“No problem, I’ll tough it out if I have to,” she said in a mock serious tone. “As long as I am with you.”
“Good answer,” he said huskily. “I wish I could see you later but I have some things to do and they can’t wait.”
“I understand darling,” she soothed. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I love it when you call me darling,” he told her huskily.
“Then I’ll continue to do so, darling,” she murmured.
“I’ll call you later baby, I love you.”
“I love you too.” She murmured before hanging up.
*****
She was humming in tune to a popular song on the radio and grilling chicken for dinner when her phone rang.
She did not recognize the number but murmured a tentative hello. She had often wondered if Michael would ever try and get in touch with her and every time the phone rang since she had gotten back and it showed a strange number she had answered tentatively.
“Hello baby girl,” She stiffened. She did not recognize the voice but the only person she remembered calling her baby girl was her mother.
“Who is this?” she asked sharply, her heart beating loudly.
“It’s your mama, baby girl.” The person continued.
Sara’s first instinct was to hang up and she gripped phone tightly against her ear; her eyes closed. She had never expected to hear from her mother again and she did not know what to say to her.
“I know you probably don’t want to talk to me but I want you to listen, baby girl,” her voice was persuasive and Sara remembered her as an incredibly beautiful woman who turned heads wherever she went.
“I am listening,” she told her coldly.
There was silence at the other end and Sara was almost wishing that she had ended the call. “I did not want to disturb your life but I felt I had to clear the air before your big day.” She paused and Sara frowned wondering how she had heard about her impending nuptials. ”I called your father,” she said softly as if reading Sara’s thoughts. “I don’t want you to end up like me Sara; I left the love of a wonderful man because I thought I was too good for him and the town we lived in and I wanted better. There was no better and I found that out the hard way. I knew you went away for a time and you came back and David still loved you, so you’re fortunate and I want you to know that.”
Sara was silent for a spell. Her mother’s story sounded so much like hers only she had been granted a second chance. She felt her heart constricting in pity. “Why didn’t you come back?”
“Because it was too late for me,” the voice sounded incredibly weary and sad. “I went and lived with a man who showed me a very glamorous lifestyle and he kept telling me we would get married eventually, until I got pregnant and had a miscarriage and found out he had no further use for me. I have made my mistakes and I am living with the result of it; there is no turning back for me. I only called to wish you all the best and I know you’ll be very happy.”
“Thanks er – Mom,” she said uncertainly. She had spent so much time hating and being angry with her mother that she had no idea how to feel now. “Do you want to come to the wedding?”
“No, baby girl,” she said ruefully. “I don’t belong there anymore and I don’t want to spoil your big day. All I'm asking is that I get to keep in touch with you.”
“I think I would like that,” she told her softly.
“Thanks baby girl,” Caroline whispered and hung up the phone.
*****
Her father came home and found her in the same place in the darkened kitchen. She had finished preparing the meal but her appetite was non-existent and she was deep in thought. She no longer felt the burning resentment she had felt for her mother; her story was too sad. She had messed up so bad that she could not find her way back
She blinked as her father switched on the light. “Girl what are you doing in the dark?” he asked her, placing his leather bag on the chair nearest the door.
“Hi dad, are you hungry?” she asked automatically.
“Starving,” he told her, taking a seat. “What’s the matter?”
“Mom called,” she said casually, getting up and busying herself by making a plate.
“Yes?” he paused in the middle of putting a piece of meat into his mouth.
“You don’t sound the least bit surprised,” she carried her plate to the table and sat next to him.
“She called me earlier and I told her you were getting married and she cried.” Her father put down his fork and linked his hands together. “What did you say to her?”
“You mean, did I tell her to get off my phone and never call me again?” she asked, with raised brows.
“Something like that,” he told her ruefully.
“You really love her don’t you?” Sara looked at her father astutely.
“I told you love is not something you switch on and off.” Her father said gently.
“Why didn’t you fight for her Dad?” Sara asked earnestly. “Why did you give up on her?”
“I begged her to come back, even when I found out she was pregnant with the man’s child and even after she miscarried and she called me crying, I begged her to come back but she told me that she was too far gone to come back. I tried fighting but I just gave up and left it alone. I am here if and when she needs me.” He told her.
“Oh Dad,” Sara cried, reaching out a hand to touch his. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because it’s between me and your mother, dear and I strongly feel that God will sort it out in his own time and his own way.” He told her gently.
“You are an amazing man, do you know that?” she asked him, tears in her eyes. “I hope I can be half the person you are.”
“You already are,” he told her softly, leaning forward to kiss her cheek.
*****
That night when David called her she told him everything.
“You okay baby?” he asked anxiously. “Want me to come over?”
“I am okay darling,” she told him gratefully. “I just did not know a lot of things and now I know. I feel so sorry for her David and I shudder to think that what happened to her almost happened to me. I almost lost you.”
