Daisy's Choice (A Tale of Three Hearts) Page 4

  “Hello?”

  “Who is this?” Daisy breathed.

  “Daisy?”

  “Who is this!”

  “Daisy, its Nina. Nina Stevens from Hollow Creek.”

  Daisy closed her eyes. “Is my father—”

  “I’m sorry… I’m really sorry, Daisy. I thought you should know.”

  Daisy dropped the phone. She gripped the chair and closed her eyes tight. Never in her life had she felt such pain. She’d come close with the loss of Pete and the rejection of her mother, but not this. Nothing like this.

  She moaned deep and suffered through the shredding of her heart. Her head fell forward and she exploded. Tears and screams racked her body and sent her staff running in. All stood in shock and worry as she wept and fell apart.

  Daisy… Daisy… Daisy… Daisy, are you there?

  Her hands went to her face to conceal her pain, but she couldn't stop screaming for her daddy. Clara came in and ushered people out. She cried until the voice on the other end stopped calling for her, and the buzz over the disconnected line blared from the phone. She cried until Clara gathered her in her arms and held her, begging for her to explain. The small part of her that belonged to Hollow Creek disappeared for good.

  ****

  Pete stepped out of the elevator. There were people lingering near the Reverend’s door. On his way to the hospital, an old school friend told him that Martha Johnson had to be sedated, and one of her daughters collapsed. He searched the floor for Nina and didn’t see her.

  The passing glances he got from some of the church members kept him from approaching the grieving Johnsons. Though they tolerated his presence, he felt the hostility. After all, he was the last one to see Daisy, to take her from them.

  “Pete?”

  He turned and Nina was on him, in his arms. He lifted her to him and held her. She wept openly into his chest. Her pain was his. “It’s okay. C’mon,” he said, leading her away from prying eyes. Feeling awkward.

  They stepped around the corner and he took her face into his hands, kissing her closed damp lids and stroking her cheek. Nina felt so strongly for everyone. He wasn’t surprised that the Reverend’s death would affect her this way. He couldn’t help but wonder how Daisy would handle the news wherever she was. The bond between her and her father was as close as any daughters. Damn, he wished he knew how to get to Daisy and spare her this pain.

  “You okay?”

  “I don’t know why I’m acting like this. I just… oh, Pete.”

  “I know. I feel it too.” He kissed her and hugged her to him. “I feel it too.”

  ****

  Later that night – Mango Grove, CA

  “Mommy, you not hungry?”

  Daisy woke from her grief-induced daze. “What’s that, sweetie?”

  Amy smiled, rocking side to side in her chair. “You didn’t eat your peas, your chicken, your potato or drink your juice.”

  Daisy smiled. It was a small smile, but she managed the effort. Gathering peas on her fork, she brought them to her mouth and ate. Chewing, she winked.

  Amy grinned and opened her mouth to show Daisy her food.

  “Swallow, baby.”

  Amy did and reached for her milk. Daisy watched her as she held the glass that was quite large for her small hands and drank too fast.

  “Good!” Amy proclaimed, setting it aside. With a white mustache on the top of her lip, she grinned. Daisy reached and wiped her mouth with her napkin.

  “I finished,” Amy said, moving from her mother’s reach.

  Daisy nodded. “Yes you are. Very proud of you.”

  “Can I watch TV?”

  “It’s late, Amy. You should go to bed.”

  “Aw, but I want to watch TV!” Amy demanded. The base in her voice was as defiant as her stubborn will.

  "What did I say?"

  She dropped her face in her hand with her elbow on the table. “It’s no fair. I never get to do what I want to do.”

  Daisy sighed. She could fight the battle, but she had so little energy. “Okay, a little TV but—”

  Amy pushed back her chair and slipped off the seat, yelling, “Yay!” as she ran for the stairs. Daisy shook her head. Her daughter was growing and changing each day. Sometimes, the look in Amy's eyes and the small playful smirk on her lips reminded Daisy of Aiden. Those were the times she worried the most. Tonight, she had greater pain than memories of Aiden Keane. Tonight would be the first night she'd have to live knowing that her father was gone.

  Grieving, she rose and gathered the dinner dishes. She had made up her mind when she left Hollow Creek that she wouldn’t add to her family’s pain by returning. That meant she wouldn’t attend her father’s funeral. The decision cut deep. She’d have to live with it. Somehow.

  ****

  Sheraton, Hollow Creek, Kentucky

  “Where are you?”

  “Hollow Creek.”

  There was a long pause. Aiden understood that silence. He looked up into the mirrored bar glass and sipped his vodka with the phone to his ear, cigar burning out in the ashtray before him.

  “I was planning to return to Vegas next week. We have business with the Commissioner. Or have you forgotten?” Donovan asked.

  “Fuck him,” Aiden mumbled.

  “Aiden, she’s not there.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong, Donovan. I saw her today.”

  “You saw her?”

  “A picture of her. Looks like she’s doing quite well for herself.” Aiden gave a bitter chuckle. "Guess a million dollars does go a long way."

