Always Dakota - Debbie Macomber [43]
“So I’ve noticed.”
“Neither are their children.”
To Sarah’s surprise, Calla laughed. “Touché.”
While Calla was still in high spirits, Sarah decided to finalize the details of her visit. “It wouldn’t be difficult to exchange the airline ticket I sent you for Thanksgiving.” She wasn’t actually sure that was true, but she’d gladly purchase another ticket, if necessary.
“I wouldn’t have to stay with you and…and your husband, would I?” she asked. “You told me before that Grandpa said I could have my old room back.”
“I’m sure he’d be willing to make the same arrangement,” Sarah assured her, hoping her excitement didn’t show.
“In that case, I’ll come home, but only for Christmas.”
“Just one day?” Sarah shouldn’t be greedy, but she wanted Calla to stay much longer. A week, possibly two. Her heart’s desire was that her daughter would recognize that she’d been wrong to leave.
“I might be able to stay a bit longer than one day,” Calla offered, her tone suggesting she’d bestowed a tremendous favor.
“How long?” she asked warily, fearing Calla would use the opportunity to hurt her.
“A week,” Calla announced tautly, as though she expected an argument.
“That would be perfect.” Sarah couldn’t quite disguise her delight. “I’ll call the travel agent in Grand Forks today and have the tickets sent to your father’s.”
“Ah…Mom, listen, would it be possible for you to get the ticket mailed to my job? You know what a slob Dad can be. Things have a way of turning up lost or missing at his place…so it’d probably be best if I could pick up the ticket at the BurgerHaven.”
“All right.” She reached for a pen and paper and wrote down the address. Then, because she was curious as to why Calla had rebuffed her previous gift of an airline ticket, she asked, “Why didn’t you want to come for Thanksgiving?”
Calla hesitated. “Dad told me you were pregnant. I thought it was a ploy to keep me with him, but I wasn’t sure.”
Sarah closed her eyes and swallowed tightly. It had been a lie, but it wasn’t now. Clearly this wasn’t the time to mention her pregnancy.
“He was lying, wasn’t he?”
Willie had lied. He couldn’t possibly have known; she hadn’t known herself. Sarah suspected it wasn’t the first time he’d misled their daughter. “That’s why you didn’t come here?” she asked, not answering Calla’s question.
“No…the ticket went missing, and well, that’s the reason I wanted you to have it mailed to the BurgerHaven.”
“The ticket went missing?” Sarah repeated.
“Dad said it must have gotten lost…”
That rat! He’d returned the ticket himself and let Sarah believe Calla had heartlessly rejected her offer.
“I’ll make sure the new ticket’s mailed to the BurgerHaven,” Sarah promised. “Or you could pick it up at the airport,” she suggested, but Calla seemed to find that an intimidating prospect.
“I want it right here, in my hot little hands,” she joked. They spoke a few minutes longer and although Sarah didn’t want to end the conversation, Calla’s telephone card had nearly expired and Willie was due home any minute.
“I’ll see you next week then,” Calla said quickly.
“Next week.” Sarah replaced the telephone in its cradle and if she hadn’t been ordered to rest, she would have danced around the room. She had to let her daughter know about the baby, but she’d bide her time and choose exactly the right moment.
Buffalo Bob pressed the telephone hard against his ear, listening intently. He’d never met Doug Alder, the Savannah attorney Maddy McKenna had recommended, but had talked to him several times over the phone. The case involving Axel was complicated, to say the least, and Doug had decided to work with a California law firm, which meant additional fees and a larger retainer.
During a conference call earlier in the month, both Bob and Merrily had talked to the attorneys regarding their situation.
Merrily had done most of the talking. Her reluctance to work with the authorities was obvious. She didn’t trust the lawyers any more than she did Axel’s birth parents.
“Well?” she muttered now, looking to Bob for an answer.
Still listening,