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

Chapter Three

Robyn spent the better part of the next morning trying not to notice Caleb, who was clad in a fitted white T-shirt and baggy jeans. As he fixed the leak under the kitchen sink, he finally appeared to relax and carry his end of the conversation, though he still seemed reluctant to venture beyond talk about plumbing and floorboards. She wondered if Brad and Abby had gotten to him with negative comments about her before she arrived.

Since she hadn’t found Ginger Hanson the day before, she headed into town while Caleb sawed wood for the porch. She made a mental note to swing by the grocery store since she’d had to skimp by on stale crackers and tuna she’d found in a cupboard. At least Brad and Abby had left something.

Seeing Ginger for the first time brought back a rush of memories, as did the windy stroll through the town square where the women stopped at a coffee cart.

Iced mochas in hand, Ginger launched into the conversation as though not even a year had passed, much less a decade. “The news about your dad was a shock. I didn’t find out until I got back from vacation. I was hoping to see you, but I figured you’d be gone by the time I got back.” She gently laid her hand on Robyn’s arm.

“It looks like I’ll be stuck here for a while.” As they walked, Robyn sipped her mocha and soaked in the sights of the lazy, secluded town. The Tasty Pastry, the ice cream parlor and the pizza joint hadn’t changed a bit. Across the road sat a new bookstore and a youth center to complete the town square. Several people milled about the courthouse lawn, despite the storm looming overhead. She’d forgotten how quickly the weather changed during monsoon season.

“Stuck? How so?” Ginger’s jet-black hair fluttered in the wind.

“Believe it or not, Dad left the cabins to me, and they’re in pretty bad shape. I was surprised to be named in the will. I figured everything would go to Brad and Abby since I haven’t seen or heard from any of them in over a decade. Actually, I think they were more surprised than I was.” Robyn hadn’t a clue why her father had picked her over the children he’d raised at Lakeside with his wife. As a real family. She refused to dwell on the past or the fact she’d faced some of the hardest years of her life without a father and with the constant reminder she was the product of an illegitimate relationship.

Ginger’s gaze penetrated Robyn’s thoughts. “He was your father, too. Of course he’d leave you something.”

“Still surprising. Anyway, I was sad to see how they’d been let go. I remember Lakeside being alive with guests, but now it’s like a ghost town.” Robyn veered down a path that bisected the courthouse lawn. “When I saw Abby and Brad at the service, they treated me like an outcast. I thought maybe we’d all grown up enough to be civil. But I was wrong. Really wrong.” She missed the secrets and fun they’d shared growing up. While she hadn’t expected to pick up where they left off, she also hadn’t anticipated the cold indifference. How would she even begin to restore their relationship? It was a long shot, but she had to try. She didn’t want to go through her entire life without her family.

Ginger sat on an empty bench at the edge of the town square. “They never did change. I mean, they have to be pushing thirty years old.”

“I think Brad just turned twenty-six.”

“Still, they act like kids. Spoiled—both of them. No loss for Pine Hollow when they moved to Phoenix. Your dad was always the nicest man, but those two took after their mom. They seemed to get even worse after Marilyn died.”

Dad had married Marilyn Bell, the hometown sweetheart, who’d hounded Robyn for the smallest mistakes. Treating her like an outsider in her father’s home, even though she was there before Marilyn. Robyn squirmed. “I thought they were the perfect family, that they didn’t need me or even have room for me in their lives.”

“His wife may not have come to terms with him having a daughter from a previous relationship, but that’s not your fault. I’m sure Dan never felt like there was no room for you in the family.”

Robyn settled herself on the bench and tried to block out the memories that said otherwise. “I’m sorry I didn’t call. Once my mother told me that I wasn’t welcome to come back, I did my best to forget all about Pine Hollow.” She spoke past the knot forming in her throat, remembering the Lord’s promise to be a father to the fatherless. “That should never have included you. After I left, Mom and I spent years drifting from one beach to the next, and I never really felt settled.”

“As much as I like the beach, I can’t imagine what it must’ve been like not to have a place to call home.” Ginger’s mouth slid into an easy grin. “But as for our friendship, thank the Lord for new beginnings.”

“I’m glad I found you.” She was thankful for another chance with her childhood friend.

Ginger held up her phone. “Once I have your number, you won’t be able to get rid of me. Now, am I right in guessing you’d like me to sell the property? It’s going to take a while for the estate to settle. I can look at it anytime, but we won’t be able to list it yet. You’ll have to get an appraisal and whatnot first, but it’ll give us more time together—at least once I get back from a conference I have to attend in Phoenix next week.”

“I took an indefinite leave from my job, so I’m staying until it’s sold.” Even though a few nights spent in her father’s home had left her more disquieted than ever, especially since she hadn’t found any clues about her dad’s feelings for her.

“Have you already found a contractor? I know a few people.”

