Читать книгу A Daughter's Redemption - Georgiana Daniels - Страница 11

Chapter Two

It wasn’t the memories inside the house that assaulted Robyn; it was the lack of them.

The night closed in, trapping her inside her father’s home. She moved from what had once been the check-in desk to the kitchen, from the living area to the bedroom, searching for evidence, no matter how minute, that her dad had loved her. She would have happily settled for a picture of them together, the clay handprint she’d made when she was nine or even the stash of clothes she’d left behind. But by the time she dropped to the couch to sleep, she’d come up with nothing.

It didn’t help that Brad and Abby had already stripped the home of all the valuables, including everything electronic or sentimental. Even the edibles were gone, except for an old can of coffee. It left Robyn with entirely too much time to think.

When the sun cracked the horizon, she was itching to head to town, but she knew it’d be a while before Pine Hollow woke up. Instead, she took time to pray and devour the half-eaten candy bar she’d found at the bottom of her purse. After that, she dressed and ran a brush through her hair.

Her outlook for the day buoyed, and she shuffled into her sandals and meandered down the winding path that cut through the forest toward the lake. The water had always been her favorite place to clear her head when she was a kid, feeling left out after her father married and had two more children—a family that lived with him, when she only had a few weeks during the summer.

Caleb sat at the water’s edge on a boulder, chucking pebbles. He didn’t turn, but from the hunch of his shoulders as she approached, he knew she was there.

“You’re here early.” Robyn rubbed her arms, wishing she had a better line. If she wasn’t so starved for conversation, she would’ve hightailed it back to the house. She wasn’t used to spending time alone, nor was she used to having to prod someone to talk. If Caleb didn’t open up, working together would be unbearable.

“It’s a good place to think and pray.” Caleb focused on the sparkling water, never sparing her a glance.

She smiled at the thought of Caleb being a praying man. It was a refreshing difference from the guys Robyn worked with at the beach. She hooked her thumbs through her belt loops, refusing to take the hint and leave. It was her property, after all. “You don’t talk much, do you?”

“Only when I need to.”

“All the time or just for me?” She lightened her tone and willed him to let his guard down.

“Everyone, lately.” Finally, he glanced up at her. He appeared gentle, despite his square-cut jaw and military-precise haircut. “Did you need something?”

A friend—not that she’d ever admit it out loud to someone she’d just met. Her throat constricted as she shook her head.

Caleb tossed the rest of the pebbles to the ground and stood. Slowly, he advanced. “If you need something, you can ask.” Behind his shades, it was hard to tell what he was thinking. He stood close—too close—and the smell of his crisp aftershave made her lose track of her thoughts.

She risked a smile. “I’m just trying to figure out where to start. It’s hard to come back after all these years and sort through—” she motioned toward the cabins, unsure exactly what she was sorting through besides her tangled emotions “—things.”

“Doesn’t sound like anything I can help with, so while you sort through ‘things,’ I need to head back to town.” Caleb started up the path. “I’ll be back later.”

“Didn’t you just come from town?”

“The hardware store called. My lumber order is in, plus I need more paint.”

She hurried up the path after him. “Shouldn’t painting be last on the list? Let’s walk the property and decide what else needs to be done.”

“Make your list, and I’ll look it over.” His stride widened.

“I don’t know how you’re getting paid, but I’m sure it’s safe to assume you won’t be working indefinitely so we might as well focus on the big stuff, like the floorboards on the porch and replacing the window on cabin one.”

Caleb halted. He opened his mouth but seemed to think better of saying what was on his mind. “The lumber I ordered is for the porch. We can talk about what you’d like done when I get back.”

“I want to come with you.” Robyn lifted her chin.

“Like you said, there’s a lot to do. Maybe you should concentrate on making a list for me.” A line formed between his eyebrows, as though he was trying to read her.

“As long as you’re going to town, I’m coming, too. I have a vested interest in picking out colors and whatnot. Besides, I have my own list to deal with.”

Caleb’s morning whiskers rasped like sandpaper when he rubbed them. “All you have to do is tell me what you want and I’ll pick it up while I’m there.”

“Can you pick up a Realtor?” She challenged him with a raised eyebrow.

His mouth tightened. “Fine, you can come. But I doubt anyone is open.”

