Daniel was quiet for a long time before speaking. “I wasn’t even going that fast, and I would have been able to stop... or at least avoid hitting him... if I hadn’t swerved to miss the other car.” He paused for a moment, then continued, “But it never would’ve happened if I hadn’t gone to buy that motorcycle.”
“Maybe not. But it did happen. It’s how we deal with life’s challenges that defines who we are.” Emily tried not to dwell on what that meant for her.
Daniel gave a sad smile. “I turned to alcohol. What does that say about me?” He continued before Emily could say anything. “And I bought the motorcycle anyway. I think I did it to punish myself. I rode it all the time and was rather reckless.”
“Were you hoping to get in an accident? Did you think if you injured or killed yourself, you’d be getting what you deserved?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe. To tell you the truth, I didn’t think clearly about much of anything. I kept drinking because I liked how it masked the pain.”
“Did you drink because you wanted to? Or because you had to?” When Daniel didn’t respond, she went on. “You know your family’s history will make your fight to stay sober much harder, don’t you?”
Daniel hung his head and nodded.
“What could you have done differently to help you cope with your struggles?”
He shot to his feet, grabbing the railing for support. “It doesn’t matter. I made the wrong choice, and I’ll pay for it for the rest of my life.”
“Recovery from an addiction is not a single event, Daniel. It’s a process. In your case, a life-long process. But recovery is possible.”
“Maybe, but I’ve got a record now.” He sunk, defeated back into his chair. “That’s not something that will go away.”
“Why do have a record?”
Daniel took his time answering. “I was drunk when I... wrecked my bike and broke my leg.”
“Was anyone else injured in the accident?” Emily asked, fearing the answer.
“Not seriously, no. But their car was totaled. Jake covered what the insurance didn’t to replace their car so there wouldn’t be a lawsuit. But I go to court in two weeks, for the drunk driving offense. Ben has agreed to represent me, but I can hardly look him in the eye.”
“Why? If Robert and Jake are like brothers to you, I would think Ben would be like a cousin.”
“Because, Ben’s first wife was killed by a drunk driver,” he groaned.
“I see. I understand why you would feel uncomfortable about that. Are you afraid Ben won’t give you a fair representation?”
“No, it’s not that. I plan on pleading guilty to all the charges. I feel bad, you know. That I turned out like the guy that killed Ben’s wife.”
“I don’t know anything about the man responsible for Ben’s wife’s death, but do you want to know what I think?” When Daniel looked at her, she continued. “I see a young man who has been through something difficult and made some poor decisions. But I see your remorse, and I’ve seen you work hard over the past few days to overcome your problems. You’re surrounded by people who care about you and will help you succeed. You can do this, Daniel.”
He lowered his gaze.
“Think about it. How hard must it be for Ben to agree to help you? He’s doing it because he cares about you, and he sees a young man who is worth the effort. Like Jake does, and so do I.”
Emily twisted a lock of hair.I hope I’m strong enough to help you through this.
Chapter 21
Exhaustion consumed Emily by the time she shuffled back into the house. She wanted to crawl into bed and hide away from everyone and everything, but she needed to make some phone calls. Dreading the task, she headed toward Jake’s office.
Before she made it there, Jake walked in the back door. He gave her a tender smile and stepped close.
“Is there anything I can do for you, Emily?”
His voice, so tender, was almost her undoing, again. Would it ever get easier? After her father died, her grief had been horrible, but she’d had Cameron. And Trent.
She didn’t want to think about Trent right now. But she had to. He needed to be told about Cameron’s death.
“Does that offer of moral support still stand?” Maybe if she had a handsome rancher nearby, distracting her, she wouldn’t get so emotional talking to Cameron’s friends.
