Always Dakota - Debbie Macomber [109]
Hassie handed her the soda, then walked around the counter and pulled up a stool. “What’s on your mind?”
Calla figured it’d help to have some kind of subtle lead-in to the question she wanted to ask, but she couldn’t come up with one. Might as well wade right in. “I guess you know I’ve been having trouble with my mother.”
“I did hear something along those lines,” Hassie admitted.
Calla took a sip of her soda and smiled, letting the older woman know how much she enjoyed it. A little flattery was never a bad idea, and besides, Hassie really did make fabulous sodas.
“I don’t blame my mother,” Calla added, wanting to sound adult and mature. “In some families, parents and children just don’t see eye to eye.”
“Is that true of you and your mother?”
“It seems to be.” Calla released a small sigh, as though she considered this entire situation unfortunate and one she deeply regretted.
“It’s never too late, you know.”
This wasn’t the path Calla wanted the conversation to take. “My mother has a new life now. She’s got her business and her marriage. She’s happy with Dennis and they’re starting a family. I don’t fit into that picture, if you catch my drift.”
Hassie shook her head, her expression impatient. “Fiddlesticks.”
“It’s true, Hassie. I love my mother, but I can’t live with her.”
“I imagine you’re grateful for your grandfather, then.” Hassie raised her eyebrows expectantly.
“Oh, yes. Gramps has been wonderful. I don’t know where I’d be if it wasn’t for him—but lately we seem to be having a bit of a problem, too.”
“You’re not getting along with your grandfather?” Hassie asked loudly. “Is that what you’re saying?”
Calla forced herself to look sad and woebegone. Lowering her eyes, she whispered, “We recently had a bit of a falling out.”
“You and Joshua?” Hassie made it sound like that wasn’t possible. “I’ve known your grandfather a lot of years, and he’s an absolute marvel at avoiding conflict. Hates it. In fact, he’ll do just about anything to get out of it.”
“He didn’t have any trouble speaking his mind with me,” Calla informed her, remembering all too well the bluntness of his words. She inhaled a deep breath. “Seeing that I don’t get along with him or my mother,” she said quickly, “I was giving serious thought to…” She hesitated, wondering if her announcement would sound too melodramatic.
“Serious thought to what?” Hassie asked.
Her chin came up. “Disowning my family.” That idea had felt very satisfying when she’d first thought of it.
Hassie’s eyes narrowed to thin slits. “You mean before they disown you?”
Calla felt that barb and would have returned an even sharper one of her own if she wasn’t looking to Hassie for help. All right, in all likelihood she wouldn’t disown her entire family. She’d probably stay in contact with Jeb and Maddy, not as relatives but as friends. Jeb was all right as uncles went and Maddy was terrific. Besides, Julianne was the only cousin she had and the sweetest baby ever.
“You don’t think I should disown my family?” she asked.
“Hardly. As far as I can see, they’ve done nothing to deserve it.”
Apparently Hassie wasn’t privy to the things her mother had done, but Calla preferred to avoid discussing the sordid details of Sarah’s affair with Dennis Urlacher. Nor did she wish to talk about her father’s pathetic life. Both her parents disgusted her.
She reached for her soda and took a deep swallow. This conversation was more difficult than she’d bargained for. Clearly, she needed to approach it from a different angle. “Have you noticed how many people are moving into Buffalo Valley?” she asked in a determinedly casual tone.
Hassie’s eyes brightened. “The way this town’s coming back to life is a sight to behold, isn’t it?”
“It’s really cool.”
Hassie laughed, and patted Calla’s hand.
“You seem to be doing good business lately.” She nodded at the cash, where