A Bridge Unbroken (A Miller's Creek Novel) (9 page)

A few minutes later he reached the craftsman-style stone house. Might as well give Mama Beth a call. If he was lucky, she might just invite him over for a home-cooked meal.

He stepped in the front door just as the phone rang. Chance hurried to answer it. “Hello?”

“Well, it’s about time. I’ve been trying to reach you all afternoon.” Mama Beth’s voice scolded.

“Hey, Mama Beth. Sorry. Just got back from a jog. I was actually about to call you.”

“Whatever for?”

“To invite myself over for dinner.”

She laughed heartily. “And I’m calling to invite you to dinner.”

Now it was his turn to laugh. “Great minds think alike.”

“A lot of great minds actually.”

“Huh?”

“The whole crew is coming over—Steve and Dani, Andy and Trish, Matt and Gracie.”

A smile pulled his cheeks tight. Good. The timing of this impromptu evening with friends couldn’t be more perfect. Now he'd have the opportunity to share his thoughts and receive the loving and helpful advice his friends always provided. “I’d love to. Can’t think of a better way to spend the evening.”

“And why don’t you bring Dakota while you’re at it. I’d like to get to know her better.”

At the mention of Dakota, he sobered. “Er—that’s not really gonna work for me at the moment.”

“Oh. Okay.” There was a long silence on the other end. “Well, dinner's at six-thirty, and I think everyone else will be here around six. See you then.”

Lights shone from every window of Mama Beth’s two-story charmer when Chance arrived later that evening, very much reminding him of a family holiday gathering. He breathed in deep of the cool night air as he swung open the picket fence gate and sauntered toward the wraparound porch.

The front door stood open, and lively chatter emanated from the kitchen and dining room. Just like Mama Beth to leave the door open for him to make him feel welcome and like part of the family. He tiptoed noiselessly across the living room floors to surprise them. Instead, their conversation brought him to a mortified halt.

“What do you mean he wouldn’t bring her?” Dani’s soft Southern drawl bespoke her genteel upbringing.

“He said something about it not working for him at the moment,” Mama Beth explained. “And for the life of me I couldn’t think of a thing to say in response.”

“I think that’s about the rudest thing I’ve ever heard.” Trish sounded indignant.

Steve’s face appeared in the doorway. “Thought I heard someone.” He smiled at Chance and held out his hand. “Good to see you, buddy. Hey, everyone, Chance is here.”

Chance pasted a grin on his face, hugged necks, and exchanged handshakes. The last person in line was Matt. Chance landed a gentle pat on his best friend's back. “Hey, Matt.”

“Hey, yourself. Doing okay?”

“Not as good as I thought. Was it my imagination or was my name being taken in vain right before I stepped into the room?”

Matt chuckled. “You'd be right on that one, but don't let it bother you.”

Easier said than done. Chance shoved his fingertips into his jean pockets to appear unbothered. “Doesn’t bother me at all.” His friends hadn’t spent as much time with Dakota and didn't know her past. If they’d been on the receiving end of her blistering tongue or taken a punch in the gut as he had, they'd be singing a different tune.

A few minutes later, Mama Beth announced time for dinner. They all held hands around the farmhouse table while Steve said the blessing. The chatter then resumed, combined with the clinking of silverware and dishes as the awesome-smelling food was passed and loaded onto plates.

“Chance, Andy tells me you and Dakota are going to be renovating the old Kelly farmhouse.” Trish pinned him to the wall with her brown-eyed gaze as she passed the French fries to Gracie.

“It’s one option.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Option?”

“I haven’t yet made the final call.”

Gracie passed the fries on to Matt, and made brief eye contact with Chance. Though she spoke not a word, the expression on her face was one of disappointment.

Matt stuffed a fry in his mouth. “It’s definitely a big decision.”

Finally someone saw his side. Good old Matt. Chance smiled his appreciation, took the bowl from his friend, and raked some of the steaming fries on his plate between the hush puppies and fried catfish. His mouth watered. “Supper looks and smells delicious, Mama Beth.”

