1105 Yakima Street - Debbie Macomber [103]
“Fair enough, although I should tell you that Lori and I plan to have a family by then.”
He ignored the comment.
“Kate wanted us to elope,” Leonard murmured. “But I wouldn’t hear of it. I had something to prove to her father first.”
“Which you did in spades.”
“Don’t try to flatter me, young man.”
Linc raised both hands. “No flattery intended.”
Bellamy relaxed in his chair, hands folded across his middle. “Before he died, Ambrose claimed he couldn’t have chosen a better husband for his daughter.”
Linc carefully considered his response. “My hope is that one day you’ll say the same thing about me.”
Leonard scowled. “I doubt that will happen.”
Again, Linc didn’t feel it was necessary to argue.
Shifting in his chair, Bellamy avoided eye contact. “I take it you’ve been talking with Kate.”
“Not me so much as Lori.”
He cleared his throat. “How is she?”
“Lori or Kate?”
“Kate, of course!” he snapped.
Linc enjoyed seeing the other man uncomfortable. “Fine, as far as I can tell.”
“I see.”
“Have you spoken to her lately?” Linc asked, knowing Bellamy hadn’t.
“That’s none of your damned business.”
“Right.” Feeling that the conversation had reached a natural end, Linc stood. “I appreciate your taking the time to meet with me, Mr. Bellamy. I trust we understand each other now.”
Bellamy stood, too. “You still have to prove yourself to me, young man.”
“I consider that a personal challenge.”
“Good, and if you happen to see…Kate in the next while, would you give her my best?”
Linc hesitated on his way out the door. “Doubt me if you will, Mr. Bellamy, but one fact you’ll never be able to dispute is that I love your daughter.”
“That remains to be seen, doesn’t it?” He accompanied Linc to the door and opened it for him.
“I can tell you right now that if Lori and I had a disagreement that caused her to leave me, I would move heaven and earth to get her back.”
“Lori isn’t nearly as stubborn as her mother,” Bellamy barked.
“No, I’d say she’s far more like her father in that regard.” With those words, Linc walked out of the office.
Thirty-Two
Dad and I painted the baby’s bedroom. The text came on Rachel’s cell phone.
Rachel texted back. What color?
Yellow.
Nice. Her connection with Jolene was still tenuous, although it had vastly improved in the past month. The process of rethinking their relationship was a slow one, but Rachel remained hopeful. So hopeful that she wanted to go home by the new year. January 1 was a symbolic time to start fresh. She hadn’t believed it would happen but now…it seemed possible.
Jolene continued to see the counselor and seemed to be opening up more to Dr. Jenner. When they’d last spoken, Bruce had said it wouldn’t be long before the three of them could meet as a family. The fact that Jolene was texting her was a good sign.
No sooner had she pushed the send button than her phone rang. Caller ID identified Jolene.
Rachel answered right away. “Hello, Jolene.”
“It’s Bruce.”
“Hello, Bruce,” she amended.
“Can I see you tonight? Are you busy?”
Rachel had just gotten home from work and done little more than hang up her coat. “I don’t have anything planned.”
“How about dinner?”
“That would be fine.” She couldn’t think of any reason to refuse; even if she had, she would’ve accepted his invitation. “Will Jolene be there?”
“No.”
Rachel hesitated. “How does she feel about that?”
“I don’t know and I don’t care. This is about us, you and me.”
No, it was about Jolene, too. “Let me talk to her, okay?”
“She’s in her room.”
Why would he try to keep her from speaking to his daughter? “Please put her on the phone.”
A few anxious minutes passed before Jolene spoke. “You wanted to talk to me?” Her voice was low.
“Yeah. Your dad asked me to meet him for dinner.”
“I know.”
“What are you doing?”
“Lindsey and I are going to a movie later. That’s what we usually do on Friday nights.”
Rachel could hear Bruce in the background. “What if you and I went out instead?” Rachel suggested. The two of them needed to work on their relationship, rebuild the trust that