Finding The Road Home (Hearts 0f Oklahoma Book 1)

by Tina Radcliffe

  “Try it on.”

  Minutes later Daisy stood in front of the full-length mirror and grimaced.

  The dilemma was needing to be taken seriously and wanting to be noticed without standing out. This was why she didn’t do dresses. Wearing a uniform to work made life so simple.

  Her grandmother stepped back into the room.

  “I love that dress.”

  Daisy shook her head and wrinkled her nose.

  “Why not?”

  “Gran, burgundy is almost the same as red, and red says look at me.”

  “This is a party, Daisy. The burgundy dress is very demure, and it says you are a beautiful woman and proud of it.”

  “I’d rather it said I want to go home and read a good book.”

  “Nonsense. Now go find that cute little clutch I bought you. Nez will be here soon, and I need to spray my hair.”

  “You’re sure this dress?” she called out.

  “Yes. With the strappy heels.”

  “No. I can’t walk in heels.”

  “The heels, Daisy. And wear your hair down with the pearls.”

  “Like this is a real date,” Daisy murmured. Once again, she tried to wrap her mind around the idea.

  “Did you say something, dear?” her grandmother called out.

  “I asked how you know all this stuff, Gran.”

  “I’m old, that’s how.”

  “No, I think you got the style gene, and I got the Glock gene.”

  Her grandmother’s laughter made Daisy smile.

  “Grace is fortunate to have you around for advice, Gran. I’m of no use.”

  “That’s not true. You have many talents.” Her grandmother entered the bedroom again and smiled. “There now. Look at you. You will leave our police chief speechless.”

  “That really isn’t my goal,” Daisy said. She met her grandmother’s eyes in the mirror, and she was touched by the love reflected in the blue eyes, so like her own. “You look beautiful, Gran.”

  “Thank you, dear.”

  Daisy grabbed the silver clutch from the bed.

  “Are the children set?” her grandmother asked.

  “Yes. I kissed them all, and they’re in Grace’s room playing.”

  “Perfect. The babysitter will be here shortly. She’s bringing the pizza.”

  “Babysitter.” Daisy mulled over the word nervously. Mitch was the only babysitter they’d ever had. “Are you sure she’s reliable?”

  “She’s the pastor’s youngest daughter home from college for the summer. We can trust her.”

  “What about first aid and CPR?”

  “Daisy, she’s studying to be a nurse. It’s going to be fine.”

  “Okay, okay.”

  “Now go. I’ll be along. I thought I heard a knock at the back door. That might be her now.”

  Daisy made her way down the stairs, only to find Mitch at the screen door. “Mitch.”

  Hurrying, she tripped and her clutch fell from her hands and bounced on the new floor. She quickly opened the door, her face warm with embarrassment.

  Mitch stepped inside, scooped up the clutch and handed it to her. “Daisy, you look amazing.”

  “Even though I nearly face-planted?”

  “I didn’t notice. I was too distracted by how nice you look.”

  “I guess my grandmother was right,” she returned.

  “Whatever she said, I agree.”

  “Have you been waiting long?”

  “No, not long. Gave me a little time to pace back and forth.”

  Daisy laughed. “You’re nervous?”

  “I haven’t been on a date since I became chief.”

  “I thought this wasn’t a date,” she returned.

  “Daisy, you look way too beautiful to be a carpool buddy.”

  She blinked, blindsided by the compliments and the way her heart kept bumping against her rib cage. “I, um. Thank you.”

  Daisy eyed his crisp, blue dress shirt, teal paisley tie and navy slacks. He’d shaved, and yet a slight shadow of beard remained. Without a ball cap or Stetson on his head, she realized how thick and almost wavy his brown hair was. Except this was Mitch, so his hair was trimmed neatly in an effort to suppress any shenanigans. Still, she found herself resisting the urge to touch his strong jaw and smooth the knot of his tie.

  “You look so...” Heat warmed her, circling her neck and moving quickly upward, no doubt flaming her cheeks and ears.

  “I look so...what?” Mitch leaned slightly closer, his eyes wide with alarm.

  Daisy cleared her dry throat. “Handsome,” she squeaked.

  “Handsome?” Mitch chuckled. “You had me worried there. Although that comment does beg the question—how do I usually look?”

  “You know what I mean. I’ve never seen you so dressed up.” She gripped her clutch tightly, and tried to come up with something witty to say that would bridge the awkwardness.

  “What’s going on in that head of yours?” Mitch asked.

  “I’m nervous too. This is even more challenging than the barbecue in June.”

  “How so?”

  “I’m wearing a dress and heels, and there is the possibility I might have to pretend to dance.”

  “Does it help if I mention you’re going to be the most beautiful woman there?”

  “Now that is an excellent line.”

  He laughed. “It’s not a line.”

  Daisy released a small sigh at the words.

  A moment later footsteps pounded down the steps, and Seth, Grace, Christian and Sam surrounded Mitch.

  “Mr. Mitch,” Seth said, “we wanted to see you before you leave.”

