Always Dakota - Debbie Macomber [66]
“The same thing that’s wrong with most of us when it comes to men,” Sarah said wryly. Calla nodded without comment and pressed Play, as though to end a conversation that was becoming too personal.
They were silent for a few minutes as the movie began again. Soon they were both laughing.
“This isn’t such a bad movie,” Calla commented, sounding surprised.
“It’s actually pretty wonderful,” Sarah added, glancing from the television screen to her daughter.
Calla’s visit felt like a gift to Sarah, an unexpected and welcome surprise. The baby moved, this time for several moments as if exploring his or her cramped space. As Sarah cradled her stomach, she noticed Calla staring at her, but she said nothing.
The movie was almost over when Dennis returned from work. He saw Calla in the living room with Sarah and stopped short. “Hello,” he said cautiously.
“Hi.” Calla’s greeting was equally stiff. “I brought my mother a few videos.”
He looked at Sarah and she saw the merest hint of a smile. “I heard you were working for Joanie,” he said.
“Yeah,” she said and stood. “I’d better be going.”
“Don’t let me rush you off,” Dennis told her. “I’ve got to shower and then make something for dinner. Stay as long as you like.”
Calla wavered, visibly unsure about what she should do. “I’ll just watch the end of the movie.”
Before Dennis turned away, his eyes caught Sarah’s and he winked. Humming, he walked down the hallway to the bathroom, wearing a huge grin.
There were already hints of spring, and it wouldn’t be long before the first calves of the season arrived. When Margaret woke Monday morning, she suggested they work on cleaning out and preparing the calving barn. Matt agreed. After breakfast, they started, working side by side, laughing and teasing one another.
“How many calves have you delivered?” Margaret asked.
Matt doubted it was as many as his wife. He was about to answer when Sadie appeared, looking more than a little displeased.
“Phone call,” she said in that spiritless monotone of hers. “For you,” she added, pointing at Matt.
Matt could easily guess who the call was from.
Sheryl.
“Take a message,” he said curtly.
“Who is it?” Margaret wanted to know, staring from her housekeeper back to Matt.
“The call is for Mr. Eilers,” Sadie responded diplomatically.
“Matt?” Margaret looked at him. “Problems?”
“No,” he muttered, and without another word, followed Sadie toward the house. His steps were heavy with dread. When he hadn’t heard from Sheryl for several weeks, he’d hoped that meant she’d accepted his decision. Apparently not.
The phone was just inside the kitchen, and by the time he reached it, he was furious.
“Hello!” he half yelled as he picked up the receiver.
“Matt…”
It was Sheryl, all right, and hearing her voice was enough to set him off.
“What does it take, Sheryl? I can’t be any more blunt than I was before. There’s nothing between us and there won’t be in the future. Don’t call here again, understand?”
“But, Matt—”
He didn’t wait to hear her response; instead he slammed down the phone. Sadie stood with her back to him, slicing vegetables, but Matt knew she’d heard every word. Good. He wanted the housekeeper to realize he wasn’t cheating on his wife.
“Sadie.”
She turned and for the first time since he’d married Margaret, he thought he saw her smile. “I told you before, if Sheryl phones again, hang up on her.”
“Hang up?” The housekeeper gave him a sour look. “I didn’t know if you meant it or if that was just for show.”
“I meant it, all right. Would you please do as I ask?”
Sadie muttered an unintelligible response, and Matt wondered, not for the first time, if the woman was trying to make trouble.
Margaret was waiting for him when he returned to the calving barn. “Who was that on the phone, Matt?” she demanded the moment he walked into the stall he’d been hosing down with antiseptic.
“Just now?” he hedged.
“Of course just now!” She scowled. “It was a woman, wasn’t it?”
He was tempted to lie. That would have been an easy out, but then he remembered what Margaret had said—she