Always Dakota - Debbie Macomber [126]
Kevin had become something of a celebrity in town. An inspiration to other young people. He was about to enter his third year of art school and had proved to all of them that it was possible to achieve one’s dreams.
“What are you so excited about?” Sarah asked. Calla was home for the Christmas holidays. After delaying a decision about continuing her education, she’d applied at the last minute to the community college in Grand Forks, with plans to transfer to the University of North Dakota in her Junior year.
“I got a letter from Kevin,” Calla explained.
“You get letters from Kevin all the time.” Sarah was pleased with the budding relationship between her daughter and Leta Betts’s son. He was a positive influence on Calla, and they seemed to understand and appreciate each other.
“First off,” Calla said, sounding breathless, “he sold another sculpture and he’s really excited.”
“Wonderful.”
“You know what else he said?”
Sarah could only imagine.
“He suggested I might apply for law school after graduation.”
Her daughter an attorney. “Well,” Sarah murmured as she mulled over the idea, “you certainly have a gift for arguing any side of an issue.”
“That’s what Kevin said, too. I’ve never thought about being an attorney, but I bet it’d be really interesting work. I’m going to think about it.”
“Good. Buffalo Valley could use a capable attorney.”
“Mother, honestly,” Calla said with a groan, “what makes you think I’d want to practice here? The whole world’s just waiting to be explored. If I do take up law, it’ll be a long time before I set up an office in this town.”
“You have years before you need to make that decision,” Sarah told her.
“I’m heading back to school now, so I just came to say goodbye.”
Although Calla was often home on weekends, Sarah always hated it when she had to leave. She stood and hugged her daughter, savoring the renewed closeness they shared. Their relationship wasn’t perfect, and there were still times when Calla tried her patience, but it was infinitely better than it had been.
“I’ll phone next week,” she promised.
“Good.” Sarah enjoyed their long telephone conversations immensely.
“Kiss Josh goodbye for me.”
“I will,” Sarah said, walking her to the front door. The wind roared and the chill factor was well below zero—a typical North Dakota winter.
Calla paused as she rewrapped the muffler. “Love you, Mom.”
“Love you, too.”
Still her daughter hesitated. “I’m really proud of what you’ve done with your quilting business. One day, your quilts will be known all over the world.”
Her daughter’s faith in her did Sarah’s heart good. “Thank you, sweetheart. I hope you’re right.”
“I am, Mom, just wait and see.”
“How’d the knitting lesson go?” Buffalo Bob asked his wife when he returned from the town council meeting.
Merrily, six months pregnant, sat in the rocking chair in their small living room with a pair of knitting needles and a pattern. “This isn’t as easy as it looks, you know.”
Bob had to grin. Once again, Leta Betts had stepped forward and volunteered to give free knitting lessons. Joanie Wyatt had sold Merrily the yarn and other necessary supplies, and before he knew it his wife was busily working on a blanket for the baby. But Merrily wasn’t the only one preparing for the birth of their child.
Bob had completely refurbished the spare bedroom, converting it into a nursery. The ceiling had been repainted, the walls papered, the floor recarpeted. His kid had yet to be born and already he or she was being showered with love. Not a bad start.
Working on the nursery, he’d found it hard to suppress memories of Axel. Merrily’s suggestion about having their own baby had been a good one, although at the time it’d shaken him. His wife’s wisdom was an unexpected blessing, just like