“The lawyer hired someone, but I don’t think he’s a contractor. More like a handyman.” Robyn’s pulse jumped as she remembered the scent of Caleb’s cologne and the way he held the doors open for her every time they entered one of the cabins. He was a refreshing change from her surfer buddies who’d never heard the word chivalry. She chucked her cup into the trash can next to the bench.

“Hopefully it takes months to fix up the cabins.” Ginger grinned. “I want to keep you here as long as possible.”

“That’d be nice, but sooner or later I’ll have to get back to work—back to something close to normal, whatever that is.” She waved to Mrs. Jones, who stood at the door of the bakery.

“I don’t believe my eyes. Is that Robyn Warner?” Mrs. Jones called out. “You make sure to stop in and see me.”

Her heart warmed, remembering the lazy afternoons she and Ginger had shared with chocolate on their cheeks, shirts caked in powder from the donuts. “You bet I will.”

A few moments passed. Ginger shifted awkwardly on the bench until she finally spoke. “I felt awful when I heard about your dad. This town isn’t the same without him.” She clutched her chest. “The whole situation is unbelievable. And the fact that the kid who did it walked away with minor injuries... I’m just glad the case will be a slam dunk.”

Robyn’s chest pounded in time with a low rumble of thunder. “It’s hard to think about it. I keep imagining the worst.”

“I won’t pretend I understand what you’re going through, but try to remember that your dad’s at peace now.” Ginger patted Robyn’s hand again, and shook her head slowly. “But I still can’t believe they didn’t fire the cop.”

“Cop?” She sat straighter and searched her memory for any mention of a police officer. “What am I missing? What are you talking about?”

“The cop who was involved.” Ginger pulled an umbrella out of her leather tote. “I don’t know the details, but the whole town is in an uproar. I’ve never seen people take sides like this.”

Robyn swiped away the first drops of rain that fell like pinpricks from the sky. “Back up a second. I thought a teenage driver hit my dad. No one mentioned an officer.”

Ginger’s eyes rounded, and she opened her umbrella with a snap. “Oh, no. Maybe— I don’t want to be the one to say. And of course, all my information is secondhand. Like I said, I was out of town when it happened.”

“Please, tell me what you know.” She fingered the cross on her necklace. Maybe it was better not to hear the details.

“It was a chase. From what I heard, the kid ran a stoplight, and a cop tried to pull him over. When the car refused to stop, the cop followed him through town, rather than letting him go. The kid was trying to outrun the police when he swerved and—” Ginger winced “—people are saying the officer violated a no-pursuit policy the department has.”

Robyn’s stomach clamped. Her mouth dried, and her erratic heartbeat drowned out the thunder. She licked her lips, taking a moment to order her thoughts. “Do you mean to tell me the whole thing was preventable?”

Ginger’s eyes filled with sorrow. “Some people think it was and that the kid wouldn’t have spun out of control if he wasn’t being chased.”

“Tell me what else you’ve heard.” Robyn grasped Ginger’s arm.

“I guess the officer is on suspension.”

“Someone has to hold him accountable. You’re sure he wasn’t fired?”

“I’m sure he will be. Or...I don’t know. I’ve been out of town so much I haven’t heard the details.”

Robyn stood and slung her purse over her shoulder, ignoring the fat drops of rain that pelted her skin. “It looks like I have a few questions that need to be answered. Whatever it takes, I’m going to get to the bottom of this.”

* * *

Spending time with Robyn had been worse than Caleb imagined. Way worse. More than once he’d found himself smiling and engaging in conversation before he remembered why he couldn’t. His relief was palpable when she left for town—until Phil showed up and tried to take him to lunch.

“I have to finish cutting these boards before it rains. I don’t have time to stop.” He glanced toward a cabin, remembering Robyn’s contagious grin when they’d walked the grounds.

“Since you’re working like a madman, I assume you told her.”

Caleb remained silent.

“Wait, you mean you haven’t said anything yet?” Phil’s question hit like a sucker punch.

“I’m trying to keep to myself.” He was failing miserably, but trying. He focused on a squirrel scampering up a nearby pine tree.

“Just get it out in the open. I’m telling you, if it wasn’t for—you know—I think you would hit it off. She’s cute.”

Cute was an understatement Caleb wasn’t willing to acknowledge. “That was a low blow.” He slid his protective goggles over his eyes and powered up the circular saw.

“Sorry. I wasn’t thinking.” Phil’s voice cut over the grating whine of the blade.

Caleb powered down. “I don’t want to talk about her—or any of this. Everything was fine when I was here alone, but this is getting ridiculous.”

“So stop.”

It sounded simple enough, but he had a promise to keep. A little hammering and painting was the least he could do, and he wasn’t about to give it up, though it didn’t minimize the stress of dealing with Dan’s daughter. If the situation were different, he might actually enjoy her company and the seemingly endless stream of friendly conversation. The interest sparkling in her eyes that he knew he had no right to return. The more time they spent together, the tighter he had to guard himself—at least until he devised a way to reveal the truth.

