Heaven Knows

“We got lots of room,” Hailey added.

“You two make it impossible to say no.” It wasn’t as if she was alone with a stranger. Clearly John had a daughter, so that meant he was married, right? A dependable-father type, so she figured she might as well spare herself the long walk to town.

Something wet smacked against her forehead. The first drop of rain. Drops pelted the road and she dodged them by climbing into the cab.

“Looks like we came along just in time.” Keeping his attention on the road, John flicked on the wipers and put the truck in gear. “I told you your car was going to break down. I won’t say I told you so.”

“You don’t have to look happy about it. You were right, but it’s only a cracked hose. Easily fixed.”

“Really? Did you diagnose the problem yourself?”

“Sure. I’ve been on my own for a long time. I’ve had to learn to do minor repairs here and there. It’s no big deal.”

“Let me guess. You’re one of those independent types?”

“Something like that.”

He continued watching the road and never looked her way once.

Yep, definitely the dependable-father type. There wasn’t a thing to worry about. Alexandra relaxed into the leather seat. She’d never been in such a fine vehicle. Warm heat breezed over the toes of her sneakers.

Hailey snuggled close. “Alexandra, do you got a dog?”

“Not anymore. I had a little terrier when I was about your age.”

“Cool. Did you love him lots and lots?”

“I sure did. He slept at the foot of my bed every night and watched over me while I slept.” Alexandra sighed, softening a little at the rare good memory from her childhood, and secured the seat belt. “I miss him to this day. When I was eleven, we moved to a different house and couldn’t take him with us, so I had to leave him with the neighbors.”

“I bet that made you real sad.”

“It did.” Alexandra swiped an unruly lock of brown hair behind her ear, looking down at her scuffed tennis shoes. She couldn’t help noticing Hailey’s brand-new ones, already scuffed, with bright purple laces. “Why don’t you tell me about your dog?”

“Don’t got one. Daddy is really mean and won’t let me have one.” Hailey grinned.

“That does sound mean.” Alexandra never knew it was so easy to tease.

John’s dark gaze warmed with mild amusement as he lifted one thick-knuckled hand from the steering wheel to ruffle his daughter’s unruly hair. “Alexandra, don’t get the wrong opinion of me. Hailey isn’t quite old enough for the responsibility of taking care of a dog. She still can’t pick up her room every day.”

“Can, too.” Hailey’s chin jutted out. “I don’t got a lotta time. I’m very, very busy.”

Alexandra stifled a chuckle. “Busy, huh? I bet a pretty girl like you has a full social calendar.”

“Yep. I got swimming lessons and ballet lessons and piano lessons, ’cept I’m not so good at that, but Gramma says I gotta keep practicing my scales, even if I hate ’em.”

“Wise woman, my mother.” John found his gaze straying from the road again and in Alexandra’s direction. “You can see how lonely a dog would be waiting for Hailey to get done with all those lessons.”

“I’m not taking your side.” She shook her head, scattering those rich brown locks that seemed shot full of light. “No way. I’m sticking firmly with Hailey. A girl needs a dog of her own. It’s one of those rules of life.”

“Like death and taxes?”

“Exactly. I’m so glad you understand.”

“Daddy didn’t have a dog when he was little.” Hailey leaned close to whisper. “Don’t ya think that means he’s gotta have one now?”

“Makes perfect sense to me,” she whispered back.

“You’re getting me in trouble, Alexandra.” John guided the big pickup around a curve in the road. “Have pity for a poor beleaguered dad.”

“Yeah, you look like you have it tough.” She didn’t feel an ounce of pity for him—only admiration. For the obviously comfortable and good family life he had. His daughter didn’t sit quietly, afraid to make too much noise. No, Hailey wasn’t afraid to sparkle. The affection between father and daughter was clear.

No, John didn’t have it tough. From where Alexandra sat, she figured he had everything important in life.

Everything she’d never had.

“Hey, enough about us.” John cut into her thoughts. “Tell us where you’re headed once you get your car fixed.”

Alexandra tensed. It was a perfectly innocent question. She knew that. John didn’t mean any harm. She knew that, too. He couldn’t know he was asking the impossible. She couldn’t talk about where she’d been and never where she was going. She had to leave her past behind, and lying was the only way to do it.

The story she’d been rehearsing since that first frightening night on her own was right on the tip of her tongue, but it felt wrong. She couldn’t do it. Not to this man and his daughter, who were being so nice to her.

So what did she say? Her stomach clenched as tight as a fist. Simply thinking about where she’d been sent panic lashing through her. She stared at the road ahead, slick with rain. A wind gust roared against the side of the truck and she wished the winds were strong enough to blow away the bad memories she’d left behind, and she was able to find a way to answer him honestly. “I’m not sure where I’m going. I’m just driving.”

“You’re the adventurous type, is that it?” John slowed the truck as town came into view. “You decide to vacation and go where the road takes you?”

“Exactly.” She said nothing more. She was looking for a new life.

And praying she would know it when she found it.

The rain ended and the wind died down as they drove along the main street of town. Modest shops were open for business, and a few cars were parked along the curb, but no one was in sight. Maybe the rain had scared everyone inside.

“Daddy, can we stop for ice cream? Please, please?”

“What do you need ice cream for? You’re sweet enough already.”

Hailey rolled her eyes. “Gramma says a girl’s gotta have chocolate.”

“Gramma ought to know. She’s a wise woman.”

Hailey didn’t know what a lucky little girl she was, to have a kind man for a daddy, Alexandra thought as the pickup slowed to turn off the street and into the gravel lot. Then again, maybe like Alexandra’s father, this was how John acted in public—polite and deferential.

Home had been a different matter.

She’d learned the hard way it was difficult to really know a person from outward appearances. It was a tough lesson to learn but one she’d never forgotten.

John pulled up to the drive-through window at the same little stand where she’d eaten her lunch in the shade. On friendly terms with everyone, it seemed, he greeted the blond-haired woman by name after she slid open the glass partition.

“Hi there, Misty. We’ll have three chocolate cones, double dipped.”