Georgiana Daniels - A Daughter's Redemption

He ducked inside The Tasty Pastry, where the smell of fresh bread and coffee greeted him. The tables sat empty, and only the owner occupied the tiny shop.

“Caleb Sloane, you’ve been away too long.” Ida Jones came around the counter and smothered him with a maternal hug.

“I haven’t been away, just laying low.” He stepped back and perused the display case.

“That’s plain silly.” She grabbed a towel and wiped the counter. “I know half the town is having a conniption, but they need to get over it. You didn’t do anything wrong, and if you ask me, we’re all better off with Aaron Dirkson behind bars so he can’t hurt anyone else.” She sighed. “Like Dan. Anyway, you did what you thought was right.” She fisted her hand on her ample hip. “You know I once caught Aaron trying to set fire to the trash in the Dumpster out back? That’s the least of what he was into, from what I hear.”

And Caleb knew she’d heard plenty. “I appreciate your vote of confidence, Mrs. Jones.”

“Someone told me they’re going to let people have their say when the review board meets. I plan to give them a piece of my mind.” With a flair, she pulled her apron strings tighter. “Now when is that, again?”

A fresh wave of anxiety punched him at the mention of the hearing—and with it the possibility of losing his job. “They pushed the date back. It’ll be a month from yesterday.” Every day more nerve-racking than the one before.

It’s in Your hands, Lord.

Despite his mistake in judgment, God still had a plan. He had to keep on believing it or he’d go berserk. Yet living like he believed it proved to be another matter.

“You don’t have a thing to worry about. Maybe folks will settle down by then.”

Or get more worked up. No, he had to stop thinking that way. Keep praying. Keep believing. Keep working at Lakeside. “It’s good to know people like you still have a good opinion of me.” He glanced over his shoulder to make sure no one was on their way into the shop, then leaned on the counter. “What have you heard about Brad Dawson?”

A frown creased Mrs. Jones’s brow. “It depends. What do you want to know?”

“For starters, what he’s normally like. I had an...encounter with him.”

Mrs. Jones edged closer and lowered her voice. “You wouldn’t be the first person. I’m not one to gossip, so anything I tell you is common knowledge.”

Caleb nodded for her to continue.

“He was the sweetest little freckle-faced kid you ever saw. Dan used to bring him in all the time, along with his sister Abby. She was younger and quieter and always followed his lead. But when he became a teenager and his mom was ill, he changed—and not for the better.”

“Did he have a temper?”

Mrs. Jones kneaded a towel as she spoke. “He had the shortest fuse this side of Phoenix. Then there was the drugs and alcohol, and it’s no secret he’s got money troubles.” She shook her head. “Reminds me a lot of Aaron Dirkson.”

Reminded Caleb of what his life might have been, had a worker at the recreation center he frequented not prayed some sense into him. “So it’s safe to assume Brad is trouble.”

“Unless he’s changed. People do, you know.” She set down the towel. “The town practically breathed a sigh of relief when he moved to Phoenix. That must’ve been about the time you came to Pine Hollow. Oh, dear, I should’ve done more praying for that boy.”

“Thanks for the heads-up. I have a feeling I’ll be seeing more of him.” Caleb drew back and pointed to the glass case. “I’ll take all the chocolate donuts and croissants you’ve got.”

“You always know how to make my day.” She grinned, appearing ready to pinch his cheeks if she got the chance. The bell above the door tinkled, and she waved before turning back to Caleb. “Are you taking these to the youth center to share with the kids?”

“’Course he is. He can’t eat those. He’s got to keep an eye on his figure.” Phil clapped Caleb on the shoulder. “I was wondering what happened to you. Expected you next door ten minutes ago, but I knew where to find you.” He winked at Mrs. Jones.

“I didn’t want to come back for the first time empty-handed.” Caleb’s heart lifted at the thought of the youth center he’d started last year. Seeing how small-town life was affecting the teens of Pine Hollow and the activities they’d try to alleviate boredom, he felt compelled to take action. Securing grants for funding and a location and finding volunteers had been a monumental task. One that was well worth the effort.

“As long as you’re back, I don’t think the kids care.” Phil peeled off his glasses, fogged them and wiped the lenses.

Mrs. Jones peeked up from behind the case. “See, we all agree you should hang around more, Caleb.”

“It’s hard to stay away, but for now I’m checking in.” He buried his hands inside his pockets. “I’ve got my work cut out for me at Lakeside.” At least until Brad was no longer a threat, he came clean with Robyn and she told him to leave. Despite his fervent prayers last night, he couldn’t see any other way for the scenario to play out—and it irritated him to realize how much he wanted a different ending. It’d only been a few days, but already Robyn had burrowed into his daily routine and most of his thoughts.

And if he wasn’t mistaken, the feeling was mutual.

* * *

Caleb had stood up for her. A warm sensation filled Robyn when she remembered his protective stance, the way he’d taken charge of the situation. Would anyone else have done the same? None of the men she knew had the courage, or if they did, she hadn’t noticed. In fact, Caleb was the first man who’d turned her head in years, despite how carefully guarded he seemed.

“Are you paying attention?” Ginger nudged her.

Robyn tried to appear interested in picking out blinds, but with yesterday’s confrontation with Brad, not to mention her rapidly shrinking bank account, window coverings ranked low on her list of priorities. “There’s so much to choose from.”

Ginger peered over her shoulder as she leafed through the sample book. “I’ll bet these would look great in the front room.”

“Are you sure we have to do this?”

“Window treatments make all the difference to the look and feel of a room. And without them, the light shines straight in and highlights the problem areas. You’re the one who mentioned how bad it looked.” Ginger ran her finger down a column of measurements and checked it against the notes Robyn had made. “Besides, it’s only for the main house. The cabins can stay as they are.”

Only for the main house. Casual words for someone who actually had money to her name, but for Robyn, only the main house meant wiping out her bank account. As it was, she’d had to turn in the rental car, and the refrigerator was nearly empty. She had to make what little money there was last until she got paid again. She made a mental note to ask Phil what provisions existed for renovating.

People meandered around Joe’s Home and Hardware, chatting with one another as though they had no business but to catch up on the day’s events. Between the full mugs and fun-filled laughter, it was hard to tell if this was a hardware store or a coffee club. Had her dad been part of this group, hanging out with his friends?

“These seem to be the most reasonably priced.” Ginger tapped the page, then frowned. “Is something bothering you?”

“Brad came out to Lakeside yesterday, and we had a run-in. I can’t stop thinking about it.”

Ginger pulled up a seat, the legs of the chair screeching against the concrete floor. “What did he want?”

“He said he was missing some of Dad’s paperwork, but he wouldn’t give details.” Robyn leaned against the sample book and rubbed her forehead, though the real pain was in her heart. “I have a feeling that getting on his good side will be harder than I thought.”