“You can take it however you want. I’m not going anywhere with you.”
We stop for Noel to hug Miss Jessica at the back door. She tells me to come by and see her, and I hug her again before the nurse leads her out to a waiting van.
I hold the door for Noel to exit the sanctuary. “Can we try to be friends? For Dove’s sake?”
Our daughter comes up the walk skipping. Sawyer holds one of her hands and in the other she has a handful of papers.
“I would do anything for her.” Noel’s voice is quiet.
It’s not exactly what I had in mind, but I can work with it.
“Taron Rhodes. Didn’t expect to see you here again.” Digger’s voice makes my skin bristle, and we stop, turning to face him.
A little girl with mousey brown hair in perfectly formed sausage curls stands at his side. I don’t miss her scowling at my daughter, and I think the Hayes family must have a lot of bad eggs in it.
“I didn’t come back to see you.” My voice is level. We’re at church, so I don’t plan to engage with him.
“If history’s our guide, you’ll be gone as soon as you get what you want.”
Dove slips her small hand in mine, and my jaw clenches. “I left to serve my country as you well know.”
“Uncle Digger donated two thousand dollars to make a Dixie Gem office space at the civic center.” The little girl’s voice is as snide as her uncle’s.
Dove inhales a little gasp, and her eyes flash to mine. I’m caught off guard by her turning to me, and a surge of protectiveness floods my chest.
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“This your niece, Hayes?” I nod toward the little girl who’s wearing a matching leopard print coat and knit hat with black boots and leggings.
“She is indeed.” He smiles proudly at the little girl, who is currently smirking at my daughter.
I have a sadistic urge to pull her knit cap down over her face.
Noel speaks up, her voice annoyed. “Unusual timing for a donation of that size, Digger.”
“Darcy, what have I told you about discussing family business in public?”
She looks up at him, fake remorse in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Uncle Digger.” Then she sticks out at her tongue at my daughter… Little—
“Good morning, brothers, sisters.” The pastor walks up, preventing me from grabbing Digger by the collar. “I see we have a visitor today. I’m Pastor Sinclair.”
“Pastor, this is Taron Rhodes.” Noel’s voice is smooth, but I’m not ready to let this go. “Taron was in the service with my brother.”
“Well, thank you for your service.” The older man shakes my hand, and I break my staring war with Digger. “And welcome to First Methodist. I hope we see you again.”
“Thank you, sir. I’ll be back.”
“He’s staying in the cottage!” Dove skips beside me smiling and holding my hand. “He’s helping Uncle Sawyer with the new trees.”
“Is that so?” The man bends down to smile at my daughter, holding his Bible into his side. “That’s a big job. I’ll be praying God protects and gives you good weather.”
Noel smiles, placing her hand on Dove’s shoulder. “Thank you, Pastor. I guess we should all get some lunch now.”
“Very interesting sermon, Pastor.” Digger’s tone is haughty. “I’d never heard that expression before, but I was edified by your elaboration on the topic.”
Oh, brother.
“I thank you for that…”