Letters from Peaceful Lane (New Americana 3)

“Sort of. Allison suggested I check out Missouri State in Springfield. They have a good journalism program. It would be a lot cheaper, and I’d be close to home—but I wouldn’t be close to you.”

Liam took a long, deep breath. “I love you, Brianna,” he said. “I’ve got a good job here but there are other jobs. And I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t give you the chance to follow your dream. Figure out where you need to be. If you still want me, I’ll find a way to be there for you.”

His willingness to accommodate her brought tears to her eyes. “You have a dream, too, Liam,” she said. “Yours is just as important as mine.”

“If you and I are meant to be together, we’ll work somethi

ng out,” he said. “But not much can happen until you’ve settled the question of school.”

A pause passed between them. “How’s your father?” he asked.

“Well enough to be up and around. He’s working a little from home, but I can tell he’s in a lot of pain. That doesn’t make him any easier to live with. We haven’t talked about you since the first time. But I get the impression he hasn’t changed his mind.”

“Well, give it time. Until I can show up and convince him how much I love his daughter, all we can do is be patient.”

“For what it’s worth, his daughter loves you, too. Now get some sleep.”

After ending the call, Brianna settled back in the chair and watched the clouds drift across the moon. The day had been full of surprises—the job with the paper, the sight of her father, up and working, and the unexpected conversation she’d had with Allison over lunch.

They’d driven down to the Landing for Mexican food, in an outdoor restaurant with a view of Lake Taneycomo. They’d talked about Brianna’s new job, and Allison had shared the news that she’d be working part-time for the theatrical agency. “It was my choice,” she’d said. “Your father wasn’t happy about it, but with so much at stake, he needs someone to look out for his interests there.”

“Isn’t that Garrett’s job?” Brianna had asked.

“I don’t trust Garrett, and neither should you,” Allison replied. “I told you about the Edgeway Group’s connection to the Mob. I have every reason to believe Garrett’s working with them to get control of your father’s business.”

“Every reason? What do you mean? What do you know that I don’t?”

“I’d rather not say—in fact I haven’t told your father what I’ve learned because he needs to focus on his recovery. But I’ve been in that office. I’ve seen what’s going on. And I need to warn you. Garrett may pretend to be your friend—just like he’s pretending to be mine. But don’t believe anything he tells you. In fact, you’re better off having nothing to do with him.”

“Are you saying he’s dangerous?”

“I hope not—although I can’t say that for some of his new friends. But Garrett’s certainly capable of lying. And he’s capable of using you to influence your father. If he can get Burke’s signature on that partnership agreement with Edgeway, the Mob will step in and take everything—and I’m pretty sure Garrett’s hoping to be the front man.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything,” Allison had replied. “Just be aware that Garrett’s gone over to the dark side, as they say in the movies.”

“For now, I’ll take your word for it,” Brianna had said. “But I’m not a baby. You don’t need to protect me from knowing what’s happening.”

“I understand. But your father doesn’t want you involved. Neither do I. Right now, until we have solid evidence, it’s better that you stay away from Garrett and from the agency,” Allison had said. “Now let’s talk about something else.”

Recalling the conversation now, Brianna struggled to make sense of it. Garrett had been her friend for as long as she’d known him. She’d always trusted him. And now, suddenly, he was supposed to be the villain.

Allison had already told her about the Edgeway Mob connection. At the time, she’d found herself wondering if it would be so bad, having plenty of money to remodel the theater and not having to pay it back, versus having her father go into heavy debt to borrow money from the bank. She still didn’t fully understand what was going on, except that the Mob was evil. If they financed the theater, they would probably demand control over everything. If he signed that contract, her father would be pushed aside, with no power. If he refused to sign . . .

A chill crept over her as she weighed the implications. The danger was real. But had Garrett joined forces with the Mob, or was he simply guilty of trusting the wrong people?

Allison had warned her to stay away from Garrett. Should she take the warning at face value? Maybe. Or maybe she should talk to the man she’d always believed to be her friend.

Too weary to make a decision, Brianna rose from the chair and wandered back into the house. Tomorrow morning she would start her new job at the newspaper office. To be at her best she would need a good night’s sleep.

Upstairs in her old room, she turned on a lamp to get ready for bed. The soft light fell on the framed photo that stood on the bookshelf. Taking it down, she gazed at the happy image of her family. She’d been twelve when the snapshot was taken by one of her father’s friends. Her father—barely forty here—looked young and happy. Her mother was the picture of radiant health, even though the cancer that took her life must have already begun growing inside her.

Wise, funny, loving Mom. How Brianna missed her. Allison was all right, but she was more like an older sister than a mother. Mom had been the real deal.

Brianna imagined telling her about Liam, and about the problems with her father’s business. Her mom always had an answer for her, even if it was just to be patient and trust her heart.

What advice would she give her troubled daughter now?