There was a part of Tory that wanted to reach out and touch this man in pain, but there was a part that held her frozen in place. “She’s come a long way in a short time.”
Dark shadows clouded his blue eyes. “If I could trade places with Mindy, I would in a heartbeat. The worse thing for me is to have to stand by and watch her suffer.”
His whispered words held anguish in them. Tory lifted her hand toward him, her fingers trembling as they lay on his arm for a brief moment before slipping away. “Prayer has always helped me through the difficult times.”
“Mindy was innocent. This should never have happened to her in the first place. She was perfectly normal until the car wreck. Why would God do this to her?”
The pain in his voice robbed Tory of her breath. The heaviness in her chest threatened to squeeze the air completely from her lungs.
He started to turn away, then swung back toward her. “It’s been a long week. I didn’t mean to burden you with this. I’ll bring Mindy out Monday morning.” He offered her a fleeting smile, said, “Thanks for all your help,” then strode to the driver’s side and slid behind the wheel.
As his car pulled out, Tory fought the tears quickly filling her eyes. Lord, help this man find his path back to You. He is hurting and needs Your comfort.
* * *
“Wh-ere’s—Dad-dy?” Mindy asked, worry furrowing her brow.
Tory glanced at her watch for the third time in ten minutes. “His meeting probably ran over. That’s all. We’d better wait here for him.”
“Ba-th-ro-oom.” Mindy labored over the word, the lines in her face deepening.
“I’ll wait out here in the reception area for your dad while you’re gone.”
“Be back.” Mindy made her way across the room and disappeared through the door where clients went for their speech therapy.
Picking up a magazine, Tory began flipping through it, not really seeing the words on the page. Slade was fifteen minutes late. Why hadn’t he called? What was wrong? She chewed on her lower lip, her own worry coming to the foreground. Finally she gave up trying to read the magazine and tossed it back on the table in front of her.
The outside door swung open, and Slade entered. He was all right, Tory thought, her gaze skimming down his length. Relief shimmered through her.
When he caught sight of her in the corner, he hurried to her and sat next to her. For just a second Tory’s heart sped. She pressed her lips together to still her usual reaction to someone invading her space.
“I’m so sorry I was late. My cell phone is dead so I couldn’t call you to tell you that I was sitting in traffic waiting for them to clear up an accident.”
“Anyone hurt?”
He frowned, his blue eyes dark. “Yes. It was a mess. They’re still working on it.”
“Dad-dy!”
Slade looked toward Mindy who stood a few feet away. The little girl launched herself at her father, throwing her arms around him.
“You oo-kay?” Mindy plastered herself against her father. “What—” She couldn’t finish her sentence. Tears shone in her eyes and one slipped down her cheeks.
Slade smoothed his daughter’s hair back from her face and kissed the top of her head. “I’m fine. Just delayed. I couldn’t call. Sorry about that. I know how you are when I’m late.”
“Su-re—okay?” Mindy sniffed.
He squeezed her to him. “Yes, sweetie.”
“He just got stuck in traffic,” Tory said as she rose and gathered up her purse.
“What—was—a mess?” Mindy leaned back to peer at her father.
Slade paled. “Nothing important.”
“Dad-dy, what?”
He forced a laugh. “My day, sweetie, but not now. How about us taking Tory out to dinner? I think she deserves our thanks for helping us out.”
“Yes!”
Mindy’s excitement touched Tory. She’d always wanted children—lots of them—but didn’t see how that goal was possible now. Slade was so lucky to have a daughter like Mindy. “How can I refuse?”
“You—can’t.” Mindy scooted off her father’s lap and took Tory’s hand, pulling her toward the door.
“I guess my daughter is hungry, even though it’s not much after five. Do you mind an early dinner?”
Laughing at Mindy’s eagerness to leave, Tory tossed back over her shoulder while the child was dragging her through the opened door, “I’m always hungry, so I can eat early or late or both. Where are we going? I can follow you in my truck.”
