TEXAS ROADS (A Miller's Creek Novel Book 1) (25 page)

Chapter Twenty-Six

H
er skin stinging like she’d bedded down with a bunch of red ants, Dani entered the front door of Mama Beth’s house. She stared at her mother and aunt, so much alike and yet so different. Mother circled, a lion going in for the kill, while Mama Beth’s face contorted with a myriad of emotions.

Mother waltzed across the living room and gave her a light hug, flaunting practically every piece of jewelry she owned. “Darling, I’ve missed you.” In her cultured socialite voice no less. Who was she trying to impress?

“I’ve missed you, too.”
Like a toothache.

Next she gravitated toward Andy, plunging Dani’s heart rate to sub-zero. “It’s good to see you again, Andy. I must confess you’re the last person I expected to see here.”

“Hello, Cecille.” Andy seemed unperturbed by her mother’s theatrics.

Chomping on her lip, Dani glanced at Mama Beth, whose eyes held troubled confusion. Steve put an arm around her aunt’s shoulders, his expression darkening like a black thundercloud. The stormy glare he sent made her knees go limp. Now he knew the truth. But it wasn’t like she’d lied. She just hadn’t corrected his assumptions, and with good reason.

A frown crinkled Mama Beth’s forehead. “You two know each other?”

Mother had the gall to appear surprised, her eyes wide. “Well, didn’t Dani tell you? She and Andy are old college buddies.” Her saccharin voice matched her saccharin smile.

Dani went cold all over and hurried to her aunt’s side. This information could ruin the fragile trust they’d rebuilt over the past week. “I can explain, Mama Beth.”

“Mama Beth?” The cold anger on Mother’s face was enough to freeze an entire lake.

“J-just a name Steve gave me when he was younger.” Her aunt stumbled over the words and wrung her hands. “Cecille, this is Steve Miller, Bo’s son."

“We met at the hospital.” Mother stalked toward him, her expensive perfume cloying, and her glittering fingers extended, obviously very much enjoying the havoc and upheaval her presence caused.

Steve maintained a calm façade, but Dani sensed his tension. Like a guitar string about to snap. “Nice to see you again, Mrs. Hampton.”

“I can tell we’re going to be good friends, Steve.” Her mother purred the words and narrowed her eyes to tiger slits, sending Dani a knowing glance.

She shrank back, daggered by the insinuation. Her relationship with Steve was already in jeopardy. Would her mother intentionally destroy the tenuous threads of hope she’d discovered in Miller’s Creek? Did she want her back in Dallas that badly? Dani’s blood steeled, and she straightened. Well, she wouldn’t go down without a fight. “May I speak to you alone, Mother?”

“But of course, dear.” She smirked and lifted a painted-on eyebrow.

Dani stormed to the porch, her mother’s heels clicking behind her. Moving to the side yard so they wouldn’t be heard, she pivoted, her fists clenched in two tight wads. “Exactly what are you trying to prove?”

“I’m not trying to prove anything. I came to talk some sense into that addled brain of yours. This little game has gone on long enough.”

A tremor started in the pit of Dani’s stomach and sent the tinny taste of acid to her mouth. She gulped in the dry August air. “What are you referring to?”

“I know you’ve been funding renovations to Miller’s Creek, using company resources and money from the inheritance.”

“And how would you know that?”

“Howard.”

The tremor traveled to her legs. So Howard had decided to exact revenge through her mother. Or was it the other way around? “Howard should be careful before he loses his job.”

“But you can’t make that decision, can you?” A wry smile curled her mother’s blood red lips. “Your father never meant for you to have the company—Richard, yes—but not you. Why, you never even had an interest in the company until a few weeks ago.”

Words intended to hurt. They had. “What’s your point?”

“I will not stand by while you run your father’s company into the ground and spend your inheritance on this dried-up little town.” Fine cold lines developed around her mouth like cracks in a glacier.

A shiver inched up her back. There was more Mother wasn’t saying, but what? Her mind traveled to the last time she’d seen her, the disheveled lawn and absence of servants. A light bulb flickered on in her brain. She relaxed her stance, and her voice softened. “You’ve already spent the money Father left you.”

Crimson flooded her mother’s face.

So it was true. Dani shook her head with a cynical snort, then pivoted and strode toward the porch.

“We are not through discussing this.” Mother’s voice rang out behind her.

She kept walking. “Oh yes we are.”

“Would you like me to inform your new friends you’re the one financing their little fix-up?”