“Thanks. Little Bo caught the fish out of the big tank at the ranch.” She lowered her head for a moment then looked directly at him, those wise blue eyes of hers lasering a hole straight through him. “Do you mind me asking why you would go against J.C.’s wishes for Levi’s farm?”

Chance eyed the bite of flaky fish on the end of his fork, then sighed and laid down his fork. “It’s not that I want to go against his wishes, Mama Beth. I’m just not convinced it’s a wise idea financially.” Or personally.

She nodded, apparently satisfied with his answer.

He breathed a sigh of relief and reached for his fork.

“So the decision for you is strictly financial?” Dani, who normally wore a cheery grin, sat ramrod straight, her gaze as direct and unrelenting as her mother’s.

Chance laid down his fork again, choosing his words carefully. The women had taken Dakota’s side in the matter simply because of her gender. “Not strictly, no.”

“If you’re worried about having the right skills, there are plenty of people in the area—”

“It’s not that at all,” inserted Chance. “Dakota and I worked for her grandfather several years ago. He taught us both a lot about the construction business.”

“Then what are the other factors?” Quiet Gracie, who normally only spoke when spoken to, delivered the comment as though he were on the witness stand under cross-examination.

Chance cleared his throat and looked to Matt for help.

His friend just stuffed a forkful of food in his mouth and shrugged with a boyish 'you’re-on-your-own' grin.

He turned his gaze back to Gracie. “I know it must be hard for y’all to understand, but you don’t know Dakota like I do.”

“I beg to differ,” said Trish. “Her sister and I were best friends during our freshman year of high school.”

“Then you know Dakota ran away from home on multiple occasions and even got into trouble with the law?” Frustration resonated from his words. He had to get his point across somehow, if the women would give him a chance.

Trish didn’t move a muscle. “So? That doesn’t necessarily reflect on who she is now. Besides, she may have had a very good reason to leave.”

Not according to what he’d been told by Dakota’s sister herself. “Maybe. Maybe not.” No way would he back down. “She’s still on the run. That’s why Levi left the farm to . Isn’t that right, Andy?”

Andy’s clouded expression revealed his displeasure at being brought into the fray. He nodded. “In a roundabout way, yes, though it was more about the fact that she wasn’t there for the reading of her grandfather’s will.”

Triumph shone from Trish’s eyes. She clearly claimed Andy’s remark as a score for her side.

“Well, I know for sure it’s why Grampa didn’t just out and out give the farm to her. I heard him say it.”

Steve leaned back in his chair, a studious look on his face. “Chance, why do you suppose J.C. didn’t just leave the farm to you?”

He considered the question. Why indeed? The answer popped into his head and out his mouth. “Because he was an interfering old man who wanted to find a woman for his only grandchild.”

The comment at least elicited smiles and laughter from the others.

The mayor of Miller’s Creek grinned. “Sounds just like him.” He looked over at the pretty blond woman he’d married. “In fact, I’m certain he was one of the biggest matchmakers involved in getting me and Dani together.” His face sobered as he peered back toward Chance. “J.C. was very wise and very kind, wouldn’t you agree?”

“The best. They don’t come any better.”

Andy and Steve exchanged glances, a sort of silent communication that set Chase on edge. Andy leaned forward. “And in my estimation, there was no better judge of character than J.C.”

Chance nodded. Very true.

“He believed in me when no one else did.” Dani’s big blue eyes misted over.

“And he loved you very much.” Mama Beth directed the comment at Chance. “I don’t remember many conversations with him where you weren’t mentioned. He was so proud of you and wanted nothing but the best for you.”

“I’m very blessed.”

In the end it was Gracie, kind and quiet and sweet, the one most like his grandfather, who circled in for the kill. “Let me get this straight. Your grandfather was kind and wise, a great judge of character, who saw potential in people and brought out their best. On top of that he loved you and wanted nothing but the best for you. Yet you’re willing to toss his dying wish aside because of your personal prejudices and greed?”