“But you didn’t,” he told her firmly. “I love you baby and soon we are going be together for the rest of our lives.”
“I know David and I love you so much. I am going to spend the rest of my life showing you.” She told him tearfully.
“I am going to hold you to that,” he told her teasingly. “Get some sleep baby, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She did not sleep right away. She could not get her mother out of her mind. How sad she must be. She had left a wonderful, loving man and had run away to something that was shallow and meaningless. She sounded so miserable and sad and Sara felt all of her resentment floating away. Her father still loved her so much and he was not bitter and he still listened to her and talked with her and had told her about her daughter’s upcoming wedding. What a love. A love that transcends all wrongs and distance; she realized with a sharpness that hit her that it was the kind of love David had for her. He had loved her even when she had deserted him and even though he had fought it; it had still been there.
With a sudden decision; she picked up her phone and dialed his number. “Baby, you okay?” he answered immediately.
“Thank you,” she told him softly, well aware that she had probably woke him up.
“For what?” his voice was puzzled.
“For loving me even when I didn't deserve it,” she said huskily.
“You always deserved it,” he told her softly. “Don’t ever think that. We all make mistakes and I would never hold that against you. I will always love you no matter what.”
“I don’t know what I did to deserve you but I am going to run with it.” She smiled through her tears. “I love you David Graham, now go back to sleep.”
“As if I could now,” he told her dryly. “Goodnight baby.” He said before he hun
g up.
*****
Deacon Williams opened his Bible and took out the picture, dog eared due to numerous handlings. It was a picture of him and Caroline that they had taken more than twenty years ago. It was a picture full of promises, sunshine and love. She was looking up at him; her head thrown back as she laughed at something he had said; he was looking down at her with a big grin on his face and all the love he felt for her showed on his face. Her striking resemblance to their daughter was highlighted. Caroline’s beauty was such that you had to take several looks and you could not look away. His hand moved over her still form in the picture, taking in her coffee and cream complexion and her shoulder length dark brown curls. Her mother had been half white and Caroline had a mixture that made her beauty exotic and she had passed it on to her daughter. He had often pinched himself, wondering what such a beautiful woman saw in a plain Joe like him. He had worshiped her and had done everything her way because he had been so afraid of losing her. But that had been the wrong thing to do; she held immense power over him and she had wielded it mercilessly.
He had watched her get progressively unhappy each day and had chosen to ignore it, trying harder to fix what was wrong inside her but he had gradually realized that he could not fix her. When she had said she wanted to leave, he had let her, he told himself he had no right to stop her.
He replaced the picture and closed the Bible. He was no longer pining over her but he was still in love with her and that would never change. Now he was contented and was so happy that his daughter was marrying such a wonderful man; he had been so afraid that she was so like her mother and her leaving had reinforced that feeling. Now she was back and he praised God that she had gotten whatever it was out of her system.
He went to his desk drawer and took out the deed to the store. He had had his lawyer draw up papers; he was turning over the store to her. It was time to hang up his hat and let her run the show; he needed to slow things down and she had proven that she could more than manage. It was going to be his wedding gift to her. With a whimsical smile he placed the deed on the dresser and reached for the phone. He had failed to tell his daughter that Caroline had been calling him every night and they had been talking.
She answered on the first ring. ”Hey, I thought you weren’t going to call,” her husky melodious voice still had the power to quicken his old heart.
“Not a chance,” he settled back against the pillow, a smile on his face.
”I spoke to our daughter today,” she told him tentatively.
“I know,” he answered. “I am glad you finally did, I told you she would not reject you.”
“I messed up so bad. I feel so ashamed and now I have to stay in the background while our daughter is having the biggest day of her life.” She murmured sadly.
“So come home,” he told her. He had been telling her that for some time now; but she had always found some excuses. “I am sure she would be happy to see you Caro,”
“I keep thinking about what those church folks will say when they see me,” she laughed shakily. She had told him that she lived on her own now in some tiny apartment and was working at an old people’s home.
“Why do you care so much about what people say?” he asked her impatiently. “They will talk for a little bit and then they will find other subjects to move on to. I think you owe your daughter something Caro. Maybe this can be a way of paying her back somewhat.” He had been telling her the same thing every week and he hoped this time she would listen. He also had a selfish reason, God forgive him, he thought grimly but he wanted to see her; even just for a little bit.
“I’ll think about it,” she promised him and he felt his heart quickened. She had never said that before; so now there was hope.
“So how have you been?” he asked her in concern. The last time they spoke she had not been doing so well, she had been recovering from a particularly nasty bout of the flu.
“I am recovering slowly, thanks,” she said gratefully. She had always wondered how he could still love her when she had messed up so bad; but she realized that she had left what was a rare love to go and search for something that was common; something that fizzle out at the first sign of a conflict. She wished she could go back but pride and shame held her back.
