A Daughter's Redemption

“I’ve left three. Look, man, you can’t hide out forever. People don’t hate you if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“I never said that, but let’s be honest. People in town are getting pretty ugly.” Caleb fixed his eyes on the pile of lumber at his feet. “Now if you don’t mind, I have a porch to rebuild. I have to keep busy until the review board hearing. You have no idea what it’s like to have your job and your reputation hanging in the balance.” It was a crushing weight that never left him room to breathe or the freedom to rest. The review board’s recommendation to the chief would determine his future.

“Working yourself to death isn’t going to make time speed up. Maybe what you need is to forgive yourself.” Phil checked his cell phone. “There’s still time to grab a bite to eat before my next appointment. Come on. It’ll do you good, and it wouldn’t hurt your cause to be seen out and about. Let people see that you have nothing to hide.”

“I don’t have anything to hide. And I don’t want to keep my job based on PR moves that came from my lawyer friend.” Caleb removed the goggles from his head. He worked the elastic with nervous fingers. “My career means everything to me. I have to keep it based on merit, based on the review board’s belief I did the right thing. Any other reason isn’t good enough.” Not for him and not for his father’s memory.

“It’s all about perception.” Phil gestured with his hands. “Face it, doing work out here makes you look bad. Like you believe you were wrong.”

“I don’t care what it looks like. I’m here because I promised Dan I’d do everything in my power to help. I couldn’t do it at the scene—” he choked down the familiar knot in his throat “—so I’m doing it here.”

Phil leaned against the sawhorse Caleb set up in the clearing between the cabins. “I’m telling you what the perception is. It’s important that you know. Now come to town with me.”

“Lunch won’t solve anything.” It wouldn’t help him forget his career was in jeopardy. Or forget Robyn’s hopeful smile when she offered him coffee—the only thing she’d found in the cupboard. No, stopping long enough to eat was a bad idea.

“Will I at least see you at church this week?”

A vise gripped Caleb’s stomach. For the past few Sundays, he’d done his best to keep a comfortable distance from the church—and Dan’s friends inside of it. “Maybe.”

“Hang in there.” Phil clapped Caleb on the back.

The silence after Phil drove away was short-lived. Robyn’s rental car swerved into the dirt lot, kicking up a dust cloud. She barreled out and slammed the door.

Caleb searched her face for what had caused this uncharacteristic level of emotion. “You’re back early. Need help bringing in the groceries?”

Robyn stopped short of the table, arms folded. “It’s unbelievable.”

“What’s wrong?” His instinct was to offer her a shoulder and tell her everything would work out. Instead, he stayed rooted behind the sawhorse and hoped his expression didn’t betray his worry over what she may have discovered in town. “Didn’t you find Ginger?”

“I’m not upset over Ginger, and I never made it to the store.” Robyn’s words were pinched, her eyes fiery. “She told me more about my father’s accident.”

Adrenaline slammed through his veins. He’d known this moment was coming, but there was nothing he could’ve done to prepare. He shot up a silent prayer and wheeled in a large breath. “There’s always more to the story.”

“You’d better believe there is.” Robyn fisted her hand on her hip, and a gust of wind stirred her hair. She swept the strands away from her reddening cheeks. “Evidently, the whole situation was preventable.”

He swallowed, then nodded for her to continue.

“I was under the impression that a teenage driver hit my dad on the side of the road and that was it.” She covered her mouth and took several moments to collect herself. “But Ginger told me that a police officer was chasing him. That despite the station’s policy, the cop pursued. He endangered the public, and look what happened.”

Caleb stood tall despite the dread that pummeled him. It was time to take the consequences and trust the Lord to handle the outcome. There was no fear in truth, of that he was convinced. So why did his conscience burn with every word from Robyn’s mouth?

“As it turns out, the cop hasn’t even been fired. If it wasn’t for this officer’s bad judgment, my dad would still be alive.”

His heart wrung with a bitter mixture of guilt and relief. Obviously no one had told her who he was, but it was only a matter of time—time that would run out quickly in a town the size of Pine Hollow. An apology hummed in his chest, trying to pressure its way out. He resisted, unsure he could live with the confession. Certain he would implode without it.

