Morgan slowed the truck and pointed ahead. “Look.”
Rhea peered through the glass. A young fawn stood on wobbly legs in the middle of the road just ahead of them.
“Why isn’t it moving? It’s going to get hit by a car,” Rhea said as panic rose up in her throat.
“It can’t be more than a week or two old,” Morgan said.
Morgan slowly drove past the deer, but it didn’t move. It just stared at them through the window. Morgan stopped and put the truck in reverse and backed up until the fawn was standing just outside her window.
“Isn’t it a little early for the deer to start birthing?”
Morgan shrugged. “Easter is early this year. I guess this little one is too.”
Rhea held her breath and stretched her neck to see the small deer watching her.
Morgan rolled down the window. “Hey, little one. You need to move on, it isn’t safe here.”
The fawn didn’t move. It just looked back at Morgan, its big brown eyes innocent and trusting.
Morgan shut off the truck and opened her door.
When Morgan climbed out, Rhea scooted across the seat to see what was happening. To her amazement Morgan kneeled in front of the deer, reached out a hand, and stroked its face as if she was petting a dog.
Chills ran up Rhea’s spine. She had never seen anything so pure and innocent in her life. The deer looked at Morgan as if it was trying to tell her something. There was no fear in its eyes as Morgan gently stroked its muzzle and down its neck.
A car approached from the other lane, and Morgan held up her hand until the car stopped. She looked back down at the deer and whispered something Rhea couldn’t hear.
The deer glanced at the cars beginning to stack up and then looked back to Morgan. In a flash the deer jerked its head up as if listening to a call in the distance. It turned and walked to the edge of the road and disappeared into the woods.
Morgan climbed back into the truck as Rhea pushed herself into her own seat. Rhea was mesmerized. A faint smile lifted the corners of Morgan’s mouth and her skin was glowing, and there was no hint of the pain that had struck her moments before. Joy radiated from her and Rhea could feel the energy vibrate between them.
“How did you do that? How did you just walk up to a wild animal like it was your pet?”
Morgan smiled. “I don’t know.” She shivered. “Man, that was amazing.” She turned to Rhea and clasped her hand. “Could you feel that?”
Rhea was shocked by the sudden touch and the electricity that passed between them. Her skin tingled and she felt her heart flutter. She nodded. “Yeah, I did. I’m still not sure I believe it.”
Morgan opened the glove compartment and took out a deck of cards. She quickly flipped through them until she found a card with a picture of a deer. “Native Americans believe that animals bring us messages.” She handed the card to Rhea. “Here, see for yourself.”
Rhea took the card and read aloud. “Deer, symbolic of compassion, generosity, and unconditional love. The deer represents living for the greater good. If the deer crosses your path, the message may be a reminder for you to be gentle with yourself.” She swallowed and looked back to Morgan. “So does this mean you’re some kind of saint or something?”
Morgan laughed. “No, but maybe the compassion was for me, not the deer. And maybe I needed to be reminded that I loved Ashley even if her choices hurt me.”
Rhea stared at the card in her hand and frowned. She didn’t believe the spiritual stuff like Morgan did, but something had happened back there with that deer. She had seen it. She had felt it. And now she was more confused than ever.
“Is this because you’re a priest?”
Morgan smiled and shook her head. “I doubt it. Besides, how do you know the message wasn’t for you?”
Rhea was stunned. “No way. Not me.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t believe in God anymore. I don’t buy into that spiritual stuff.”
“How do you explain it then?” Morgan asked.
Rhea didn’t have an answer. “Maybe it had rabies.”
Morgan laughed. “I don’t think deer get rabies.”
Rhea slapped the card back onto the deck and tossed them into a cup holder. “Whatever.”
Morgan smiled and turned down a narrow gravel road. “We’re here. Are you ready to see your next project?”
Rhea recalled the way Morgan had touched the deer’s face. She had been reverent in her touch as if she had been holding an angel in her hands. Something stirred in Rhea and settled the angst that always bubbled beneath the surface. She wasn’t sure what amazed her more, the deer or Morgan. There were so many things she didn’t understand. Maybe she would stay through the summer. “Sure. I’ve got nowhere else to be.”
