Trail of Lies (18 page)

Leaning forward, he rested his elbows on his thighs and clasped his hands loosely together while the game started with his son as a forward. He hoped he could at least get part of his life back together. He didn't know what to do about Melora. He loved her. He wanted to be with her, but after what she said the other day he didn't think that would
happen. She'd gone through so much in the past few years, and she had her daughter to think about.

“Daniel!”

He turned his head and glimpsed Kaitlyn hurrying toward him with Melora trailing behind her. When the little girl reached him, she threw her arms around him and gave him a big hug and kiss on the cheek. Daniel's heart melted at the gesture from Kaitlyn—so trusting and loving. The kiss reinforced his love for the child and her mother. Was the Lord giving him a second chance with Clay and a chance to have a wife and family, too?

“I've missed ya. Where have you been?” Kaitlyn plopped down beside him, grinning from ear to ear.

Melora stopped in front of her daughter, her green eyes clouded with uncertainty.

“Why are you two here?”

“To see Clay.” Kaitlyn pointed toward his son dribbling toward the basket and making a shot. She jumped up and cheered when Clay made two points.

Melora squeezed in between Kaitlyn and the man next to her daughter on the bleachers. He graciously slid down to give her some room while Daniel did so, too. “We hit every light coming here. Kaitlyn wasn't too happy we were late.”

“How did you know about the tournament?” Daniel asked, trying to calm his heartbeat that sped at the sight of Melora.

“Clay came over to see Kaitlyn last night and invited us to see him play.”

“I think Mommy wanted to come more than me.” Kaitlyn swung her gaze from her mother, whose face blazed with a blush, to Daniel. “Don't tell Clay, but I made him a Christmas present.”

“I'm glad you got to come to his game.” Melora stared
at him over the top of her daughter's head. “Clay asked a ton of questions about what happened at the hospital. He seemed interested in what you did. He read about it in the paper.”

His name had been in the news the next day, and if he could have stopped that, he would have. “I was doing what I'm paid to do.”

“I didn't get to thank you. I was a mess that day, but I appreciate everything you did.” Although Melora's tone didn't reveal anything but politeness and gratitude, for a brief moment a look of vulnerability flickered into her expression.

“That's okay. I'm just glad it's over with.”

A small smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “So am I.”

“You two are supposed to be watching the game,” Kaitlyn said, rolling her eyes.

“Yes, ma'am.” Daniel chuckled and turned his attention toward the gym floor and his son, but as he watched the game, his gaze kept slipping toward Melora and several times he caught her looking at him.

Thank You, Lord, for giving me another chance with Clay and Melora.

 

“I can't believe Kaitlyn talked us into coming here.” Melora peered around the large restaurant that also housed games for kids.

“According to her, she was starving, and of course, Clay is always hungry.” Daniel sat back in his chair at the table for four.

“Did you see her whispering with Clay right after the game? I think they plotted this whole thing.”

“But she wanted to have Clay show her how to shoot baskets.”

Melora gestured toward the “basketball” game that Kaitlyn and Clay were playing now that dinner was over. “There's no court. Only balls and baskets.”

Daniel laughed. “Yeah, but it's nice seeing Clay showing her how to do it.”

“That's all she talked about today—getting to see Clay play tonight.”

“I didn't know my son could blush, but when your daughter gave him his Christmas present then demanded he open it, he sure did.”

“It's not every day a teenage guy gets a yarn bracelet from a girl.” Melora finally reconnected her gaze with Daniel's.

There was so much she wanted to say to him. After he'd left a few days ago, she'd collapsed from exhaustion—both physical and emotional. It had taken her a day to come up for air. She'd gone through the motions of living, but her thoughts had been centered on Daniel and the last look he'd given her after the incident at the hospital. She'd hurt him when he'd given her life back to her.

But not until she'd turned to the Lord in this crisis did she realize she had to trust Him, too. Yes, several people had betrayed her, but God would never betray her. He had never forsaken her as she'd thought. He would be there for her through the good, the bad and the ugly. When she finally realized that, she also knew that in order to really live she would need to take risks with her heart. Closing herself off would also close herself to love, a gift the Lord gave them.

Melora scooted to the chair next to Daniel. “I'm glad they gave us some time alone. I was so distraught that day when you brought me home. I said some things I didn't mean.”

“What do you mean?”

The leeriness in his voice hurt her, but she could understand why he was feeling cautious. “After what I went through, I was questioning my judgment. I had feelings for you but was too frightened to accept them for what they are.”

“What are they?”

