He wasn’t expecting a change of topic. “I know she is.”
“I warned her not to get too attached to the child.”
“Nicki has a generous, giving nature, Mrs. Appleton. I don’t think she could remain unattached to any child let alone one as adorable as Kasey.”
“What are you really doing here, Clay?”
He frowned. “I’m not sure what you mean?”
“You broke my daughter’s heart once before. I knew the minute I saw you back in High Plains that you’d do it again.”
“Mrs. Appleton, I never had any intention of hurting Nicki. I’d do anything for her.”
“I think you’ve done enough. Why can’t you leave her alone?”
Grasping the top of the steering wheel with both hands, Clay bowed his head. Would Nicki be better off without him?
He’d been sure of that once, but he didn’t believe it now. Glenis, on the other hand, apparently saw things differently.
He said, “I care deeply for Nicki. She’s capable of making up her own mind about our relationship, Mrs. Appleton. If she wants me in her life, that’s where I’ll be.”
Clay pushed open the door and got out. Glenis did the same and rounded the hood to stand in front of him. She held out her hands for the keys and he dropped them into her palm.
Curling her fingers closed, she said, “My daughter is reliving a teenage fantasy with you. It won’t last. Besides, she deserves better than some poor cowhand. I know it, and so do you. If you really cared about her, you’d make her see it, too.”
She turned on her heels and entered the building leaving Clay standing on the sidewalk.
Her words were an echo of his own fears. He couldn’t dismiss them from his mind as he crossed Main Street to the place where he’d left his truck. The rusty hinges of the door creaked as he pulled it open. Sliding into the driver’s seat that had been repaired with duct tape in more than one spot, he realized just how little he had to offer Nicki. His gaze was drawn to the partially finished gazebo in the park.
A pair of young boys were playing tag and chasing each other around the perimeter of it. He listened to their shouting and laughter with half an ear.
The incomplete gazebo seemed to mock Clay. He’d told himself he wanted to rebuild it for Nicki. Maybe the truth was he’d rebuilt it for himself. As a way to make amends for his past sins.
Who was he kidding? A few sheets of plywood and some two-by-fours wouldn’t cover that cost.
Bowing his head, he prayed for guidance and tried to put his own needs and desires aside and listen to what God wanted from him.
He had no idea how long he’d been sitting in his truck when his cell phone rang. The sun was setting and the western sky was streaked with crimson.
Pulling his phone from his pocket, he saw it was Nicki. He answered it and asked, “What did the police say?”
“If I had a nickel for each time I’ve heard that question this week I’d be a rich woman.” Her voice sounded exhausted.
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be. I was teasing. The guy is a con artist. He and his group have hit other towns like ours. We aren’t likely to get the money back. It’s so unfair and cruel. We’ve worked so hard to recover. I’m afraid this may break the town’s spirit.”
“It won’t. We come from pioneer stock, remember?”
“I pray you’re right,” Nicki said. “I hope you’ll forgive me, but I’m going to back out on my offer of supper. Mom is so upset. I can’t leave her alone tonight.”
“I understand. Family comes first.”
“Thank you. Once she’s gotten over the shock, we’ll think of a way to raise the money again.”
“That’s the spirit.”
“Will I see you tomorrow?” she asked softly.
Outside his window, the boys had started a shoving match. The smaller boy planted his hands on his hips and shouted, “I don’t have to do what you say. You’re not the boss of me!”
Karen Dewey’s belligerent young face sprang into Clay’s mind followed by her father’s grateful words. “If there is ever anything I can do for you, young man, all you have to do is ask.”
Had Dewey meant it? Would he remember making the offer? Clay wasn’t asking anything for himself. He wanted to help Nicki and the people of High Plains hang on to an important part of their heritage.
It wasn’t the kind of request Clay could make over the phone. He’d need to see the man face-to-face, in case it took some convincing. Clay knew Dewey’s company had its headquarters in Dallas, but he also knew the man traveled all over the world.
