He pats my shoulder and leaves the room.
I look at my messages and there’s one from a client who is having issues with her horse. I grab my bag and head out the door, thankful to have something to do other than think.
On the ride over, I drive down Main Street, and see a girl who looks an awful lot like Chastity carrying a bookbag. I pull over, roll the window down, and call out her name. “Chastity?”
She can’t hide the shock in her eyes quick enough. “Oh, hi, Dr. Derek.”
“Do you need a ride?”
She shakes her head quickly. “No, no, no, I’m just walking.”
I’m not buying it. “Where? I thought you were working on the project with Everly?”
“We were. We finished a few minutes ago so I’m going…to the…to the McCutchreys’ store. I need to get something.”
She really needs to work on her storytelling if she’s going to lie. “That’s where I’m heading, hop in.”
“No, really.” She looks around. “It’s totally fine.”
“Come on, your mother would never forgive me if I let you walk in the cold.”
“It’s not cold.”
I grin. “And you’re not telling the truth.”
She sighs and her head falls back. She looks so much like her mother right now. “Fine, but you can’t tell my mom if I tell you.”
I’m thinking that’s not a great bargain to make with Chastity, but the last thing I want is for her to end up in trouble. “I can’t promise, but if it’s not illegal, I won’t.”
“I’m going to see my father.”
That was not the words I was expecting. “Your father?”
“Yes, he’s here in town, and I know Mom was adamant I stay away from him and I know she’s right, but I have to see him. I need to see him. He’s here and I can’t…I can’t not…I have to…”
I can’t imagine the turmoil she’s feeling. “Get in,” I say as I open the passenger door.
“Please, don’t tell her. She left to drive Everly home and I don’t know, I just walked out thinking I would get back before her. You can’t tell her, Derek. She will never forgive me or understand.”
“Forgive you?”
Chastity tucks her hair behind her ear. “I sent him a few messages,” she admits. “She’ll think I contacted him because she’s not a good enough mother, but that’s not it. It’s because he’s famous and people talk about how great he is and I want to know why. How can he be here and not even want to see me? How can he think I’m not good enough?”
“You are better than him, that’s how. He’s an idiot and it’s his loss.”
“It doesn’t matter. I was going to see him and then come home without anyone knowing.”
This girl is brave beyond her years. I hate keeping this secret from Teagan, but at the same time, I feel like Chastity needs someone. I can’t imagine doing this alone, and if it were my daughter, I would want her to not be alone. “You were going to your grandfather’s funeral to see him?”
Her eyes widen. “You know he’s here?”
“Yes, I went with your mother when he showed up in town.”
She shakes her head. “I need to see him. I won’t make a scene or anything, I just want to…meet him…just once. I want to say that I looked him in the eyes. Do you understand?”
I release a heavy sigh. “I don’t, but then again I don’t know what it’s like to not have a father. How did you think you’d pull it off?”
She pulls her backpack around. “I was going to change into my black dress and just go. I figured I could blend in?”
“Chastity, everyone in this town knows who you are.”
“He doesn’t.”
“No,” I say with resignation. “I guess he doesn’t.”
I’m not sure what to do, but I can’t let this girl who was brave enough to go to a funeral to get a glimpse of her father go alone. I also don’t want to betray Teagan, but Chastity’s going to do it whether I say to or not.
“You can’t go alone.”
“I can’t tell anyone.”
“I was heading to look at a horse, but I have about twenty minutes. Why don’t you let your mom know you’re with me, we’ll stop by the funeral for a minute, and then you can help me, deal?”
Her eyes light up and her smile is blinding. “Oh my God, are you serious?”
“Yes, but we are telling your mother after, understand?”
She nods. “Okay, that’s totally fine.”
I have a feeling it’s not, but this is what I think is the right move.
We drive the few blocks to the funeral home and head inside. I can practically feel the nervous energy rolling off of her. She rushes into the bathroom to change, and then stands off to the side of the room, not making eye contact with anyone. It’s the very end of the viewing, which is a good thing because it means we have fewer people who will be here and see us.
“Ready?” I ask as we’re at the entrance to the room.
“Yes.”
I’m glad one of us is.
She grabs my arm, stopping in her tracks as we get about halfway into the room. There stands Keith, looking at the casket, with his head bowed.
“That’s him,” she whispers.
“Yes. Are you sure you’re okay?”
She looks up at me with tears in her eyes. “I don’t know, it’s so strange.”
No one has noticed us and this would be the perfect time to exit. “Let’s head back now.”
Chastity nods.
When we start to make our way out the door, I hear Keith’s voice. “Derek?”
Shit.
I turn to Chastity. “Just play along.”
“Keith, I’m here to pay my respects. I’m very sorry for your loss.”
His lips are in a flat line and it’s clear he doesn’t want me here any more than I want to be here. “Thanks. Is this your kid?”
No, she’s yours.
“Yes, this is my daughter, Everly.”
Chastity looks up at her father and extends her hand. “Hi.”
“Hey.”
My head is spinning at the fact that he’s standing here,
