Second Chances (113 page)

Sunshine streaming through her gauzy curtains gently woke Sarah.  She stretched lazily, feeling somewhat guilty that she had stayed in bed so long.  The clock showed it was nearly eight in the morning.  She might have lain there longer, but the sound of the front door slamming caught her attention.  Grabbing the thin white cotton robe from the end of the bed, she threw it on and tied it as she scurried down the hall.

Chloe was sitting at the art table in her bedroom coloring.  She had picked out her clothes and was already dressed.  The flaming orange tank top was an interesting contrast to the lilac plaid shorts.  Sarah shook her head, making a note to help her in a minute, then continued the length of the hall and galloped down the stairs.

Josh was sitting on the landing just before the last three steps, pulling off his shoes and rubbing his eyes with the palm of his hand.  He glanced up as Sarah passed him and came to a halt in the foyer.  Expecting a fight he slouched back against the wall.

“Well, I’m back,” she announced quietly, unsure of what to say next.

He stared at her suspiciously.  “So I see.”  He felt he needed to add something else, since she was being so pleasant.  “Good trip?”

She shrugged.  “It was okay.”  She shifted and put a hand on the railing.  “So, I’m on vacation now.”

A light turned on in his head.  “Planning to travel?”  She nodded.  “How long you plan on being gone?”  Again she shrugged.  He could feel the hairs on his neck stand up.  “And I suppose you want me to baby-sit?”

His demeanor had been gradually changing, becoming harder.  At first Sarah couldn’t understand why, but now it all made sense.  “Oh,” she began excitedly.  “I don’t expect you to baby-sit.”

Josh sighed loudly.  “Right, because I can’t technically baby-sit my own child.  So, you want me to
take care
of her while you and Brian go on vacation?”  His jaw tightened as he awaited her answer.

She shook her head vigorously.  Josh looked surprised.  “I was afraid you’d be upset that I planned on taking Chloe away for a while.”

His anger having instantaneously melted away, Josh stood up.  “Have fun.”  He turned to head up the stairs, presumably for the shower.

Sarah was taken aback.  “Have fun?  That’s all?  You aren’t worried about getting to spend time with Chloe before she goes back to school?”  She crossed her arms over her chest angrily.

Josh shrugged.   He had only made it as far as the third step before she had stalled his progress.  “I’ll be around.”

Pausing for a moment, Sarah contemplated pressing him further.  Did she want an argument?  Maybe she should simply appreciate that he didn’t fight her over taking Chloe away on the overnights and vacations.  Focusing on calming her emotions with eyes closed in concentration, she nodded.  Slowly she opened them once more and said as serenely as possible, “Okay.  I’ll make sure you get to see her as much as you want.  How’s that?”

“Seems fair,” Josh said as he suddenly changed his mind, headed back down the stairs and walked toward the kitchen to get some breakfast.

“Tomorrow,” Brian said when Sarah answered the phone later that day. 

“Huh?”  Sarah asked.  She was outside on her knees in the flower bed pulling weeds.

“We’re leaving tomorrow, if you can be ready.”  It was spoken like a statement, but the question loomed.

She sat back on her heels and thought for a moment.  “Have you spoken to your father yet?”  She wanted to know what his reaction to their impending visit was before she became too invested in the idea of a beach vacation.

“Called last night.  He sounded thrilled that we were coming down.”  Brian was working on his computer, the only masculine relic in the now otherwise feminine room.  He smiled as he looked about the place. 

She exhaled deeply before asking the next question.  “Did you tell him about… us?”

He laughed.  “He was ecstatic.  Said it was about time.”  He waited for her say anything, but she was silent.  “Well?”

Finally, she relaxed.  “I guess I can be ready by tomorrow.”  She paused, wheels turning in her head.  “I’m just afraid I’ll be too tired to cook tonight after getting all the yard work done and the laundry and packing…”  She said coyly, letting her voice trail off to see if he would catch on.

Smiling even more widely, Brian took the cue.  “What if you finish up what you need to over there and I’ll have dinner ready here?  You two could even spend the night.  We could have a little quiet time before dealing with the Waite clan.”  He had already hoped he could convince her to stay over.  It was nice that they were on the same page.

“Oh, twist my arm,” she giggled.

It was amazing how quickly she could get everything accomplished once she had ample motivation.  And nothing could get her more motivated than an opportunity to stay with Brian at his loft.  Even Chloe worked more quickly.

“Will his nieces and nephews be there?”  She asked excitedly as they prepared for their trip.  “I can’t wait to see them again!”

