stop, and Hardy’s chest contracted at the pitiful sobs. Finally, the sobs turned to hiccups.
Angie held Erin’s face and kissed her cheek. “You okay?”
Erin wrapped her arms around her mother’s waist. “Don’t let me go.”
“I’m not. I’m your mother and I’ll always be here.”
After a moment, Erin calmed down and drew back. “Is Mr. Hardy really my father?”
“Yes, baby, he is. I’m sorry it took me so long to tell you.”
Erin shrugged. “Well, I’ve always wanted a father, and now I have one.”
“We c
an take this slow.” Angie glanced at him and he nodded, glad she was including him. “We don’t have to rush into anything. I’m sure Hardy will agree.”
“Yes,” he replied, even though he knew his answer wasn’t required.
“It’s okay, Mama. I’m not a baby. I just don’t understand why you couldn’t tell me.”
Angie pulled her daughter close. “I don’t either, sweetheart. There never seemed to be a right time. And then there’s your grandmother. I wasn’t sure how to explain my behavior to her. I’m a coward.”
Erin giggled, and it was a precious sound. “Oh, Mama, how are we going to tell Grandma? She’s going to freak out.”
“Are you ready for everyone to know?”
Erin looked over her mother’s shoulder and stared at him. He was spellbound by his daughter’s courage. “I’m not mad at you anymore, Mr. Hardy.”
The “Mr. Hardy” part stung, but he wasn’t quibbling over that. It would take time for her to call him Daddy. “Thank you, peanut.”
“Mama and I are good,” Erin said. “I love my mama.”
He wanted to ask how she felt about him, but it wasn’t the time. “I’m glad.”
Angie glanced at him. “I was just asking Erin how she felt about everyone knowing.”
Hardy shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans because they were shaking. “And?”
Erin looked from one to the other. “I want people to know that Mr. Hardy is my father. If they don’t like it, then they don’t have to like me.”
His shaking hands stilled, and a smile threatened his lips. He had one hell of a daughter.
Angie got to her feet. “First, I’ll have to tell my family. We can do that tonight, if that’s okay?”
“We’re going to have fireworks, Mama.” Erin raised her arms in the air. “And it’s not even the Fourth of July.”
Erin scooted to the edge of the bed, and Angie braced her. “Baby, be careful with your leg.”
“I am.” Erin gave her mother the once-over. “You have flour all over you, and now it’s on me.”
Angie kissed the tip of Erin’s nose. “I was trying to make you a pizza and instead gave myself a flour bath.”
“Oh, boy. We’re going to have Mama’s pizza. It’s the best.” She eyed her mother. “Can Mr. Hardy stay?”
“Sure.”
Hardy’s tired heart lifted. He loved his daughter more than words could say. As he watched Angie help Erin with her crutches, he knew a lot of his old feelings still lingered for Angie, and that was opening a door that needed to stay closed. He had run from their relationship years ago. Maybe it was time to stand up and be a man. Maybe it was time to stand up and be a father like he should’ve been when Erin was born.
* * *
THE AFTERNOON PASSED quickly as Erin and Hardy chatted and she worked on the pizza. From time to time they offered their advice and nibbled on the cheese and pepperoni. Most of the time the two of them were playing games on his phone. They laughed and joked as if they had been father and daughter from the start. It was a joy to watch them. But it was a lull before the storm.
Twice he was interrupted with phone calls that he took in another room. She assumed they were from Olivia, and she wondered if he’d told Olivia about Erin yet. They would discuss that later.
She called her family and asked that they all come to the house at seven o’clock. She and Erin had something to tell them. Hardy’s name wasn’t mentioned. She thought it was best for that to be revealed in person.
They ate the pizza at the kitchen table, and Erin talked nonstop. Most of the time around a mouthful of food. Angie had to stop her several times. Erin didn’t normally do that, and Angie could see how excited she was to have Hardy there.
“Didn’t I tell you how good Mama’s pizza is?”
“I’ve had your mother’s pizza before.” Hardy’s eyes met hers. A tingle ran through her as she remembered all the times they’d laughed and eaten pizza at the kitchen counter at the Hollister ranch.
Erin’s eyes widened. “Really?”
“Your mother used to come to the ranch to visit my sister, Rachel, and Rachel was... How do I say this?” His eyes narrowed in thought, and Angie couldn’t drag her gaze away. “Lazy. Yeah, that’s it. She’d talk Angie into doing all kinds of things, and making pizza was always at the top of her list.”
His eyes continued to hold hers. For a moment they were back in a fun-filled day at the ranch with no responsibilities. No obligations. Just enjoying each other. It seemed like a lifetime ago. It was a lifetime ago.
“Oh, no.” Erin’s hands framed her face in shock. “If you’re my father, that means the judge is my grandfather. He’s, like, scary.”
