Page 41 of Cross My Heart
Shit, I hadn’t thought of it that way.
“Listen, I just want to get to know the people that matter to Lanie. I really like her and want her to stay and feel comfortable with my kids and me.”I can’t believe I am explaining myself to strangers.“We all feel like she is family in the short time she’s been there. I didn’t realize this would seem like a betrayal.”
A small boney hand lands on mine, and I turn to my side.Miss Rosa.Of freaking course.
“Hi, Miss Rosa. I guess I have you to thank for this welcome party?”
She has the grace to look chagrined for a moment before answering. “Sonny, we all just want what’s best for our Lanie, after everything that’s happened to her and all. We are, well...we are very protective of her, but if you explain to Maxine what you did to me, you will be just fine. Julia, ah, she is smart as they come, socially a little off that one, but my money is on you. If anyone can win her over, you can. Good luck. Now all you skit, let the man be to go about his business, he has his work cut out for him.”
Loosening the collar of my shirt, I headed back to my rental with the directions Miss Rosa slipped under my door sometime last night. I study them skeptically and decide to use my GPS as well but soon realize Miss Rosa was on to something.
Following the hand-written directions, I turn left at my third cow farm, go half a mile and turn where the barbed wire ends. I’m thankful it's daylight because this is some children of the corn shit right here. Miss Rosa says the driveway is about two miles long, so I take my time on these two miles to pull myself together.
Here goes nothing.
Dex
Chapter 17
Iround the bend in the driveway and pull up in front of an old but well-kept farmhouse. It has a wraparound porch, as you see in movies. Rocking chairs are lined along the exterior of the house as far as the porch goes. At the top of the stairs to the right of the doorway is an older man with a shotgun.
I swallow thickly.So he knew I was coming. I guess I should expect that with this town from now on.
I put the car in park and turned off the ignition. The man hasn’t moved but is watching me. I noticed he is dressed in a polo shirt, jeans, and work boots. A little bit city, a little bit country—fascinating. This has to be Mr. McDowell. I climb out of the SUV and hold my hand up in a wave.
He doesn’t say anything as I approach, but he does move the shotgun into his lap. I grew up in the south, everyone had guns but not once have I been to see about a girl and had one pulled on me.This is something new.
I land at the bottom of the steps before I speak. “Mr. McDowell, sir?” I ask in question.
“You must be this Dexter Cross that has my wife’s phone buzzing like a hive full of bees,” he answers.
“Yes, sir. I didn’t realize I would cause such a commotion coming here. I apologize for that. May I sit? I’d like to talk to you a bit.” I ask, suddenly feeling uneasy.
He doesn’t answer but nods and points to the rocking chair beside him with the shotgun.Jesus, I might pass out, this is harder than I thought…maybe I should have made a better plan. Tentatively, I climb the steps and take a seat.
“I take it you’re here about our Lanie? She isn’t in any trouble, is she? It doesn’t seem like something our girl would do, but luck never has been on her side,” he tells me.
“No, sir, she isn’t in any trouble, but now that I am here, I’m having a hard time finding the words to explain why I’m here,” I admit bluntly.
“Well, counselor, I suggest you approach it like you would a case in court. I know you weren’t in trials often, but surely you had practice in law school,” he answers, letting me know he is on to me.
I can’t help but smile at that. A lawyer through and through. “I see you did your research, sir.”
“Always. Don’t you?” He smirks.
I grin again. “Yes, sir, that’s part of the reason I’m here. And while I would love nothing more than to present a case in front of you, Lanie deserves more than that, so if you don’t mind, I’m just going to lay it all out there.”
“Good answer, Dex, good answer.” He smiles and waits for me to proceed.
“You see, I think Lanie is amazing. I have from the first moment she walked into my house like she owned the place. She closed my mouth when my jaw hit the floor from something she said twice.” I can’t help the smirk that comes over my face, and Mr. McDowell chuckles.
“I take it that doesn’t happen very often to you these days, does it, young man?” he replies.
“No, sir, it does not,” I answer truthfully. “But here’s the thing, she came into my home, cuddled my daughters who I never thought would stop crying. She got my son to speak when he hasn’t since his mother left almost a year ago. She has me smiling even when I think I might be losing my mind. I know it hasn’t been long at all, but I think I could fall for her.”
“You think, or you know? Those are two very different things, young man. With Lanie, you have to know.” He peers down for a moment then back up at me. “Her story is not mine to tell, but I will say, if you want something with her, you have to be all in.”
I sit in silence for a moment remembering Trevor had said the same exact thing.
