“I couldn’t see the point. I knew it would upset you, and—”
“You’re damn right I’m upset! I can’t believe you’d do something like this.” In all the years of their relationship, Sarah had never known Dennis to lose his temper. She couldn’t imagine what had happened, what Calla had said or done that would evoke such a reaction from her husband. And she worried that this might further damage her own fractured relationship with her daughter.
“Did Calla tell you?” Dennis asked, his eyes narrowing.
“No!” Calla rarely shared anything with her, and dammit, that hurt. Now Dennis was excluding her, too, and that hurt even more.
“Jeb?”
“No, Maddy happened to mention it. But she didn’t do it maliciously.” Her sister-in-law didn’t have an unkind bone in her body. The conversation had occurred earlier in the day, when Maddy had driven into town on some business concerning the grocery. She’d stopped at the quilt shop to say hello and innocently asked about Calla. Reading between the lines, Sarah soon understood that her daughter had visited the ranch the week before and been upset and shaken by a confrontation with Dennis. Apparently Calla had talked to Maddy about it at length.
“I suppose you want to hear my version?” Dennis asked in a tired voice.
“Of course I do!” Since Calla’s return from Minneapolis, Sarah had slowly but surely been rebuilding their relationship, taking one small step at a time. In the space of a few minutes, her husband had ruined months of effort.
“She insulted me, and—”
“What did she say?” Sarah broke in, not allowing him to finish.
Dennis cupped the glass with both hands. “For starters, she asked Jeb what I was doing at the ranch.”
Still pacing, arms folded, Sarah frowned, sure she’d misunderstood. “That was an insult?”
“I was standing right there. The least she could have done was address the question to me.”
Sarah felt sick.
“Sit down, Sarah,” he urged, pulling out a chair. “All this anger can’t be good for the baby.”
“Let me worry about the baby.”
“It’s my baby, too!” He took a deep breath. “Look, Sarah, I’ve stayed out of the situation with Calla because that’s what you wanted. You insist on handling everything yourself, carrying the full load. I’m your husband—”
“Then start acting like one,” she cried. She saw the hurt in his eyes, but ignored it. “Don’t you realize how hard I’ve tried with Calla? Everything is so tentative with her…. Your little outburst might have destroyed everything I’ve worked so hard to build.”
“Then so be it,” Dennis shouted, shocking her by banging his fist on the table.
She leaped at the unexpected noise. “What’s gotten into you?”
“Calla. You. Everything. I’ve stood silently by, put up with her bad moods and insults for years. I’m not having a teenager talk to me like I’m scum, nor will I allow her to insult my wife.”
“She’s my daughter—”
“I’m your husband.”
“Don’t you see—”
“All I see,” Dennis said, rising to his feet, “is the two of us walking on eggshells in an effort to appease her. I’m fed up with it, fed up with watching what she does to you—the way you feel whenever she rejects you.”
“I was the one who lied to her…I should have told her…”
“You were protecting her just like you are now. She doesn’t need your protection anymore. Furthermore, she doesn’t want it. She was seventeen last month and it’s time she grew up. Time she accepted responsibility for her own life instead of blaming everyone else.”
“But—”
“You’re allowing the guilt you feel about your first marriage to affect our lives. I won’t stand for it any longer.”
Trembling, Sarah sank into the chair. “I can’t believe you’re saying these things. Don’t you realize…Don’t you understand?”
“I understand that you’ve placed me in an impossible position. If Calla can’t treat me with the respect due another human being, then she’s no longer welcome in my home.”
“This is my home, too.”
Dennis sadly shook his head. “I’ve told you the way I feel. How you respond is up to you, but if Calla’s ever here when I come home, I guess that’ll be my answer, won’t it?”
“She’s my daughter….” Sarah didn’t know why it was so important to keep reminding him of that, especially when the girl had chosen to live elsewhere. Calla had repeatedly turned her back on Sarah. The situation just never seemed to get better, despite all her efforts, and now it was creating tension in her marriage.