Phil pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “Forget all this for a while. Let’s grab some lunch.”

“You should’ve called first.”

“I tried. You didn’t answer.”

“Leave a message.”

“I’ve left three. Look, man, you can’t hide out forever. People don’t hate you if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“I never said that, but let’s be honest. People in town are getting pretty ugly.” Caleb fixed his eyes on the pile of lumber at his feet. “Now if you don’t mind, I have a porch to rebuild. I have to keep busy until the review board hearing. You have no idea what it’s like to have your job and your reputation hanging in the balance.” It was a crushing weight that never left him room to breathe or the freedom to rest. The review board’s recommendation to the chief would determine his future.

“Working yourself to death isn’t going to make time speed up. Maybe what you need is to forgive yourself.” Phil checked his cell phone. “There’s still time to grab a bite to eat before my next appointment. Come on. It’ll do you good, and it wouldn’t hurt your cause to be seen out and about. Let people see that you have nothing to hide.”

“I don’t have anything to hide. And I don’t want to keep my job based on PR moves that came from my lawyer friend.” Caleb removed the goggles from his head. He worked the elastic with nervous fingers. “My career means everything to me. I have to keep it based on merit, based on the review board’s belief I did the right thing. Any other reason isn’t good enough.” Not for him and not for his father’s memory.

“It’s all about perception.” Phil gestured with his hands. “Face it, doing work out here makes you look bad. Like you believe you were wrong.”

“I don’t care what it looks like. I’m here because I promised Dan I’d do everything in my power to help. I couldn’t do it at the scene—” he choked down the familiar knot in his throat “—so I’m doing it here.”

Phil leaned against the sawhorse Caleb set up in the clearing between the cabins. “I’m telling you what the perception is. It’s important that you know. Now come to town with me.”

“Lunch won’t solve anything.” It wouldn’t help him forget his career was in jeopardy. Or forget Robyn’s hopeful smile when she offered him coffee—the only thing she’d found in the cupboard. No, stopping long enough to eat was a bad idea.

“Will I at least see you at church this week?”

A vise gripped Caleb’s stomach. For the past few Sundays, he’d done his best to keep a comfortable distance from the church—and Dan’s friends inside of it. “Maybe.”

“Hang in there.” Phil clapped Caleb on the back.

The silence after Phil drove away was short-lived. Robyn’s rental car swerved into the dirt lot, kicking up a dust cloud. She barreled out and slammed the door.

Caleb searched her face for what had caused this uncharacteristic level of emotion. “You’re back early. Need help bringing in the groceries?”

Robyn stopped short of the table, arms folded. “It’s unbelievable.”

“What’s wrong?” His instinct was to offer her a shoulder and tell her everything would work out. Instead, he stayed rooted behind the sawhorse and hoped his expression didn’t betray his worry over what she may have discovered in town. “Didn’t you find Ginger?”

“I’m not upset over Ginger, and I never made it to the store.” Robyn’s words were pinched, her eyes fiery. “She told me more about my father’s accident.”

Adrenaline slammed through his veins. He’d known this moment was coming, but there was nothing he could’ve done to prepare. He shot up a silent prayer and wheeled in a large breath. “There’s always more to the story.”

“You’d better believe there is.” Robyn fisted her hand on her hip, and a gust of wind stirred her hair. She swept the strands away from her reddening cheeks. “Evidently, the whole situation was preventable.”

He swallowed, then nodded for her to continue.

“I was under the impression that a teenage driver hit my dad on the side of the road and that was it.” She covered her mouth and took several moments to collect herself. “But Ginger told me that a police officer was chasing him. That despite the station’s policy, the cop pursued. He endangered the public, and look what happened.”

Caleb stood tall despite the dread that pummeled him. It was time to take the consequences and trust the Lord to handle the outcome. There was no fear in truth, of that he was convinced. So why did his conscience burn with every word from Robyn’s mouth?

“As it turns out, the cop hasn’t even been fired. If it wasn’t for this officer’s bad judgment, my dad would still be alive.”

His heart wrung with a bitter mixture of guilt and relief. Obviously no one had told her who he was, but it was only a matter of time—time that would run out quickly in a town the size of Pine Hollow. An apology hummed in his chest, trying to pressure its way out. He resisted, unsure he could live with the confession. Certain he would implode without it.

“I don’t know why this had to happen. It probably sounds ludicrous, but I planned on making things right with my dad one day. Now I never can.” Robyn’s face turned to stone. “But I intend to find out who did this, who ruined our lives. And believe me—he will pay.” She brushed away a lone tear, her mouth drawn tight.

Caleb stood, dread pressing against his rib cage like an anvil. He wiped the sweat beading on his forehead and waited for his nerves to calm. How could he ever admit to Robyn that the person she was looking for, the one who destroyed her chance to reconcile with her father, was him?