Hardy looked amused. “Yes, you have another grandfather, but I haven’t told him yet.” He winked at Erin. “Once you get to know him, he won’t be so scary. And he’s going to love you.”
Erin leaned back in her chair. “Gosh. I have another grandfather and another aunt.”
Angie got to her feet. “I’m sure you’ll adjust. It’s getting close to seven, so we’d better clean up the kitchen before the family descends on us. Sweetie, it might be best if you watched a movie in your room.” She wanted to protect Erin from any nasty things that might be said.
“No, Mama. I have to be there. It concerns me. Please.”
Angie glanced at Hardy. “What do you think?”
His forehead wrinkled in confusion. Obviously, he wasn’t expecting her to ask for his opinion. “It will probably be easier for your mother to take if Erin is there. She’ll be less likely to make a scene.”
“Grandma throws big fits.” Erin made a face. “But she loves me, and I want her to meet my daddy.”
“Okay.” Angie gave in. She didn’t want to keep anything from Erin again. She was ten years old—old enough to introduce her father to the family.
“It’s going to be showtime, Mr. Hardy,” Erin said, drinking the last of her milk. “Don’t worry. Grandma’s not too bad.”
That’s an understatement, Angie thought as she wiped the counter and prepared herself for the stressful evening.
Her mother stomped through the front door, her purse over her arm, a frown on her face. “Why do we have to come over here at seven o’clock? It’s late, and your father likes to watch TV. I need to clean the kitchen and put my feet up. What’s so mysterious that we have to rush over here? I wanted to come by when I finished at the church to see Erin, but you said no. You make life very difficult sometimes, Angie.”
Grandma Ruby, her dad’s mom, followed them in. She lived next door to Angie’s parents and had run the bakery for years. She continued to help out when things got busy. In her seventies, she wasn’t keen on working too much. Ruby’s mother-in-law, Grandma Helen Wiznowski, lived with her and was still spry at ninety-two, just a little forgetful. Five generations of Wiznowskis still lived in Horseshoe.
Angie knew Grandma Helen wouldn’t come. She went to bed at seven o’clock and never left the house after dark.
“I’ll make this quick, then,” Angie said.
Her father clicked on the TV, and Bubba sat beside him as they flipped through the channels. She took the control out of Bubba’s hand. “Sorry, but I need everyone’s attention.”
Erin and Hardy came in from the kitchen to the living room. Doris gaped at Hardy. “What’s he doing here?”
Hardy brought a chair for Erin, held her crutches and made sure she was comfortable. He made no effort to answer Doris. The silence held until Patsy and Peggy came through the door, squabbling.
“He’s my customer!” Peggy was almost screaming. “I always cut his hair, but today you had to horn in.”
“You were busy with Mrs. Hornsby and he wanted his hair cut,” Patsy shot back. “So I cut it. What’s the big deal?”
“Screw you.”
“Could you not do this now?” Angie asked and wondered, not for the first time, why she cared what her family thought.
AnaMarie rushed throu
gh the door. “Sorry I’m late, but there’s always a straggler who wants kolaches.” She sat next to her mother on the sofa. Grandma Ruby took the big chair.
Patsy jumped up and hugged Erin. “I haven’t seen my sweetie all day, and I need a hug.” Her eyes settled on Hardy. “Hey, dark knight, still hanging around, huh? Guilt’s a bitch.”
“Watch your language,” Doris scolded.
“Yes, ma’am.” Patsy rolled her eyes and went back to her chair.
All eyes turned to Angie. She wasn’t sure how to start the conversation, but she was sure she wanted to get it over with as soon as possible.
“Sis,” Bubba chimed in. “Say what you have to say because I have to get back to the gas station.”
“Okay.” She held up both hands. “Since everyone is in a hurry, I’ll make this brief.” She had the urge to glance at Hardy, but she didn’t. Her lungs felt tight, and she forced the words through an equally tight throat. “Dennis Green is not Erin’s father.”
Golden silence followed her announcement; the only sound was the water sprinkler next door hitting the house when it made the circle.
“Don’t be absurd, Angie,” her mother said. “And why would you bring this up with Erin in the room? This isn’t something she needs to hear.”
“I already know, Grandma,” Erin surprised Angie by answering her grandmother.
Doris gasped. “What’s going on, Angie? And why is Mr. Hollister here? This is family, and he’s not included.”
She faced her mother, saying words she should’ve said ten years ago. “He’s here because he’s Erin’s biological father.”
Chapter Nine
“What?” Her mother’s mouth fell open, and everyone else was too stunned to speak. Doris regained her composure quickly. “Are you saying you slept with this man?” She pointed to Hardy.
“Yes,” she replied without pausing. Without blinking. Without squirming.
“How could you? You were raised better than that. My daughters do not sleep around. He must’ve taken advantage of you.”
“He did not take advantage of me. I’d been in love with him for a long time.”