Dennis reached for his beer, raised it to his lips, then put it down. “I need to think,” he said. “I’m going out for a while.”
“You’re leaving?”
He was already halfway out the door. “Yeah,” he said, “I’m leaving.”
Sarah watched him go, then buried her face in her hands. The entire conversation had gone badly. She’d been angry and frustrated and she’d taken everything out on Dennis.
Sarah felt sick again, both emotionally and physically. She was trapped between the two people she loved most in this world. Calla had been rude and spiteful to Dennis all along, going out of her way to cause problems.
If that was her goal, then she’d succeeded.
Sarah acknowledged that her daughter had inflicted numerous cruelties on Dennis and that Dennis had never let her goad him into overt anger. Maybe it was time for some decisive action. Maybe Sarah had to stand up for her husband and say no to Calla.
Dennis didn’t return for dinner. Because of the baby, Sarah forced herself to eat, but she could only stomach a few small bites. At ten, she turned out the lights and went to bed. After years of sleeping alone, she was surprised to discover that a bed could feel so empty.
Sleep was impossible. Shortly after midnight, when she heard the front door open and the floor creak, she tossed aside the covers and hurried into the dark living room.
“Dennis?”
“I’m here.” He switched on a table lamp, casting the room in a muted glow.
She flew into his arms, hugging him. “I’m so sorry,” she wept, “so sorry.”
He nuzzled her neck, his hands in her hair. “I’m sorry, too. I’ll try to be more patient with Calla.” He breathed the words, as though it’d taken great effort to speak them.
“No—you’re right. We can’t let Calla behave this way. I won’t let her come between us.”
Dennis held her face tenderly between his hands and kissed her. “I love you, Sarah Urlacher.”
“I love you, too,” she said, and slid her arm around his waist. She led him toward the bedroom, knowing she’d be able to sleep now that she’d made peace with her husband.
“I’m supposed to do what?” Jeb demanded of Maddy as they drove into Buffalo Valley.
“We’re having a meeting about the town park,” Maddy reminded him patiently, although he was well aware of the purpose of this venture into town. “I told you about it last week, remember?” And the week before, as well. She’d quickly learned that her husband conveniently forgot things when it suited his purpose.
Jeb glanced at her and sighed expressively. “You know how I feel about meetings.”
“Yes, I do,” she said, and slipped her arm through his. Leaning her head against his shoulder, she reflected that his being part of this committee was no small thing. He’d agreed when she’d first mentioned it. Only later did he start muttering, and Maddy had the feeling it was mostly for show. Gage and Lindsay were also on the committee, along with Rachel and Heath Quantrill, and Joanie and Brandon Wyatt.
The weather was lovely and Maddy was convinced that, with a minimum of effort, they’d be able to get a group of volunteers together right away. She and Rachel Quantrill were spearheading the project. Everyone seemed to be waiting for someone else to do it. Maddy understood; people were busy with their own lives.
Well, she, for one, was determined to see this park become a reality.
“I wouldn’t do this for anyone in the world but you,” Jeb muttered, his voice gruff.
“I know, honey, and I appreciate it.”
“Is Dennis going to be there?”
Maddy shook her head. “Not that I know of.”
“How come he gets out of this and I don’t?”
“Would you kindly stop your complaining? If all goes well, by the end of the summer, we should have a real park.”
He muttered something else, but she noticed he didn’t complain again as they continued the hour-long drive into town.
Lindsay and Gage were the only people already at the vacant lot when they arrived. Gage was carrying his daughter, Joy, and Julianne automatically went into Jeb’s arms when he removed her from the car seat. Not long from now, the girls would both be walking. It seemed impossible to Maddy that just a year ago she’d been pregnant. So many wonderful changes had come into her life since the move to Buffalo Valley.
