Read Online Winter Storm by Barbara Winkes - Free Book Online Page B

though, I can tell.”
    “She’s not calling me names anymore. That’s improvement.”
    It wasn’t that they needed anybody’s blessing, but the fact that Asha genuinely cared for Callie had improved Rebecca’s opinion of her. To know she just wanted to be friends now, helped. Rebecca wasn’t so sure about Nicole.
    The delay had increased to a nerve-wracking two hours when they finally got on the plane. The weather conditions had improved, but Rebecca remembered what Roz had told her. As long as they made it home safely, she didn’t care about the late winter. If anything, it made the world seem more safe and peaceful, on the ground at least.
    The plastic cup holding her coffee shook slightly. Rebecca wanted to check on Dina, but the moment she opened her seat belt, a flight attendant appeared.
    “I’m sorry, ma’am, please stay seated. We’re going through some turbulence.”
    “You don’t say,” Callie murmured, but her grip on Rebecca’s hand was firm, almost painful.
    “My daughter’s four rows behind us. Could you please ask her if she’s okay? Her name is Dina. She’s wearing a red sweatshirt.”
    “No problem.”
    “Thank you.”
    Rebecca leaned back in her seat, trying to relax herself by imagining what they would do with the rest of the day once home. They’d probably get dinner on the way home since there wasn’t anything in the fridge, light a fire in the fireplace. Make it an early night.
    “Makes me think twice about Italy,” Callie said miserably. “Imagine all those hours on the plane.”
    “Dina seemed serious about it.”
    “I think she has a serious crush on art, history, and Tomaso.”
    “Yeah.” Rebecca sighed. “I’m not ready.”
    “I don’t think any parent ever is. Not that I know a lot about that…”
    “You’re right on the spot, actually. What the hell am I going to do once she’s becoming interested in boys at school?”
    Callie remained silent, a reminder that Rebecca might not even learn about it once it happened.
    “I’ll have to give her The Talk, right?”
    “Rebecca. Dina kept the pregnancy test for her friend. I’m sure she knows a thing or two about contraception already. It’s not going to be as painful as you fear.”
    You have no idea, Rebecca thought . She’s my baby. She’s not supposed to think about contraception, not yet. She might have to talk to David about these things. Rebecca wasn’t looking forward to it, but this wasn’t about her and her feelings.
    The plane shook again.
    “Ma’am?” the flight attendant asked as she came by on her way back. “Your daughter’s asleep. Would you like another coffee?”
    * * * *
    The snow had painted Autumn Leaves into a dream landscape once again. Due to the delayed flight, they had arrived at the airport much later, so when they finally got home, it was late in the evening. They had stopped by an all-night diner on the way, but neither of them was very hungry.
    On the front porch, Callie turned to look at the dark house across the street. The For Sale sign she knew to be there was now covered in snow. Rebecca had followed her gaze, but she didn’t say anything, just unlocked the front door to let them inside. In the short time they’d been outside, snowflakes stuck wetly to their coats.
    Dina, who had slept for the more turbulent part of their trip, hugged Rebecca, and to her surprise, Callie.
    “It was great. Thanks for letting me come.” She disappeared into Maggie’s room then. Callie was grateful this room came with a small bathroom of its own. Two rooms, one bathroom, even in a higher-priced hotel, was not enough privacy in the long run. Of course, at the moment, she couldn’t think of anything else but falling into a deep and heavy sleep.
    “What do you say we take it easy tomorrow? Go get Maggie, do some laundry?”
    “Sounds like an idea.” Rebecca had driven the last part, and now she seemed asleep on her feet.
    “Okay. You can take the shower first. I don’t know for