Georgiana Daniels - A Daughter's Redemption

When the sun cracked the horizon, she was itching to head to town, but she knew it’d be a while before Pine Hollow woke up. Instead, she took time to pray and devour the half-eaten candy bar she’d found at the bottom of her purse. After that, she dressed and ran a brush through her hair.

Her outlook for the day buoyed, and she shuffled into her sandals and meandered down the winding path that cut through the forest toward the lake. The water had always been her favorite place to clear her head when she was a kid, feeling left out after her father married and had two more children—a family that lived with him, when she only had a few weeks during the summer.

Caleb sat at the water’s edge on a boulder, chucking pebbles. He didn’t turn, but from the hunch of his shoulders as she approached, he knew she was there.

“You’re here early.” Robyn rubbed her arms, wishing she had a better line. If she wasn’t so starved for conversation, she would’ve hightailed it back to the house. She wasn’t used to spending time alone, nor was she used to having to prod someone to talk. If Caleb didn’t open up, working together would be unbearable.

“It’s a good place to think and pray.” Caleb focused on the sparkling water, never sparing her a glance.

She smiled at the thought of Caleb being a praying man. It was a refreshing difference from the guys Robyn worked with at the beach. She hooked her thumbs through her belt loops, refusing to take the hint and leave. It was her property, after all. “You don’t talk much, do you?”

“Only when I need to.”

“All the time or just for me?” She lightened her tone and willed him to let his guard down.

“Everyone, lately.” Finally, he glanced up at her. He appeared gentle, despite his square-cut jaw and military-precise haircut. “Did you need something?”

A friend—not that she’d ever admit it out loud to someone she’d just met. Her throat constricted as she shook her head.

Caleb tossed the rest of the pebbles to the ground and stood. Slowly, he advanced. “If you need something, you can ask.” Behind his shades, it was hard to tell what he was thinking. He stood close—too close—and the smell of his crisp aftershave made her lose track of her thoughts.

She risked a smile. “I’m just trying to figure out where to start. It’s hard to come back after all these years and sort through—” she motioned toward the cabins, unsure exactly what she was sorting through besides her tangled emotions “—things.”

“Doesn’t sound like anything I can help with, so while you sort through ‘things,’ I need to head back to town.” Caleb started up the path. “I’ll be back later.”

“Didn’t you just come from town?”

“The hardware store called. My lumber order is in, plus I need more paint.”

She hurried up the path after him. “Shouldn’t painting be last on the list? Let’s walk the property and decide what else needs to be done.”

“Make your list, and I’ll look it over.” His stride widened.

“I don’t know how you’re getting paid, but I’m sure it’s safe to assume you won’t be working indefinitely so we might as well focus on the big stuff, like the floorboards on the porch and replacing the window on cabin one.”

Caleb halted. He opened his mouth but seemed to think better of saying what was on his mind. “The lumber I ordered is for the porch. We can talk about what you’d like done when I get back.”

“I want to come with you.” Robyn lifted her chin.

“Like you said, there’s a lot to do. Maybe you should concentrate on making a list for me.” A line formed between his eyebrows, as though he was trying to read her.

“As long as you’re going to town, I’m coming, too. I have a vested interest in picking out colors and whatnot. Besides, I have my own list to deal with.”

Caleb’s morning whiskers rasped like sandpaper when he rubbed them. “All you have to do is tell me what you want and I’ll pick it up while I’m there.”

“Can you pick up a Realtor?” She challenged him with a raised eyebrow.

His mouth tightened. “Fine, you can come. But I doubt anyone is open.”

“They will be soon enough.” She walked quickly and prayed for him to soften. “When we get back, we can do a walk-through. There’s a leak under the kitchen sink, and the porcelain in the tub is cracked. I think we can get most of the repairs knocked out in a few weeks.”

“We?” Caleb’s tone took on a gruff edge. He stopped and faced her.

She smiled broadly. “I thought I mentioned that yesterday. The job will get done much faster if we work together.”

“No offense, but I tend to work better alone.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and blew out a long, exasperated breath.

“We don’t have to stand side by side.” She tossed a casual glance toward the cabins. “There’s plenty to keep us both busy. It seems like the whole property has been neglected for a while.” She bit back further comment, not wanting to offend Caleb over the job he’d done—or not done—so far. “How’d you come to work out here anyway?”

“Long story.” He took off up the hill.

She quickened her steps to keep up. “I’m curious.”

“You know what they say about curiosity.”

“If you don’t want to talk about you, then maybe you can tell me more about my dad. Since you worked for him, you probably know more about him than you think. It’s been a long time since I saw him. Of course, you probably knew that.” She hoped he’d tell her more without her having to spell out every detail of their estrangement.

“I wouldn’t assume too much if I were you.” His lips held the barest trace of a smile, or perhaps it was more akin to a frown. Either way, he lost the gritty expression he’d clung to from the moment she’d introduced herself.

“I guess I’d just like to know what my dad said about me.” If anything. Robyn was nearly out of breath when they emerged from the pine trees into the clearing. What had once been lush with grass and a flowerbed was now hard-packed dirt overrun with weeds. Why hadn’t Brad and Abby done more to help their dad? After all, by growing up here full-time they’d been close to him in a way Robyn never could be.

“I talked to Dan a few times. We ran into each other every now and then at church. I wasn’t someone he confided in.” A look that Robyn supposed was sympathy crossed his face. His jaw flexed. “I’m sorry I don’t know more, but I only came here to work...after.”

After. She knew he meant after the accident.

An unexpected swell of grief surged in her chest. The rapid change of emotions she’d experienced since her father’s death was new and would take some getting used to.

She ambled toward Caleb’s black truck, hiding her watery eyes. “After all this time away from here, I’m surprised how much I miss him.” She stopped herself from opening up to Caleb any further. Finding out he hadn’t actually worked for her dad made him a virtual stranger. Even her mom, as free-spirited as she was, warned Robyn against being so open and friendly. Still, Caleb’s presence was calming, and he seemed safe enough.

He shook his head regretfully. “One thing I do know is that your dad was a good man. Everyone misses him. You can’t go anywhere in town without someone mentioning Dan.”

Robyn gripped the door handle, trying to move past the sadness pressing against her chest. It was time for her to think about logistics, rather than dwell on her feelings. “Do you mind if I ask how you’re getting paid? I suppose that’s something I’ll need to take care of now that I’m here.”

He hesitated. “Don’t worry. It’s being handled.”

That was all Robyn needed to know—about that topic, anyway. She still had questions, myriad questions. Like what Caleb knew that he wasn’t saying. Or why her dad willed the run-down cabins to her after a twelve-year estrangement. But most of all she was desperate to know if he’d forgiven her or simply done what he felt was his duty.