Like molten lava, fury bubbled to the surface. Would she be so cruel? The answer landed in her stomach like a brick. Well, one thing was about to change. She’d no longer back down. No longer stand there and take it. It was time her mother got a taste of her own medicine. Dani strode back, cheeks on fire and fingernails cutting into her palms. “That’s it! I’ve had it!”

Mother’s eyes rounded.

Dani didn’t give her a chance to speak. Instead she stalked closer, allowing the repressed anger from thirty-five years to flow from her lips. “I’m tired of you treating me like a five-year-old. I’m not your punching bag or your bragging rights. I’m a person, and I will not let you treat me this way anymore.”

The words seemed to bounce off her mother. “I know about your little foundation, though I can’t for the life of me understand why you’d want to keep it a secret.”

“Because I refuse to buy my friends like you do.” She wished the comment back in her mouth, but it was too late.

Mother’s eyes glowed, her face now inches away, her breath hot on Dani’s face. “You’d better watch your step, missy, or I’ll tell them everything I know.”

The tremor inside burgeoned into an earthquake. “And you’d better watch yours, or I’ll be out of your life so fast you won’t know what hit.” Her heart thumping like drums at a Friday night football game, Dani stomped up the steps and into the house, making her way to the kitchen. When she entered the room, Steve and Mama Beth immediately stopped talking.

A look of saddened betrayal resided on her aunt’s face. “Where’s Cecille?”

“Outside.” The sullen silence in the room made her antsy. “Where’s Andy?”

“He left.”

Dani brought both hands to her temples and closed her eyes.
Think, Dani. Crew. Howard. Shareholders. Mother.
So much to do. Where did she start?

Steve rose to his feet, the chair scraping over the wood floor. He hugged Mama Beth, planting a kiss on her curls. “I’ve got work to do, but I’ll call you later.”

He exited with no acknowledgement she even existed.

* * *

Steve strode from the pickup to City Hall, his mind in an uproar over Dani’s deceit. His blood alternately ran hot, then cold. The guilty look on her face when her mother revealed the truth about her friendship with Andy was all the proof he needed. Why had he been so foolish to fall for her lies in the first place? Mike Brady would hear about this.

Dani’s face flashed in front of him, pale, like the night of the rodeo, her eyes bluebonnet blue in a field of white when she’d asked to speak to her mother privately. One second earlier she’d been a wilted daisy, but before his eyes had morphed into a steely ball of resolve. Maybe there was more to the story he didn’t know. Once he calmed down, he’d at least offer her a chance to explain, that is if he could ever rid himself of the fiery anger which currently threatened to burn him alive.

A voice called out his name and he turned. Cecille Hampton climbed from her sports car and sashayed down the sidewalk, her smile glinting like her gaudy rings. The physical resemblance to Mama Beth was uncanny, but the comparison stopped there. He didn’t trust this she-cat for one second. On the other hand, if it helped him find answers he’d gladly play along. “Hello, Mrs. Hampton.”

The scent of her overpowering perfume bowled him over with an instant headache. “Please call me Cecille. I insist.” She lifted her gaze to the buildings. “I cannot believe all the work that’s been done here. Why, it almost looks the way it did forty years ago.” Her voice dripped honeyed hypocrisy.

“Yes ma’am. The people have worked hard.”

Her complexion turned pasty in the glare of the noon-day sun, her lips dark red in contrast. “Improvements like these don’t come cheap. How did the people ever come up with that kind of money?”

He forced a polite smile. “Donations.”

Cecille angled her head. “I’m very impressed.” She hooked an arm in his like they were best friends and pulled him down the sidewalk. “Beth told me you’re the mayor. I can tell you’re doing a marvelous job.”

Alarms clanged in his brain. Did she really think he couldn’t see through her flattery? He’d met rattlesnakes he trusted more. “Thanks. Would you like me to show you around?”

Her mouth curled in at the corners. “I’d be delighted.” They strolled down Main Street toward the park. “Now tell me, what do you think of my daughter?”

He struggled to keep his composure. Where did he begin? Imposter? Pretender? Hurting seeker? “She’s nice.” He kept his comment and tone intentionally vague.

“That’s all?” Her perfectly arched eyebrows rose.

“Should there be more?”

“Well, an available man about the same age as my available daughter...”

What game was she playing? He maintained a straight face. “I’ve been very busy with this renovation project, as I’m sure you can imagine. I don’t have time for a relationship at this point.” And even if he did, there was too much polluted water between him and Dani. The thought sobered him, and he steered the talk to the renovation instead.

