Page 34 of Reckoning

“Hey, sweetheart. I had the water running in the kitchen and almost didn’t hear the phone. How’s my girl?”

She shivered with sudden longing and made herself focus. “Tired. Trying to get over a splitting headache. Some old guy came into the office right at quitting time. He smelled like he’d taken a bath in a cheap cologne and was smoking a cigar about the size of a baseball bat. He puffed smoke and slung ashes all over the place, then had the gall to flirt with me as he left.”

Tate grinned at the indignation in her voice. “I’m sorry you’re feeling bad. If I could, I would love away your pain.”

“I would willingly accept the offer,” she whispered.

“It will happen when it’s time,” Tate said. “And you’re still my girl,” he said.

“Never once have I doubted that or you. Dream about me,” she said.

“Know it,” he said, and disconnected.

She shivered with longing, then remembered her food and ate until it was gone.

Her dad came back into the kitchen as she was carrying her dishes to the sink. “Are you feeling better?” he asked.

“Mostly,” she said.

“I’ll load the dishwasher. You go on up and have an early night,” he said.

Briar nodded. “Thank you, Daddy.”

While Roger was loading the dishwasher, she poured herself a glass of sweet tea, grabbed a cookie, and noticed a stoop to his shoulders that hadn’t been there before, and the balding spot at the back of his head was now a little wider. It was startling to see the change, and any aspect of aging. She was wanting time to speed up, while her dad was probably wishing it wouldn’t go so fast.

“Good night,” she said, and went upstairs to watch TV.

* * *

Across town, Tate was also raiding the kitchen, looking for something sweet. Tomorrow was his day off, and after rescuing his boss from a possible tragedy, he was glad he wasn’t going to be at the store. The chance that Andy Sparks wouldn’t talk about his part in stopping a robbery was slim to none.

* * *

In spite of everything, Briar slept like a baby. Her alarm went off as usual, and after washing up, she hurried down to breakfast, still in her pajamas.

But her heart skipped when she entered the kitchen. There was a suitcase near the back door. Had her mother had finally come home? She braced herself for the worst as she entered the kitchen, but her mother wasn’t there—only her father, dressed in casual clothes and downing his last bite of toast.

Roger glanced up and smiled.

Briar could tell the smile was forced.

“Good morning, honey. Change of plans for the day. I’m going to Savannah to talk to your mother. I know it’s short notice, but do you want to go with me and see your grandparents?”

She frowned. “Absolutely not. My grandparents are strangers to me. You and Mom need to talk without me in the picture. Right now, I’m the catalyst for all of your fights, and I want nothing to do with whatever you decide. I will be leaving for college after Christmas, and you two trying to control my life will come to a swift end.”

Roger reared back as if dodging a fist, then braced himself for the next blow. “Christmas? How do—”

“Tate and I have been taking extra classes for two years. We’re both graduating after the first semester this fall. I will start college somewhere in January of next year.”

Roger was floored and trying to regain his fatherly footing. “Well, Miss Independent. Who do you think will be paying for your college?”

“Me, that’s who. My grades are excellent. I have already taken my SAT. I’m hoping for full scholarships to several colleges. And if I have to, I will work to pay for my housing. If I don’t get the full scholarship I need, I’ll take whatever I can get and work harder. It will take longer to get my degree, but I will get it. Never doubt that.”

His heart skipped. He hadn’t expected that level of independence. In fact, it felt like outright defiance, and the thought of losing touch with her by the end of this year hurt his heart.

“What about your grand romance?” he asked.

“That will never be any of your business or concern. Have a safe trip.”