Read Online California Homecoming by Casey Dawes - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Casey Dawes
Ads: Link
old room at the top of the stairs.
That puzzled her. Why would someone who found navigating stairs difficult, want a room at the top of them?
The question reminded her of the cardboard box that was still in her trunk. Mandy had gotten it down for her before the first helper arrived and they’d taken a quick look. The contents looked to be handwritten letters from over a decade ago, when people still did such things.
Chills had run over Sarah’s skin and she’d closed the box and asked Mandy to put it in her car.
A pain cramped her side and she curled into a fetal position, breathed steadily, and waited it out. The doctor had told her there didn’t appear to be a problem, but to avoid stretching and lifting anything too heavy and try to get a few naps in each day.
The woman had obviously never tried to open an inn. Still, Sarah had tried to modify her behavior a little bit. The party had definitely helped move the project along.
Sarah smiled. Mandy had been true to her word. So much had gotten done. In fact, between the hard work and Hunter’s plumbing talent, the master bedroom was ready for her.
She looked around her childhood bedroom. The space was comforting, like macaroni and cheese or a kitten’s soft fur, but it was time for her to create her own life and security.
She sat up and straightened her shoulders. That would be exactly what she’d portray at dinner tonight: confident, secure, and in need of no man.
Even one who kissed like the very devil himself.
She threw back her covers, stepped out of bed, and looked around the room. It would only take one truckload to get her furniture to the inn. The master bedroom was as ready as it was going to get.
Mandy had a friend with a pickup and it was time to move.
Sarah hadn’t counted on her mother.
“What do you mean you’re moving today?” Elizabeth asked when Sarah told her the plans. “You need to rest. You spent all day yesterday at the inn. I was planning on pampering you today.”
“Isn’t Marcos coming today?”
Her mother blushed. “Not until later tonight.”
“See,” Sarah said with a grin. “You should be glad I’m moving today. You and Marcos can have the whole house together without any prying children.”
Elizabeth smiled. “I never minded having you around.” Her voice softened. “I thought when you went to college my heart would break, but this feels even more permanent. Can’t you wait until the baby is born? What if something happens? You’d be totally alone.”
The comment stopped Sarah. The pains had been brief and the doctor had told her not to worry, but what if the doctor was wrong? Her mother had a point. She’d be totally alone.
“I’ll keep my cell phone on me at all times.”
“I’d feel better if you were here.”
“Mom, I’m alone at the inn all day. I only sleep here. I’ll keep nine-one-one on speed dial.” She grinned at her mother, hoping it was reassuring.
Elizabeth frowned. “I wish there was a man in your life. Raising a child is hard to do alone. Are you sure you and Rick can’t make it? Maybe he needed some time to adjust to the idea. He might come around.”
Sarah’s muscles tensed. “I don’t think I’ll ever hear from Rick again.”
“But if you did?”
“No. Not interested.”
“It would be better for your child if you were together.”
“Like you and Daddy? No thanks, Mom. I’ll be fine.” She took a deep breath. Her mother was only trying to help.
Putting her arms around her mother she said, “It’ll be okay, Mom. I know you mean best, but please let things be the way they are.” She released her mother and said. “Besides, I promise to come home once a week to do my laundry and have a real meal!”
Elizabeth laughed, but the sound was forced.
• • •
“You sure picked a heck of a day to move,” Mandy said as she placed a box of linens into the back of her friend Paul’s pickup. In contrast to the day before, Sunday was cold and damp, the worst of
That puzzled her. Why would someone who found navigating stairs difficult, want a room at the top of them?
The question reminded her of the cardboard box that was still in her trunk. Mandy had gotten it down for her before the first helper arrived and they’d taken a quick look. The contents looked to be handwritten letters from over a decade ago, when people still did such things.
Chills had run over Sarah’s skin and she’d closed the box and asked Mandy to put it in her car.
A pain cramped her side and she curled into a fetal position, breathed steadily, and waited it out. The doctor had told her there didn’t appear to be a problem, but to avoid stretching and lifting anything too heavy and try to get a few naps in each day.
The woman had obviously never tried to open an inn. Still, Sarah had tried to modify her behavior a little bit. The party had definitely helped move the project along.
Sarah smiled. Mandy had been true to her word. So much had gotten done. In fact, between the hard work and Hunter’s plumbing talent, the master bedroom was ready for her.
She looked around her childhood bedroom. The space was comforting, like macaroni and cheese or a kitten’s soft fur, but it was time for her to create her own life and security.
She sat up and straightened her shoulders. That would be exactly what she’d portray at dinner tonight: confident, secure, and in need of no man.
Even one who kissed like the very devil himself.
She threw back her covers, stepped out of bed, and looked around the room. It would only take one truckload to get her furniture to the inn. The master bedroom was as ready as it was going to get.
Mandy had a friend with a pickup and it was time to move.
Sarah hadn’t counted on her mother.
“What do you mean you’re moving today?” Elizabeth asked when Sarah told her the plans. “You need to rest. You spent all day yesterday at the inn. I was planning on pampering you today.”
“Isn’t Marcos coming today?”
Her mother blushed. “Not until later tonight.”
“See,” Sarah said with a grin. “You should be glad I’m moving today. You and Marcos can have the whole house together without any prying children.”
Elizabeth smiled. “I never minded having you around.” Her voice softened. “I thought when you went to college my heart would break, but this feels even more permanent. Can’t you wait until the baby is born? What if something happens? You’d be totally alone.”
The comment stopped Sarah. The pains had been brief and the doctor had told her not to worry, but what if the doctor was wrong? Her mother had a point. She’d be totally alone.
“I’ll keep my cell phone on me at all times.”
“I’d feel better if you were here.”
“Mom, I’m alone at the inn all day. I only sleep here. I’ll keep nine-one-one on speed dial.” She grinned at her mother, hoping it was reassuring.
Elizabeth frowned. “I wish there was a man in your life. Raising a child is hard to do alone. Are you sure you and Rick can’t make it? Maybe he needed some time to adjust to the idea. He might come around.”
Sarah’s muscles tensed. “I don’t think I’ll ever hear from Rick again.”
“But if you did?”
“No. Not interested.”
“It would be better for your child if you were together.”
“Like you and Daddy? No thanks, Mom. I’ll be fine.” She took a deep breath. Her mother was only trying to help.
Putting her arms around her mother she said, “It’ll be okay, Mom. I know you mean best, but please let things be the way they are.” She released her mother and said. “Besides, I promise to come home once a week to do my laundry and have a real meal!”
Elizabeth laughed, but the sound was forced.
• • •
“You sure picked a heck of a day to move,” Mandy said as she placed a box of linens into the back of her friend Paul’s pickup. In contrast to the day before, Sunday was cold and damp, the worst of
Similar Books