A march of angry ants stomped up his spine and onto his neck, bringing lava-hot heat with them. The room grew deathly quiet, all female eyes trained on him like hungry lionesses on the prey. All the guys at least had the decency to stare at their plates.

Chance squirmed in his seat, swallowed hard, and scratched in the vicinity of the ants.

Matt came to the rescue and pushed his chair away from the table. “Well, that was a delicious and delightful meal. Great company and semi-great conversation.”

Andy chuckled from the other side of the table and was soundly punched by his wife.

Chance puffed out his cheeks and released a breath. At least he was out of the hot seat. For the time being anyway.

Others stood and moved away from the table with their empty plates. Chance stared down at his now-cold food, his stomach growling. Not one bite had made it into his mouth. Oh well, a cold home-cooked meal was better than none. He made a move for his fork.

“Here, let me take that for you, Chance.” Trish scooped up his plate and added it to her own without even looking at him.

He didn’t dare object.

As friendly banter resumed, Chance stood made a beeline for Matt. “Thanks for saving my neck.”

His friend laughed. “Just glad it was you and not me.” Matt's smile faded, and his eyes took on a compassionate gleam. “Listen, why don’t we have lunch one day next week? I know you’re worried about working with Dakota on this house renovation thing, but you might be able to really help her. She sounds like a very troubled young woman.”

Had the words come from anyone else, Chance would’ve immediately objected, but the comment raised two questions in his mind. First, was Dakota helpable? Was there a chance she could truly change? And second, could he survive? “Sounds good to me. The only problem is my boss. Might have to be an after-work snack instead.”

Once the kitchen was cleaned, the clan began their good-byes. Even the lionesses included Chance in their farewells, and on his way out the door, Andy pulled him off to one side of the massive front porch.

“I didn’t want to say anything in front of the others, but there have been a couple of inquiries at the office about the farm.”

Chance shoved his fingers into his pockets. “Really? Anyone I know?”

“I don’t think so. One guy was really kind of creepy in a weird sort of way. I’d run a background check before doing business with him. The other inquiry was from a land mining company.”

“Land mining company?”

“Yeah, they make their money by buying up land for bottom dollar, then they mine it for landscape rock, paving materials, minerals, and oil if they find it. They also sell all the hardwoods off to the highest-bidding lumber companies. It totally destroys the land, but they make their money back with a hefty profit to boot.” Andy appeared especially interested in his response.

“And the house?”

Andy shrugged. “Dunno. Guess they’ll bulldoze it.”

Chance took in a deep breath along with the information. And just what would happen to Dakota?

Chapter Eight

D
akota slipped in the back door of Miller’s Creek Community Church, intentionally late to avoid being seen in her raggedy blue jeans and denim shirt. More than anything, she needed answers, even if she did look like a hayseed.

An usher greeted her with a friendly smile and order of service, seemingly not taken aback by her lack of traditional church dress. “Morning. Can I help you find a place to sit?” He stretched out a hand. "Steve Miller."

"No, thanks." Dakota shook his hand and took the offered slip of paper. “Nice to meet you.”

The man opened one of the large wooden doors, and Dakota stepped through. Music played while members of the congregation milled about greeting one another and handing out hugs. Dakota procured a seat about halfway down the aisle.

Several rows ahead, Chance sat with a whole row of people, including Andy Tyler and his sister-in-law, Grace. The familiar yearning for friends gripped her heart. Those kinds of friends only came from roots in one place, a luxury life had yet to offer her.

As the worship began, Dakota focused on the words on the screen and sang along. Like a desert in need of rain, her thirsty spirit soaked up the peace and comfort that rained down, and her heart cried out in silent gratitude to God. A few minutes later, the pastor stepped to the podium and gave the scripture reference for the sermon. Dakota opened her well-worn Bible, eager for the message to begin. God never failed to speak to her in some way or another, faithful to meet her needs.