Return to Abundance
Page 21
“Dallie, baby,” Jack cooed. Dallie turned to look at her daddy. “Go up to your room, ok?” When she hesitated, he nodded and she hesitantly complied.
Camille’s gaze followed Dallie’s little frame up the stairs; something unreadable in her eyes and she gave a weak smile as she looked back at Natalie.
“I’m sure you’re wondering what I’m doing here, Natalie.”
“Yes, yes I am,” Nat sputtered. “Do come in, please? Forgive my manners. Is there anything I can get you?”
“No, no, I’m fine. Thank you.”
Natalie moved aside and pulled the door to as they all moved into the great room. Nat motioned for Camille to have a seat, and she and Jack took the love seat opposite her.
“Camille, I’m so sorry,” Natalie stammered. “This is my husband, Jack. Jack, this is Camille Cameron… Troy’s mother.” Jack couldn’t have been more polite if he’d been meeting the president as he stood and shook Camille’s hand gently, smiling, hiding his surprise, and probably his displeasure, at her sudden manifestation.
“Jack Kinsen. Nice to meet you,” he stated then motioned to the baby. “And this is Savannah.” Camille’s eyes lit up in delight as she looked on at the infant.
“Aww, she’s beautiful! It’s a pleasure to meet you both.” She extended her hands. “Do you mind if I hold her?” The question took Jack off guard and he looked to Nat for an answer.
Natalie nodded and faltered, “Oh, of course. Be careful though. She got me good a few minutes ago.” Natalie laughed, showing Camille the stain on her shirt. Jack handed Savannah over and Camille smiled.
“Oh, that’s alright. I don’t mind.” She took the little infant and cradled her, looking down on her sweet face as Jack took a seat next to Natalie, his hand protectively going to her thigh. Nat took his hand, knowing he could sense her anxiety. Camille cooed to Savannah for a few minutes then looked up at them. Natalie swallowed hard. “I’m sorry that I just showed up at your door step, Natalie. I should have phoned first…” Her eyes fell. “I’ll get right to the point of why I’m here.” She hesitated. “I realize that Charles and I haven’t been around for quite some time. I truly hate that Dallas didn’t even recognize me…” She looked down, taking Savannah’s little fist in her hand. “That hurt me more than losing Troy did.” Natalie gulped yet again. She couldn’t imagine losing a child, even if he’d been a murderer. “Needless to say, the last several years have been difficult…on all of us. I was hoping something good could come from all this tragedy though and that despite what he,” Camille stammered, tears coming to her eyes, “did… that we could all still be a family. Perhaps?”
Nat’s eyebrows went up, stunned by the older woman’s words. She’d always felt as if the Camerons had never really accepted her. She thought that they hated her, especially after Troy was arrested. They’d not spoken to her since. Not asked her how she was. Not asked her how Dallie was. No cards. No letters. It was as if Natalie and Dallie had never existed. As angry as that suddenly made her, she also understood that they too had suffered because of Troy and perhaps they weren’t sure if Natalie had even wanted to see or hear from them, so maybe that was why they hadn’t reached out. That thought had never occurred to her. Now, there Camille was, wanting to see her granddaughter, wanting to connect, wanting to make amends. And who was Natalie to say no? Before she could respond, Camille continued.
“I know this is sudden, and I don’t mean to spring it on you. You can take your time and think this through. After all, I know how hard all this has been for you especially and I apologize… Troy destroyed lives and there’s nothing that I can do about that, but I can try to right the wrongs that I have done and maybe one day you can forgive me.” Camille dropped her head again, and Natalie felt a stab of pity for this woman whose son had almost succeeded in destroying not only Natalie’s and Dallie’s lives but his own parent’s lives as well. She couldn’t imagine how they’d felt. But she could allow Dallie the benefit of knowing her other set of grandparents. “Natalie, Charles was diagnosed with lung cancer and he doesn’t have long left. I have taken it upon myself to reach out to you. He doesn’t know, but he has been wanting this as much as I do. Please consider—”
“Give me just a moment, Camille.” Natalie stood and smiled at her ex mother-in-law. “I’m going to go get Dallie.”
