Driscoll's Daughter

by Freda, Paula

  A wired wood fence stretched across the irregular-shaped aperture in the rock. A set of solar-powered red flashing lights hung on wood support beams framing it. A large red and black warning sign attached to the fence stated,

  DO NOT ENTER

  SAFETY HAZARD

  The discovery had attracted a slew of cave speleologists, archaeologists, reporters, and safety engineers who discovered that the cave branched into three tunnels. Installation of the support beams was not yet completed. Once the work was finished, and the tunnels deemed safe to view, the Town would permit tourists inside, under guided supervision.

  Lexie's heart beat rapidly from the tension and exertion of the drive. She leaned back in her seat and took a few calming breaths. They'd be there any minute, she thought, despite the short cut. The jeep traveled at almost twice her speed. Wheels streaked past her car toppling the wood fence and the warning sign before coming to a full stop. A commotion of beer induced laughter and comebacks and smart quips — at least the speakers thought they were smart — reached her through her car's partially opened windows. There would be no reasoning with this group. It was clear to her they'd been drinking as they drove. Except for Chris, who sat rigidly in the back seat, mouth clenched, allowing Macey to cling to his arm. Her flushed face wore an excited grin and a glazed look in her eyes from the rush brought on by the wild drive.

  Beginning with the two inebriated males, the foursome flung their bottles as far as they could into the cave, making a game of it as to who threw furthest. Lexie gasped as the bottles hit the dry earth, each shattering, sending shivers up her spine. When Macey stood up to throw her bottle, Chris pulled her down and grabbed the bottle from her hand and held on to it, refusing to let her have it back. Macey glared at him.

  Waving a wide-beamed flashlight, Gary jumped over the driver's side of the jeep. The others followed him into the cave, ignoring the damage and posted warnings. Chris seized Macey's arm and shook his head adamantly. At that moment, he saw the other car with Lexie, sitting rigidly in her seat, shocked and afraid. Macey saw her too, and with inhibitions let loose from the alcohol ingested, her grin twisted into a sneer and she stuck out her tongue at Lexie. She turned to Chris, and read the surprise and worry, and worse, shame. He was ashamed of her. Jealousy turned to livid anger. Macey pulled her arm free of his hold, and said something Lexie was too far away to hear. Chris was silent for a moment, before he nodded. Macey glared at him, and slapped him. Stunned momentarily by her action, he did not act quickly enough to stop her as she yanked the door open and went after the others.

  Chris vaulted from the jeep, calling anxiously to Macey. Lexie shook herself free of her own lethargy brought on by the series of shocks, and sprang from the car hurrying toward Chris. She began to call to Macey as well. But the girl ignored them and followed resolutely into the cave, catching up with the others.

  The sound of sirens blaring in the distance reached them. Chris swallowed hard, but said, "Maybe it's for the best. Before they get into worst trouble."

  The sheriff's car flashing the red strobe, and Tanner's car bearing Leatrice in the passenger seat arrived. The three bolted from the cars and joined Lexie and Chris. Everyone froze in place, as terrifying sounds echoed from inside the cave — deafening sounds of limestone walls crumbling and rubble crashing to the ground. Ballooning clouds of calcite ash cannoned from the aperture.

  When the air cleared, the sheriff shone his wide-beamed flashlight into the cave proper. He turned to Tanner. It's blocked further in. Whoever went in there is trapped.

  Tanner's face blanched. "Can you see any bodies in the rubble?" he asked.

  "No, just rocks and wood beams where they collapsed. We won't know more until we clear the path." Remembering that Tanner's daughter was in there as well, he added in a consoling tone, "They may all be okay. The cave-in may have happened behind them. I'll get help." He returned to his car and called the station.

  Leatrice touched Tanner's arm. I'll call Seth. It won't be long, you'll have the whole town out here to help." His gaze remained fixed on the opening. Leatrice sensed the fear and the pain battling inside him. Only civilized behavior kept him from running inside, no matter the risk, and dismantling the rubble with his bare hands. "If it's any consolation," Leatrice offered, "I didn't hear any screams. The sheriff is probably right. The cave-in must have happened behind them, so they may be all right."

  "Provided nothing else collapses, "Tanner said. "I'd better call Linda."

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Trucks with floodlights illuminated the area in front of the cave. The back doors of a waiting ambulance were open and paramedics sat on the back rim as they waited to receive any injured. The excavators summoned by the police were hard at work drilling and removing the rubble that prevented access to the interior of the cave. Linda, worry etched across her face, sat quietly next to Tanner in their car. Despite that the skin on her face showed the signs of aging, she retained her country girl look, her hair in a ponytail, her figure still slender and lithe at home in a plaid shirt and denims, and a full, pretty checkered apron. Her light brown hair showed blonde streaks where the sun bleached it. Leatrice knew she dyed it. Underneath, the strands were gray. But her once arch-enemy was now among her closest friends. And Leatrice felt her anguish as she waited to learn if her daughter was hurt, or worse, dead.

