Chapter Six

One month had passed since the live audition in LA, and in that time, Storm lost hope he’d compete for the one-million-dollar prize. Needing to earn some quick money, he got a temporary job with a local rancher. But with little money coming in and more going out, he’d run through his savings soon. Forget about buying land to start a farm, if he didn’t find a full-time job soon, he and his mom would end up on the street.

To make matters more pressing, that morning Valerie informed him she accepted a one-year assignment in Brazil. She would leave in January, and Storm would have Harper permanently. But only if he proved he could provide a safe, stable home for their daughter.

Valerie would never sign-off on granting him full custody with his current lack of resources. In that case, his daughter would go live with her parents in New York—too far away from Liberty Ridge. Sure, he could take her to court, but a custody fight wasn’t best for his daughter. He would move to New York, maybe leaving his mom in Texas—again.

His plan to start an organic farm was the key to keeping his family together. The reality show was his one and only lifeline in funding his dream.

Rose experienced several psychiatric episodes over the past few weeks, but he handled them without much drama. Though, he still got freaked out when she talked to people who weren’t there. She swore the voices she heard were real. As long as she kept the conversations confined to their apartment, everything was fine. But when she shouted in anger in the middle of a store, he received a phone call from a very concerned store manager.

Storm just disconnected from video chat, having tried to reach Valerie to talk with Harper, when his cell phone rang.

The female voice on the other end introduced herself as a casting producer for The Great American Scavenger Hunt. Without fanfare, she offered him a spot on the show.

His mind spun as she continued on with the details. He answered questions he barely comprehended. Yes, he’d love to compete on the show. No, he hadn’t had a physical during the past year. Yes, he had an email address she could send all the details and forms. His heart pounded against his rib cage.

After he disconnected the call, he sat and collected his thoughts. He pictured winning the prize money, buying that land, and then driving a tractor over a field with Harper on his lap. His daughter could toddle around with the ducks and sheep, living the kind of life he’d always wanted for himself. More importantly, she’d grow up safe and loved.

This good news called for a celebration. Rose was at a pottery class at the community center so he was currently solo. He decided to walk downtown and treat himself to something yummy from A Bonnie Bakery. Normally, he avoided processed sugar, but right now his sweet tooth wanted to be satisfied.

Over the past month, he’d slowly grown comfortable in Liberty Ridge. Most everyone he interacted with was welcoming. Colleen was the only person he actively avoided. After what happened in California, he pretended she didn’t exist.

After a walk, which took five minutes in ninety-degree heat, he opened the door to the bakery and stepped inside. Sugar and yeast scented the refreshingly cool air. Besides Bonnie working behind the counter, the bakery was empty. He ordered an apple turnover and a cup of tea, and then sat at a table by the window. The smell of warm apples and cinnamon wafted into his nose, and his mouth salivated in anticipation. The sweet scent reminded him of the taste of Colleen’s lips. Memories of her appeared at the worst times—like when he was enjoying a little taste of victory.

As he savored the first bite of turnover, the bell over the door rang. A mixture of female voices filled the small bakery.

“I thought for sure I was out, so when they called me today, I couldn’t believe it.”

At the sound of Colleen’s voice, Storm felt his stomach drop. Was it too much to ask that he get a peaceful moment to savor his own good news?

“Are you sure you’re up for competing on a reality show?” Grace Carter stood beside Colleen and wrapped a tan arm around the petite blonde. “You really aren’t the adventurous type. No offense.”

Colleen laughed. “None taken. But who’s to say this old house cat can’t learn to enjoy exploring the backyard?”

The women headed to the counter and ordered.

With their backs to him, Storm let his gaze rest on Colleen. She was curvier now compared to the teenage girl who barely had enough hip width to hold up her cheerleading skirt. He liked the look of her woman’s body. But, surely a lot of men did. She always had a long line of men at her beck and call. Was she in a relationship or single? Or was she playing the field?

Colleen turned toward Grace. “Part of the challenge is physical, but you’re not going anywhere unless you have a brain to back up the challenges. I’ll need to strategize. I can form alliances and get other contestants to trust me. I will play to win.” Colleen took a cupcake from Bonnie and spun to face him. Her eyes widened.

She met Storm’s hard stare. Was she talking about the Scavenger Hunt show? In his mouth, the sweet taste of apples turned bitter. He almost choked as he washed down the food with a sip of tea. Something in his life finally went right, and along came Colleen with a stick pin, smiling as she popped his balloon.

“Hey, Storm.” Grace took a seat at another table. “Aren’t the apple turnovers here fantastic?”

He didn’t understand how Grace and Colleen could be friends. In high school, Colleen had teased Grace. Well, Colleen loved to tease everybody. Grace must be a bigger person. “Nothing tastes better than apples and pastry when you’re celebrating.” He lifted the china cup to his lips and took another drink of herbal tea.