“Clay, are you there?” Nicki’s voice snapped him out of his musing.
“I’m here.”
“I asked if I’d see you tomorrow?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Oh—okay.”
He wanted to ease the disappointment in her words but he had no idea how long it might take him to gain a meeting with Dewey. “I’ll call you soon, Nicki.”
His plan was a long shot scheme at best. Clay didn’t want to get her hopes up. She already had too many burdens on her shoulders. Besides, if he failed miserably, he’d rather she didn’t know.
If he succeeded, he wanted to be there to see the delight in her eyes when he gave her the news in person.
The interior of the meeting hall sounded like a nest of angry hornets when Nicki and her mother entered it Saturday afternoon. As soon as they stepped through the door a crowd of volunteers surrounded them. Questions flew at them like buckshot.
“Is it true?”
“Is the money really gone?”
“What are the police doing?”
Nicki held up her hands for silence. “Yes, it’s true. The money is gone. We aren’t certain that we’ll be able to recover any of it, but the police are working on that.”
Allen, his face red with pent-up emotion, folded his arms tightly over his chest. “Glenis, I thought you checked this guy out? You told us his references were good. It’s not just this project that’s dead in the water. My brother lost a bundle. It will be months before he can get his family moved back into their home.”
“The same thing happened to my uncle,” someone else added.
Nicki understood their frustration and their anger. She wished Clay were here. She could use his moral support.
Glenis kept her chin up, and Nicki was proud of her. “The company I thought I was checking out is a real company. That’s why the references were good. This man simply wasn’t who he pretended to be.”
“You should have thought of that.”
Michael, who had entered the building in time to hear the last comment, crossed the room to stand at Nicki’s side. “The man is a slick crook who’s gotten away with schemes like this numerous times. No one is to blame except that man and his gang.”
Michael had to raise his voice to be heard over the growing buzz of talk. “We can still go ahead with this project. Allen, where do we stand on materials?”
Happy to turn the spotlight over to the minister, Nicki’s mother retreated to stand by the wall. Her gaze was drawn again and again to the door. Where was Clay? Why wasn’t he here?
The story had spread quicker than one of the Flint Hill’s grass fires. Surely Clay had to know the townspeople would rake her and her mother over the coals when they met today.
Nicki tried to stem the rising disappointment she felt, but it ate away at her. She needed him, but he wasn’t here. Again.
Allen consulted a clipboard another volunteer handed him. “We’ve got enough wood to finish the stage and the exterior siding today. We have enough sheetrock to cover the north and east walls, but we simply can’t put it up until the electrical goes in.”
“Why not?” Glenis asked. “We can have the wiring put in later.”
Allen shook his head. “After the ductwork and electrical conduits go in they still have to be inspected. Any inspector worth his salt will need to see all the wiring. He can make us pull down any sheetrock
we’ve put up to expose the wiring behind it so we need the wiring done first. I’m sorry. We’re at a standstill.”
Stepping up to address the group, the mayor said, “We’re going to finish what we can today. When that’s done, let’s all think about how we can raise the money to complete this building. We did it once, we can do it again.”
“But not in time for Founders’ Day,” someone added bitterly from the rear.
Glenis’s brave face finally crumpled.
As the disgruntled group split up to finish what they could, Nicki saw Mayor Dawson lay a comforting hand on Glenis’s shoulder. “We’ll get through this.”
Glenis, the mayor and several members of the town council moved into the kitchen area for a private meeting.
Maya came over to Nicki. She had been one of the few silent ones in the crowd. Smiling encouragingly, she asked, “How are you doing?”
“I feel terrible for my mother. She’s having a hard time holding it together. She has poured her heart and soul into this project from the very beginning. This place meant so much to my father. I think rebuilding it is her way of expressing her love for him even though he’s gone.”