She hurried upstairs and slowly opened Dallie’s door then shut it behind her. Her sweet blonde-headed doll looked up at her in open interest as she sat on the floor playing with her dolls.
“Who’s that lady, Mommy?”
Natalie smiled at her daughter and took her small hands, guiding her to the bed where they sat and Natalie sighed, unsure where to start.
“Dallie, do you remember anything about Chicago?”
Dallie just looked up at her, a funny look across her darling little face.
“Do you remember our life before we came here? Before we came to Grandma and Paw-Paw’s house? Before Jack?” At the mention of Jack’s name her eyebrows came up. Natalie always called him “Daddy” to Dallie now, he hadn’t been “Jack” for quite some time. “Do you remember when you used to call your daddy ‘Jack’? When we lived with Grandma and Paw-Paw in their house? It wasn’t that long ago, Dallie. It was less than two years ago.” Wow, how very much had changed in that short period of time…
“I remember, Mommy.” Dallie’s face fell then. “Jack isn’t my real daddy is he? Am I in trouble for calling Jack ‘my Daddy’?”
“Oh, baby.” Natalie took her daughter’s sweet face in her hands and smiled at her innocence. “Jack is your daddy; you can call him that all you want to! Dallie, you’re not in any trouble at all,” she reassured her as tears came into her child’s eyes. “But do you remember your daddy… before Jack?” This was the tricky part; she wasn’t sure if she wanted Dallie to remember Troy, but she didn’t know how to explain Camille to her if she didn’t. She guessed she could have just said that Camille was a relative and eventually tell her the truth.
“I remember my other daddy.” She nodded. She didn’t seem upset by it which relieved Natalie. “He died.”
“Yes, he did.” They’d never told Dallie exactly how he had died or that he’d tried to kill Natalie and succeeded in killing her unborn baby. As far as Dallie knew, Troy had never been back in Abundance. All Dallie knew was that her father was dead and Natalie had fallen down the stairs at her grandparent’s house and lost the baby… Natalie knew that one day this conversation would be much more difficult. She couldn’t protect Dallie from the truth forever. “Well, the lady downstairs, she’s his… your biological father’s mom. She is your grandmother.” Dallie took a moment digesting that information. “You last saw her when you were 3 years old. You might remember her. You called her ‘Nana’.” Dallie worried her little bottom lip.
Natalie could tell she wasn’t remembering that. It was just too far back. “It’s ok if you don’t remember her, honey. You were too little then.” She smiled into Dallie’s solemn face. “Would you like to meet her?” Dallie thought about that and nodded somberly. “Ok, let’s go.” Nat grabbed Dallie’s hand and stood, only be pulled back.
Dallie looked down at her feet. “Mommy? Is it still ok if I call Jack ‘Daddy’?”
Natalie smiled, sitting back down on the bed to face her daughter. “Dallie, of course it is! Jack is your Daddy. Remember those papers he brought to you before Christmas when we lived at Grandma and Paw-Paws? Remember what you asked him when he gave them to you?” Dallie nodded. “You asked him if you could call him ‘Daddy’ and he said he would like that, remember?” Again, Dallie nodded. Natalie continued, “Those papers state that he adopted you, which means that you legally have his name. Just like Mommy! When me and Daddy got married, I took his name too… You and I.” She moved her finger between them. “We’re Kinsens. We’re Daddy’s family. Just because you were fathered by another man doesn’t mean that Jack can’t be your daddy because Jack loves you more than anything and you love him too,
right?” Dallie nodded, tears running down her face. “Good, then it’s settled.” Nat smiled and hugged her daughter tightly, wiping the tears from her little cheeks. “Dallie, baby, the only reason I told you all this is so that you would understand who that lady downstairs is. You aren’t in any trouble and I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I know Mommy. I just love my Daddy so much. I don’t want to lose him.”
“Oh sweetie, you’ll never lose him. He would die for you! And me… and Savannah. Do you understand?” Dallie nodded. “Ok, give me a smile.” Dallie smiled. “Now let’s go meet your Nana. She’s so excited to see you, ok?” Dallie nodded again, curls flying.