Morgan smiled and patted Rhea’s shoulder, resting her hand there a moment as they walked up to the house. The warmth of Morgan’s palm seeped into Rhea’s skin without pain, and when Morgan moved her hand away, Rhea missed the warmth and comfort of her touch.
Morgan smiled reassuringly when Rhea stopped at the bottom of the steps. Rhea’s heart fluttered, her skin tingled, and she had the desperate urge to reach for Morgan’s hand. She trusted Morgan. She watched Morgan move, listened to the sound of her voice, and watched as the old man’s face lit up in a smile when he saw her. Rhea knew the feeling. She wanted to drink in the tenderness of Morgan more than she wanted to draw in her next breath. Morgan made her believe she could stay.
*
“Hey, let’s stop in town for dinner, my treat,” Morgan said cheerfully.
She’d been smiling since they cinched the tractor onto the trailer and shook hands with the old farmer. Rhea had to admit she was excited about the project. The old tractor called out to her. She knew what it was like to be locked away and forgotten, and she believed if she could give the old Ford new life, there was hope for them both.
“Sure. Do you think the tractor will be okay?”
“Not a problem. We can go to Sassy Ann’s.” Morgan grinned. “We can park in front and sit next to the window so you can keep an eye on your new baby the whole time.”
Rhea smiled. “You think you know everything, don’t you.”
Morgan cocked an eyebrow. “No, but I’m learning.”
Sassy Ann’s was busy, but just as Morgan had said, she parked in front and found a table next to the window. Rhea was a little uncomfortable being around so many people, but she told herself she would be okay as long as she was with Morgan.
Halfway through the best burger of her life, a hand clamped down on the back of her chair.
“Hello, Morgan, Rhea.”
Rhea jumped and the hair on the back of her neck stood on end.
“Hello, Jeff,” Morgan replied in a monotone.
Rhea didn’t speak. She looked up at the big man and did her best impression of calm when what she really wanted to do was slap his hand off her chair.
He smiled down at her with a toothy grin. Rhea grimaced at the bits of tobacco and remnants of food still stuck in his teeth. Didn’t this guy own a toothbrush?
Jeff ran his hand over his crotch. “I thought you might be interested in better company tonight. How about you and I go down to the VFW and do a little dancing, have a few drinks, and see what happens.”
Rhea fought back the urge to gag. The thought of Jeff putting his shovel-sized hands on her was repulsive. “No, thank you, or did you forget how things ended the last time?”
Jeff glanced at Morgan and sneered at Rhea. “Trust me, honey, what I’ve got in mind is a whole lot better than anything Morgan can do for you.”
Morgan cleared her throat.
Rhea shifted her chair so she wasn’t pinned by the table. “Like I said, no, thanks.”
Jeff set a beer on the table. “Have a beer. I can at least buy you a beer.”
Rhea shook her head. “I don’t drink.”
Jeff laughed. “Sure you do.”
Rhea lowered her v
oice to just above a growl. “Look, man, I’m trying real hard to be nice here, but I’m not interested in what you’re selling.”
Jeff sniffed as if he got a whiff of something he didn’t like. “Well then, have a good night.” He reached for the bottle and knocked the beer over. Cold liquid gushed across the table and into her lap.
Rhea jumped up from the table as ice-cold liquid soaked through her jeans. She threw her hands outward to keep her balance, her glass of water still clutched in her hand. As she jumped back from the table, her ice water was flung into Jeff’s face.
He wiped his face with his giant hand as water dripped from his chin and soaked his shirt. “You bitch!”
“Hey, it was an accident,” Rhea said as she used her napkin to blot off her pants.
Two waitresses bustled around the table with towels and did a good job of keeping Jeff at a distance.
Morgan handed some cash to their waitress. “Come on, Rhea, let’s go.”
“Rhea?” a man behind them asked. “Rhea Daniels?”