They reached the corner, the blackened park and piles of debris stretching out before them, and Cecille gasped. “Beth told me about the fire, but I had no idea it was this bad.” Something akin to a smirk landed on her mouth, but quickly dissipated, like the changing colors of a chameleon. “Do they know what caused the fire?”

Her look of pseudo-innocence made Steve’s skin crawl. “It’s still under investigation.” He turned around, and they ambled back to the car with her still latched to his arm like a bad case of the hives.

“No suspects?”

“A few.”

Cecille came to a stop beside her sporty car. A strange glow flickered in her eyes, and she placed a well-manicured hand on his arm. “I want you to know Dani isn’t...” Her bottom lip quivered then disappeared behind her teeth.

Steve’s interest piqued. “Isn’t what?”

A frown lined her forehead as if what she was about to say actually bothered her. “I don’t know how to say this without sounding like I’m taking sides against my daughter. I assure you, I’m not. It’s just that...well, Dani’s not always as innocent as she appears to be.”

A knot formed in his gut. Poor Dani. What kind of mother said those kinds of things about her daughter? “What do you mean?”

“I’m sorry. I’ve probably said too much.” She seemed flustered. “I just don’t want to see her take advantage of the people in this town, especially Beth.”

A minute later, when Cecille backed the red sports car away from the curb, he still hadn’t been able to unravel her comment or the motivation behind it.

Maybe Mike Brady could.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

"W
ell, where are they? I’ve had three people here in the last ten minutes asking if their applications have been approved.”

Dani flinched at the barrage of angry words sounding through the cell phone, Andy’s implication smarting. “Sorry, I’ll look again, but I don’t think the papers are here.”

She winced at the loud click and yanked the phone from her ear. He obviously needed sleep as much as she did. As the renovation neared completion, everyone existed on caffeine, adrenalin, and precious little sleep. Keeping up with the applications was difficult enough, but factoring in the expense accounts made life sheer craziness.

Dani stuffed the cell phone in her pocket and rifled through piles of papers stacked around the room. Andy had given her the applications weeks ago, right after the rodeo, but she’d laid them aside because of other priorities. No papers meant no money. No money meant disappointed people. No, make that
angry
, disappointed people.

The headache that seemed to be her constant companion hammered out a dull thud between her eyes. If only this nightmare would end. After several minutes of searching, she plopped onto the bed and rubbed her forehead. A big part of her wanted to quit, give up, and walk away. Life would be so much easier without this hassle. Dani considered the option then shook her head. She committed to this project, and she’d see it through to the bitter end.

Then she’d return to Dallas. With everyone’s continued suspicions it was the only thing that made sense. At least Mother would be happy. She huffed a puff of air through loose lips. Fat chance. Mother’s presence had everyone on edge. Already here over a week, she showed no sign of leaving, though thankfully she spent much of her time away from the house. Unrest niggled at Dani’s brain. Mother must have a reason for sticking around so long, but whatever it was, it couldn’t be good. Maybe it was best that she remained out of the loop when it came to her mother’s plans and motives.

Her gaze traveled the cluttered room, and she wrinkled her nose at the locker-room smell, disgusted at the mess. What had happened to her once orderly and peaceful life? Then she spied a manila envelope peeking from beneath a picture frame on the dresser. The papers!

She signed them quickly, grabbed her purse and keys, and rushed downtown to deliver the papers in person. Several minutes later she stood in Andy’s office, a still-warm cup of coffee perched on his desk, but no Andy. Maybe he’d gone for a walk. As she scurried from the room, she rounded a corner and collided with Steve. The papers they both carried scuttled to the floor.

“I’m so sorry.” Dani knelt to help gather the strewn papers, his nearness wreaking havoc on her maxed-out nerves. She rapped the stack of papers against the floor and handed them to him with a tentative smile, their fingers touching.

They rose at the same time, Dani searching his face for any sign of friendship. Nothing.

“What are you doing here?” His accusing eyes mirrored his gruff tone.

“Looking for Andy. Have you seen him by any chance?”

He shook his head and stiffened, his lips thin. “No. If you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.” Steve pivoted and strode toward the mayor’s office, his boots thudding on the wooden floor.