Camille smiled with tears in her eyes as Dallie and Natalie walked down the stairs. She stood as they approached her. Natalie noted that Jack must have taken the baby back because Camille’s arms were now empty. Natalie broke the silence.
“Camille, meet your granddaughter, Dallas Noel Kinsen.” Camille’s eyebrows raised in surprise at the word Kinsen, but she quickly recovered and smiled down at Dallie and took her hand. “Dallie, this is your Nana.”
Dallie shook her hand and smiled. “Hi! I’m Dallas.”
Camille laughed. “Oh my, look how big you have grown. You’re just beautiful.”
“Hey, your hair is the same color as mine.”
“It is! And guess what? I have pictures of you and me when you were just a baby. Wanna see them?” Dallie giggled and nodded in response.
“Would you like to stay for dinner, Camille?” Jack was the one to ask.
Camille looked up, her eyes twinkling as she said, “It would be my pleasure.”
Chapter 14
Jack’s evening had been enlightening, to say the least. It had been a typical day until his wife’s ex mother-in-law had come to call. He’d been as shocked as Natalie had when Camille Cameron had shown up on their doorstep wanting to reconnect with her granddaughter. It’s not that Jack could blame the woman for wanting that family connection, but why now? She’d stated it was because her husband was practically dying.
Natalie had told Jack, during the few conversations they’d had regarding the Camerons, that Troy had been an only child. Perhaps Camille was afraid of dying alone, without family… Natalie had also said the Camerons were difficult and stuck up people. They’d never really accepted her and made her feel as if she weren’t good enough for their name. Well, now neither she nor Dallie shared that name… Jack hadn’t missed the surprise on Camille’s face when Natalie had introduced her as Dallas Kinsen and not Dallas Cameron. He was sure she hadn’t liked that. Oh well! he thought. Too bad, so sad. Nothing she could do about that now.
He’d invited her to dinner. One, because he was starving and ready to eat and two, because the truth was, he kind of felt bad for the older woman. It must not be easy to come in groveling and asking for a second chance, and he’d wanted to make her feel welcome. He’d even asked to take her coat as she and Dallie talked, and she’d thanked him and obliged. He’d then escorted his wife into the kitchen and placed their sleeping baby in a bouncy seat not far from their grasp and view.
Now, he and Natalie were throwing dinner together and whispering.
“I hope this is ok,” Natalie murmured, pulling veggies from the fridge.
“Of course it is; I’m the one who invited her to dinner,” he stated, draining the pasta.
“I know, but you didn’t have to do that. It was super sweet.” She smiled over at him as she chopped vegetables for a salad.
“I’m a super sweet guy,” he stated matter-of-factly with a grin and a wink.
“Yes, you are and that’s why I love you.”
“Yeah well, it’s not the only reason you love me.” He raised his eyebrows at her and she laughed. He pulled her to him for a quick kiss then returned to his task.
“I know this isn’t easy,” she started. He stilled in pouring the sauce into the pasta then sat it down and took her face in his hands.
“Hey, this isn’t easy for any of us, but you know what? It’s what’s best for our daughter.” She looked at him with such love and admiration in that moment that if she hadn’t just had a baby they would’ve started practicing making another one right there on that very counter.
They finished throwing together the salad and spaghetti then Nat ran upstairs to change her shirt as Jack set the table.
She still wasn’t back when Jack called for Camille and Dallie to come to the dinner, but she showed up just as they were starting to pass the food around. Dallie said the blessing and they began eating. Nat looked down to check Savannah as Jack cut Dallie’s spaghetti for her.
“You two have a lovely home.”
“Oh, thank you.” Nat looked over at Jack, smiling, and he winked at her knowingly. “Jack built this house for me… well for all of us, I mean,” Nat stammered, blushing and Jack just grinned, taking a bite of pasta.
“Oh, well, that’s nice. A custom-built home is always a bonus,” Camille insisted and winked. Nat just smiled and nodded. “So, Jack, you’ve done pretty well here in Abundance,” Camille said before she took a bite of her spaghetti.