  “How are you guys doing?” When Mitch stooped down on his haunches to hug each child, Daisy nearly swooned. Mitch was the real deal. And in the span of five minutes, he’d smashed through all the obstacles protecting her heart.

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” Daisy announced, “we have to go. Your pizza will be here soon. Grace, please set the table. Seth, let your grandmother know we’re leaving. And Christian, put a movie in for your brother, please.”

  Mitch held open the screen door for Daisy. “I like your kids,” he said as they headed to the truck.

  “That’s good because they’re very fond of you.”

  “Does that worry you?” he asked.

  “That they like you? Not unless you plan on breaking their hearts.”

  “No, Daisy,” he said solemnly. “I would never do that. Truth is, I don’t just like your kids. I love them.”

  “Oh, Mitch.” She sighed, relieved at the words. “I’m glad because I’m pretty sure they love you too.”

  The breeze rustled the trees, and a whiff of something warm and comforting drifted to her. Patchouli and cedar? Mitch had cologne on? She allowed herself to linger in the captivating scent a moment longer before tilting her head back to assess him.

  “This is it,” Mitch observed as they walked down the drive.

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means this is the last fund-raising event before we go live with the community center. I’m going to spend next week working on the paperwork for the county. We’re nearly at ten weeks.”

  “Hard to believe. Ten weeks. I feel like coming to Rebel was—I don’t know—part of a divine plan. Do you believe that’s possible?”

  “Sure do,” Mitch said, as he held open the passenger door of his truck and offered his hand to help her in.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  Mitch came around to the other side, buckled his seat belt and backed out the truck. “Except I’m not sure the Rebel PD is anyone’s divine plan. Least of all, someone like you.”

  “What do you mean, like me?” Daisy kept her eye on him as she adjusted her seat belt.

 
He shrugged. “You’re sort of like a shooting star. All vibrant, and full of light and energy. Maybe you need to think more about that bakery and less about the police department.”

  She stared at him for a moment, stunned and dazed by the lovely words. “We spent the summer working to get funding, Mitch. You’re going to be down a man if I leave.”

  “I can always find a replacement.” He raised a hand. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying it would be easy. Nope. Near impossible to find someone as skilled as you.”

  “Then why are you trying to get rid of me?”

  “I’m not. It’s just when you talk about the bakery, you light up. I don’t think you realize it. Maybe you need to think about stepping out in faith and chasing that dream.”

  “I stepped out in faith coming to Rebel.”

  “Hey, I don’t want to ruin the evening. I’m only giving you my opinion. My opinion and a couple of bucks will buy you a fancy cup of coffee at Rebel Roaster. That’s about what it’s worth.”

  He put a hand on hers, and she couldn’t ignore the effect. What would it be like to have the right to hold Mitch’s hand all the time? To have someone who believed in her and supported her dreams?

  “You okay?” he asked.

  Daisy nodded. “Have you ever thought about stepping out in faith and following your own dream?”

  A slow smile crossed Mitch’s face. “Touché.”

  Both of them were silent as Mitch drove them to the reception hall. There was something about this evening that made it a mile marker of sorts. After ten weeks in her new job, the end of summer was right around the corner. The kids would be preparing for school in three weeks. The community center would be open. They’d not only survived the summer in Rebel. They had thrived. All of them.

  Up ahead, the lights from the reception hall guided Mitch’s truck to the parking area.

  “Looks like there are already quite a few folks here,” Mitch said as he turned off the engine. “Are you ready for this?”

  “Not really. My stomach is doing somersaults Grace would be proud of.”

  He covered her hand with his big one. “You’ll do fine. Truthfully, the hardest part is no one will be wearing name tags tonight.”

  Daisy turned to him, her mouth open. “I didn’t think about that. I hope I don’t embarrass myself.”

  “I’ve learned a neat trick. Distraction. If someone asks you a question you don’t want to answer or you find yourself knee-deep in awkward, tiptoe out by laying a compliment on them.”

  “Does that work?”

  “Every single time.” He smiled. “This town has a population of seventeen hundred. I know plenty of folks, but I can’t put a name to every face like they expect me to.”

  “That’s a very good idea.”

  “I do have my moments.”

  A horn tooted, and Mitch waved at the driver of an oversize black pickup. “That’s Tucker.”

  “Will he bring a date?”

  “No. Tucker is probably bringing Gina. She owns the clinic with him. His best friend.”

  Mitch paused. “Tucker lost his wife right after the girls were born. His world is his practice and his children. This is a rare outing for him.”

  “That’s tragic,” Daisy murmured.

  “You know what? Let’s make a deal to only talk about happy stuff tonight.”

  “Happy stuff.”

  “Yeah, for once, I want to forget the past and just concentrate on tonight.”

  Mitch was right. Grief followed them both on a daily basis. This one night, they could set it aside and be grateful for all the good Lord had given them. Daisy nodded. “I can do that.”

  She followed his glance out the window. “That’s a lot of people walking in.”

  “Anytime Luna caters, crowds follow. Half the people bought tickets just to see what she’s going to serve.”

  Daisy took a deep breath and chewed her lip as more cars pulled in.

