TEXAS ROADS (A Miller's Creek Novel Book 1) (12 page)

After disentangling her feet from the blanket, she tiptoed to the nurse. “Is she doing okay?”

“It’s too soon to say, but her vitals look good. The doctor gave orders to reduce the morphine, so today she’ll be more alert.” The nurse smiled and wrote something on a chart.

Dani gazed at her aunt, and a surge of protectiveness blazed to life. It didn’t matter what anyone else said or thought. She would move to Miller’s Creek to care for Mama Beth and start her new life. It was her decision, and she didn’t need anyone else’s permission. A soft snore from Steve caught her attention and weakened her resolve. But how could she keep her heart protected?

The nurse turned toward the door. “The doctor will be in later. The cafeteria’s serving breakfast if you and your husband are hungry.”

“Oh, but he’s...” It was too late to explain.

The door clicked behind the nurse and Steve roused to a sitting position. “I was just resting my eyes.”

She crossed her arms and sent him a pseudo stern look. “Mm-hmm. Some watchdog you are.”

His blurry-eyed boyish grin accelerated her pulse to race car speed. “Sorry, didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

“No problem.”

Steve unfolded himself from the chair and moved closer to Mama Beth. The tender light displayed on his face shot a searing ache through her chest. He lifted his gaze. “Did you sleep well?”

His husky murmur and stubble-covered jaw reduced her insides to mush, and she quickly shifted her attention to the floor. She needed breakfast. Now.

Within a few minutes they entered the cafeteria on a mission to find coffee. The shared breakfast turned out to be both enjoyable and rejuvenating, with better-than-average cafeteria fare, and stimulating conversation punctuated with frequent laughter. On the walk back to the room, a realization dawned. She felt so at home in his presence, and the friendship developing between them felt...right.

He held open the door to Mama Beth's room. "After you, sweet lady."

She returned his grin then immediately stiffened at the sight of her mother, garbed in an Armani suit and perched in the chair next to Mama Beth’s bed. No doubt Mother’s attire was intended not only to impress, but to overpower. She stepped over to her mother and bent low to give her a hug. “Thanks for coming.”

Her mother’s face was a wooden mask.

“Steve, I’d like you to meet my mother, Cecille Hampton. Mother, this is Steve Miller.”

He leaned forward and offered his hand. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”

“And you.” Mother’s face assumed a curious demeanor. “You must be Bo Miller’s son. You look very much like him.”

“Yes ma’am.”

She swiveled toward Dani. “How is Beth?”

“The surgery went well, but that’s all we know at this point. The doctor will be in later.”

Mother’s gaze traveled to Mama Beth’s face. Dani longed to crawl inside her mother’s brain, to know what she was thinking, to figure out a way to mend the fracture between them. An uncomfortable tension pervaded the room like steam in a heated kettle. Finally Mother stood and broke the silence. “Well, I’ll go now. I just wanted to stop by to see how you were.” Mother gave a pointed stare.

She’d stopped to see her, not Mama Beth. Dani lowered her head, humiliated by her mother’s indifference and unconcern.

With a rustle of silk, Mother glided to the door then turned. “Danielle, may I speak with you privately before I go?”

More of a command than a question. “Of course. Excuse us, Steve.”

They stepped into the hallway, the cloying scent of her mother’s perfume trailing behind and mixing with the antiseptic smells of the hospital. “I apologize for my behavior the last time we were together.” Her voice was cold and void of emotion. “I was distressed and responded accordingly. Please forgive me.”

Her apology pealed like a broken bell. “It’s okay. Sorry if I upset you. It wasn’t my intention.”

Mother reached into her purse and produced the car keys while she spoke. “I’ve made my wishes concerning Beth and Miller’s Creek perfectly clear, Danielle. I understand your concern for her during this time, but once this is over I fully expect you to consider my position.”

Dani chewed the inside of her cheek, dreading what would come next. Life was about to become even more unpleasant.

“Well?” Her mother’s lips pinched together.

She straightened her spine. “I’m moving to Miller’s Creek.”

White-hot anger crawled into Mother’s eyes, and her face paled.

“I’m sorry, but she has no one else.”

“May I remind you that I don’t either? What about your job?” The venomous words erupted from her mouth.