“The idea that someone is unscrupulous enough to take advantage of our trust after all we’ve been through is almost unbelievable. I hope the police nail him,” Maya added with vengeance.
“I agree.”
Once again Nicki glanced toward the door. Maya noticed. “Are you expecting someone else?”
“I thought Clay would be here.”
Maya tipped her head. “I haven’t seen him. Perhaps he’s just running late.”
Maybe, but why didn’t Nicki think that was the case? He said he’d call, but he hadn’t. Not yesterday, not today.
Maybe he’d changed his mind about continuing their relationship. Perhaps he couldn’t accept that he’d never have sons and daughters of his own if he decided to share his life with her.
“Has Clay asked you to join our family for Thanksgiving dinner?” Maya asked.
“Yes, he did.”
“And what was your answer?”
Perhaps Clay was sorry now that he’d extended the invitation. Nicki hedged. “I said I’d think about it.”
“And have you?”
“I’m not sure what my mother has planned.”
“Here she comes. Let’s ask her.”
Maya, in her friendly, fearless manner, met Glenis halfway across the room. Nicki followed.
“Mrs. Appleton, I’d like to extend an invitation to you and your daughter to join my family for Thanksgiving dinner. I won’t take no for an answer.”
“That’s very kind of you, Mrs. Garrison,” Glenis replied in a low, shaky voice that Nicki barely recognized.
She glanced at Nicki and said, “I’m afraid I won’t be able accept. I’m leaving Monday evening. I’m going to St. Louis to spend the week with my sister.”
It was the first Nicki had heard of the plan, but she couldn’t blame her mother for wanting to leave town for a little while.
“That’s too bad,” Maya said, but quickly turned to Nicki. “Does this mean you’ll be free that day?”
“Looks like it.”
“Then we can expect you and Kasey?”
Not wanting to sound ungracious, Nicki agreed. “Sure.”
“Great. Tommy and Layla love playing with Kasey, and I know Jesse and Clay will both be thrilled you can join us.”
Nicki prayed that was true. Either way, Maya was a good friend, and Nicki knew she’d been looking forward to the day since Clay’s return. Nicki would go for her sake.
It wasn’t until after Nicki returned home that evening that the call from Clay finally came. When she heard his voice, it was as if a hundred-pound weight had been lifted from her. Relief and happiness made her giddy.
She curled into the chair in her living room with the phone pressed to her ear. “Hey, ’orsey man. I was wondering what had happened to you.”
“The truth is I had to make a quick trip out of town.”
“You, too, huh? First the contractor, then my mother and now my daughter’s new favorite horsey.”
“Have you sent the law after me, too?”
“Not yet, but I was thinking about it.” And about how much she missed and wanted him with her.
“I’ll be back Monday evening.”
Two long days away. “Promise?”
“I do, and I’m bringing you a gift.”
“What is it?” she demanded. Not that she cared. Seeing him again was all that mattered.
“I’m not telling, but you’re going to like it. I’ve missed you, Nicki…and Kasey. I had no idea how much until I heard your voice.” His words simmered with a low intensity that made her shiver in delight.
“I’ve missed you, too. Hurry home.”
“Wild horses couldn’t keep me away. Not even a mule named Sadie.”
After he hung up, Nicki stayed in the chair with her arms crossed over her middle. Excitement hummed in her veins. She didn’t know if she wanted to burst into song or waltz around the room or both. Clay was coming home to her. All her worry had been for nothing.
Thank You, Lord. Thank You for bringing this wonderful man into my life.
The following days passed slowly. Anticipation made the time drag. But no matter what she was doing to fill the hours, cleaning the house, raking leaves in the yard or watching her preschool class make Thanksgiving decorations, she found herself humming and smiling. Clay would be back soon.
When she got home after school on Monday, the delicious aroma of the stew that had been simmering all day in her slow cooker filled the apartment. Hopefully, it would help convince Clay to stay for supper.