Lindsay and Maddy immediately started chatting. Now that they were both married, they didn’t have nearly as much time as they would have liked to maintain their friendship. They found themselves depending on phone calls and even e-mail; at least they could stay caught up on news.
Gage and Jeb had their heads together, too.
“Hmm. There’s a sight you don’t see every day,” Hassie commented as she approached the small group.
“What?” Lindsay asked.
“Two men, holding their baby daughters on their hips. I gotta tell you, it does my old heart good to see those two married and settled down.”
Maddy and Lindsay glanced at each other and shared a smile.
“Is everyone prepared to work hard to make this park happen?” Hassie asked loudly. “It isn’t going to come together by itself, you know.”
“Maddy,” Jeb called.
She walked over to him and he handed her Julianne. “Gage says he can get the tractor out here to churn up the land and get the grass planted.”
“You’d be willing to do that?”
Lindsay stepped next to her and elbowed Maddy’s side. “Don’t look a gift tractor in the mouth. He volunteered, didn’t he?”
“I can set aside some time next week,” Gage told her.
“Wonderful.” Maddy beamed at him.
“Harvey Hendrickson from the hardware store volunteered wood for a couple of picnic tables,” Hassie added.
“I could build those,” Jeb chimed in.
Joanie and Brandon Wyatt arrived, followed by the Quantrills, and Maddy updated them on what had been discussed.
“We need playground equipment,” Hassie said next. “If families are going to come here for a picnic, they’ll want something to keep the youngsters entertained.”
“It wouldn’t take much to put up a few swings.” Maddy looked around. “Swings would be nice.”
Heath and Rachel nodded.
“One of those big timber play sets would be good, don’t you think?” Rachel asked.
Maddy liked the idea, but knew they were expensive. She mentioned the price listed in a brochure she’d read and watched the enthusiasm of her committee wane.
“And that doesn’t include assembly,” Lindsay said.
Brandon Wyatt cleared his throat. “I never thought of myself as much of a woodworker, but I did a fairly decent job constructing the display shelves for the video store.”
“You did a fabulous job,” Rachel insisted.
Maddy had admired his workmanship, too, and said so.
Brandon flushed at their praise. “Well, if the town could come up with money for the materials, I could build a jungle gym for the park.”
“Consider it done,” Heath said. “You order whatever you need and send me the bill.”
It was all Maddy could do to keep from clapping her hands. Then she noticed Hassie, who seemed to have something else to say.
“Hassie?”
“Listen,” she began, “I know I’m older and I won’t have grandchildren living here to enjoy the park once it’s completed.”
“That doesn’t matter,” Maddy assured her. “If you have a suggestion, we’d like to hear it.”
A number of people nodded in agreement.
“Everyone here knows I lost my son in Vietnam. I’m not the only mother to lose a son in war. I want this town to remember that there were a number of fine young men from right here in Buffalo Valley who died for their country and the freedom we enjoy.” She paused, and Maddy could tell by the way her throat worked that she was swallowing the tears brought on by painful memories of her only son’s death.
“Would you like a memorial built to honor those who died in war?” Maddy asked, taking Hassie’s hand and squeezing her fingers, letting her know she understood. “The First and Second World Wars, Korea, Vietnam?”
Hassie returned the squeeze, then reached inside her sweater pocket for a handkerchief and blew her nose. “That would please me very much. Now, I know a memorial’s going to cost a lot of money, but I’m prepared to pay for it myself. I’ve got a few dollars set aside and I can’t think of any better use for it.”
“If you’d like a sculpture, what about having Kevin work up a few designs?” Gage asked. “He’d be honored if you asked him to submit a drawing for this memorial.”
Hassie nodded. “Kevin would be my first choice.”
Maddy and Lindsay smiled at each other again. It’d been Lindsay who’d encouraged Kevin Betts to pursue his love of art, and now his artistic skills would serve the town. There was something very satisfying in that.