“They will be soon enough.” She walked quickly and prayed for him to soften. “When we get back, we can do a walk-through. There’s a leak under the kitchen sink, and the porcelain in the tub is cracked. I think we can get most of the repairs knocked out in a few weeks.”

“We?” Caleb’s tone took on a gruff edge. He stopped and faced her.

She smiled broadly. “I thought I mentioned that yesterday. The job will get done much faster if we work together.”

“No offense, but I tend to work better alone.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and blew out a long, exasperated breath.

“We don’t have to stand side by side.” She tossed a casual glance toward the cabins. “There’s plenty to keep us both busy. It seems like the whole property has been neglected for a while.” She bit back further comment, not wanting to offend Caleb over the job he’d done—or not done—so far. “How’d you come to work out here anyway?”

“Long story.” He took off up the hill.

She quickened her steps to keep up. “I’m curious.”

“You know what they say about curiosity.”

“If you don’t want to talk about you, then maybe you can tell me more about my dad. Since you worked for him, you probably know more about him than you think. It’s been a long time since I saw him. Of course, you probably knew that.” She hoped he’d tell her more without her having to spell out every detail of their estrangement.

“I wouldn’t assume too much if I were you.” His lips held the barest trace of a smile, or perhaps it was more akin to a frown. Either way, he lost the gritty expression he’d clung to from the moment she’d introduced herself.

“I guess I’d just like to know what my dad said about me.” If anything. Robyn was nearly out of breath when they emerged from the pine trees into the clearing. What had once been lush with grass and a flowerbed was now hard-packed dirt overrun with weeds. Why hadn’t Brad and Abby done more to help their dad? After all, by growing up here full-time they’d been close to him in a way Robyn never could be.

“I talked to Dan a few times. We ran into each other every now and then at church. I wasn’t someone he confided in.” A look that Robyn supposed was sympathy crossed his face. His jaw flexed. “I’m sorry I don’t know more, but I only came here to work...after.”

After. She knew he meant after the accident.

An unexpected swell of grief surged in her chest. The rapid change of emotions she’d experienced since her father’s death was new and would take some getting used to.

She ambled toward Caleb’s black truck, hiding her watery eyes. “After all this time away from here, I’m surprised how much I miss him.” She stopped herself from opening up to Caleb any further. Finding out he hadn’t actually worked for her dad made him a virtual stranger. Even her mom, as free-spirited as she was, warned Robyn against being so open and friendly. Still, Caleb’s presence was calming, and he seemed safe enough.

He shook his head regretfully. “One thing I do know is that your dad was a good man. Everyone misses him. You can’t go anywhere in town without someone mentioning Dan.”

Robyn gripped the door handle, trying to move past the sadness pressing against her chest. It was time for her to think about logistics, rather than dwell on her feelings. “Do you mind if I ask how you’re getting paid? I suppose that’s something I’ll need to take care of now that I’m here.”

He hesitated. “Don’t worry. It’s being handled.”

That was all Robyn needed to know—about that topic, anyway. She still had questions, myriad questions. Like what Caleb knew that he wasn’t saying. Or why her dad willed the run-down cabins to her after a twelve-year estrangement. But most of all she was desperate to know if he’d forgiven her or simply done what he felt was his duty.

Questions she’d likely never have answers to, no matter how hard she searched and prayed.

* * *

The drive to town was pure torture.

Rather than ride in silence, Robyn asked Caleb about himself. He tried to be vague, but she was impossible to ignore, especially with a scent that reminded him of an ocean breeze wafting off her. Even worse, her eyes sparkled with a quiet hope whenever she mentioned Dan. Caleb imagined Robyn was highly likable when she wasn’t walking through a tragedy, which reminded him that being her friend was one hundred percent out of the question.

“I hear Ginger’s the best Realtor in town.” He parked his truck curbside and let it idle.

Robyn peered out the window at the sign on the door. “Ginger Hanson?”

“You know her?” He shifted in his seat, wondering who else Robyn knew. Who else had the potential to rip the cover right off him? Not that he enjoyed withholding the entire truth from Robyn but he had his own issues to deal with before purposely heaping more sorrow on a woman he’d just met.

“I spent a few weeks every summer with my dad when I was a kid.” Robyn turned to him, a full smile illuminating her features. “Ginger and I were together every day at Lakeside Cabins, checking in guests and cleaning rooms. We lost touch after I stopped coming.” Her gaze shifted to her sandaled feet. “I didn’t see her at Dad’s services.”