“I’ll make one last visit to my students, but I’m taking a leave of absence for the rest of the year.”

“I see.” Her eyes diminished to pencil-thin lines. “Well, you’ve made your decision. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” She pivoted and stormed away.

Dani fisted her hands, her stomach churning. Why did this have to be so difficult? “Mother, let’s talk through this.” Her voice reverberated in the empty hallway. “Please don’t leave angry.”

The only response was the furious click of her mother’s designer heels against the tile floor.

Chapter Thirteen

D
ani stared in the mirror at the bubblegum-popping hairdresser behind her and inhaled the combined odors of nail polish, hair spray, and permanent solution. Something told her this wasn’t going to be the pampering session she’d envisioned.

“So tell me, hon, what kinda look ya goin’ for?” Jolene Briscoe, sporting a rhinestone-studded hair clamp and a pronounced country drawl, lifted curly strands of Dani’s blond hair and let them fall to her shoulders.

“Um, look?”

“Yeah, I could give ya some really swanky layers and put a streak-a black down one side. It’s the latest fad.” She blustered out the words as if Dani were across the room, blew a big bubble, and let it pop. Then she sucked in the pieces between her dark maroon lips and started smacking again.

“A-actually, I just need the ends trimmed up a little.” She raised a trembling thumb and index finger to show how little.

Jolene clicked her scissors by Dani’s left ear and looked disgruntled. “Well, what’s the fun in that?”

Maybe she should have settled for a walk as a way to get out of the house. Had Mama Beth not commented on how long her hair was getting, she probably wouldn’t be here now.

The hairdresser huffed out her disappointment. “Okay. Let’s move ya to the sink.”

Not knowing what to say, she nodded and followed her to the back. Once in the vinyl recliner, Jolene slapped a towel around her neck and lowered the chair without warning, leaving Dani in a prone position staring at the longest, mascara-clumped eyelashes she’d ever seen. The woman launched into an incessant monologue while she shampooed her hair, the water scalding hot. Each time she came up for a breath, Dani attempted to speak, but Jolene barreled right back into her monologue again. All she could do was chomp down on her bottom lip and make a concentrated effort not to scream out in pain.

Ten minutes later, she found herself once more in front of the mirror, this time with Jolene snipping away while she continued to chatter. “So, I hear you’re from Dallas?”

“Yes.”

“Married?”

Why did everyone always want to know her marital status? “Not anymore.”

The hairdresser patted her shoulder. “Me either, hon. My first husband was as lazy as the summer days are long. Husband number two was mighty fine to look at, but I don’t think that man had a brain in his head. Husbands three and four both had rovin’ eyes, if ya know what I mean.” She reloaded her lungs without missing a beat. “Now I got my eye on a rugged cowboy that knows how to treat a lady right.”

Dani eyed the growing pile of hair on the floor with dismay. “Um, that’s nice.”

“Can you guess who?” Jolene stopped snipping and rested her fist on Dani’s head, the scissors still open. The hairdresser’s eyes rounded with anticipation, and she hoisted her penciled-in eyebrows. “It’s someone ya know.”

“I’ve been inside taking care of Mama Beth. I don’t get out much.”

Jolene glowered when she didn’t wager a guess and gave her a stinging slap on the back. “Oh, ya silly goose, it’s the mayor.”

“Steve?”

The hairdresser let out a blustery laugh. “Yep. Don’t cha think he’s handsome? Now I know he’s always a-stoppin’ by Mama Beth’s, so ya put in a good word for me, hear? And let me know if someone tries to steal ‘im away.” She placed her heavily made-up face next to Dani’s, the scissors resting on the opposite shoulder, uncomfortably close to her left ear. “I don’t take kindly to ’nother woman hoofing it in my territory if ya know what I mean.”

Her hair chopped way too short, Dani gulped and jotted a mental note to steer clear of Steve. And Jolene Briscoe’s scissors.

* * *

“For goodness sake, why’d you let her cut your hair so short?” Mama Beth eyed her now shoulder-length hair.

“’Cause I couldn’t get a word in with a pry bar. I’m just glad I still have my ears.” Dani grimaced remembering the scene, then turned her attention back to her aunt, who wore an amused smirk. “Are you sure you feel up to the town hall meeting?” She studied Mama Beth. Every day showed marked improvement, but she still tired easily as a result of the radiation treatments.

