A Daughter's Redemption. Georgiana Daniels

else?” He dropped onto the cushioned seat, and if he dirtied the upholstery with his paint-stained pants, so be it.

      “What’d she do?”

      “She showed up.” Simply arriving at the cabins was enough to infuse him with a jolt of reality. What originally seemed like a brilliant way to fulfill his promise quickly turned into the single worst idea he’d ever had the moment Robyn, with her sun-bleached hair and sorrow-filled eyes, told him she was Dan’s daughter.

      “Look, Caleb, I realize it’s a little awkward.”

      “You think?” He blew out a frustrated breath. “I tried to play it cool in front of her, but you have no idea what that was like.”

      Phil removed his wire-rimmed glasses and wiped them with a handkerchief. In a placating tone, he resumed. “I can’t control every variable. Did it occur to you I might have other projects I’m working on?”

      He pushed out of the chair. “A phone call, Phil. That’s all I needed.”

      “She came in only an hour ago and asked for the keys. I wasn’t expecting her back in town so soon.” Phil steepled his fingers and assessed Caleb with a concerned look. “I did mean to call you when I got the chance, but you’re right. I should’ve made sure you were aware.”

      The admission took Caleb’s boiling blood down to a simmer. He gripped the back of the chair and stole a few deep breaths. It wasn’t entirely Phil’s fault. The unease that chewed on Caleb day after endless day had fueled the tirade. “I shouldn’t be this upset.”

      “You’re under a lot of stress. It happens.” Phil came around the desk and palmed Caleb’s shoulder. “I know you want to do penance or something by fixing up Dan’s place, but if you ask me, you should be home. You need time to recover.”

      “That’s what the chief told me, but it was code for ‘stay out of the police station until we decide whether or not you can keep your badge.’ Waiting for the decision is killing me.” A knot formed in his windpipe, cutting off his air. This was not the time to have a meltdown.

      “It’s procedure. Don’t take it personally. You need to let go of the guilt.”

      “My career is personal. It’s the one thing...” He stopped short of telling Phil it was the only reason his own father had accepted him and that carrying on the family tradition had come to mean everything after his father’s untimely death while on active duty. Caleb took a moment to compose himself. “Bottom line is that I made a promise I intend to keep.” He flinched at the unbidden memory of crouching over Dan on the sidewalk after he’d been hit by the reckless teen Caleb had been chasing. The older man had pleaded for help, and Caleb had looked into the dying man’s eyes and promised to do everything in his power to make it all right—a promise he wasn’t able to keep. At least not during the few remaining moments Dan was alive. Caleb swallowed the emotions that threatened to choke him. “I couldn’t help him then, but fixing up his property is what I can do now. This isn’t about me or guilt. It’s all about keeping my promise to Dan.”

      “If that’s what you need, fine. Don’t worry about Robyn. She seems friendly enough, but it’s not like you have to talk to her. Of course, she’ll probably have some ideas about what she’d like to have done, but you pretty much have a handle on the situation.”

      “Her being friendly has nothing to do with how she’ll feel once she knows.”

      “There are some things you can’t control.” Phil rubbed his temple. “I know you’re worried about what happened, but I’ve looked into the station’s policy myself. Legally speaking, you’re not necessarily in the wrong. There’s room for an officer to use discretion when a subject flees.”

      Too bad Caleb’s discretion had led to Dan’s death—the worst tragedy in Pine Hollow’s history.

      At the time, he was sure pursuing Aaron Dirkson was the right decision. How could he have known the teen would take the corner too fast and hit Dan? Still, he was compelled to defend himself. “The kid was a troublemaker. I was sure he’d been drinking that day, and I had a responsibility to get him off the street.”

      “You don’t have to convince me.” Phil met Caleb with a soft look. “You may not have been officially cleared, but I have faith Aaron will be convicted, and you’ll be back patrolling the streets before you know it. In the meantime, give Robyn the benefit of the doubt. She might be surprisingly understanding.”

      “I don’t want to borrow trouble.” Caleb rubbed the back of his neck to ease the building tension. “I know I need to tell her, but as soon as I do she’ll probably make me quit working on the cabins. I have to have something to keep me busy while I wait to hear whether or not I have a career left.”

      “Giving up your work at Lakeside wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.” Phil’s gentle tone burned like acid on an open wound.

      Knowing his decision cost a man’s life slammed his conscience as much as if he’d been the one behind the wheel. How would he quiet the guilt if he couldn’t keep his promise to do everything he could for Dan? It was all he had left, especially if they stripped his badge.

      “You don’t understand.” He paused for a deep breath. “I made a promise to a dying man, and if fixing up the cabins is all I can do to keep it, then that’s what I’m doing.” He gripped the back of the chair, knuckles white, and locked gazes with Phil. “Just give me a few days and let me tell her in my own way.”

      The intercom buzzed. “Yeah, Marge.”

      “Robyn Warner on the line for you.”

      Phil shot a reassuring glance. “I’ll take it.” He picked up the phone. “Robyn, what can I do for you?” His forehead wrinkled. “Stuck? You haven’t been inside yet?”

      Caleb shook his head as a warning.

      “No problem. I’ll send Caleb out there right away.” The lawyer disconnected. “She needs help. The door’s stuck.”

      “I gathered that.” He narrowed his eyes. “Look, I’ll figure out a way to talk to her. In the meantime, whatever you do, don’t tell her who I am.”

      * * *

      The sight of Robyn on the porch swing sent a fresh rush of adrenaline through Caleb. Though he’d driven all the way out to the lake with his sunglasses off, he slid them on before approaching her.

      “Thank you for coming back.” The swing creaked as Robyn stood. Her wide and honest eyes, the color of robin eggs, perfectly mirrored her name. “I tried several times, but I couldn’t get the door open. So I hung out down at the dock for a while hoping you’d come back. Then when you didn’t, I called Phil. I hope you don’t mind.”

      “Phil gave me a key for the side door.” Caleb motioned for her to follow.

      The suitcase Robyn tugged clunked down the stairs. Without asking, Caleb grabbed the luggage handle from her and carried the suitcase over the stony ground to the side entrance.

      “You don’t have to do that.” Robyn quickstepped to keep up with him. Her unassuming manner was refreshing, and for an instant, his mood lightened.

      He caught himself before accidentally engaging in conversation. He yearned for the days when he could speak without measuring his words. When he could behave as though there wasn’t a millstone crushing his conscience. When he could wake without counting how many lives he’d destroyed.

      In the distance, sunlight glinted off the lake and the chatter of birds filled the pine-scented air. The property had potential, and Caleb was determined to help maximize its value before he revealed his identity and Robyn booted him out.

      He fished the key from his pocket and inserted it into the lock.

      “Wait.” Robyn grabbed his forearm. “If you don’t mind, I’d...” She left her comment hanging.

      Caleb stopped and dared