And so it was that just before five they piled into her vehicle and drove to Brian’s.  Sarah had now taken this route so many times she believed she could travel it with her eyes closed.  Chloe was gazing out the window contentedly. 
Can’t wait can’t wait can’t wait…
  Sarah heard the words repeated over and over again in her head. She glanced back at Chloe in surprise.  A wry look on Sarah’s face, she returned her gaze to the road, but turned her concentration to Chloe. 
So, how long have you been able to do that little trick?
  She asked sarcastically. 
And when were you going to tell me?
 

Chloe was laughing out loud now, as though she’d pulled some prank on her mother.  “Grandma taught me,” she said proudly.  “She said it might come in handy one day; that I should practice once in a while.”  Her face grew serious.  “She also said not to eavesdrop unless it was an emergency.  But I don’t know what ‘eavesdrop’ means, so I don’t know if I’m doing it or not.”  She seemed to be concentrating.

Sarah smiled.  “You know how sometimes I catch you listening when Jamie and I are having an adult conversation and I send you outside?  That’s eavesdropping.  You can do that to people’s minds too.  You can listen in on their thoughts.  Thoughts, just like some conversations, should be private.  Understand now?”

They might have spoken further, but they had arrived at their destination.  In honor of their visit, Brian had concocted a veritable feast.  Sarah could smell it before she even reached the door.  Just as she stood fist poised, ready to knock, the door opened. 
Watch out.  Chloe learned a new trick,
she warned. 

He turned to Chloe, and from the look on his face, Sarah recognized that her little girl was speaking to him.  “Well done, Chloe,” he commended her.  He looked at Sarah and raised his eyebrows.  She smiled.

It didn’t take long before he pulled the
rib-eyes off the grill.  He had also made pouches of potatoes and onions seasoned with butter, garlic, and white wine.  Chloe’s favorite part of the meal was, of course, the sweet corn on the cob.  Brian had also made a garden salad, dinner rolls, and southern sweet tea.  Sarah was clearly impressed.  “Surely you didn’t think you were the only one in this relationship who could cook,” he teased. 

Being reminded that they were in a relationship brought a smile to the corner of her mouth.  “Let’s just hope I continue to not be the only who knows how to clean up,” she said nervously.

Very soon after dinner the phone rang.  Brian reached to answer it, listened for a moment, and said, “Just one moment.”  He handed the phone to Sarah. 

Who is it?
  She queried.  No one called her here.  And if it was her mother, surely he’d have been friendlier.

Don’t know, but they asked for you specifically.
  He hovered protectively as she began speaking.

“Yes, this is Dr. White.”  She walked over to the counter, found a scrap of paper and a pen so that she could begin taking notes.  She scribbled frantically, trying to keep up with the person on the other end of the line.  “I’m afraid I’m going to be out of town on vacation at that time.”  She listened a few more minutes.  “Yes, I know it would be a wonderful opportunity.  I’m just going to be a great distance away.  I’m leaving in the morning.” 

Apparently the caller wasn’t going to take ‘no’ for an answer.  He couldn’t.  He had been instructed against it.  And he wasn’t sure whom he feared more, the father or the son.  He didn’t want to ever find out.  He had a job to do; it was going to be completed.  He had no idea why, or to what end.  He had one simple task and an endless supply of resources at his disposal to see that it was accomplished.

Sarah sighed.  “It’s just for the weekend and you’ll fly me there and back, all expenses paid?”  She looked to Brian for support.

Get the information and tell him you’ll call him back after you discuss it with your family,
he urged.  He was pacing nervously.  This gentleman was just a little too pushy. 
And ask how he found you at this number.
 

She did as he asked and after a few more minutes of intense conversation, it was decided that she could expect a call back in twenty minutes because he was in and out and didn’t want her to run up her phone bill trying to get back in touch with him.

“Did it work?”  His employer asked sternly.

“Well, I haven’t ‘sealed the deal,’ as you so eloquently put it.  I’m calling back in twenty minutes.  That should give her time to decide.”

“Did she sound like she wanted to come?”  He waited expectantly for the response.

The older man chose his words carefully.  “I think she really wants to spend time with her family.  They are leaving on vacation tomorrow.”

The young man stood before the windows and looked out over the grounds of the estate.  “It’s because of him.  Maybe I’m approaching this all wrong.”  What was going on? He never
second guessed his moves.  He stood there, brooding.  In… he glanced at the clock on he mantle… fifteen minutes, he’d have an answer.  He glared at James.  “When you call her back, the answer had better be the right one.”

Shoulders sagging, James sighed.  “Yes, Mr. Winters.”