Matt sat at the kitchen table and watched Sadie as she fussed about the kitchen. Strangely enough, the housekeeper had turned into the best ally he had. Although she didn’t actually give him information about Margaret, she was kind enough to drop hints now and then. If it wasn’t for Sadie, he wouldn’t have any idea what his wife was thinking.
This latest tidbit, however, worried him.
“You want a refill on that coffee?” the housekeeper asked, nodding toward the ever-ready pot.
“Sure.” Although he’d already drunk two cups, he didn’t want to leave, and the coffee provided him with a convenient excuse to linger. Although God knew if Margaret caught him inside the house, there’d be hell to pay.
“She’s not suffering from morning sickness, is she?” he asked for at least the third time. Sadie had already told him that Margaret didn’t appear to be experiencing any discomfort as a result of the pregnancy.
“She’s in good health—physically,” Sadie told him and then scowled in his direction, letting him know that her emotional health was a different matter. As if he wasn’t already aware of how much his wife was hurting. Dammit, he was hurting, too.
“You don’t know why she drove into Grand Forks, then?” This was as bold as his questions had gotten. Right after breakfast, Margaret had left without a word. Sadie had told him it wasn’t a doctor’s appointment; those were marked on the office calendar. When Margaret hadn’t returned by lunchtime, Matt figured something was up.
Sadie finished pouring his coffee. “I have my suspicions about where she went.”
Matt did, too, and it bothered him plenty. Banished to the empty bunkhouse with nothing more than a radio to keep him occupied, Matt was left to his own devices once work was through for the day. Most nights he lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. He worried about Sheryl and Margaret and their babies, about his marriage and whether he had any chance of saving it.
Pastor Dawson had told him to fight for Margaret, and Matt had taken the advice to heart. If his wife assumed he was going to roll over and play dead, then she didn’t know him nearly as well as she thought.
“You’re sure she didn’t have a doctor’s appointment?” he asked again.
“Positive.”
Matt’s stomach churned. His biggest fear loomed before him. “She’s seeing an attorney, isn’t she?”
Sadie retur
ned to the sink, where she peeled potatoes with the skill of many years. The brown skins curled away from the sharp blade in a perfect spiral, falling toward the sink. “I can’t rightly say if she’s with an attorney or not.”
“But you said you have your suspicions.”
“I do.”
The sick feeling was back in the pit of his stomach.
The sound of a car door closing echoed through the kitchen. Margaret must be home.
Sadie and Matt exchanged looks. For an instant he toyed with the idea of sneaking out the laundry-room door, but just as quickly, he rejected the thought.
“Let me talk to her for a few minutes,” Matt suggested.
“You telling me to leave this kitchen?” Sadie asked, fire flashing from her dark eyes.
“No,” he said quickly. “I’m asking you to give me a few minutes alone with my wife.”
Sadie hesitated, then dropped the potato in a pan of cold water. She dried her hands on her apron and walked out of the room. No sooner had she disappeared than Margaret entered the house.
Seeing Matt, she went rigid, eyes narrowed. “What are you doing here?” she spat.
“I want to talk to you.”
She ignored him and rushed into the long hallway. Not easily dissuaded, Matt followed. Margaret headed for the bedroom and would have slammed the door if he hadn’t stopped her by planting his foot in the way. They met face-to-face, their eyes blazing.
“I have nothing to say to you.”
“Hear me out. Then if you want me to leave, I will.”
She folded her arms and pretended to be bored. “Did Sadie let you in?”
“No.”
“Liar.”
“I let myself in, so don’t blame Sadie.”
Frowning, she pinched her lips together. “Say what you have to say.”
“All right.” He’d known this wouldn’t be easy. Running his hand across the back of his neck, he decided to make his first volley an aggressive one. “I need to know where you were this afternoon. Because if you were seeing an attorney, there’s something you have to understand.”
“Where I was and who I saw are my business.”