“I don’t know why this had to happen. It probably sounds ludicrous, but I planned on making things right with my dad one day. Now I never can.” Robyn’s face turned to stone. “But I intend to find out who did this, who ruined our lives. And believe me—he will pay.” She brushed away a lone tear, her mouth drawn tight.

Caleb stood, dread pressing against his rib cage like an anvil. He wiped the sweat beading on his forehead and waited for his nerves to calm. How could he ever admit to Robyn that the person she was looking for, the one who destroyed her chance to reconcile with her father, was him?

Chapter Four

Caleb’s face blanched, and his throat bobbed with a swallow. He sat on a nearby stump. “I’m sorry.”

“Not at all.” Robyn waved him off, regretting her outburst. She drew a deep breath to compose herself. “I didn’t mean to sound so hysterical. It’s just that...” She glanced toward the tree line at the sound of an approaching vehicle. A silver truck rounded the bend—one she recognized from the funeral. Her mouth went dry. “It’s Brad.”

“He was here before, clearing the place out.” Caleb stood, a guarded expression in his eyes. The truck stopped abruptly.

She smoothed the hem of her shirt and braced herself. She’d been praying for a chance to talk to Brad and Abby before they left town, before they all parted ways again—this time for good. Now was her chance, and she hoped she appeared calmer than she felt. “You’ve met my half brother?”

“Not exactly.” Caleb’s jaw flexed when Brad shut off the engine. “He didn’t say much when he was here, other than telling me he knew exactly what was on the property. His meaning was implied.”

Robyn cringed, wondering how bad their encounter was. “Why’s he here? There’s not much left except heavy furniture, and he’d need help for that.” She schooled her features as Brad slammed the truck door and closed the gap between them. “How are you?”

“Fine.” He whipped off his shades. “Where’s the rest of the paperwork?”

“What paperwork?” She stepped back.

Brad walked toward her, then halted when he noticed Caleb off to the side. “Don’t play dumb. Dad’s files. What’d you do with them?” He nailed her with his gaze and raised a pointed eyebrow.

“I haven’t seen any files.” She forced a smile, despite the uneasiness growing inside her. She chose her words carefully, rather than slipping back into big-sister mode and demanding to know what had gotten into him. “Come inside, and I’ll get us some coffee.”

He brushed past. “I need to have a look around.”

Robyn started to follow, but Caleb gently tugged her elbow. She turned toward him. “I’m going to help my brother.” Even though she didn’t have a clue what he was looking for, and didn’t appreciate his attitude. But more than anything, she wanted to make a connection with him while she could. She’d already learned life didn’t give a person unlimited time to repair relationships.

Caleb shook his head, his gaze trailing Brad. “Let him go. Something’s not right.”

Anxiety wormed through her as she watched her half brother storm into the house. Maybe if she helped, he’d be less agitated. “You don’t understand.” She pulled away from Caleb, vaguely aware his hand had been steadying her. She started toward the house. “It might be my only chance.”

“Your only chance to what?” Caleb’s gentle tone reeled her back.

“To talk to him.” It pricked her conscience to know she’d waited so long to reconcile that she was down to chasing her angry brother, who clearly didn’t want to be bothered. She closed her eyes to clarify her thoughts. “I know it sounds ridiculous, but if I don’t go after him now, that might be it.”

Caleb held up his hands. “I won’t stand in your way. Be careful.”

The warning lingered in her head as she made her way up the steps. What did Caleb know that she didn’t? She reached for the door at the same time Brad opened it. He pounded down the steps.

She stumbled out of his way. “Did you find what you were looking for?”

Brad wheeled to face her, his stale breath assaulting her. “Does it look like I did?”

Frustrated, she counted to three before answering. “You didn’t have time to find anything. Let me help—”

“You can help by telling me what you did with the rest of Dad’s files. There had to have been more.” Brad raked his hand through his dark blond hair.

Robyn walked down the steps into the clearing, thankful for Caleb’s presence. This wasn’t the little brother she remembered—mischievous, but kind. This seemed like someone else altogether. “I haven’t seen any files or paperwork, but I’ll keep my eyes open. How about I call you if I find them?” She pulled her phone out of her pocket.

“Like that’s going to happen. I know you took them.” Brad fisted his hand and made a sudden move toward her.