“Wait… this makes no sense, Don. She’s dead. How will she know what you told me? Please. This is driving me nuts.”
“She was clear, Delilah. And I loved that woman, more than she will ever know – so the last thing I intend to do is honor her wishes. Go home. Read the letters. All will be answered and revealed.”
Delilah pushed her chair back, “Thanks for nothing, Don.” She turned on her heel and stalked out of his office.
“Delilah,” Don called after her.
“What?” she glanced over her shoulder.
“Read the letters. When you’re done. Find me – ok?”
“Sure… Whatever.” Delilah rushed out of the office and hurried to her truck. She couldn’t believe Don refused to help her. He knew something, she was sure of it. She was so lost in her head, she was pulling into her driveway before she realized it. Parker and Hank were gone, leaving her alone in the house. Sadness filled her when she glanced towards the barn, suddenly remembering Ed wasn’t there waiting for a ride made her eyes burn. She should have never left Alabama all those years ago. Maybe things would be different.
Hurrying up the stairs, she anxiously pulled open the box and pulled the next letter free. Slamming the lid shut, she tucked it under her arm. She needed to be outside, breathing fresh air as she read her grandmothers words.
Dear Delilah,
Remember the curve ball I told you about? Well, I must be the unluckiest human on the planet because I had another one thrown. For your entire life I knew nothing of your father. Your mother had been so tight lipped and after she died, I found nothing. For years I couldn’t understand how I’d missed her being in a relationship. But she had been, or else you wouldn’t be here today. A few days ago, I was going through some boxes in the barn, and I found her diary. I couldn’t believe all these years the key was buried in a damn box – right under our noses. Delilah, your father’s name is David Brighton. He was a Marine, like Parker. From what I could gather, he was a captain and had been deployed. They’d dated for a few weeks, and the day after he left, she learned she was pregnant. Her entries were a bit sporadic, but it seems as though she lost contact with him when he went on a mission. The last entry she talked about trying to locate him because you were turning one. She wanted you to know your dad, but she died. Baby, I wish I was able to locate him. I haven’t talked to Parker about it, I want to talk to you first. Maybe he can help find your dad.
I love you,
Momma Belle.
Delilah couldn’t stop looking at the name penned on the paper. Her father. David Brighton. All these years her dad was in the barn… well, not really. But she could have searched him out long before now had they just gone through the boxes sooner. Rapping her fingers on the wooden lid, she tossed the folded sheet inside and pulled out the second to last letter.
Part of her was nervous about opening it as it was the only connection to Momma Belle she had left. Once she read them all, what would there be to make her feel Momma Belle’s presence? She flicked the envelope, slipped it back inside the box, and closed the lid. For now, she needed to talk to Parker. Maybe he could help her locate information about her dad.
Chapter 24
Delilah pulled the remaining two letters from the box and set them on her nightstand. She was going to open them, but only after she called Parker. Glancing at the clock she realized it was nearly midnight. After eating something, she’d sat outside on the porch in the night sky thinking. Now, with her mind made up, she dialed Parker’s number. The line rang, then went to voice mail. Leaving him a brief message, she momentarily worried. He’d promised to come by and hadn’t. Slipping her clothes off, she slipped beneath the covers. Maybe he was just busy tonight, being a police officer wasn’t exactly predictable. Sighing, she closed her eyes and gave into sleep.
∞ ∞ ∞
Constant banging pulled Delilah from her sleep. Wiping the haze from her eyes, she sat up. Realizing immediately someone was banging on her door. Slipping out from the covers, she grabbed a pair of leggings and slipped them on. Her night shirt was long, but not long enough to leave her comfortable enough to answer the door at almost three in the morning.
Peering out the peep hole, she was shocked to see Hank standing on the other side.
“Hank?” she pulled the door open.
“Delilah, there’s been an accident.”
His words paralyzed her. Blinking rapidly, she tried to get her senses straight, “Whaa… what did you say?”
Hank pushed in passed her, “You need to get dressed. Parker was in an accident.”
The world tilted on its axis, nearly knocking Delilah on her ass. Hank grabbed her shoulders, “Whoa, I got you. Look, get dressed, I’ll drive.”
Rushing upstairs, she slipped a bra on under her night shirt, changed into jeans, and pulled her hair into a ponytail. Splashing water on her face, she brushed her teeth. Snatching her phone off the nightstand, she shoved the two letters resting beneath it in her back pocket.
“Hank, what happened?” Delilah slipped into the passenger seat next to him.
“All I know is a patrol officer came by the house and told me he’d been hit head on by a drunk driver.”
Tears spilled down her cheeks, “Oh my God.” She whispered into the cab. Hank reached over and took her hand in his. Delilah forced a smile, “Please let him be ok.” She closed her eyes and prayed as they drove in silence.
∞ ∞ ∞
Delilah was out of the truck before Hank had it in park. She rushed into the emergency room, “Can you tell me where Parker Masters is?”
“Are you family?”
“Um… not exactly.” Delilah huffed.
“I’m sorry, but we can’t discuss his status unless you’re family.”
“BULLSHIT!” Delilah slammed her palm against the granite countertop, “I am all he has. His family died a long time ago. PLEASE…” she begged, needing to know if he was ok.
“Excuse me?” A young doctor interrupted her, “Are you here about Deputy Masters?”
“Yes,” Delilah shot the nurse a death look, “please… is he ok?”
“Can we sit over here?” He pointed towards a bank of empty seats. As they seated themselves, Hank strolled through the doors and sat next to Delilah. “Can you tell me your relation to Deputy Parker?”
“I’m his best friend Hank, and she’s his girlfriend, Delilah.” Hank spoke. Delilah made a choking sound, but Hank elbowed her, silencing her words.
“His supervisor told me he had no family, other than two friends he’s mentioned. I’m assuming that’s you two?”
“Yes… please, just tell us.”
The young doctor wiped his face, “Deputy Masters,”
“Parker,” Delilah cut him off, “His name is Parker.”
“Yes, ma’am. Parker, as I was saying, was involved in a car accident. He was struck head on by a driver under the influence as he was going around a curve. There was no time to react, so the vehicles struck each other at full speed. Now Deputy…” the doctor cleared his throat, “Parker, was in a large SUV, and that saved his life. The other driver, well they weren’t so lucky. They died on impact.”