Read Online The Way Home by Irene Hannon - Free Book Online Page A

world would be sending her flowers?
    Suddenly she remembered that Kate was waiting. Shoving the door shut with her foot, she moved quickly back to the couch, placing the vase carefully on the coffee table.
    â€œKate? Sorry.”
    â€œDo you need to hang up?”
    â€œNo. It was just a delivery. Flowers believe it or not.”
    â€œFlowers? Okay, sister dear, you’ve been holding out on me. Who are they from?”
    â€œI haven’t a clue,” Amy confessed.
    â€œThere must be a card.”
    Amy poked at the tissue, discovered a small white envelope and rapidly scanned the note inside.
    â€œPlease accept my apologies again for the change in plans last night. And thanks for being such a good sport. Cal.”
    Amy stared at it, stunned. “I don’t believe it!”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œThey’re from Cal Richards!”
    â€œNo kidding! And this is the man who was never going to contact you again, huh?”
    Amy ignored Kate’s jibe and tore the paper away from the vase, letting out a soft exclamation of pleasure. “Oh, Amy, you should see this arrangement! It’s gorgeous! A dozen peach-colored roses with baby’s breath and fern. It’s stunning!”
    â€œSounds like there could be potential here after all,” Kate mused.
    Amy looked at the card again. “It’s just an apology, Kate. For the change in plans. That’s what the card says. After all, I did pay five hundred dollars for that date.”
    â€œFive hundred dollars!” Now it was Kate’s turn to sound incredulous. “Wow! Still, he could have sent carnations and daisies. Or just a note. Or nothing at all.”
    Amy fingered the card thoughtfully. “He told melast night that he always pays his debts. I guess he felt he owed me more than an eat-in dinner.”
    â€œHe sounds like a very nice man, Amy.”
    â€œHe is. He’s just not for me,” Amy declared, refusing to read more into the gesture than she was sure Cal intended. “Now tell me more about you. Are you adjusting okay since the move?”
    â€œThat was a pretty abrupt—what do you call it again in your business? A segue? But I can take a hint. Pretty well, actually, though the move is only the first in a series of adjustments.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œI have some other news.”
    Amy heard the undertone of excitement in Kate’s voice and held her breath. “You have my full attention.”
    â€œWe’re going to have a baby!”
    Amy’s heart soared. Kate and Jack had been trying unsuccessfully for five years to start the family they both wanted, but it had been a frustrating and disheartening process. Amy knew that over the last year Kate had begun to lose hope, had struggled to come to grips with the fact that perhaps it simply wasn’t meant to be. And now this!
    â€œOh, Kate, I’m thrilled! When are you due?”
    â€œOctober 26. I’ve known for a couple of weeks, but we wanted to make sure everything was okay before we told anyone.”
    â€œI bet Mom is excited.”
    â€œEcstatic. A grandmother at last!”
    They chatted excitedly for a few more minutes, but when Amy at last replaced the receiver, her euphoricmood suddenly evaporated. She was happy for Kate, of course. That went without saying. She knew how much her sister wanted a family. But she also had an odd and unexpected feeling of melancholy, which puzzled her. It wasn’t as if she would want to change places with Kate. She liked her life, had worked hard to make her ambitious goals a reality and was now beginning to reap the rewards of all her hard work. But the price had been high. Too high, according to her mother, who made it a point to occasionally remind her younger daughter that her success had come at the expense of other things. Like a personal life. And a husband. And a family.
    As if she didn’t know, Amy thought with a sigh. She took a sip of