Chapter 26 #2
“I happen to like Elizabeth Bennett.” Riva moved toward the door.
“Big surprise there.” Kitty laid the still-open book in her lap.
“Look, if you’re determined to play bossy Elizabeth and you wanna force me to talk to Danny, why don’t you go check him out for me.
See if his story is really true. I bet you’ll find him living in squalor and drunk as a skunk on his parents’ stinky old farm.
” She laughed. “Bring back pictures. I need some amusement.”
Riva wondered how much she really cared to get involved in their domestic differences, and yet, if it could help Kitty—and get her to move on—it might be worthwhile.
But what if Kitty was right? What if Danny was playing her?
After all, Kitty was a pro at playing her housemates.
She and Danny might be cut from the same cloth.
He could very well hide whiskey bottles in his boots too!
“I don’t know why I’m so nervous about this,” Riva said to Marcus as he drove through the countryside later that day. “I feel like a baby for asking for your help, but Windy insisted I needed a man along. Still, it feels kind of silly now. I’m sure I could’ve done this myself.”
“Based on what Kitty has said about her ex, I don’t think you’re being overly cautious.”
“But Danny seemed just fine this morning. He was very nice to me.”
“Didn’t you say Kitty seemed nice when you first met her? And she took Laurel in as well. But now that you’ve gotten better acquainted—”
“Don’t remind me. You know what they say about like attracting like. Danny and Kitty could be two of a kind.”
“That’s what worries me.” Marcus stopped at a crossroads to check his phone’s GPS. “According to Wes, Danny’s place is just a mile down this road. Wes has known Danny since they were kids. He admitted that Danny has had some troubles, but they’ve been out of touch for a few years.”
“So how is Wes?” Riva gazed out over a lush green field bordered by tall fir trees. Not a bad place to live if you didn’t mind being off the beaten path.
“He’s doing okay. He asked me about you too.
I think he’s hoping for another invite to your house.
He really enjoyed that last little shindig, but I told him about your ban on men.
” He chuckled. “Windy explained the reason for the new rule to me. Not a bad idea, really. At least while Miss Kitty is part of the mix.” He turned down another country road and checked the address on his GPS.
“That woman can throw a real wrench in the works.”
“You’re telling me.”
“Looks like that’s it.” Marcus pointed to the address on a rural mailbox. “Ready for this?”
Riva nodded, but her nerves spiked. “Do we need an escape plan? I mean, what if he’s been drinking or he gets out of hand like Kitty warned me could happen.”
“Then we’ll just quietly leave.”
“Kitty told me to take pictures. She expects the place to be quite a dive.”
“Doesn’t look half bad to me.” He pointed toward a freshly painted barn. “Someone’s been busy.”
Riva took in the red structure, the fenced pasture with several cows contentedly grazing, the white farmhouse that looked pretty worn around the edges, and the beat-up black pickup parked out front. “That’s the truck Danny had this morning, so it looks like he’s here.”
“And he doesn’t know you’re coming?” Marcus parked behind the pickup.
“I wanted to catch him off guard, you know, see his true colors. Just in case Kitty was right.” She removed her phone from her purse and opened her camera.
“And if he’s a mess, will you still take photos?”
“No way.” She shook her head. “If he’s a mess, we’ll just vamoose.”
“Good plan.”
As it turned out, Danny was a mess. A smelly mess.
But only because he’d been cleaning out barn stalls that had clearly been neglected for years.
“I just finished,” he said as he welcomed them in.
“After I painted the barn, it seemed a shame to leave this smelly old mess in here. My parents used to keep horses back when I was a kid. It got to be too much for them eventually, but I got to thinking I might want a horse or two . . . in time.”
“This is a handsome barn.” Marcus patted a solid-looking post.
“It’s old but holding up pretty good.”
“Mind if I take some photos?” Riva held up her phone. “I told Kitty I would.”
“She wants pictures?” He brightened. “Sure, go for it.” He picked up a pitchfork and struck a pose. “Wanna get Farmer Dan too?”
“If you don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind, but Kitty might not like it. I’m pretty filthy right now.”
After Riva took several photos, Danny led them over to the house. “It’s not much to look at, but feel free to take some pics while I clean up a little.”
“I love this big front porch.” Riva paused to photograph a pair of old chairs and a pot of geraniums before they went inside.
“Help yourself to a cool drink,” Danny called as he bounded up the stairs. “Make yourselves at home.”
“So, far so good,” Marcus whispered, following Riva to the kitchen, where she went straight to the fridge, which was mostly loaded with sodas and bottled water.