“Yes ma’am. I have David Butler to thank for that!”
“That’s not what I’ve heard; I’ve heard you have a little helper.” Camille looked over at Dallie, who smiled. “Did I hear right?”
Dallie then looked over at Jack and his heart melted. His girls- where would he be without his girls? “I help Daddy with the horses.”
“Correction, my sweet. Daddy helps you with the horses.” With that, they all laughed. “She’s something else. I tell you, she truly has a gift with them. We’ve not seen anything like it, ever.”
“That’s great. I don’t know anything about horses, unfortunately, but I’ve heard talk about this little one being quite a sight to see.”
“Her Uncle Nate calls her the Dr. Doolittle for horses.” Natalie chimed in. Jack saw that she immediately regretted saying Nathan’s name as Nat’s stricken face looked up at Camille in horror. Camille’s fork had stilled mid-bite. Camille gave a weak smile and sighed. Nat grimaced, “Oh, I’m so sorry. I—”
“Please don’t be.” Camille shook her head and continued eating.
Jack reckoned it would be difficult for Camille to hear the name of the man who’d killed her son, even if that son was Troy Cameron. He’d been a vile person, but he’d been Camille’s flesh and blood and she’d loved him.
It was a pleasant dinner after that as Camille asked many questions and he, Nat and Dallie answered them cordially. Camille didn’t have much to fill in about her life. She spoke of her husband, Charles, and how they’d not done much since his illness. Dinner parties and soirees and travel were practically over for them. Camille had tennis and book club and that was pretty much it. She’d said “Granddaddy” would love to meet Dallie when he was having a good day- those were few and far between as of late she’d noted. Jack got the feeling that Camille was simply just a very lonely person and perhaps that was the urgency for seeking Natalie and Dallie out.
Once they had finished eating, Jack reminded Dallie to finish her homework as it was getting close to her bedtime. She complied and about that time, Savannah piped in from her bouncy chair- all red faced, fists pumping. Nat automatically reacted and tried to reach down, Jack stopped her mid-lean.
“Nu-uh,” he cautioned and pushed her back up. “You shouldn’t be reaching like that to pick her up. Doctor’s orders. I’ll get ‘er.” He bent down, grabbed Savannah, and handed the squirming infant over to his wife. He leaned down further to kiss her beautiful pouty lips before he stood. “You ladies want coffee?”
“No, no. I should be going, so that y’all can finish what needs to be done. It’s getting late. Charles will wonder where I am, and I’m sure y’all would like to relax some before bed time.” Camille stood. “Would you like for me to help with the dishes?” They protested only to be shut down as she began assisting Jack, whose arms were full of plates, into the kitchen.
“I have to say,” Camille stated once she’d finished, looking over at both of them as they entered her line of vision. “I was a little taken aback that my granddaughter doesn’t share my last name.”
Jack’s eyebrows went up and he crossed his arms over his chest, propping his hips against the counter. Here we go, he thought. He stopped her before she said anything more that might upset Nat. “Look, we both decided that it was—”
“I know.” Camille nodded. “It’s ok! I completely understand why and I respect the hell out of you, Jack, for officially making Dallas your daughter. You deserve that. I can see that you love your family very much, and I’m so glad that they have you in their lives.” Tears came to her eyes then. “I’m sorry… It’s just that I have seen more love between you all in the last hour of being in your home than I ever saw my son give these two while he was alive. Y’all are so lucky to have one another, and I’m so happy to see that Natalie and Dallie can heal from what my son did to them.” Jack pulled her in for a hug then, feeling her loss and her shame. Natalie walked over then and pulled Camille in for a hug too, baby still at the breast. “Thank you for letting me back into your lives and thank you for this.” Camille smiled as she pulled back.
“I know this wasn’t easy for you, Camille, but I’m glad you came here tonight and I’m glad that you’re going be a part of your granddaughter’s life,” Natalie said.
“Granddaughters…” she corrected, looking down at Savannah and then back up at Jack and Natalie. Jack looked up at his beautiful wife, who simply glowed, and he smiled back at her, nodding.
Nat looked back at Camille then and said, “Absolutely.”