“I’m going even if I have to drive myself!” Her aunt’s sharpened voice and bulldog jaw left no room for rebuttal.

Dani skewed her lips to one side. They were both testy. Three weeks of constant contact in a confined space would have the same effect on Santa Claus and Mother Teresa. She released a slow breath and gathered the supper dishes from the table, the smell of burnt mac and cheese lingering. No wonder Mama Beth hadn’t eaten much and Steve had stopped showing up for meals.

“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to sound so cross.” Her aunt’s voice quivered and tears pooled in her eyes.

After depositing the dishes in the sink, Dani returned to the table. “Hey, it’s okay.” She knelt beside her aunt and placed a hand on her shoulder to offer comfort. “I know you’re ready to get out of the house.”

Mama Beth nodded and blinked back more tears. “I feel like I could scratch someone’s eyes out. Please don’t think I’m always like this.”

She patted her aunt’s trembling hand. “I don’t. This is all because of what you’re going through, first the tumor and surgery, now the recovery and radiation. You’ve been through a lot, so take it easy on yourself.” Everything would be a lot less stressful if Steve weren’t so pigheaded. No amount of pleading could change his mind. He refused to budge from his insistence that Mama Beth stay home and rest.

“This could’ve been so much worse.” Mama Beth choked back more tears. “But I didn’t expect it to be so hard emotionally. I think getting out of the house will do us both good, don’t you?” Her voice lowered to a mournful plea.

Dani took in her aunt’s hopeful expression. Steve would be beyond livid if she went against his wishes, but if he could see Mama Beth on the verge of tears surely he’d soften and give in.

“You’re such a sweetheart to put up with me.” Her aunt reached for a hug. “I want you to know how much I appreciate all you’ve done.”

She returned her aunt’s embrace and offered a reassuring smile. “Let me take care of these supper dishes, and then we’ll see how you’re feeling.”

As she rinsed the plates and put them in the dishwasher, her thoughts returned to Steve. How many times had they quarreled over what was best for Mama Beth? More than she could count. A tired sigh escaped. The week at the hospital had cemented their friendship, but he’d changed—and not for the better—once they’d come home to Miller’s Creek.

Scenes and conversations from the last three weeks jumbled in her mind as she tried to decipher his behavior. She’d often glanced up to find him watching her, an unreadable expression on his face. Sometimes he was talkative and friendly; other times he seemed distant and withdrawn, almost as if he resented her presence. The queasy feeling in her stomach flared and launched a slow burn through her chest.
Stop over-analyzing things, Dani. Let it go before you give yourself an ulcer.

She turned her mind to the upcoming move. A few more weeks and Mama Beth would be allowed to drive. Then what? Mother had made her feelings about the matter perfectly clear. Could she handle it if Mama Beth and Steve disapproved as well?

Dani slammed the door to the dishwasher and punched the button. The sound of spraying water joined the motor’s hum. She glanced at her aunt, whose desire to escape the confines of the house still flickered in her expression. It wouldn’t hurt to give the outing a try. If Mama Beth got tired they could always come home. Recuperation involved more than just physical rest, and her aunt needed time away. They both did.

She pushed her lips into a firm set. No matter how much she treasured Steve’s friendship, she would no longer allow him to dictate her movements.

* * *

Steve scanned the crowded gymnasium, tired but pleased at the turnout for the first town hall meeting. The rows of chairs he’d spent the afternoon setting up were almost full, and the crowd numbers provided further proof his strategy would work. He rubbed a hand across his face in an attempt to erase his fatigue. Once the townspeople approved his plan, he’d catch a few days’ rest. The four or five hours of sleep a night he’d allowed himself over the past few weeks had worn him to a frazzle. Between the proposal, town hall meeting, and wrestling with Dani over the best way to care for Mama Beth, he was beyond exhausted.

Jolene Briscoe pranced in the side door in a sparkly outfit that demanded attention. Uh-oh, the hairdresser with hooks was headed his way. She proceeded toward him, hips in full swing, so he swerved to the other side of the room to greet folks and shake their hands, only stopping long enough to talk about the weather or ask about their kids. Once he’d made the rounds, he hustled to the podium to call the meeting to order.

