River's End (9781426761140) (29 page)

Even so, Anna put on a happy face when she told Clark about Sarah's good news that evening. Sarah had gone to town with some of the other workers, to take in a movie. Naturally, Clark was pleased to hear that Sarah wanted to follow in his mother's footsteps. “I knew she'd been reading Mom's work, but I figured it had more to do with your family's history. I didn't realize she was actually interested in the field herself. Good for her.”

“It's going to be hard to see her go,” Anna admitted.

He made a sympathetic smile. “Your old friend—change—is back again.”

She felt silly. “I know . . . everything has to keep changing.” She looked out over the river from the upper deck where they were having coffee. “Even this river, which I think of as changeless, is constantly changing. Otherwise it would become stagnant and sick. New water is always coming from the mountains and then off it goes out to the sea . . . never the same water . . . it keeps moving . . . keeps it healthy.”

“Just like the workers and family and friends that flow through here,” Clark said. “They come and they go.”

She reached for his hand. “But you're still here.”

He smiled, nodded. “You bet I am.”

The next morning, Anna discovered another change was coming their way. “I think I'm pregnant,” Jewel told her as they were cleaning up after breakfast.

“Really?” Anna turned to look at her.

Now Jewel began describing the symptoms she'd been experiencing, and Anna had to agree. “That does sound like pregnancy.”

Jewel frowned. “It's not that I'm not happy to have a baby . . . I am. But Skip thinks this means we have to move into town and he'll have to go to work for his dad.”

“Oh . . .” Anna closed the dishwasher.

“And after all you and Clark have done for us. And our precious little cabin—” Jewel started to cry.

Anna put her arms around her, holding her. “It will all work out, Jewel. And having a baby—oh, that is such a blessing.”

Jewel nodded. “I guess so. I just feel kind of blindsided. I think I'm in shock. I mean we've only been married a few months. I don't feel ready.”

“Well, just take it one day at a time. Enjoy your summer here and know that whatever comes, even if you must move to town, you and Skip will have each other and the baby, of course, and you'll be just fine, Jewel. You're on a good path.”

Jewel seemed somewhat comforted, but as Anna walked to her office, her feet felt heavy. It had seemed so right to have Skip and Jewel as full-time employees, a perfect way to lighten the load for her and Clark, and now it appeared that was destined to end. Still, Anna tried to take her own advice—one day at a time . . . just enjoy the summer . . . don't worry about tomorrow. She still had two months left with Jewel and Skip . . . and with Sarah. Then, like the water flowing down the river, they would move on.

We have an unexpected guest,” Clark told Anna shortly before dinnertime. This was one of the days when the dining room was not serving meals and Anna had just put a salmon into the oven while Sarah was making a green salad. It would be just the three of them tonight.

“But we're full up.” She wiped her hands on a dishtowel. “Did they have reservations? Is there a mistake?”

Motioning Anna to come toward the door, Clark whispered, “It's Donald.”

“Donald?” Anna thought she heard him wrong. “You mean Sarah's dad
Donald?
”

He nodded. “Do you want me to tell her that—?”

“Where is he?”

“Down at the boathouse.”

“Oh . . . why didn't you bring him up?”

Clark shrugged then glanced toward the kitchen. “I didn't want to upset her. You know how it was when Lauren showed up out of the blue.”

She nudged him toward the door. “You go get Donald. But take your time and stall a bit. I'll speak to Sarah.”

“I can give him a tour of the improvements,” Clark offered as he opened the door.

“Yes. Do that.” Anna went back to the kitchen, and Sarah looked curiously at her.

“Did we overbook?” She frowned as she slid some sliced tomatoes into the salad bowl. “Do you need my cabin for guests?”

“No, of course not.” Anna shook her head. “It's your cabin. I wouldn't dream of moving you out for a guest.”

Sarah looked relieved. “Good because it's kind of a mess today. I was in the midst of a sewing project that's spread all over the place.”

“Your dad is here,” Anna said gently.

“What?” Sarah's eyes grew wide. “Dad is
here?
”

Anna nodded. “Clark said he just got here. I'm as shocked as you are.” Now Anna told Sarah about how she'd invited him for graduation in June. “He couldn't make it,” she explained, “but maybe he felt badly for missing it.”

Sarah scowled. “I doubt that.”

“Well, he's obviously here to see you, Sarah. Should we invite him for dinner?”

“Do what you like.” Sarah's scowl deepened.

“What does that mean?”

She shrugged. “It means I don't care . . . whether he stays for dinner or jumps in the river. He's nothing to me. And I don't plan to speak to him.” She set down the paring knife and removed her apron. “I'll be in my cabin.”

“Do you want me to go tell him that you don't want to see him?”

Sarah turned to look directly at Anna. “Do you want to see him, Grandma?”

“Well, not exactly. But I hate to turn him away. That's not very hospitable.” She tried to smile. “And I am in the hospitality business after all.”

“So have him up here for dinner if you want. Just don't expect me to come.” Sarah was nearly to the door now.

“What if your father wants to say he's sorry?” Anna tried.

“Then I might have to say it's too little, too late.” But Sarah stopped and, standing there in the living room, let out a frustrated sigh then folded her arms across her front the same way she used to do as a little girl when someone was pushing her out of her comfort zone. “It's just not fair, Grandma.”

Anna went over and put an arm around her shoulders. “What's not fair?”

“That he and mom let me down in so many ways . . . and then they think they can just show up and act like everything's okay . . . let bygones be bygones. Why can't they just leave me alone? Don't they see that they weren't there when I needed them and now I don't need them anymore? Why do they feel the need to force themselves back into my life?”