“Leave your truck here and I’ll bring you back for it afterward.”
“I can follow—”
“Plee-ze,” Mindy said, stopping in the middle of the parking lot.
“You make it hard to say no, young lady.” Tory forced a scolding tone to her voice, but she was sure the smile that accompanied her words wiped out any threat.
“You—will?”
Tory looked toward Slade for help. He shrugged and shook his head. She was on her own. “I guess so. But wouldn’t it be easier if I—”
At Slade’s car while opening the back door, Mindy announced, “You—can—sit—” she paused, searching for her words “—in the front.”
“No, that’s—” Tory watched as the little girl hopped into the back seat faster than she had seen her move since she had known her.
Over the top of the car Tory spied Slade looking at her. “I guess I’ll sit in front.”
“Please. I draw the line at being a chauffeur.”
When Slade started the engine and pulled out of the parking space, he asked, “Any favorite place you would like to go?”
“I’m not picky. Wherever you two like.”
The second he maneuvered the car into the flow of traffic Mindy said, “Music—plee-ze.”
Tory switched on the radio. She’d found Mindy loved to listen to it even while working in the barn.
The end of a popular song sounded over the radio, then the announcer came on. “Now for a traffic update. There has been a multicar wreck on—”
Slade switched the dial to Off. Surprised, Tory glanced at him. Then she heard the scream from the back seat.
CHAPTER TWO
“Nooo!” Mindy screamed over and over.
Slade crossed two lanes of traffic to pull into an almost-deserted office parking lot. Before Tory had time to react to the situation, he was out of the car and thrusting open the back door.
He hauled his daughter into his arms and held her tightly to him, whispering, “It’s okay, sweetheart. You’re all right. I’m here. Nothing’s going to hurt you ever again. I promise.”
Tory twisted around, desperately wanting to help Mindy. She had come to love the child in the short time she’d known her. The child’s sobs filled the air with her pain, a pain Tory wished she could wipe away.
“Mom-my,” Mindy cried, her voice muffled by the blue cotton of Slade’s shirt.
But Tory heard the pitiful wail and knew the announcer had triggered a memory of Mindy’s own wreck that had changed the little girl’s life forever. Tory’s heart pounded against her chest in slow, anguish-filled throbs, mirroring the distress in Mindy. Tory knew more than most how quickly life could change; one split second could make all the difference. If only she hadn’t gone out…. Tory pushed the memory away, refusing to allow it into her mind. She couldn’t alter the past, but with God’s guidance, she could protect herself.
She caught Slade’s attention and mouthed, “Can I help?”
He shook his head, stroking his daughter’s back. “Sweetie, Mommy’s gone. But I’m here for you.”
“It—it—” Mindy struggled for her words. “It—hurt.”
“I know, baby. But you’re safe now.”
Slade’s eyes slid closed, but not before Tory saw their glistening sheen. Tears clogged Tory’s throat and misted her own eyes. She blinked, trying to get a grip on her emotions that careened out of control.
Mindy shuddered and Slade clutched her tighter. “Mommy’
s watching over you, baby. Taking care of you. She’ll always be with you in here.” He laid his hand over his daughter’s heart.
Helpless, Tory drew in deep breaths after deep breaths but still she ached for the pair. She felt as if she had intruded on a private family moment and should disappear. She would give anything to take the child’s pain away, but from experience knew that was something another couldn’t do.
Mindy pulled back, sniffing and wiping her nose. “I—” she sucked in a huge gulp of air “—know, Dad-dy.”
He cupped his daughter’s face in his large hands. “I love you, sweetie.”
She sniffled again. “I know.”
Slade brushed the pads of his thumbs across Mindy’s cheeks, erasing all evidence of her tears. “Are you ready to show Tory a good time?” Tenderness marked his expression as he peered at his daughter with eyes a soft azure. “I thought we would go to your favorite restaurant.”
