Always Dakota - Debbie Macomber [78]
Calla was staring at her, waiting. Then Sarah understood. Her daughter was asking. Despite everything Willie had done to her, Calla wanted to help him.
“I won’t give you money for your father,” she said flatly.
Calla looked away.
Feeling she had to explain, Sarah said, “It’s as hard for me to turn you down as it was for you to say no to your father. I understand what you must have felt when he pressured you, because that’s how I feel right now.”
Calla looked back and surprise flickered in her eyes.
“I love you, Calla. You’re my daughter and the fact that you’ve decided to live apart from me hurts. It hurts really badly. I’d do just about anything to regain your affection.”
That seemed to require some digesting on Calla’s part. “You won’t give my father money?”
“No.”
Calla’s eyes narrowed. “Because you’re married to Dennis.”
“I did marry Dennis, but my decision has nothing to do with him.” She paused, trying to make sense of Calla’s reactions. “I wasn’t choosing Dennis over you, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
By now Calla’s eyes had turned cold. “Think what you like, Mother, but that’s exactly what you did.” She slipped off the stool and stalked outside, as though she couldn’t get away fast enough.
Buffalo Bob felt good. Better than good. He felt terrific. He’d taken the biggest gamble of his life by contacting the California authorities about Axel. Even bigger than buying into that poker game when he won 3 OF A KIND from Dave Ertz. He’d made an honest go of the business in a town that was practically dead. Now, as March progressed, he had real hopes that the courts would choose him and Merrily as Axel’s adoptive parents.
Merrily rushed into the kitchen. “Pastor Dawson is here.”
Bob nodded and carried a tray laden with an assortment of baked delicacies into the restaurant. His cast had been removed several weeks before but his arm was still weak, and several people rushed to take it from him. Everyone he’d contacted upon his return had shown up. Bob figured this meeting was the best way to thank the community for all the help and support he and Merrily had received.
The low buzz of chatter died down when he walked out of the kitchen. He set the tray on the counter, alongside the large urn of coffee.
“Help yourselves, and once everyone’s served, Merrily and I will tell you about our trip.”
“I’m not shy,” Hassie announced as she reached for a plate.
“Me, neither,” Joshua McKenna said and followed suit.
Soon Lindsay and Gage Sinclair, along with Maddy, had helped themselves to the pastries and cookies. Bob noticed that it was difficult for Merrily to keep her eyes off the two infants. His wife hungered for their son, but Bob didn’t think it would take much longer for Axel to come home.
“First of all,” Bob said after everyone was seated again, “Merrily and I want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the way you’ve stood by us and supported us.”
Merrily’s arm was around his waist. “It meant more to us than you’ll ever know to have your letters of recommendation there before the judge. We know he was impressed.”
“He said he was,” Bob told them and noticed the quick exchange of smiles. He grinned at Pastor Dawson, who’d originally come up with the idea. “The money the church collected was a huge help, too.”
“California is expensive,” Merrily said. “Compared to North Dakota, anyway.”
“What else happened?” Pastor Dawson asked.
Merrily cleared her throat and when she spoke, the muscles in her face tightened. “I—I had to stand before the judge because of what I did.”
Even with the plea bargain in place, Merrily had been terrified. The federal kidnapping charge was a serious crime. It was only the testimony she’d provided in the plea agreement regarding Axel’s natural father that had saved her from jail.
“Did you see Axel?” Leta Betts asked.
“No,” Merrily replied, and that one word