Always Dakota - Debbie Macomber [104]
Last Christmas when Calla asked if she could live with him, Joshua had welcomed the prospect. The house felt downright empty after Sarah had married Dennis and they moved into a place of their own. So he’d invited his granddaughter to move in. Calla needed a home and he needed the company.
These days Joshua wasn’t so sure it was a good idea. According to Jeb, Dennis and Calla had exchanged words not long ago. Sarah had been upset about it. Joshua couldn’t exactly miss the fact that something was seriously awry. Calla hadn’t been herself for days but, like him, she kept her troubles to herself.
Joshua wasn’t one to intrude; for that matter he seldom even offered advice. He wouldn’t say anything now, except that he felt it was necessary. Someone had to step in, and since Calla lived with him, he was the only real choice.
The back door banged and Calla walked into the house. “Evening, Grandpa.”
“Calla.” He set his coffee aside. “Do you have a minute?”
“Ah…sure.” She came into the living room, and Joshua reached for the remote control and turned off the television.
“Sit down,” he ordered.
Calla complied and sat on the edge of the sofa, obviously eager for this to be over so she could make her escape.
“How long have you been living with me now?” he asked.
She shrugged. “Practically ever since I can remember.”
“That’s right. I’ve seen you grow into a beautiful young woman.”
“Grandpa!”
His praise flustered her and she seemed ill-at-ease with it, but he ignored that.
“I’ve stood by and watched what’s happened between you and your mother for a lot of years. For the most part, I’ve stayed out of it, but I’m beginning to believe that was a mistake.”
Her face was now devoid of emotion. “If you don’t mind, I’d rather not discuss my mother.”
“I do mind,” he countered flatly. “In fact, I mind quite a bit.”
She folded her arms, signaling her resistance. Joshua didn’t care; he fully intended to speak his piece whether she wanted to hear it or not. How she responded was entirely up to her.
“Even though you rarely heard from your father, you placed him on a pedestal. Your mother didn’t say or do anything to enlighten you. Wisely, she understood that you loved Willie and needed your father—or an image of your father. But, in my opinion, she did more than shield you from the truth. She shielded you from the world.”
“She shielded me from nothing!”
“That was because you chose to run away. Of your own free will, you went to live with Willie. How long did it take to have your eyes opened?” he asked.
Calla glanced toward the ceiling, but didn’t answer.
“My guess is you got the message the first week you were with him. You ran away from him, too, remember? Still, it took you a total of six months to own up to the truth, to swallow your pride and move back to Buffalo Valley.”
Her shoulders rose and fell with a deep sigh. “Is there a point to this conversation?” she asked.
“Oh, yes, there’s a very big point.”
“Good, because it’s exceedingly boring.”
Joshua pretended he hadn’t heard that. “From what I understand, you and Dennis recently had an argument.”
“He’s got a big mouth.”
“Dennis Urlacher?” Her comment was enough to make Joshua choke back a laugh. “I’ve never heard that description of Dennis before.”
“Whatever.”
“Whatever?” he repeated. It was a word that seemed to punctuate his granddaughter’s conversation. An all-purpose response.
When she didn’t speak again, he said, “I heard that Dennis stood up to you and demanded to be treated with respect.”
“He’s a jerk.”
“The hell he is,” Joshua said, unwilling to mince words. “You’re the one who’s been unreasonable. At every opportunity, you’ve mocked and ridiculed your mother.”
“It’s what she deserves after—”
“Your mother deserves your respect,” he shouted. He could tell by the way she went wide-eyed that his booming voice had shocked her. Good, the girl needed a shock.
“Your mother has done nothing but love you. She’s loved you so much she’s overprotected you,” he continued. “When I heard about your