  Lexie and Chris sat on a flat surface boulder, faces dark with worry. Lexie valued their silence together. But a thought came to her. "Chris, do you have that rosary you sometimes pray?"

  Chris glanced at her, surprised.

  Lexie explained, "I saw you praying to Jesus' mother, when we visited St. Patrick's."

  "Oh. I tried to be inconspicuous. I'm not a Catholic, but some Catholic friends of mine introduced me to the prayer. They said it's one of the most powerful prayers around."

  "I bet it is," Lexie said, smiling. The bible tells of His great love for her." She placed her hand on his. "I think this might be a good time for that prayer. And if you don't mind, I'd like to join you. I don't know the words, but I'll listen and follow your lead."

  Chris returned her smile, nodding. He dug into his denim's left pocket and drew out the dark wood rosary Lexie saw him praying at the Cathedral. He made the sign of the cross. Lexie followed his lead."

  The first thing the engineers and workmen did was to reinstall and reinforce the support beams to avoid the weakened structure from collapsing further. They worked as quickly as safety measures permitted and within a couple of hours began excavating the rubble with hand tools, as use of heavy machinery and its accompanying vibrations might further disturb the weakened walls. Within another hour they began to break through and heard cries for help.

  The Chief Engineer came out to the parents assembled. He spoke first to Gary's parents. Their son was the worst injured, his leg caught under a fallen beam. From the description of his injuries, he might have a broken leg, or worse. His mother burst into tears, but his father consoled her with, "At least he's alive."

  The engineer motioned to the other parents. "The other young man and the three girls are all okay. Bruises and minor cuts is all we can see for now. As soon as we break through completely, the Paramedics will do their work. I repeat, everyone's alive."

  Tanner and Linda embraced each other, silently thanking the good Lord. Tanner said, unable to hold back any longer the tears in his eyes, "Maybe she's learned her lesson at long last."

  Chris came up to him, head bowed, shame-faced. "Tanner, I'm so sorry. It's my fault she―"

  "No it's not," Tanner said. "I was at Jay's Grill. I saw you try to stop her. You ran after her, put yourself in danger as well. Linda and I tried to bring her up better. She's got a kind heart. Just hasn't figured out where she fits in."

  I should have tried harder, Chris thought, nonetheless. "Macey is a good girl," he defended her. "It's the company of those idiots she's been keeping lately. I didn't know they were coming to join us. It was supposed to be just the two of us."
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  "Chris, tell me the truth. Do you fancy my daughter?" Struck silent by this unanticipated question, he said, "I-I like her. She's―"

  "The truth, son. I know about you and Lexie. And― I'm breaking a confidence, but it has to be done―"

  Linda interrupted, "Sweetheart, we shouldn't."

  "I know, but like I said, it has to be done." He turned back to Chris. "Lexie loves you. She never stopped loving you. And she wants you back. I can guess by the grim look in your eyes, that you're afraid to trust her again. But it's not as if she ever stopped loving you. Like Macey, she hadn't figured where she fit in. But she has now. So, I ask you, do you fancy my daughter?"

  Chris clenched his lips. The truth was hard to admit because he didn't wish to hurt anyone. It seemed though there was no other option. The truth. "I still love Lexie," he said in earnest. I'll never stop loving her. Sometimes I think I was born loving her. Macey wanted to fill the gap in my life. But I honestly saw her only as a good friend. I'm sorry that I can't return her feelings."

  "Thank you, Chris, for answering honestly. I more or less knew you still carried a torch for Lexie. Can't say that I blame you. As much as I love my daughter, Lexie is more your style."

  Chris glanced at Lexie who had rejoined Leatrice and Seth. Yes, she was definitely more his style. Vivacious, yet refined. Kind and generous to everyone, from her parents to the smallest creature that crossed her path. Stubbornly inquisitive to a fault, but respectful of others' feelings. That was the reason he was taken aback when she broke his heart. It was so unlike her. Even now, after all the signs that she wanted him back in her life, he hesitated asking her. But he wanted her back. He might find a hundred Maceys, but they would never fit so well in his arms, or make his heart race, or fill him with the joy he felt when knowing she loved him. Some other woman might satisfy his physical desires, but only Lexie could touch his heart, his mind and his soul. He had no choice but to surrender his love completely to her, even if it meant chancing she'd break his heart again. And the sooner he told her, the better. "Thanks, Tanner. I needed that bit of advice."

  "Well, then, man, go to it."