Caleb tightened his grip on the steering wheel at the mention of Dan’s funeral. In order not to upset half the town, he’d opted not to go. “I can pick you up when I’m finished at the hardware store.”

“It looks like Ginger’s office hasn’t opened yet. We can come back later.”

There she went with we again. The word sent prickles down his back. He had to figure out a way to tell her who he was. He’d prefer waiting until after the cabins were in salable condition so she wouldn’t force him to leave before the job was done, but Robyn’s insistence on working with him would make that next to impossible.

Against his better judgment, he let her tag along.

Joe’s Home and Hardware was already alive with activity. For decades, it’d been a meeting spot for contractors, do-it-yourselfers and retirees. Despite Caleb’s work hours on the police force, he made it a point to stop by on occasion, if for no other reason than to get a beat on the town.

Caleb whipped a cap out of the glove compartment and pulled it low over his eyes before entering the store. If he made it out with paint and his lumber order without someone giving him away, he’d consider it mission accomplished.

Cold stares and whispers greeted him inside, and people turned their backs when he walked by. Dan Dawson had been part of the daily gathering at the hardware store, and no doubt his buddies missed him.

“Why don’t you pick out the paint, and I’ll head back to get the lumber.” Caleb broke away from Robyn before she had a chance to protest.

He inhaled the comforting smell of sawdust. He’d spent his college summers on various job sites back when he thought he wanted to be a contractor instead of a cop. Though he’d eventually chosen a different path, he was thankful to have the skills he needed now to do repair work at Lakeside.

“’Morning, Caleb.” Old Joe, the store’s owner, eyed him.

“I came to pick up my order.” Caleb pulled the receipt from his pocket and handed it over the counter. His eyes darted around the store, searching for Robyn. He didn’t want to imagine the scene if she wandered back and one of the regulars asked why she was there with Caleb Sloane.

Joe’s arthritic fingers riffled through papers in a file bin. The small store hadn’t quite caught up to the computer age. “Here it is. I’ll have one of the guys load it for you.”

“I’m parked out front.” Caleb tucked the receipt inside his wallet, his eyes making another sweep of the store. No sign of Robyn. The tension in his gut ratcheted up another notch. A few more minutes and they’d be out of there.

Joe’s stare closed in on Caleb, years of history passing between them in seconds. “Still working out at Dan’s?”

“Doing my best.”

“Just not the same around here without Dan. He always had time for a cup of coffee and a story or two. He was a good ol’ boy.” Joe leaned away from the counter, his comment stabbing Caleb in the gut. “I don’t suppose your best really makes up for it.”

With nothing left to say, Caleb headed for the paint department.

Robyn shuffled through paint chips like a hand of cards. “I like lighter colors, but it might stand out too much in the forest.” She locked into his gaze, causing his heart to react in ways it had no right to. “Maybe we should stick with brown. What do you think?”

“I was going to keep it the same color Dan chose, but it’s up to you.” He snuck a glance around the area for workers or customers who might know who Robyn was. So far, everyone but Old Joe seemed content to ignore him. “Why don’t you choose, and I’ll finish up in here.”

“We’ll stick with dark brown then.” She stashed the fan of paint chips on the display. “I probably shouldn’t worry over the details so much. It’s just that I really want to get this right. It’s not all about selling and the money. As much as I hate to admit it, this is my last chance to do something for him.”

Mine, too. Caleb steeled his emotions, blocking out every runaway memory that threatened to surface. He held out his keys. “Go ahead and wait in the truck. I’ll pay.”

“I thought that was my responsibility.” She narrowed her eyes, as though not quite believing his motives were pure.

“I told you that it’s all been handled.” He jingled the keys in front of her, briefly wondering if he was doing the wise thing by using his own savings. He wanted to do right by Dan, who’d obviously fallen on hard times before his death, but it wasn’t like his bank account was anything to brag on. “I’ll be right out.”

Robyn stuffed her hands into her pockets, the corners of her mouth tilting in what would be a teasing gesture under any other circumstances. “Are you giving me the brush-off? I have to warn you—” she leaned in close “—I’m not that easy to get rid of.”

His heart skidded. The fact that she wasn’t going to be easy to get rid of—and that her shimmering eyes and easygoing confidence were already wearing down his protective wall—was precisely the problem.