His cold behavior undergirded the sting of her isolation, draining away her last shred of hope. Heavy-hearted, she departed City Hall with her mind on Steve. He hadn’t been to Mama Beth’s house in several weeks, at least not while she was at home. Red-hot needles pricked her eyes, the thought of what she’d lost growing more unbearable with each passing second.

The weather only reinforced and reflected her misery. In spite of a gray canopy spanning the sky, the late August day was another hundred-degree scorcher. The cloud cover spiked the humidity, her clothes clinging like plastic wrap. Coot and Otis lollygagged outside the post office in spite of the heat. As she approached, their expressions warned her away, but she set her jaw and advanced anyway. It couldn’t hurt to try. She plastered on a friendly smile. “Hi, guys.”

Otis grunted.

“Well, well, if it ain’t Miss Dani.” Coot boomed the words, but not in his once-friendly way.

She moistened her lips, her mouth drawing up as if she’d eaten an unripe persimmon. “What’s going on?”

“Not much.” Coot dug a knife from his pocket, opened it and cleaned beneath his nails. “How’s that lawyer friend of yours?”

“He’s fine, I guess. I was actually looking for him.” The sneer plastered on Otis’ face was enough to make her want to turn tail and run. “Have you seen him?”

“Walked past here a while ago headed to the creek.” Coot stuffed the knife back in his pocket and gestured in the direction of the park, leaning against the building, arms crossed. “It’ll sure be interesting to find out how that fire got started.”

“And who’s been breaking windows.” Otis glared from beneath skewed eyebrows.

Their insinuations piercing deep, she squared her shoulders. They could believe whatever they wanted. “Andy and I had nothing to do with the fire or vandalism.” Neither one spoke. They’d already assumed the worst. Pleading her case was pointless. “Please know I’d never do anything to hurt this town.” She did her best to keep her tone level, but the tremor in her words belied the hurt in her heart. Both men focused their eyes on the ground, so she pivoted and left.

As she stepped away, Otis groused, raising his words within earshot. “Even Cecille thinks they might’ve had something to do with it.”

Her stomach twisted. So that’s where Mother had spent her time. Spreading lies.

A weight crushed against Dani’s chest. She passed other people she knew, but they returned suspicious stares for her smiles. Mother’s lies had spread like cancer, and she was the tumor.

She found Andy near the creek perched on one of the new park benches, this one metal and impervious to fire. He bent from the waist, elbows on knees, head lowered. Trotting over to him, she plopped down on the bench, breathless. “There you are. I found the papers.”

“Thanks.” He didn’t look at her, but snatched the envelope she dangled in front of him.

“Sorry I misplaced them. There’s just been so much going on.”

“You’re not the only one with a hectic life, you know.” His crisp words were razor-edged.

“You’re right. Being busy is no excuse.”

The silence grew thick between them until finally Andy spoke. “Dani, I can’t do this anymore.”

Her heart plummeted to her stomach. “Can’t do what?”

“All this.” He waved the rolled-up envelope over his shoulder in the direction of downtown. “I can’t do it anymore.”

“You’re quitting?” How would she ever manage alone?

“It’s not like that. I’m not quitting. I just can’t continue to do this and keep up my practice. I’ve put other matters on hold as long as I can.” Andy faced the creek, his profile stony.

“We’re all tired and discouraged, but we’re almost finished.” She placed a hand on his arm. “We can’t let these people down.”

He yanked his arm away as if her touch burned. “Why should you care about them? Do you know what they’re saying about you? About us?”

“I’m not blind or deaf.” At one time it had mattered what they thought, but not anymore. All that mattered now was finishing what she’d started. “I take full responsibility—”

“Then tell them the truth. Tell them what you’ve done for them.” He finally faced her, his eyes blazing with desire for justice.

“And what good would that do?” She gripped the edge of the bench.

He gazed at her a second more, then rubbed his clenched mouth and turned toward the creek.

A hot tear escaped down her cheek and she whisked it away before he could see. “I’m not going to tell them anything.” She shoved away the sob that rose in her throat. “I understand your concerns, but telling them about my involvement won’t help. It might stop their suspicions, but it would create a different set of problems.” Did she have the strength to speak the words in her heart? Dani inhaled deep and released a slow, shaky breath. “I hope you choose to stay, but I understand if you can’t. I intend to finish this work with or without you.”

Andy pursed his lips and nodded. Without a second glance her way, he tucked the envelope under one arm, stuffed his hands in his pockets, and plodded away like an old man. She watched his retreating back until he reached Main Street then gave in to the tears.