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  "Are you okay, dearest?" Leatrice asked her daughter. "I keep catching you watching Chris with Tanner. Macey's Dad doesn't blame him for what happened. He was there. He saw Chris trying to stop her. In fact, he's beholden to him for following her into the car and putting himself in danger as well."

  "Yes, I heard them talking earlier. Chris rarely thinks of himself first. He's a special kind of man. He was so right for me. How could I have been so stupid?" The dam of reserve finally cracked, and the held-back tears flowed from her eyes unrestrained. She buried herself in her mother's arms."

  Seth gazed at mother and daughter, and wanted to shake Chris for not renewing his proposal to her. How was it possible he had not read the signs she wanted him back. The way she looked at him, with those eyes, so like her mother's, Seth thought, glancing at his beloved Leatrice. All the past-determined pride in them, turned to gentle tenderness. No man in his right mind withstood that gaze. Not from Leatrice and not from his daughter. He needed to talk sense into that young man. He halted mid-step. Chris walked toward them. There was something about the way he walked — head up, shoulders back, jaw tight, gaze fixed on Lexie.

  Seth moved back, touching Leatrice's shoulder. He motioned with head toward Chris. Leatrice's eyes widened. Chris reached mother and daughter, and before anyone said anything, he clasped Lexie's shoulders from behind and turned the sobbing girl toward him.

  Lexie felt his touch. No one else's clasp felt quite like his. He must have seen her sobbing in her mom's arms and felt sorry for her. He was here to comfort her. She kept her face bowed, not wanting to look into his, and see pity. His fingers gently cupped her chin and raised it until their eyes met.

  Lexie was taken aback. His gaze was not comforting at all. Instead, it bordered on anger. A not-so-easily brooked anger.

  "All right, woman," he said, his tone determined. "You want me?"

  Lexie's mouth fell open. She'd never heard him speak like this. Cut and dry.

  "Well?" he asked, not hiding his irritation.

  The old Lexie would have turned up her nose at that inquiry. Recalling he had every right to feel angry for her prior tossing him aside, she swallowed her pride, and told it to go to hell. Meekly, she nodded, "Uh-huh."

  Leatrice and Seth kept their expressions straight and held their breath until all the brave front mimicking anger and irritation, drained from Chris' stance, and he said, smiling, "Well, you got me, woman. Don't you dare let me go again."

  With an overjoyed yelp, Lexie threw her arms about Chris. When she was practically squeezing the breath from him, he pushed her away gently. Restraining his ardor for the day he would give free rein to it, he kissed her tenderly and felt his heart skip a beat when she grew weak in his arms. Finally, he understood the expression, "she melted in his arms."

  Leatrice glanced at Seth and held back the threatening chuckle when she noted the contented grin on his face. It was too precious to behold.

  EPILOGUE

  They were married within the week. Chris wasn't taking any chances.

  Leatrice and Seth broke all records, arranging a lovely Tent affair outside the Bar LB, with the interior of the elegant ranch available if it rained. Mother Nature cooperated. The white wood folding chairs flanking the carpeted aisle, filled up with family and friends attired in their very best, to watch a proud father walk his beaming daughter up the aisle, and transfer her care and protection to the man she loved with all her heart, mind and soul.

  In increments, the whole town showed up to wish Chris and Lexie happiness and long life filled with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

  The evening of their wedding, entwined in each other's arms, their passion and ardor at last unrestrained, Chris and Lexie promised each other that if either of them felt the need for more mental stimulation, they would accomplish it together. "I'll follow you anywhere," Chris said, nuzzling the side of her neck.

  Pressing herself ever closer to him, his body a blanket of warmth and desire, Lexie murmured midst quivers of pleasure, "You my sweet, gentle husband, and what children are granted us, will always come first. But should the day come I need more, I will find the way to stand beside you."

  It was enough, Chris thought, enough on which to build a life together.

  A few days later, in a small flat in New York City, JoAnn, Jim's secretary, opened a note that Lexie sent in reply to her letter. It read:

  My dear JoAnn,

  It was a pleasant surprise to receive your letter. I'm doing fine and at last I've found my happiness. Chris and I are married. I think this answers your question. The path is clear for you. Jim is a good man and I believe you can make him happy. And if he's attracted to you, I wish you all the luck you will need to capture his heart totally. My prayers are with you. May you find the happiness we have found.

  Love,

  Lexie and Chris

  Our Lady of the Rockies - this 90-foot mountain top statue dedicated to the Blessed Virgin sits atop the Continental Divide, overlooking Butte, Montana. The statue was built by volunteers at the request of a man in thanksgiving for the answer to his prayer, using donated materials to honor women everywhere, especially mothers. The statue is lit and visible at night.

  Thank you for reading my inspirational romance. All the best and peace of mind and spirit.

  — Paula Freda

  Other novels, novellas, short stories

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