Sample Chapter
CHAPTER 14 — The River and the Reckoning
Danny walked to the riverside and stared out across it — upstream, downstream, and at the river itself. He marveled at its power and its peace. This river had flooded before, caused great damage, even loss of life, yet today it was a source of calm.
He followed the river upstream. To his right he could see the Wright cabin above the trees. A grove of willows came all the way to the beach’s edge. Sunlight danced on the ground as the wind shifted the leaves. Ash and cypress stood among them, a panorama of green and gold.
He walked below the cabin and further upstream. About a hundred yards ahead, Danny heard men talking — joking, more like it. He cleared a small outcropping of rocks and spotted Chick and Jonny standing on slabs of concrete. A man driving a skid steer was covering a large hole with the bucket.
Danny paused. Is this a good time? He reasoned with himself that it was.
Chick saw Danny ascend the bank and pointed him out to Jonny. Chick stepped off the concrete slab. Jonny kept working.
Danny walked up the incline and Chick walked down to meet him. Chick’s hand was out and Danny clasped it. Danny brought his left hand around and cupped both — a symbol of friendship, kinship, and surrender.
Chick invited Danny onto the foundation. Danny stepped up carefully, brushing dust from his palms.
“What’s the plan, if I may ask?” Danny said.
Chick explained the expansion — the tiny homes, the septic system, the roadbed, the long‑term vision. Danny listened, impressed.
Then Danny took a breath.
“Mr. Wright,” he began.
Chick’s posture changed at the formality.
Danny continued, voice steady. “My daughter is an accomplished investigative journalist. Several years ago she uncovered very serious corruption in Los Angeles governmental circles. She was dogged in her research, and her writing was compelling.”
Chick’s expression tightened.
Danny pressed on. “Sylvan has a deep interest in your story. She found an old magazine article. She started pulling on threads. She learned enough to want to do something formal with your story.”
Jonny had stopped working. He stood nearby, listening.
Danny continued, “She made up her mind to come here once she found out where you lived. She and I talked about using subterfuge — getting the story through back channels. But deceit wasn’t an option. I helped her decide her approach, but mostly what she’s doing is her doing — her idea, her plan.”
Danny swallowed. “As we speak, she is talking to Mrs. Wright and telling her the same story I’m telling you.”
Chick grunted — a low, unreadable sound — then said, “Jonny, would you excuse us, please.”
Jonny turned and walked away.
Danny steadied himself. “I’m her dad. I love her. And I admire the honorable young woman she’s become.”
Chick looked out toward the river, his silence heavy.
Danny waited.
Finally, Chick turned back. “I admire you greatly, Mr. Ryan. You’re a dad I wish I was. You’re your daughter’s advocate. You’d climb mountains for her.”
Danny let the words settle before he finally uttered, “Thank you.”
Chick continued, “I’m grateful you encouraged your daughter to avoid sneaking around for the story. But understand, Danny — my story affects everyone in my family. My life is not a secret, but it’s not public.”
He reached for Danny’s hand and pulled him into a hug.
“I’ll get back to you.”
Danny walked back toward the RV feeling fuller than when he started. Chick Wright had added something to his life. Danny embraced it.