“Not a single drop of alcohol here.” She helped herself to a bottle of water, then turned to see Marcus exploring the kitchen by opening cupboards. “Want a soda or water?”
He came over to look, then chose a root beer. “I get the impression Danny’s on the up and up.”
“Me too.” She closed the fridge, then took some photos of the kitchen and then of the sparsely furnished living room.
“This place could use some paint and elbow grease, but it has good potential.” She filled Marcus in on some of the ways Danny said he wanted to help Kitty.
“He wants to take responsibility for how some of his bad choices affected her.”
Marcus took a swig of root beer. “I’ve heard that’s part of AA. Owning up to old things. Cleaning the slate. But to want to take Kitty in . . . well, that’s a lot to ask of anyone.”
“Unless he still loves her,” she whispered.
Marcus nodded as he gazed out the front window.
Maybe he was remembering how he took Anne back after she’d broken his heart.
He turned to face Riva. “Well, I’ve heard through a friend that Danny’s been working at the tire store in town, but he hopes to get this farm going well enough to be self-sustaining. ”
“Seems like a nice goal.” Riva sat down on the sagging sofa, taking a sip of water.
Marcus turned back to the window. “I wonder how much land he has.”
“He has eighty-five acres, give or take,” Danny said as he came down the stairs. “And he’s got a dozen steers.” He grinned. “And he’s hoping to get chickens and pigs in a few weeks.” Danny sat in a worn recliner and laughed. “I don’t usually refer to myself in third person.”
“You have a lovely farm,” Riva told him. “I think Kitty would be lucky to come live here . . . well, if you two were compatible. I guess you’ve got to figure that one out. But I think I can give her a good report.”
“Get enough photos?” he asked.
“How about if I get a shot of you cleaned up?” She stood with her phone ready.
“Go for it.” He sat up straighter, smiling.
“And you can take shots of bedrooms and baths if you want. I try to keep ’em kinda cleaned up, but it’s pretty sparse.
I got rid of so much furniture and junk after my dad died.
Probably went overboard. But it might’ve been therapeutic, you know, to get past the grief.
Plus, working so hard on this place helped me to kick alcohol.
I could almost feel my dad patting me on the back each day I stayed sober. ”
“Well, I’m impressed,” Riva said.
“Think Kitty will be?” He sounded hopeful.
“That’s anyone’s guess,” Riva answered glumly.
“Kitty seems a little, you know, unpredictable,” Marcus told him.
“Believe me, I know.” Danny let out a loud sigh. “I just thought it was worth a try. If I could get her to listen, see how I’ve changed . . . I thought maybe there’s a chance to help her, possibly reunite someday.”
“It’s a wonderful goal.” Riva smiled. “I’ll do what I can to get her to at least talk to you.”
Danny turned to Marcus. “Got any tips for me? Suggestions for how I can win her back?”
Marcus rubbed his chin. “Well, I’m no expert . . . and Kitty is not exactly easy.” He glanced at Riva. “If I wanted to win over a woman, I’d probably just go the traditional route.”
“What’s that?” Danny asked.
“Oh, you know, flowers and candy and best foot forward . . . probably the sort of things no one really does anymore. I haven’t played the dating game in literally decades so I’m not one to give advice.”
“Thanks.” Danny stood. “I just remembered I haven’t filled the watering trough and it’s been a pretty hot day. I should probably get to it before my steers start protesting. Do you mind?”
“Not at all.” Riva stood too. “Thanks for showing us around.” She crossed her fingers. “Here’s to hoping Kitty will be ready to talk.”
Danny pointed upward. “I’ve been asking the Big Guy up there to help me get her back. After all, he helped me get sober, I’m sure he could help with this.”
“I’ll be praying too,” Riva promised.
“Me too,” Marcus said as they went outside. He looked out toward the barn and pasture. “It’s really a great farm, Danny. You’re a lucky guy.”
Danny nodded glumly. “Yeah, I guess so.” He shook both their hands, thanking them for their help and advice. “Even if Kitty refuses to give me a second chance, you guys are welcome out here any time.”
They thanked him and got into Marcus’s pickup.
It was anyone’s guess how Kitty would respond, but Riva planned to plead with the “Big Guy up there” on behalf of Danny.
Not just because she hoped to shake free from her tenacious tenant either.
She could almost imagine Kitty being happy out here.
And why not? In fact, if Riva felt any attraction to Danny—and she didn’t—she could live out here in the country.
Well, except that she’d miss her home . .
. and her library . . . and even her housemates.