“Goldie’s?”
“Of course. Is there another?”
“No!” A grin split Mindy’s face.
Slade kissed his daughter, then slipped from the back seat. When he settled behind the steering wheel and started the engine, he threw Tory a glance that caused her heart to flip over. Sadness mixed with a look of appeal for understanding. She slid her hand across the console, almost touching Slade in reassurance. At the last second she pulled back and smiled at him instead.
“I love Goldie’s hamburgers and onion rings,” Tory said to Mindy, trying to ignore the heat of a blush she felt creep up her face at Slade’s intense regard.
“Me, too.” Mindy clapped, her left hand curled so that her palms didn’t meet.
“With everything on it, even onions.”
Tory caught Slade’s look. The smile that glinted in his eyes warmed her. Her blush deepened. Aware his gaze was still riveted to her, she shifted in the leather seat, crossing and uncrossing her ankles. Uncomfortable under his intense scrutiny, she searched for something to say. Silence dominated the small confines of the car. Nothing she thought seemed appropriate so she let the quiet reign.
Fifteen minutes later Slade drove into the parking lot next to Goldie’s. After he assisted Mindy from the back seat, they all headed into the restaurant, decorated in homespun décor, reminiscent of a farmhouse, with the scent of baking bread and coffee saturating the air.
Tory sat across from Mindy and Slade in the booth along the large front window that overlooked a pond. Geese and ducks swam in the water, which drew the little girl’s attention.
“Look—” Mindy frowned, her brow wrinkled in thought “—bab-ies.”
The fluency of the little girl’s speech had improved over the months since Tory had known her, but still the child labored to put her words together, to find the correct word to say. Tory wanted to hug her for her perseverance.
“The last time Mindy and I were here, the geese were sitting on their nests. They’re three couples and it looks like they have all had their babies. Now she’ll want to come back every week to keep track of them.”
“I have a pond, Mindy, on my property. We’ll have to ride there one day and have a picnic.”
“Dad-dy, too?”
Tory’s gaze slid to Slade’s. “Do you ride?”
He laughed. “Sort of.”
Tory arched one brow in question.
“The last time was in high school, so it’s been years since I’ve been on a horse. Is it like riding a bicycle?”
“Sort of.” Tory downed a large swallow of ice water, her throat suddenly parched.
“Well, then, yes, I do ride—or let’s just say I know how to fall gracefully when the horse bolts.”
“Now you’ve piqued my curiosity. What happened the last time you rode?”
“I had leaned over to open the gate into the pasture when my horse got spooked by a rabbit darting in front of him. He decided to take off, leaving me dangling from the gate.”
Mindy giggled. “Oh, Dad-dy.”
“I’ve fallen a few times, too, and I can’t always say they were graceful falls.” Tory took another long sip of her water, relishing the cool liquid.
Slade started to say something when the waitress approached to take their orders. After she left, he grinned. “When I fell, I landed in a mud puddle and was covered from head to toe. It was a big mud puddle.”
“When can—we—do it?” Mindy asked, eagerness giving her face a radiant glow.
“How about this weekend? I’m free after church on Sunday.” Tory glanced from the little girl to Slade.
“Only if you allow me to bring the picnic.”
“This is my treat. I invited you.”
“Then let me bring the dessert.” Determination marked his expression.
Tory shrugged. “Fine.”
“What do you like?”
“Oh, just about anything with chocolate. Surprise me.”
“I’ve gotten the impression you weren’t someone who liked to be surprised.”
“Not usually.” Tory clasped her hands in her lap to still their trembling. Control and order were so important in her life, the threads that held it together. “I don’t like to take risks, either, but I think I’ll be safe with you bringing the dessert.”
“Isn’t your Bright Star Stables a financial risk?”
“Yes, but then some things are important enough to risk. I saw a need and wanted to do something about it.”
“And this parent is grateful. If I can help you with anything, please let me know.”