“Have you been drinking a lot of liquid?” he asked her anxiously and Caroline smiled. It felt so good for a change to have someone looking out for her. Why did she feel she had to leave that? What kind of a fool was she that she had left something so wonderful to look for God knew what?
“Yes, doctor,” she teased. Then she changed the subject and she told him about an old lady she was looking after at the home. The one who had not one relative coming to look for her and how she had been spending a lot of time with her.
They talked way into the night and Deacon felt the tenderness enveloping him as he listed to her. He loved her and that was never going to stop.
Chapter 9
Sara came down to the kitchen the next morning to find her father sitting at the breakfast table eating cereal and a glass of orange juice beside him. There was an official looking document on her side of the table. She had decided she was going in to work today no matter what her father said. Her wedding was this weekend and no matter what her father said she needed to get some things done.
“What’s this?” she asked him, puzzled as she poured herself some orange juice.
“Why don’t you open it and see?” Her father said mysteriously, putting down the paper he had been perusing.
She did and what she saw made her eyes widen in shock. “Dad?” She looked from the paper to him.
“It’s your wedding present,” he told her with a smile.
“Dad, are you sure?” Sara asked him huskily.
“Absolutely,” he told her cheerfully, standing and coming over to give her a hug. “I need to relax and do nothing for a while. It’s time for me to step down and let you run things. I will be there until after your wedding and if you’re planning on going on any honeymoon.”
“Is there something you’re not telling me? Are you sick?” her tone was one of alarm. She looked up at him, her brow creased in concern.
“I am as fit as a fiddly dear girl,” he gave her a quick squeeze before letting go. “Accept it for what it is, honey; a gift.”
“Oh Dad,” she breathed; going over and hugging him from behind. “I have so many things I want to do. A reading corner in the back, and a homework center –“
“Whoa there, slow down girl,” her father laughed affectionately. “For now you need to concentrate on your upcoming wedding,”
“Thanks Dad, I love you so much.” She told him, putting a gentle hand on his rough cheek.
“I didn’t ask you if that was what you wanted to do,” there was concern on his lined face.
“It’s what I want to do Dad, don’t worry, I am not going anywhere,” she told him astutely.
“I know honey, I know.” He kissed her cheek softly. “Okay let’s get out of here, for now I am still your boss.”
Sara laughed and quickly downed her juice and they left together.
*****
She showed David the deed that night. She had started moving some things over to the house that was going to be theirs and had decided to leave the heavy stuff for the night before the wedding. He had cooked her dinner and even though he had been busy digging up dirt to do some replanting and transplanting he had told her to relax while he cooked dinner. They had showered together and had spent so much time in the bathroom that their skin had turned wrinkled by the time they had got out. It was four days to the wedding and Sara could not wait.
They were sitting outside on the porch swing eating chocolate chip ice-cream; the sun was still high in the sky even though it was almost seven o’clock. David had pulled her back against him, intermittently feeding her from his bowl.
“So how do you feel about being the owner of a thriving business?” he asked her softly.
She leaned back her
head to stare at him. He was so earthy and good-looking that she got weak just looking at him “I feel like a business woman,” she told him loftily with a smile.
He bent his head and kissed her mouth; cold by the ice-cream. “So I suppose I won’t be expecting suppers in the evenings because my wife will be busy running a business?” he growled mockingly.
“You better believe it,” she told him a mock serious expression on her face.
“In four days you will be my wife and I just can’t wrap my head around it,” he took the empty bowl from her and placed it along with his on the table next to the porch. “I keep asking myself if this is really happening and sometimes I wake up in a panic thinking that you are gone again.”
Sara twisted around in his arms, her eyes troubled. “David do you believe I love you absolutely?” she asked him anxiously. “I am here with you because I want to be and nothing else. I love you so much that I can’t breathe when you’re near and I cannot sleep when you are not with me. I am not going anywhere please get that through your head.”
“Sara,” he touched her face gently. “I love you too and I am trying to get used to that.” He laughed ruefully. “I have you right here in my arms and I cannot get over it. You’re beautiful Sara, so much so that you take my breath away and ironically, because you don’t realize how beautiful you are it makes you so much more appealing.”
“Thank you, kind sir,” she said impishly, gripping his face between her hands and kissing his lips. “Want to know what I think about you? I think you’re the most handsome, most wonderful man I have ever met and aside from my father, you’re on the top of my list, no one comes close and I am so honored to be with you and I can’t wait to be your wife.”
He kissed her hungrily and Sara felt the tears on his cheeks. She reached up a hand and touched it tenderly; this strong beautiful man was not afraid to show weakness in front of her. He was her man and she loved him so much that it hurts.
He picked her up and carried her gently to the bedroom and showed her how much he really loved her.
*****
Their Miracle Baby (BWWM Romance Book 1) Page 21
