Always Dakota - Debbie Macomber [80]
“I’ll rehang it after the interview if you insist.” Merrily shrugged her shoulders and the robe pooled at her bare feet. He’d been with Merrily for years now, and there were damn few secrets when it came to his wife’s naked body. Nevertheless, Bob found himself as eager to make love to her as he had the very first time.
“You’d put it back later?” he asked, surprised at how weak his voice sounded.
“I would.”
“Then I can’t see any harm.” As he spoke he threw off his own clothes with an urgency that left him trembling. “Come to your Buffalo Man,” he coaxed.
His wife didn’t need any further encouragement.
Twelve
Sarah didn’t take one minute of her newfound freedom for granted, limited though it was. Wanting to protect her pregnancy and at the same time have some semblance of a life, she paced herself carfully. Mornings were spent at Buffalo Valley Quilts.
Orders for her quilts continued to pour in and the thrill never waned. People loved her simple designs and the fact that each quilt was individually constructed, each unique in its own way. At noon she returned to the house for what she called quiet time. Dennis assumed she napped, and sometimes she did, but mostly she worried about her relationship with Calla and wondered what she could do to repair the damage.
In the afternoons she prepared dinner and if she was feeling up to it, she took a short walk or went to visit friends. The last week of March, Sarah stopped by Joanie’s video store. It had only been open a few months and was an unqualified success. Sarah had gone there two or three times in the past weeks, but catching Joanie during a quiet moment was rare.
Sure enough, Joanie was busy ringing up a sale when Sarah stepped in. She liked the way the videos were displayed; Brandon had built the cases himself. In the back of the store was an area set up for crafts. Needlepoint kits hung from a peg board on the wall and there was a bulletin board filled with demonstration greeting cards created with rubber stamps. Joanie had bins of yarn and pattern books, with a completed sweater hanging up on display. Even while making the most of her space, she’d managed to create a homey and comfortable atmosphere. A couple of big, overstuffed chairs marked the entrance to the crafts section, issuing a silent invitation to sit down and relax.
“Hi, Sarah,” Joanie called out when she’d finished with her customer. “It’s great to see you.”
“You, too,” she called back. “I’m admiring your store.”
Joanie walked toward her. “The crafts are where my heart is. Brandon and I both felt the videos were where we’d make the most profit, but I’ve always loved crafts. Can I help you find anything?”
“No, thanks. Actually I was hoping we could chat for a few minutes.”
“Sure.” Joanie glanced at the front of the store, where two people were choosing videos.
“Whenever it’s most convenient for you,” Sarah suggested, knowing that if she were to attempt the conversation now, they’d be constantly interrupted.
“Would you like me to drop by your house on my way home?” Joanie asked. “Calla comes in about four. I could be there shortly after that.”
“Perfect.”
By the time Joanie arrived, Sarah had made tea and baked currant-filled scones. “Oh, this is lovely,” Joanie said, joining her in the living room.
Knowing she was taking Joanie away from her family, Sarah came directly to the point. “To begin with, I wanted to thank you for sending me videos while I was laid up. I can’t tell you what a difference they made.”
Joanie brushed aside her gratitude. “It was no problem, and truthfully, the idea was Calla’s.”
Sarah had suspected as much, and her spirits soared at Joanie’s confirmation. Despite her overtures, her relationship with Calla remained fragile and tentative. Anytime she saw progress, something would happen to upset Calla. Almost every conversation seemed to end with her angry. Regretfully, Sarah realized