about letting voicemail get it, changed her mind.
“Hello.”
“Miss Dye,” a voice she didn’t recognize started, “My name’s is Kelly Canton. I’m a reporter with…”
Shock and confusion warred in Clarissa’s mind. For some reason she didn’t hang up the phone immediately. She let the woman finish her introduction and ask for an interview.
“I won’t be interested,” Clarissa said, and this time, she didn’t wait to see what the reporter had to say next. She hung up, looked at the time and dialed Jed’s number.
His phone went to voice mail, and she listened to his deep steady tones telling her to leave a message at the beep.
Panic hit then and she hung up before saying anything. What could she say? Reporters are calling. It starts with one, but there will be others. This will turn into a circus because you’re handsome and rich and your daughter is precious and my past is so salacious. They won’t be able to stay away.
Joan Anderson had won.
It was really that simple. She couldn’t stay. Not now anyway. Not until this business with the Van Neys was finished.
But if she left, Jed would be furious. He’d be hurt. And Mackenzie…
God, she didn’t know what to do.
She closed her eyes, tried to pray, but her cell phone rang again. She checked to see if maybe it was Jed, but it was the reporter.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart. She repeated the words to herself, and she knew God would make this all work out. He’d keep Mackenzie and Jed safe, and He’d keep her safe too. But keeping her safe didn’t necessarily mean keeping her safe here.
She called Bev who told her to hold on a second. A door closed and then Bev was back on the line. After she explained everything, Bev said “Ahhhhh, that explains it.”
“Explains what?” Clarissa needed direction. She needed someone to tell her the right answers.
“Well the reporter called Pete’s last night after you were off, but you know Pete, he didn’t say anything. And Jed’s lawyer is sitting at my kitchen table with donuts for the kids. He might’ve said something about your past being troublesome but nothing they couldn’t handle in court if it comes to that.”
Clarissa’s heart fell to her toes. She wanted to focus on the lawyer bringing donuts for the kids, but all she could think about was the word troublesome.
“I’ve got to go. I can’t let this happen to him. I should’ve known.”
“Sugar,” Bev said, “it’ll be fine. It won’t be easy, but it will work out.”
It would work out all right. “It’ll hurt Mackenzie. Jed can handle it. He’s strong and tough and such a good dad. But I can’t let this happen to Mackenzie. I’ve got to go. At least for now. I’ve got…I’ll talk to you later.”
She hung up the phone, threw her belongings into the two cases and ran down the stairs and into the diner.
Jed noticed the missed call at the same time his phone rang. He picked up when he saw Bev’s picture. Kind of early for a call from Bev.
“What’s up sunshine?” he said, pointing out the trees he wanted José to harvest next.
“I might’ve accidentally screwed up big time,” Bev said and Jed turned away from the arbor area completely.
He stuck a finger in his ear so he could hear better then said “What?”
“I told Clarissa your lawyer thinks her past might be troublesome. And a reporter called her asking questions. She’s scared, and I think she’s going to leave.”
Several things hit Jed a once. “Ron talked to you about my case?”
“Focus, Jed. Reporter, troublesome, bolting. Clarissa’s leaving because she’s afraid her past will lead to a big mess, and she doesn’t want Mack hurt. You better get to town quick. She sounded pretty determined.”
Jed hung up the phone and took off running.
Surprisingly, Pete understood when she said she had to leave.
“You might think about waiting a couple days to get things in order first,” he said, but Clarissa didn’t want to wait. Not with a reporter calling.
“I don’t have much to get in order. The church doesn’t need me any more for childcare, and you’ve hired new girls. I’ll go to the City maybe or Tulsa. Somewhere to wait until this is over.”
“You leaving won’t change anything,” Mrs. Norene said. She and Lester were eating breakfast at the bar instead of their table for a change.
“Norene,” Pete said looking at her pointedly. But Mrs. Norene just shrugged.
“I saw her come barreling in here with her