Rhea clenched her jaw as dread ran across her skin as if she’d been showered in ice. This would not be good.
A tall, skinny man approached Rhea. He squinted at her as if trying to see the face of a girl in the woman before him. He had gray hair, bushy black eyebrows, and small dark eyes. Rhea didn’t recognize him.
“Holy hell, it is you. When did you get out? I thought you’d rot in jail for killing your daddy. Damn shame. I can’t believe you get to run free after killing a damn good man.”
Morgan put her arm around Rhea and pulled her through the door. “Come on, Rhea, get in the truck.”
Rhea was moving on autopilot. She couldn’t breathe, and she was having trouble figuring out what just happened.
Morgan slammed her door and hit the locks. “Who was that guy?”
Rhea shook her head. “I don’t know,” she whispered.
“Are you okay?”
Rhea’s head hurt, and she felt like she’d been kicked in the gut. She shook her head. “I don’t know.”
Morgan’s heart raced. The adrenaline coursing through her blood was enough to make her feel like she could run all the way back to the farm. She felt like she was running for her life, but it wasn’t her life those men had questioned. Right now all she could think of was getting Rhea home. One moment they had been joking, and Rhea had been smiling one of her rare radiant smiles that melted Morgan’s heart, and the next they were in the midst of pandemonium. Rhea had killed her father? Morgan pinched the bridge of her nose and pushed against the questions clouding her mind. That was the past. Right now she needed to look after Rhea.
Morgan didn’t slow down as she veered onto the old dirt road leading to the farm. She didn’t let up until she was outside the barn. Rhea hadn’t said a word all the way home. Morgan stopped and killed the truck. Rhea didn’t move, so Morgan came around and opened her door.
Rhea looked dazed. Her eyes were unfocused, and she didn’t seem to realize where she was.
“Rhea, sweetheart, come on, let’s get you inside.”
Rhea complied, but as soon as her feet hit the ground she ran to the edge of the barn and vomited. Morgan waited until the retching stopped and the sobs began before she approached Rhea. She scuffed her boots on the ground as she moved so Rhea would know she was there.
“Rhea?”
Rhea held one hand out keeping Morgan away and pressed her other palm against the side of the barn as if the rough lumber was all that held her together. Morgan stepped closer and put her hand against Rhea’s back. Tension vibrated through her muscles like electricity through a live wire. She trembled at Morgan’s touch but didn’t pull away.
Morgan wanted to put her arms around her and tell her it would be okay, but she couldn’t. Rhea was too fragile to comfort. All she could do was wait and be there when she was ready. “Let’s go inside.”
Rhea sniffed and let her hand fall to her side. “That guy said my daddy was a good man.” Rhea turned to Morgan, but her eyes were distant and clouded with pain. “How can that be?” Rhea slid to the ground and hugged her knees to her chest and began to rock back and forth.
Morgan kneeled on the ground in front of her and waited. Tears streamed down Rhea’s cheeks like rivers, and her voice quivered when she spoke.
“It was my seventh birthday the first time he came into my room at night. I was asleep and woke up to his cold hand under my nightgown. I didn’t understand what was happening. He told me I had to be a good girl. I cried. I begged him to stop. I told him he was hurting me.” Rhea bit her lip as her chin quivered. “He never stopped.”
Morgan clasped her hands over Rhea’s as her own tears began to flow. Her heart broke for the child Rhea had been and the woman she had become. Everything was clear now. Morgan struggled against her own rage at what had been done to Rhea and marveled at the strength Rhea had shown to endure such a devastating betrayal.
Rhea looked into Morgan’s eyes as if she was seeking absolution. The desperation in her voice ripped through Morgan like shards of glass. “How does that make my daddy a good man?”
Morgan swallowed. “It doesn’t.”
“Do you believe me?” Rhea asked, her voice shaking with fear and hurt.
Morgan couldn’t imagine anyone hadn’t believed what had happened to Rhea. That was another betrayal she had suffered. “Of course I believe you.”