* * *

Dani dragged herself to an upright position and squinted at the alarm clock. She’d forgotten to set it again.
Though still dark outside, the sun would soon be up. Her last day in Miller’s Creek. With a groan she crawled out of bed, her achy muscles protesting. Two weeks had elapsed since Andy had returned to Dallas, during which she’d used the daycare fax machine at night to take care of foundation business. She massaged the area around her eyes. Four hours of sleep per night just wasn’t enough.

She drifted to the lace curtain, lifted it to peer out the window, and noticed her mother traipsing toward the Thackers’ house. Mother hung on in Miller’s Creek like the unwelcome heat of summer, but not for much longer. Once she returned to Dallas, Mother would follow, having achieved her goal.

Dani weaved between suitcases and boxes on her way to the bathroom, and gasped at her reflection in the mirror. No makeup concealer in the world could cover those bags. After a quick shower, she lumbered downstairs, not bothering to fix her face or dry her hair. Not like it mattered. She’d become the invisible woman.

As she descended the steps her heart lightened momentarily, the sun casting a golden glow across the rustic surface of the old farmhouse table. It bounced off the glass panes of the dish cabinet where Mama Beth’s dishes lined up like toy soldiers afraid to break rank. Her aunt scurried around the kitchen banging cabinet doors, the leftover smell of bacon permeating the air.

“Morning, Mama Beth. Why the big hurry?” She grabbed a banana from the counter, peeled it and took a bite, its creamy sweetness filling her mouth.

“I thought I’d work at the daycare today.” Her aunt bustled to the sink to rinse out a sponge.

“Are you sure you feel up to it? You know I don’t mind—”

Mama Beth raised a hand. “I’m going and that’s it.”

“But I enjoy working at the daycare.”

“You have too much on your plate right now.” Her aunt’s gaze raked over her. “Just look at you. You’re not eating or sleeping.” Her eyes held hurt and concern. “What time did you get home?”

Dani pushed a breath between her lips and averted her gaze. “Four.” She yearned to tell her that she wouldn’t be a burden much longer, but how she dreaded it. How could she leave the one person in her life who loved her just because? They’d had their share of differences, the last few weeks particularly rough, but when all was said and done she knew Mama Beth loved her. Loved her like no one else in the world.

She swallowed the pain welling up in her throat and met Mama Beth’s questioning eyes. Her aunt rubbed her arms and shuddered, then trained her gaze out the window above the kitchen sink. “I wish you’d tell me what’s going on.”

Dani couldn’t answer.

Still in profile, Mama Beth continued to speak. “It’ll do me good to be around the kids. You stay home and rest.”

She had no strength or desire to argue, but even if Mama Beth assumed her daily responsibilities at the daycare, there was too much to do to sleep. Becky Morgan had cornered her at church to see if she had any old furniture to sell on consignment at Unique Antiques. Her aunt mentioned the attic, and Dani had promised to look. After Mama Beth left for the daycare, she’d check out the attic and load the car before heading downtown one last time.

Stabbing pain seared through her heart. One last time to listen as the old geezers cracked their goofy jokes, to walk the streets of the town she’d grown to love, to glimpse the accusations in Steve’s cinnamon-colored eyes.

Mama Beth’s irate voice brought her from of her thoughts. “Dani! I’ve asked you the same question three times. My goodness, but you’re tired. Do you want me to bring you a plate lunch from the daycare?”

She shook her head. “No, thanks, I’ll grab something on my own.”

“Okay, I’ll see you later.” The door slammed behind her, and she clonked down the back steps.

Dani made her way up two flights of stairs to enter the musty-smelling attic. Sunlight streamed through a small window and illuminated the dancing dust. Old furniture and family heirlooms lay scattered about, ancient relics to a time past. Her shoulders slumped at the magnitude of the task. This place was a gold mine, but going through it would take forever. Mama Beth had enough stuff to start her own antique store.

An upright dresser stood to her immediate right. Maybe Becky could use this piece. Dani ran her fingers over the hand-carved detail then opened the top drawer. A stack of old letters tied with a faded ribbon caught her eye. With a gentle tug, she untied the bundle and picked up a letter addressed to Maisie Adams in Miller’s Creek. The return address was Mona Beth Adams. In Dallas?

Yellowed and fragile, she pulled out the letter and began to read. Apparently Mama Beth had stayed with Mother and Father at the time the letter was written. She laid it aside for later. Maybe it would offer a clue about the rift between the two sisters.