  “Where did you see her?”

  “What difference does it make? The man I hired let her get away. So I’m staying to handle it my way. She will be at the funeral and so will I.”

  “Wait... funeral? The father?”

  “Dead.”

  “Aiden, let it go. Even if she returns, it’s to bury her father. Not for you. She’s made it clear she doesn’t want you. She could be married for all you know.”

  “She isn’t. I’d feel it.”

  Donovan breathed a heavy sigh into the receiver. “She’s just as lost as I am. I feel that too.”

  “I’m your friend. I watched you replace one obsession over another. Where does it end, Aiden? I'll tell you. Nowhere good. Five years is a long time. This has to stop, for your sake as well as hers. You find her and you can’t undo the past. She's clearly not your future.”

  “Friend, huh?”

  “You know I’m your friend. I’m telling you this for your own good.”

  “Right,” Aiden chuckled. He sipped his vodka, allowing the ice to tap his lip before lowering the glass and signaling the bartender for another. “Tell you what, friend. Help me find her. I need to get her out of my system. Then I'll let it all go.”

  Donovan sighed. “I’m almost done with the business we needed here. I have my visit with Andria so I should be wrapping up in a few days. When is the funeral?”

  “Not sure. Soon, I suppose.”

  “I’ll be there in three or four days. Let me finalize the—”

  “Whatever. Just get here,” his voce trailed off. “If she comes, I'm not sure what I might do.” Aiden ended the call. He looked at the bartender who immediately picked up the bottle and poured. Aiden’s eyes swept the empty seats, then made contact with another woman at the end of the bar. Brief was their connection but enough for her to take his penetrating green stare as an invitation. She made her way over.

  “How’s it going, handsome?”

  He said nothing. The cool glass in his hand soon pressed to his lips. Aiden let the alcohol numb his tongue before swallowing down a shot, slamming the glass back down on the bar for another. The woman sat next to him. Her hair was dyed a magenta-red, like the lipstick glaringly bright to her lips. She had round brown eyes and a mole above her lip. Easing in closer, she brushed her fake tits against his arms, looking him over. He figured her trampy nose was keen to the smell of money, meanness and liked the mix. His
despair over the years seemed to draw women like flies to shit.

  “Traveling?” she purred. “All alone? They call me Ruby, like my dress and hair,” she giggled.

  Aiden glanced at her. Something in his stare dissolved her smile and made her straighten her posture. Without another word between them, she moved on. Picking up the cigar and planting it between his lips, he again opened the folder before him. Again he flipped through the pictures of Daisy. She was within his reach. He smiled.

  ****

  They hadn't spoken a word on the drive home. Pete watched her as she walked through their place. A tiny apartment consisted of a bedroom, kitchen and living room. He got the impression she needed space. That he understood, because so did he.

  “I’ll be back. Going to pick up something, maybe from the barbeque spot on Milton.”

  Nina didn’t respond. Keys in hand, he left. Pete hurried down the sidewalk; head low, he got in his supped up Chevy and raced for the hills of Kentucky. He found the road he used to travel and the tree where he and Daisy parked, all within twenty minutes of his journey. After getting out of the car, he stood there under the large branches staring out at the night. As a place where he was close to her, he felt her most when he was here.

  Before –

  “What-chu thinking, babe?” Pete asked, stretched on the blanket. Daisy sat up with her arms wrapped around her knees as she stared at the stars. “I’m thinking we should go. Just do it.”

  “Do what?” Pete yawned, the three beers making their effect known. He checked his watch. He should get her back before it got risky.

  Daisy looked down at him. “Leave Hollow Creek, Pete.”

  “Whaa—”

  “Hear me out. You can’t get into college, and you don’t want to be no grease monkey at your brother’s garage. I can’t stand it here. Daddy wants me to get a job with the mining company. We had a fight about it today.”

  “You and Reverend Johnson? Fighting?”

  “He and momma won’t let up. They’re killing me, Pete. Do you know he already spoke to Mr. Sheffield about it? Some receptionist thing. He makes me sick with his interfering. And mama won’t stand up for me.”

  Pete sighed, listening to her go on. Usually, this would blow over, so he hoped. Leaving the Hollow wasn’t something he ever considered. Hell, he loved it there. But Daisy was special, and everybody knew it. Sometimes he feared she’d tire of his simpleton ways for something or someone on another level.

  "I can’t do it, Pete. If I stay here, I’ll die. Jessiemae and I were talking.”

  “Here we go,” he grumbled.

  She ignored him. “Vegas, Pete. That’s where it’s at. I feel it. We go to Vegas and our luck is going to change. We just need a plan.” She looked down at him. “I love you, sweetie. Don’t you love me? Don’t you want something different?”

  It was true. He loved her. Loved her so much it hurt to be away from her. His first love is what she was. Funny, she wanted to talk about this now. His cousin was in town. Got a nice ride and clothes, working out West. Said there was plenty of money to be made in Port Angles. Offered to hook him up. A plan was forming.