Colleen sat across from Grace and set down her cupcake-topped plate, all while avoiding further eye contact with Storm.

“So, what are you celebrating?” Grace asked before sinking her fork into her pink frosted cupcake.

What would Colleen do when she learned he’d been cast for the show, too? Probably have her daddy call the show’s producers and get him kicked off. Well, he wasn’t going anywhere. He needed the prize money more. She had other means to get what she needed. He didn’t. He stared at Colleen. “This morning, the producers of the Scavenger Hunt show called. They want to cast me, and I told them I can’t wait to beat all the other contestants.”

Colleen raised her gaze to meet his.

Her large, china blue eyes still had the ability to steal his breath. His heart fluttered inside his chest.

“Well, Liberty Ridge hasn’t seen something this exciting since George Quinn was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals,” Grace said with a smile. “Colleen’s been cast, too.”

Like his life wasn’t difficult enough. “You sure you want to even bother, Colleen?” He crossed his arms across his chest. “A pampered princess with nothing but a pretty face has no shot at winning. I’ve spent the last five years traveling and living off the land.”

“So…you admit I’m pretty?” Colleen narrowed her eyes and glared back. “You underestimate me. Good.”

How could he keep his composure while competing against her? A simple answer, really. He’d make sure she was the first one eliminated.

****

“I expressly forbid you to be on that show.” Clive Gardner sat stiffly behind the desk in his office. “I won’t stand by and watch my daughter made a fool of.”

The little girl still inside Colleen shrank. Instead of giving in to her instinctual reaction to acquiesce, she stiffened her spine. She knew a fight with her father was inevitable over her involvement with the show. In a little over a week, she’d fly out to Washington DC and join the rest of the cast, regardless of whether she received her father’s blessing or not. After spending the last two weeks thoughtfully packing her travel backpack, she was ready and raring to go. “If you haven’t noticed, I’m a grown woman—capable of making my own decisions.”

Her dad stood and closed the door to his office.

Wouldn’t want all your employees to witness our argument. He cared so much about other’s opinions but didn’t bother putting on pretenses with his own child—which meant she saw the real Clive Gardner, warts and all. Once back in the safety of his own home, he’d pick up the bottle and become lost in a drunken haze.

“You may be grown, but you’re still my responsibility. You could get hurt.” He leaned back in his chair.

“For once in my life, would you please put some faith in me?” Despite her earlier calmness, she found her body tensing with each word. “Nothing you say will change my mind. I’m doing this, with or without your support.”

Sighing, her dad reached into the mini fridge behind his desk and pulled out a bottle of water. He twisted off the cap and took a long drink.

Colleen saw the struggle behind his eyes and understood he wanted something stronger.

“When did you get so stubborn?” Clive set the water bottle onto a glass coaster on his desk. “The little girl I knew always wanted to make her dad happy.”

Should she tell him that her attitude to always appease rated as one of her biggest regrets? Guilt hung around her neck like a heavy chain. She thought of her mom’s death and her father’s alcoholism, and the role she played in both. Followed by reviewing, her hurtful and mean behavior and how she’d heartlessly tossed aside Storm’s friendship. Maybe she couldn’t go back in time and change the past, but she still controlled the future.

“I’m just as stubborn as you.” Colleen pointed at her dad before heading toward the door. “I leave next Friday. I hope to see you again before then.”

“Still time for you to come to your senses.” Clive leaned back in his large leather chair and turned his attention to the computer screen. “Come over for dinner on Sunday. I’ll have Miriam cook something special.”

As much of a blessing as he’d give. So, she’d accept his meager offerings with a grateful heart. As she walked out of the company office building, she let her mind wander to the starting line of The Great American Scavenger Hunt. With each passing day, her nervous excitement grew. Most people doubted she could really compete. Well, she’d show them and prove to Storm she was more than a pampered princess.

Her appointment at the salon wasn’t for another thirty minutes. Hopefully, she wouldn’t chicken out once in the stylist’s chair. Fingering her long hair, she hardened her resolve. Ten inches of her beautiful hair would soon decorate the salon floor.

****

As he settled in for the night on his ex-girlfriend’s couch, Storm tossed and turned in an attempt to get comfortable. But really, how could he ever be comfortable staying with Valerie? He’d only had enough money for a plane ticket and nowhere else to stay, so Val had grumbled but ultimately opened her home. In repayment, he was babysitter extraordinaire for Harper. He even sat quietly in the living room with Harper on his lap and watched the woman he used to love get dressed up for a date with another man.

He still found Val very beautiful. For the most part, they got along, even if their civility was mostly for Harper’s sake. But any spark between them died well before Harper was born. They’d broken up a month before Val had stopped by his apartment with news of her pregnancy. At the time, the idea of fatherhood repelled him. Now, he couldn’t imagine a life without his sweet daughter.