She quickly gave the house a run-through with her duster and picked up Kasey’s toys. The doorbell rang as she was putting a set of blocks away. After pausing to take a peek at her hair and face in the mirror, she hurried to the front door and pulled it open.
It wasn’t Clay.
A woman in a dark suit holding a leather briefcase stood unsmiling on the stoop. Two sheriff’s officers flanked her. The woman asked, “Are you Miss Nicki Appleton?”
Nicki’s happiness died a quick death. It was replaced by heart-pounding fear. “Yes, I am.”
The woman withdrew a thick folded document from her case and extended it. “I’m Pauline Brock of the Kansas City Child Services Office. This is a court order requiring you to immediately surrender Katherine Cassidy to the custody of Wilma Cassidy, the child’s maternal great-aunt.”
Chapter Fifteen
Clay bounded up the steps of Nicki’s apartment with eager anticipation. The drive from Dallas had been a long one. He was later than he thought he would be, but it didn’t matter now.
He couldn’t wait to see her, couldn’t wait to see her happiness when he gave her the news.
He rapped on her door knowing he had a foolish grin on his face. He didn’t care. What man didn’t smile like a fool when he was about to give the girl of his dreams a present?
When the door opened, he found himself face-to-face with Nicki’s mother. Her cold appraisal took his smile down a couple of notches.
Pulling of his hat, he nodded to her. “Hello, Mrs. Appleton, is Nicki at home?”
“She is, but she isn’t seeing anyone,” she replied sharply.
“She’s expecting me.”
“I’m sure you’re the last person she wants to see at this moment. I think you should leave.”
That killed his smile altogether. “What’s wrong?”
“Child services took Kasey away an hour ago.”
“What? Why would they do that?” Even as the question spilled from his mouth, he knew the answer. “They located her family.”
“Yes. The child has a maternal great-aunt in Kansas City who intends to raise her.”
“But Nicki has already started the adoption process. Can’t she fight this?”
“If the adoption had been finalized, perhaps, but not now. A few more w
eeks is all it would have taken, but your discovery robbed her of that time.”
A sick knot formed in the pit of his stomach. He had destroyed his own family. Now, he’d destroyed Nicki’s chance to keep the child she loved. Why had God let this happen?
“Will Nicki be able to see Kasey again? I mean, can’t she at least visit her?”
“Not without her guardian’s permission. The social worker who came today told Nicki that the great-aunt believes a clean break would be best for the everyone. She thinks lingering goodbyes and visits would only confuse the child.”
“It’s not right.”
“It’s the way it is.” For the first time, he saw a crack in Glenis’s stoic face. Looking as she might break down, she closed her eyes and took several quick breaths.
Clay put his hand on the door. “I need to see Nicki.”
Glenis regained her composure but didn’t budge. “She’s crying her eyes out in her bedroom. Go away, Clay. Go back to where ever you came from. Leave my daughter to grieve in peace.”
He took a step backward, his mind reeling with regret and confusion. “I never meant to hurt her. I love Nicki.”
“The sad thing is—I believe you. Please go.”
Maybe she was right. Maybe he should give Nicki a chance to grieve in private. Knowing what she must be going through put a huge ache in his chest. He longed to hold her and offer what comfort he could. It was unbearable to think they would never see Kasey again.
He withdrew the envelope from his pocket. It was his big news. News that seemed very small compared to the heartbreak that had occurred today.
He extended the letter to Mrs. Appleton. “I want you and Nicki to have this.”
She hesitated, then accepted it.
Clay put his hat on. “Please tell Nicki…that I’m sorry.”
Turning around, he walked slowly back to his truck. As he slid behind the steering wheel, he suddenly realized where he needed to go.
A few minutes later, he entered the hushed silence of the church sanctuary. The thick maroon carpet in the aisle muffled his footsteps as he walked forward. Stopping a few pews from the front, he sat down and lifted his gaze to the wooden cross before him.
A Family for Thanksgiving (Love Inspired) Page 16