She braced herself with a deep breath. “I love you. It's scary because I haven't known you long, but I've seen you in situations most people don't see others go through in their whole lives and your character has always been above reproach. You put Kaitlyn and me before yourself. Our safety was the most important thing to you, and I don't think it was just because it was your job.”

Some of the tension in Daniel relaxed as he took her hand in his. “It's not always how long you know someone, but how well you know them. What I see in you is a wonderful mother, a caring woman who gives of herself to help others. I won't forget you were the one who listened to me about Clay and helped me to see how I can mend my relationship with my son. You're the one who told me not to give up on him. Tonight is the beginning of that.” His gaze skipped to his son with Kaitlyn then back to Melora. “And for the first time in a long while I feel we have a chance at a real father/son relationship. Earlier he actually said something about spending part of Christmas with me. The last few years he's avoided that.”

Twisting totally toward him, Melora cupped his jaw with her free hand. “So you think you're finally getting the hang of this father thing?”

“I may have to practice more and be reminded not to work so much, but I'm willing to give it a try. I've always liked a good challenge.”

Laughter bubbled from Melora. “Well, my daughter can be a challenge if you want one.”

A grin spread across his mouth and danced in his eyes. “I love you, and I want to share my life with you. I need someone to remind me of what is important.”

“Your work is important.”

“But not to the exclusion of the other parts of my life. You made me realize that I needed more. I don't want to end up alone with a son who doesn't want to have anything to do with me.” He leaned close to her and brushed his lips across hers, then settled his mouth over hers, sealing his intentions with a kiss.

In the middle of the crowd of people in the restaurant, Melora surrendered her heart to Daniel. When they separated, their gazes trained on each other, a burst of applause sounded around them.

The heat of a blush colored her cheeks as she scanned the patrons, her attention landing on Clay and Kaitlyn, clapping with everyone else and smiling. This was the beginning of the rest of her life.

Dear Readers,

I loved working on this Love Inspired Suspense continuity series. I have been intrigued by the Texas Rangers for years. While researching the organization, I was impressed with their dedication and achievements. I had the honor of interviewing several Texas Rangers and they were wonderful to talk to about their work.

I love hearing from readers. You can contact me at [email protected] or at P.O. Box 2074 Tulsa, OK 74101. You can also learn more about my books at http://www.margaretdaley.com. I have a quarterly newsletter that you can sign up for on my website or you can enter my monthly drawings by signing my guest book on the website.

Best Wishes,

1. Trust is important in a relationship. Melora didn't know whom to trust after several people betrayed her. Has anyone caused you to distrust him/her? Why? How did you settle it?
   
2. Who is your favorite character? Why?
   
3. Melora's life had become a nightmare because of her dead husband. She was scared for herself and her daughter. Have you ever been really scared? How did you deal with it?
   
4. Melora began to doubt that the Lord cared about her. She'd prayed for help and didn't think she was getting any from Him. Have you ever thought that? What did you do?
   
5. What is your favorite scene? Why?
   
6. Melora questioned her judgment concerning men after her marriage to Axle fell apart. Have you ever questioned your judgment about being able to read people correctly? Has it stopped you from moving forward in a relationship? What did you do to regain faith in your judgment?
   
7. Daniel's son, Clay, and Daniel had an estranged relationship. Daniel didn't know how to fix it. He fell back into his usual pattern of working all the time. Do you
   or someone you know have a similar relationship with a parent? How have you or that parent dealt with the situation?
   
8. Melora had a hard time telling Kaitlyn that her uncle Tyler had died. Have you ever had to tell a child a loved one died? How did you handle it?
   
9. Kaitlyn's life was in danger. This was hard for Melora to handle. When life seems impossible, what do you do? Who do you turn to for help?
   
10. Clay was mad at his dad for not getting him out of trouble when he was arrested. He had to do community service and he thought Daniel should have made it all go away. Have you dealt with a child or person who felt that way? How did you handle it? Did he face his consequences?
    
11. Who do you think killed Uncle Tyler and Axle? Why?
    
12. Melora's housekeeper, Juanita, who she considered a friend, too, was spying on Melora for Uncle Tyler. Have you had a friend betray you like that? What did you do? Did you ever forgive the friend?
    
13. The Alamo Planning Committee wouldn't give in to the threats implied about the upcoming celebration and change the plans for it. Do you think that was the right decision? Why or why not?
    
14. Melora was scared of her husband. He used threats to keep her with him. Have you ever been in a
    situation like that? What did you do to form a healthier relationship?
    
15. What were some things that made Melora fall in love with Daniel? What were some things that made Daniel fall in love with Melora?