  “It’s going to be okay,” Mitch said.

  She turned to him, and he offered a smile that made her forget everything for a moment. “Mitch, your support and friendship mean a lot...”

  Daisy paused midsentence, recalling her grandmother’s words. Friendship is a solid foundation for a long-term relationship. A long-term relationship. The thought both excited and terrified her.

  “Daisy, are you okay?”

  “Yes. Sorry. Thinking.”

  “Looked like you were having an argument with yourself.”

  “Did it? I guess I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

  “You sure that’s all?”

  “Yes. I’m sure.”

  A lot on her mind. Daisy shook her head once more. Now that was an understatement.

  Mitch climbed out of the truck and walked around to the passenger side, where he opened the door and once again offered his hand. “We’ve got this, Daisy,” he said softly.

  His lips curved into a smile, and the dark eyes told her that he was there for her. At that moment, Daisy knew their friendship was in danger because there was a very good chance that she was falling in love with Mitch Rainbolt. The thought left her torn between panic and total peace.

  * * *

  Mitch couldn’t help but watch Daisy. His pulse jumped every time he did, yet he couldn’t look anywhere else. In the dim lighting of the room, it seemed to him that she floated. The deep burgundy-colored dress swished around her legs when she walked, and her hair danced on her shoulders. He could watch her all night.

  For all her protestations about being nervous, she was working the room like a pro. She started by thanking every single person for supporting the community center project. Then she thanked those who had participated in the work done on her home.

  When Will Needleman appeared with a glass of soda in his hand a moment later, blocking Mitch’s view, he was forced to pay attention to his old friend.

  “Mitch.”

  “Will.”

  “Nice shindig. Not sure why the tickets were so expensive.”

  “Henna made you buy one?” Mitch laughed.

  “Two. She said I had to support Rebel.”

  Mitch laughed again because he knew Henna had two comp tickets. “That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all day.”

  “Glad I could entertain you. I take it your fund-raising is a success.”

  “It is, along with the initiatives we started for community engagement. Community center opens August first. Be sure to mention that to your politicos.”

  “Are you kidding? Rebel has become the poster child for civic engagement. A reporter from the Tulsa World got wind of what’s going on down here. He and a photographer are coming to interview you.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Sure I am.”

  “This isn’t part of your plan to woo Henna, is it?”

  “It can’t hurt, but no. Henna told me what was going on, and I mentioned it in a budget meeting. You’ve generated a lot of interest, all good, for what you’re doing here in Rebel.”

  “Good on the reelection front, as well. Right?”

  “I can neither confirm nor deny.”

  “Right. Well, do me a favor and send that reporter to talk to Roscoe. He’s headquartered at the old library building where our center will be.”

  “I can do that.”

  “Thanks, Will.”

  “Oh, and Mitch, I’d say that funding is yours. But don’t quote me.”

  “Trust me, I won’t, since you already told me the funding was mine once before.”

  “You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?”

  Mitch recalled the pain in Daisy’s eyes when she found out, and he shook his head. “Not likely.”

  Will narrowed his gaze, and he searched the crowded room. “Uh-oh, I better get back to Henna bef
ore someone else asks her to dance.”

  Reece stepped into the space Will had occupied, and placed his glass on the table behind Mitch.

  “What’s up with Will?” Reece asked.

  Mitch turned to look at his brother. “He thinks we’re a shoo-in for the funding.”

  “Great. You deserve it. You’re an excellent leader, Mitch.”

  “Am I? Or are you trying to get me to the ranch again?”

  “A little of both. Just take the compliment. It’s good news.”

  “Yeah, it is. Except a funny thing happened on the way to the funding,” Mitch mused.

  “What’s that?”

  “Somehow in the midst of all we’re doing in Rebel this summer, I forgot why we’re doing it and became more focused on what we were doing.”

  “That’s a good thing. It’s also a good thing you won’t have to let Daisy go.”

  “It’s not really about Daisy anymore. We need the funding, but it’s brought the town together. And lately, I’ve been thinking that maybe Daisy should be reaching for more than a job in my department.”

  “Whoa. What’s going on in your head?”

  “I’ll let you know when I sort it out.”

  “Try not to overthink, Mitch. That always gets you in trouble.”

  They stood together for several moments watching the crowd and listening to the woeful lyrics played by a western band.

  “That is one interesting woman,” Reece said after a while.

  “Who?” Mitch asked, taking a sip of his soda.

  A hearty chuckle from his brother came next. “You know who I’m talking about. Officer Anderson. Your date.”

  His date. Mitch found himself liking the phrase way more than he expected.

  “Interesting is a good word for Daisy,” he said to Reece. “How’d you know she was my date?”

  His brother inclined his head to where Roscoe moved across the dance floor with Luna. “Your senior officer.”

  “Some things never change. Roscoe should be ticketed for gossiping faster than the local speed limit.”

  Reece offered a smile at the comment. “Thought any more about coming to Rebel Ranch full time?”

  “Yeah, but I’m not sure the timing is right.”

  “Timing is never right to take a step of faith,” Reece observed.