He opened his mouth to speak just as Mama Beth and Dani entered the back door. The blood in his veins frosted over, and his mouth clamped shut. Bringing Mama Beth out in this heat? Had Dani gone completely nuts? They’d butted heads on more than one occasion here of late, but this time she’d gone too far. And why had she cut her hair? He nailed her with a glare.

She raised her chin and slung back a defiant look before helping Mama Beth to her seat. A ripple of movement and conversation erupted as people stood to allow them to pass. Dani chattered away like a mockingbird, like she’d known these people her entire life. Couldn’t she see it was time for the meeting to start? He harrumphed loudly to get her attention. Her smile vanished, and she slumped in her chair, drilling him with a black look.

“We’re about to get started, so y’all find your seats please.” Most of the babble and moving around ceased. “Thank y’all for coming out for our town hall meeting. As you know, I’ve been working on a project to help Miller’s Creek. I’ve spent weeks researching ways to bring the town back to what it used to be. There’s no question it’s going to take money and lots of it. So after studying the options, I think our best choice is to find investors—”

“What investors?” One of the Grannies rose to her feet.

A rumble of displeasure surged through the room.

“Big-city suits.” Otis Thacker’s eyeballs bulged as he groused the words, once more cementing his reputation as the town grouch and naysayer.

Steve waited for the words that always followed, the words Otis was known for. The crotchety old man didn’t let him down. “We’ve never done it that way before, and I don’t think we need to start now.” He shook a crooked finger Steve’s direction. “We don’t want a bunch of outsiders calling the shots!”

The rumble grew louder and people shifted in their folding chairs, setting off a cacophony of noise that echoed in the large room. They turned left and right to speak to those nearby. Some even pressed their lips together, shaking their heads and sending him dark looks, obviously questioning his ability as mayor.

He pasted on a smile he didn’t feel and attempted to laugh off the comment, raising one hand in the air. “Now Otis, don’t get your dander up. They’re not going to call the shots.”

A few snickers and comments filtered in from the crowd.

Otis rotated in his chair in answer to those who laughed. “Well, I’d sure want to have a say in how things were run if it were my money.”

Steve’s blood rolled into a slow simmer. He’d put too much work into this plan to let Otis rip it to shreds. “Then what do you suggest, Otis? All the downtown buildings need major work. Unless they’re repaired, we can’t expect to attract businesses. If anyone has a better idea I’d sure like to hear it.” He forced the words through an ever-tightening jaw.

The crowd noise escalated to a roar, and several stood to congregate in the back, their arms crossed. Now what? His brain fished for ideas, but nothing took a bite. The ruckus died down and stares fixed on him.

Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Dani lean toward Mama Beth and whisper something in her ear. The older woman nodded and rose to her feet. “Some of y’all have met my niece, Dani. She just mentioned something that I think bears repeating.”

The people around them motioned for Dani to stand. She hesitated for a moment then gave in. What in the Sam Hill was she doing? He plastered on a scowl in warning, but he should’ve known better. Instead of conceding, her shoulders squared. “In my opinion, Miller’s Creek has everything it needs to rebuild.”

He let out a derisive laugh that sounded through the microphone. First an expert on how to care for Mama Beth, and now a town improvement guru?  The color rose in her face, but she didn’t back down. Steve sent her a look designed to put her in her place. “Well no offense, but you don’t live here. How could you possibly know what we need?”

Dani’s expression cooled. “You’re not giving this town or its people the credit they deserve.” On each word her voice strengthened. Like the calm before a storm, the mob ceased to move, latching on to her every word.

Steve cocked his head to one side, his frustration and fatigue giving way to mockery. “Well, this is quite a change from the opinion you expressed your first day here. Perhaps you’d like to expound on our inadequate schools and our antiquated way of life?”

Her mouth hinged open momentarily, but then her voice rose above the sudden crowd noise. “Having never visited your schools, I’m sure I couldn’t offer an opinion other than to say the kids in this town are the best-behaved and most respectful children I’ve ever met. To me that speaks highly of your schools. As for the antiquated way of life you mentioned, I’m not sure I know what you mean, unless you’re referring to your conversational skills.”