Anna considered her response. “Because, like it or not, you are a part of them, Sarah. Their blood is in you. And even though family can be exasperating sometimes, they are still family.”

“Does that mean I owe it to them?” Sarah's eyes were defiant. “That I should just put my hurts behind me, pretend that they never let me down, and just act like everything's fine. Because I suppose I could do that.” She took in a deep breath, tightening her hands into fists and holding her arms stiffly by her side. “If that's what you want me to do, Grandma, I can do that. Put on a big phony act.”

Anna didn't know what to say.

“You say the word and I'll do it,” Sarah told her. “I'll fake that everything is just peachy keen.”

“No . . .” Anna said slowly. “I don't want you to put on act. If you can't speak to your dad because you want to speak to him . . . then I don't really see the point.”

Sarah nodded. “Good. I don't either.”

Anna thought for a moment. Was this something Sarah should be forced to handle on her own? But then Anna remembered less than a year ago, when a confrontation with Lauren had sent Sarah running. Could that happen again? Probably not. But even so. “Do you want me to tell him how you feel.”

“Thank you.” Sarah's eyes were brimming with tears now.

“But, for your sake, Sarah . . .” Anna sighed. “I wish you were able to forgive him . . . and Lauren, too. It's not good for you to be bitter.”

“I know, Grandma.” Sarah's hand was on the doorknob. “You've told me that already . . . lots of times. And if I was able to forgive them and move on I would.” She shook her head. “It's just that I can't. I just can't!” And now she went out, solidly closing the door behind her.

Anna went back to fixing dinner, setting aside a plate for Sarah, which she would take down to her later. She understood Sarah's dilemma. It would've been false for her to pretend that there was nothing wrong. Still, Anna longed for her to get beyond it.

After about ten minutes, Clark came in with Donald, the two of them chatting like old friends, and Anna explained that Sarah had chosen not to join them for dinner.

“It figures.” Donald grimaced. “I knew I was probably on a fool's errand.”

“Then why did you come?” Anna asked.

“I was going through some old photos, and it just hit me—Sarah deserved better than she got from Lauren and me. She was a good kid. And I know she's had some rough knocks, but I'm proud of her for making a comeback. I just wanted to tell her that. Guess I should be on my way.”

“Wait,” Clark said suddenly. “I think Sarah needs to hear those things.”

“You mean if she'd listen,” Anna told him.

“Come with me,” Clark said to Donald. “I think we can get her to listen.”

Anna wasn't so sure but decided not to intervene as Clark took Donald back outside. After all, Sarah respected Clark. Perhaps she would listen to him. Anna closed her eyes and whispered a prayer, begging God to soften Sarah's hard heart toward her parents.

For the next hour, Anna kept the salmon warm and wondered if anyone was going to return for dinner. Finally, it was close to eight and Clark, Donald and, to her surprise, Sarah came into the house. She could tell by Sarah's expression that something had changed.

“Anyone hungry?” Anna asked as she removed the salmon from the oven.

They all said they were, and Sarah came into the kitchen to help by filling water glasses. “As usual, you were right, Grandma,” she said quietly.

Anna peered curiously at her.

“I did need to forgive my dad.”

“And did you?”

She nodded. “And it actually does feel better.”

Anna hugged her. “I'm so glad.”

“Well, it was easier to forgive him when he admitted that he'd blown it. He seemed genuinely sorry, too. He owned up to everything. So I decided I really had no reason not to forgive him. And it does kind of feel like a weight's been lifted.” She smiled as she picked up two glasses of water. “Thanks.”

As they sat down, Anna felt greatly relieved. She hoped that this might be Sarah's first step toward forgiving her mother as well. But she wasn't holding her breath.

Early one Saturday morning in late July, Lauren called and barely said hello before Anna knew something was going on. She could hear the excitement in Lauren's voice.

“His name is Brad Stapleton, Mom.”

“Your coffee shop man?”

“Yes. We had our first date last night.”

“Really?”

“Yes. And he's absolutely wonderful. We talked and talked for hours. And it felt like I already knew him. There was this weird familiarity. I can't even explain it. Except that I never felt like this around a guy before. Not even back in the early days with Donald. Do you think I'm crazy? Or falling in love?”

Anna laughed as she sat down on the sofa. “I think you sound happy.”

“I
am
happy. I got up with the sun this morning. And I've been singing!”

“So tell me about this Mr. Wonderful.”

“I can do better than that,” Lauren said, “I told him all about you and the inn and he really wants to come out to see it.”

“Oh, darling, that'd be lovely.”

“Except for one thing . . .”

Anna knew Lauren meant Sarah. And so she told her about Donald's recent visit and Sarah's unexpected turnaround. “So maybe she's ready to forgive you too, Lauren.”

“I hope so, Mom. I want that more than anything.”

“So when can you and Brad come out?”

“He suggested the weekend after next. And I think that's a good idea . . . we can have a couple more dates and make sure we're not rushing things.”

Anna chuckled. Their first date last night and he was ready to meet the parents . . . that sounded a bit quick to her.

“And I know you'll be booked up so we'll just come early on Saturday and stay for the day.”

“We are booked, but the spare room in the house is available. You could stay there if you wanted . . . that is, if your friend wouldn't mind getting a room in town.”

“I'll ask him about that.”

“And I'll try to warm Sarah up to the idea of your coming.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

However, later in the day, when Anna mentioned the upcoming visit, Sarah turned frosty. Anna decided not to pressure her. Then at dinner, Sarah announced that she wanted to visit the U of O campus before school started. “Do you think that would be okay?”