The Last Crawford Bachelor

“The only family member I knew was my mother. She wasn’t a nice person. In fact, she was terrible. I was hoping to find a family member I could be proud of. Someone I could tell myself had passed on some positive things to balance out the negative ones.” She gave a wry smile to Abby. “And you gave me that, Abby. I’m very grateful.”

“Oh, honey, you ask so little,” Abby said, shaking her head.

“But then I’m never disappointed.”

“Look, let’s drive into Wichita Falls and get you a change of clothes so you can spend the night and tomorrow with us, too. Okay?”

Dani wanted to stay there, wrapped in Abby’s family, feeling a part of it, even though it might not be true. She certainly wouldn’t put it past her mother to make up papers for some scam. “By the time we did that, your babies would be in bed asleep. I don’t want to take you away from them.”

“That’s not a problem. I’ll fix that. Wait here.”

Dani shook her head as Abby left the office. If she could choose her family, Abby would be at the top of the list. She was a very generous person, along with her sisters. Just knowing Abby made Dani feel good.

The door opened and Abby came in again, beaming. “Okay, I’ve got it all fixed. Pack some clothes for church in the morning. And jeans for horseback riding.”

“Horseback riding? I don’t know how to ride!”

“Don’t worry. We’ll teach you. Oh, I’m going to love having you here even if it’s only for a day or two.”

“A day, Abby. Tomorrow night I go back to the hotel so I can go to work the next morning…while I still have a job.”

When they reached the kitchen, Dani thanked Logan for going with her to the hotel.

“Oh, it’s not me, Dani. I would but Michael insisted on going because I promised Scotty I’d give him his bath tonight.”

Surprised, Dani stared at Logan. Then she began protesting. “No, that’s not necessary. I can manage on my own. I can—”

The back door opened and Michael entered. “Are you ready, Dani?”

Now she regretted accepting Abby’s invitation. Even the short drive to Wichita Falls was too long for her to be alone in a car with Michael. He made her nervous, uncomfortable. “Look, Michael, I can go by myself. There’s no need to bother you on your first night in your new house.” That sounded like a reasonable excuse to her.

He ignored her remark. “It’s getting late. I’ll drive.” He held the door open and waited.

Abby stepped forward and kissed Dani’s cheek. “We’ll get the kids in bed and have some more of Carol’s cake when you get back.”

Feeling as if she had no choice, she followed Michael out into the growing darkness. When they reached his car, she made a last-ditch effort. “I can take my car and be back within the hour. Abby would never know.”

“I promised her. She spent all day trying to make things better for me. A drive into town isn’t that big a deal. Get in.”

With a sigh, she did so. She sat silently as he pulled out on the road, unable to think of anything to say. However, since he didn’t speak, either, Dani decided Michael preferred the silence.

“Where are you staying?” he finally asked as they reached the outskirts of Wichita Falls. She named the hotel and gave him brief directions.

“Why haven’t you looked for a place to live?” he asked.

She gave him a disgusted look. “Surely you know the answer to that.”

He frowned even more. “Why would I know that?”

“Everyone else knows. That’s why none of the other employees associate with me. I even get sympathetic looks from the secretaries, but they don’t want anything to do with me, either. They’ve all figured out that I won’t be around very long.”