  “Yeah, babe, I do,” he said, reaching to touch her face. She lowered and kissed him.

  “Then get me out of here, please.” She rested on his chest. He held her in the night, staring up at the stars.

  “Okay, I promise.”

  Pete walked to the front of his car, his hands shoved down in the front pockets of his jeans. He delivered on that promise. Took her from Hollow Creek and lost her still. “Daisy, where are you?”

  Chapter Four

  Los Angeles, CA

  “Let me look at you,” Donovan said.

  He cupped her chin and her face tilted upward. She reminded him of her mother: bright blue eyes and cherry stained lips with hair dark as raven feathers. Yes, she looks just like his Rebecca, God rest her soul.

  “You ready?”

  "I'm so excited, Daddy."

  Donovan gave a nod to the chauffeur. His angel slipped inside the awaiting limo. Balancing on his cane, he followed, easing in with care. The cool interior was a welcomed comfort from the hot sunny day, and he intended to make it one she'd enjoy.

  “So lunch, maybe? I’m thinking Spago’s before you burn a whole in my credit card.”

  Andria shook her head. An amused smile and the mischief in her eyes didn’t go unnoticed. Donovan reclined, awaiting the latest on his daughter's heart wish. “What then?”

  “I want to go to Mango Grove.”

  He blinked. “What?”

  “Mango Grove, Daddy.”

  He had six, maybe eight hours to this day before he was in the air heading to Hollow Creek. “Why the Grove, sweetie? Shopping? We can do that on Rodeo.”

  “Nope. Spa! I got us an appointment at Jahi! Can you believe it? Daddy, I’ve been on the waiting list for like six months and they called yesterday. Please… please.”

  “Spa? We can go to—”

  “No, Daddy. It’s much more. It’s Jahi. This place is like the fountain of youth. I swear there’s no other beautification center like it on the planet.

  "Beautification center? Is that what they call it today?" Donovan chuckled.

  "My friend, Shelia, went with her mother. You know the actress that played in the latest Jack Nicholson movie. That’s her mother. Anyways, they went. Daddy, you would not believe this place, better than anything you and Aiden got in Vegas or Arizona. You just have to let me go.”

  Donovan translated the cost of this detour. If tuition didn’t kill him, feeding his Princess’s appetite for the latest trend would keep him working until he was well over 80.

  “Fine.” He pressed the intercom button. “Driver, Mango Grove, to a place called Jahi.”

  “Yes!” Andria leaped on him, arms around his neck, kisses peppered all over his cheek and face.

  Donovan shook his head and laughed. “I’m not getting a pedicure, tell you that.”

  ****

  “Hey, you okay?” Pete asked. He searched her eyes for the truth. The smile she gave was misleading. But he loved her for pretending. Not since Daisy did he ever believe a woman could make him feel as special.

  “I’ve been meaning to talk to you, about, um things.”

  “Daisy,” she said.

  Pete held her stare. Nina avoided the subject and so did he. But today, neither would. The likelihood of Daisy's return and his seeing her was at the front of their minds.

  “Yes, Daisy.”

  “You think she will come?”

  “She loved her father. Nothing would keep her away. Not even me.”

  “You blame yourself too much. Daisy isn’t thinking about you. Not on a day like today,” Nina shrugged. This time her eyes were clear and her meaning precise. He almost thanked her for straight talk. He needed to stay focused. Nina adjusted his tie for him, smoothed it flat to his shirt and gave him a genuine smile. He lifted her chin and forced her eyes to return to his.

  “I believe in us," he said. "Do you?”

  “I do.”

  “Then I’m going to need you to trust me. Daisy, well you know the stuff between me and Daisy is kinda unfinished. Right?”

  “I know. I know.”

  “So her coming home is important, because I need to close that door. Set things straight. I have to do this, babe.”

  “Pete, there’s something you should know.”

  The phone rang. He kissed her forehead and walked out. Picking up the phone, he turned to see the bathroom door close. “Hello?”

  “Pete, this is Maureen at First Baptist.”

  “Yes, Mrs. Maureen. What can I do for you?” he asked, frowning at the closed door. Nina wanted to say something. What?

  “Son, I was wondering if you were attending the services today. Reverend Johnson’s funeral that is.”

  Pete sat on the corner of the bed, his toes curling into the shaggy carpet. Were the Johnson’s uncomfortable with him coming? Was Daisy here and re
questing that he stay away?

  “Yes, mam. Nina and I will both be attending.”

  “Bless you. Reverend Johnson was very fond of you. He requested you as a pallbearer. If you aren’t up for the task, there are plenty of men willing.”

  “No. Uh, he wanted me?”

  There was a pause. She spoke with a shaky voice, lowered to a whisper. “He had hoped that Daisy would be home if the day ever came, and that it would be a coming together of you two. Of course this was before the accident. Before the good Lord called him home. The Reverend knew his life was in God’s hands, so he was always prepared. In his heart he always believed you were the key to bringing Daisy back to us.”