Rhea let go and thrust herself into Morgan’s arms. Morgan held onto Rhea with all her being. Nothing in her life had ever been more important than holding on to Rhea and giving her the comfort she needed. Morgan rocked her and held on as tight as she could without hurting Rhea.
“I’m sorry he did that to you. I’m so sorry he hurt you.”
Rhea melted against her as tremors rocked her body and she told her story. “I thought I was going to go off to college and get away. I was finally going to be free of him. I went out with some friends one night and came home late, and I saw him coming out of my little sister’s room. All those years, I thought it was just something wrong with me. It had never occurred to me that he would hurt her. She was only eleven years old and I knew what he would do to her. I couldn’t let that happen. He saw me standing there, and I could see it in his eyes that he knew that I knew. He didn’t say anything—he just laughed and walked away.”
Morgan closed her eyes and found it hard to breathe. Her chest was tight with rage and fear and hurt for Rhea. She bit down on her tongue to fight the urge to cry out.
“I heard him go into his study, and I knew he would drink himself to sleep there. So I waited. I shot my father in his sleep. Even then I was too afraid to face him.”
“It’s okay, Rhea. You’re safe now,” Morgan whispered against Rhea’s hair.
“No one believed me. No one ever believed me.”
“I believe you. You’re safe now. I believe you.” Morgan held on until Rhea pulled away.
Rhea sat up and let her head fall back against the barn and gazed into the night sky. Morgan looked up. It was a clear night and every star in the heavens had shown up to witness Rhea’s confession.
*
Rhea’s scream sliced through Morgan like a knife piercing her flesh. Morgan jumped to her feet and ran from the cabin’s kitchen to Rhea’s bedroom. Rhea was curled up in the fetal position, crying into her pillow. Morgan slid onto the bed, wrapped her arms around her, and pulled her close. Rhea’s hair was damp with sweat and tears stained her cheeks. Morgan didn’t want to think of what nightmares Rhea was reliving.
“Shh,” Morgan cooed as she rubbed Rhea’s back and held her head against her chest. She held on until Rhea quieted and her body relaxed against her.
Morgan leaned back and stretched out on the bed beside Rhea. She wrapped herself around her, protecting her with her body. It was hard for her to imagine the hard, brass woman so vulnerable and broken. But Morgan knew no matter how much armor Rhea shrouded herself with, the child within was still hurt and afraid and nothing could undo that p
ain.
Rhea’s fingers curled into a fist and gripped Morgan’s shirt. She burrowed against Morgan, clinging to her like a life preserver. Morgan leaned her head against the headboard and tightened her arms around Rhea.
She knew she was walking on thin ice, and if she wasn’t careful she’d start to care too much. She’d thought she could save Ashley. She thought that with enough love she could fill the emptiness that plagued her and guard her against the addiction that stalked her. But in the end she hadn’t been enough and the addiction had won.
Morgan loosened her arms and slid away from Rhea. She couldn’t afford to let the same thing happen again. She’d do whatever she could to help Rhea, but she had to draw a line. She couldn’t get too close. She couldn’t survive that depth of loss again.
Morgan stood at the door and watched Rhea until she was certain she was sleeping soundly. She didn’t think Rhea would remember much about the evening and was certain she wouldn’t be comfortable waking up with Morgan in her bed. But no matter how much she told herself it was better for them both if she put distance between them, she still had a hard time walking away. She wouldn’t leave, but she couldn’t stay. She slipped out of the room, letting each step erect a barrier between them, resolving to herself that she wouldn’t go back.
She walked onto the porch and took a deep breath of chill night air. She rested her elbows on the porch railing and looked up into the starry night. “What do you want from me? I don’t know what it is you want me to do.”
Morgan knew it wasn’t her place to question why such horrible things were permitted to happen in the world. She didn’t believe it was God’s will that children were abused, that women were beaten by their partners, that people died from hunger, or a million other terrible things that happened in the world every day. She understood that with free will came choice, and with choice there would always be pain and suffering. But that understanding was no comfort to people like Rhea who had been violated and betrayed beyond anything she could fathom.
Love’s Redemption Page 9