A door opened down the hall, and the shuffle of footsteps neared.

“You asleep yet?” Valerie whispered.

“Nah. What’s up?” Storm cautiously adjusted to a sitting position, keeping the thin sheet covering his lower half.

She sat by his feet at the end of the sofa. “I’m glad you made the trip here for Harper’s sake. She asks for you all the time.”

His heart constricted with longing. He wanted his daughter with him every second. “I love Harper more than anything, Val. You know that. When I win the prize money, I’ll make sure she has a good home. She’ll be well taken care of while you’re away.”

“But what if you don’t win? I’ve waited for years to get the opportunity for this study. I need to go, regardless of the outcome of your TV competition.” She paused and twirled a piece of auburn hair around her index finger. “If Harper goes to live with my parents, they said you’re welcome any time to visit.”

Storm jerked forward, forgetting the sheet. Luckily, he wore a pair of boxers. “I get five thousand dollars just for being on the show. I can’t buy the farm with just that amount, but it’s enough to get by on until I find a good job in Liberty Ridge.”

She threw up her hands. “Then what? You’re already caring for your mentally ill mother. Do you plan on putting Harper in daycare, or will you let Grandma watch her?”

Arguing with Valerie always reminded him of why they were no longer together. Although, she was justified in being protective of their daughter. “I love Harper as much as you do. I’m not the one leaving to study plants.”

She recoiled as if Storm slapped her. He didn’t care he’d hit below the belt. Valerie was a well-respected botanist at California State University, Sacramento, and he understood her research of the anti-inflammatory properties of Amazonian plants could lead to huge medical breakthroughs. He just couldn’t understand how she could leave her daughter for an entire year. Maybe longer if her research was successful.

“I’m not the one who moved to Texas.” Valerie stood with her fists resting on her hips.

“You know why I had to go.” He sighed in resignation.

“And you know why I took a job in Brazil. I honestly want Harper to live with you while I’m away. Go do the TV show and win the prize.”

Once Valerie left for her bedroom, sleep still evaded him. He fell into a light sleep and was plagued by dreams of failure. He started the competition but fell violently ill. Harper was yanked out of his arms and handed over to Valerie’s parents. At dawn, he awoke covered in sweat. Since he didn’t want to go back to sleep and revisit those dreams, he put the kettle on the stove for tea. With a steamy cup in hand, he headed out to the patio for some fresh air. Maybe the cool morning breeze would help clear his mind.

Once Harper climbed out of bed and ran to him, he felt centered again. As long as he was with her, all was right with the world. He’d rented a car for the day, and Val installed her car seat. First stop was the store to pick up shovel and pails, and then he drove to Stinson Beach.

As soon as she saw the Pacific Ocean, Harper flapped her small arms and squealed. “Down,” she commanded when Storm stepped onto the sand holding her. As soon as her feet touched down, she took off running.

He laughed at the determined hard line of her lips, which she’d inherited from him. As she wobbled across the sand with arms waving in the air, she reminded him of a newly hatched sea turtle on a quest to reach the ocean. Nothing would stop her, except for Daddy’s protective arms.

“Oh no, you don’t.” Storm scooped her up just as her toes touched the water. “You need to hold my hand.”

Harper crossed her arms and stuck out her lower lip. “Mean daddy.”

Now, that label just wasn’t fair. He wasn’t mean daddy. He was cool dad—fun dad—but always safety-first dad.

A cool wind blew off the ocean, but the bright sun helped warm the air. Not a cloud in the sky.

He set down their beach towels and sand toys then took a firm hold of Harper’s hand. They walked back to the water, and Storm played for almost an hour with her in the waves.

When she had enough, she ran back to their towels and plopped down. Harper lay still, with her tiny thumb stuck in her mouth and closed her eyes.

Storm sat beside her, gently rubbing her back. He remembered the soothing feeling of a soft hand rubbing his own small back—Colleen’s hand. He could still hear her whispering, “Sleep, my Stormy. I’m right here.” How had a five-year-old girl known the fears hidden deep in his heart? Colleen had been his comfort. She’d been his personal angel until she’d transformed into a taunting devil.

If he had never kissed her on the playground, would she have stayed his friend or eventually turned on him anyway? Guess he’d never know.

At the sound of barking, Harper’s eyes popped open.

A group of seals had settled on a rock outcropping farther down the beach.

“Dolphin.” Harper clapped her hands and squealed.

“Those are seals, honey.” He lifted her into his arms and walked over for a closer look. He kissed one chubby cheek and inhaled. She smelled like sun block and ocean water. He ached with the thought of leaving her tomorrow.

“Love Daddy.” She squeezed her arms around his neck and planted a wet kiss on his forehead.

Emotion lodged in his throat. Then and there, he committed to win the prize money, no matter what. He had no other option.