Tory thought about her low bank account, but pride kept her from saying anything. For many years she had done everything on her own. She was used to that and would somehow make the therapeutic riding program a success. When her aunt’s inheritance had allowed her to fulfill a dream, she’d known in her heart this was what God had wanted her to do with her life. God would provide the means to keep Bright Star Stables going.
Slade’s gaze bore into her as if he could reach into her mind and read it. “It’s okay to ask for help when you need it.”
“Look—Dad-dy.” Mindy jostled her father’s arm, then pointed out the window at the baby geese swimming in a line behind one of their parents with the other bringing up the rear.
If it wouldn’t have raised more questions at Mindy’s timely interruption, Tory would have gladly hugged and kissed the child. The conversation was getting too personal for her. Keeping people at a distance had become such a habit for her that any probing into her feelings or past proved highly uncomfortable. She swiped the film of perspiration from her upper lip, then finished off her cold water.
After watching the geese with his daughter for a few minutes, Slade returned his attention to Tory. “I’ll drop the subject for now, but it’s in my best interest to see Bright Star Stables continue.”
Mindy swung her gaze to her father, a deep line across her forehead. “What’s—wrong?”
With his regard trained on Tory, Slade answered, “Nothing, sweetheart. I just wanted Tory to know how much we both appreciate the work she does.”
Mindy bounced up and down. “Yeah!”
Heat scorched her cheeks. She noticed a few patrons looking their way. Breaking eye contact with Slade, she studied her place mat. “Thank you,” she whispered, relieved that the waitress brought them their food, taking the focus off her. She preferred being in the background, having had more than her share of the limelight in the past—something she never wanted to relive again.
Tory bit into her thick, juicy hamburger and sighed. “I’d forgotten how great this tasted.” She popped a small onion ring into her mouth. “And this. Of course, this will go straight to my hips.”
“I don’t think that’ll hurt you.” Slade dumped several sugar packets into his iced tea.
“It will if I had to buy a whole new wardrobe. About all I can afford is a flour sack.” The second she’d said it, she regretted the reference to her financial state.
Slade’s eyes gleamed, but his lips remained pressed together.<
br />
Tory blew out a breath of air, thankful he wasn’t going to pursue the topic. “Have you lived in Cimarron City long?”
“All my life. How about you?”
“Just a few years. I moved here from Dallas.”
“What made you leave Dallas for Oklahoma?”
She should have expected the question, but still it took her by surprise. “The weather.”
“We have the same beastly heat in the summer as Dallas.”
“Actually, my aunt died and left me her small ranch. I came to sell it and decided to stay.”
“You don’t miss the big city.”
“Cimarron City is big enough for me. Besides, I’m a country gal at heart, and even though there are eighty thousand living here, it doesn’t seem that way when I’m out on my ranch.”
“But it’s still a far cry from Dallas.”
And for that Tory was thankful, but didn’t say it out loud. Her memories of her hometown of Dallas were laden with sorrow, which had nothing to do with the city itself. But if she never went back, that would suit her just fine. “Do you have any other family here?” She wanted to take the focus off her and Dallas.
“I have an uncle in a retirement home in Tulsa. His son moved away when he went to college and hasn’t returned except to visit a few times. My younger brother lives in Chicago and loves the big city. My father died ten years ago and Mom decided to live in the southernmost tip of Florida where it’s warm all the time. So I’m the last Donaldson here in Cimarron City.”
Mindy tugged on his arm. “Me—too.”
“How right you are. Mindy and I are the last Donaldsons here. How about your family?”
Tory finished another huge onion ring, then washed it down with a swallow of raspberry-flavored tea. “All my family lives in Texas.”
“Do you see them much?”
“They visit the ranch every summer for the Fourth of July.”
“You don’t go home?”
“It’s hard for me to get away because of the horses. Someone has to look after them and I can’t afford help. I’m stuck, but I don’t mind.”
A Family for Tory Page 2
