Route 66 Reunions (56 page)

He chuckled. “Got me over a barrel, huh? Okay, count me in. And thanks, Mandy. I’ll see you in the morning.”

As they hung up, Chad leaned back, amazed at how relaxed he felt after talking to her. With Amanda beside him, he could face Kara without fear.

Sunday after church Amanda rode to the house with Chad. She remained quiet, as if she sensed his concern, and he didn’t feel like talking either. Even with her assurance that her family wanted him there, he had a hard time believing they really did. She said she’d told them Chad’s story about Susan, and her dad only shook his head. But her mom sympathized with Chad, saying Susan needed prayer, for surely she would reap what she sowed. Brad’s reaction warmed Chad’s heart. Amanda said he’d grinned and said, “Didn’t I tell you so, and it was even worse than I figured.”

Now Chad held Amanda’s hand as they crossed the yard from the driveway. Everyone else was already there. She stopped at the door and gave his hand a squeeze. “They don’t blame you, Chad. Even if they had, they would have forgiven you.”

His eyebrows lifted as he searched her face. “Are you saying you’ve forgiven me?”

She hesitated, and then looked into his eyes. “Yes, and it was easy because there isn’t that much to forgive. You were a victim same as me. The hurt may take longer to heal though.”

“I see.” He opened the door, unwilling to go into the issue at the moment. “We’d better go inside before they come get us.”

As soon as they stepped inside, Brad called out. “Hey, long time no see, buddy.”

Chad grinned at his old friend. After a handshake and a round of shoulder slapping, he felt as if he’d come home.

Amanda slipped past them, shared a smile with her dad, and went into the kitchen. Her mother poked a long-handled fork into something in a large Crock-Pot on the counter. She put the lid back on and turned toward Amanda with a smile. “Did you get him here finally?”

“Yes.” She grinned and shook her head. “I had to bargain with him though.”

Esther stopped at the door with a stack of dishes in her arms. “Now you’ve got my curiosity. What kind of bargain?”

Amanda laughed. “He doesn’t know it, but I’d have gone with him to get Kara tomorrow anyway. He’d have a hard time keeping me away. And before you say anything—” She held a hand up to her mother who started to speak.

“I know you think I’ll get hurt. We’ve already gone over that, and I understand the risks of loving and losing a child, not to mention getting hurt by Chad all over again. I won’t deny it’s a possibility, but it’ll be fine. I promise I won’t wear my emotions on my sleeve. At least I have a job that pays my way until school starts.”

“I’m your mother, Amanda.” Brenda Davis sniffed. “I have a right to be concerned about my children. Only I’m concerned about Chad, too. And that baby. What if they get too attached to you?”

Amanda sighed. “I’ll be busy with school in another six weeks. Chad has to go back to Rockford to get ready for his classes and get Kara settled before school starts, too. We know what future we had was destroyed by our past.” She looked from her mother to Esther, who still waited at the door. “Give us some credit for being smart enough to let dead dogs lie. We’re friends, that’s all.”

Esther gave her a smile that could’ve meant anything and went through the door into the dining room. Her mother turned back to the stove and picked up some pot holders. “The roast is done. Would you mind mashing potatoes while I take this up?”

“Sure.” Amanda helped get the food on the table and then called the men in from the living room while Esther went out the back door to find her children.

They had just sat down when they heard the front door open and Karen’s voice. “Mom, Dad, are we too late?”

Dad chuckled and answered as his oldest daughter appeared in the dining room doorway surrounded by her family. “That depends. We haven’t eaten up the food if that’s what you mean.”

“Oh good. We’re starved.” Wayne stepped past his wife. “Are the extra chairs still in the closet?”

“Yep, help yourself.” Dad winked at Mom. “Think we might need a bigger table.”

“Oh no.” She shook her head. “We’ll scoot a little closer together and make room. More cozy this way. One of you girls, come here with your chair. I’ve got room beside me and Grandpa’s got room at his end.”

She moved to one side and eleven-year-old Treva set a folding chair in place between her grandmother and her cousin, Ellie. Amanda watched her nieces fit in beside their grandparents. She moved her chair closer to Chad’s and pulled her seven-year-old nephew’s chair toward hers to make room for Karen on the other side while Wayne found room across the table. Sawyer looked from one end of the table to the other and said, “How come I’m the only boy in this family?”

Everyone laughed as his dad answered, “Now you know how I felt growing up with two sisters.”

Amanda shared a smile with her sister as their dad held a hand out to either side and said, “Let’s pray.”

Chad reached for her right hand and she took Sawyer’s with her left. She tried to concentrate on the feel of her nephew’s small smooth fingers rather than the warm sensation of being surrounded and protected by Chad’s strong, capable hand. She scarcely heard her dad’s prayer blessing the food. Chad uncurled his fingers from hers first, leaving heat in her face that she hoped didn’t show.

After the rush of filling their plates subsided, Mom asked her son-in-law, “Wayne, have you met Chad Randall?”

Wayne met Chad’s gaze and shook his head. “No, I don’t believe so.”

“Oh that’s right,” Amanda said. “You guys got married after—”

Her gaze flew to Chad’s. He smiled and finished her sentence, “After we broke up.” He looked across the table to explain. “Amanda and I dated through high school and while we were in college. We met again this summer, and she’s been graciously helping me out of an impossible situation. I don’t know what I’d do without her.”

Wayne nodded. “Karen’s told me about the damage from the tornadoes. I’m sorry about your family. That’s got to be hard.”

“Yeah, it is. Thanks.” Chad didn’t say more and the conversation drifted to other topics.

By the time their dessert plates held only crumbs of apple pie, Amanda was ready to go see Kara. Chad had entered into the discussion of her dad’s favorite football players and teams, and seemed in no hurry to leave.

“There’s a game on now if you’d like to relax and watch it.” Amanda’s dad pushed back from the table and stood.

Wayne followed his lead. “Sounds like a good idea to me. Brad, Chad, you guys coming, too?”

“Sure.” Brad stood.

Amanda knew if she didn’t do something quick, she’d lose Chad to the world of Sunday afternoon sports, and he’d miss an important time of bonding with his niece. She grabbed his arm as he stood. “No way. Chad can’t join you because he has a date with a beautiful little girl.”

Brad grinned. “Really, Amanda. We aren’t overly humble, are we?”

“Not me, you goofus.” Amanda laughed at her older brother. “I’m the chaperone. Kara is his date and she is beautiful, believe me. She’s also not quite a year old and she wouldn’t understand being stood up, so we’ve got to get going.”

As she talked, she tugged Chad away from the table. He laughed and went willingly. “Mr. Davis, thanks for the invitation, but looks like I’ve got to go.”

“Maybe another time. There’ll be another game next Sunday. Glad to have you.” Amanda’s dad left no doubt that he had forgiven Chad for any hurt from the past. Amanda hoped Chad got the message.

“Thank you, sir.” Chad smiled and turned to Amanda’s mom. “Mrs. Davis, I haven’t eaten so well for a long time. Thank you.”

“You are certainly welcome.”

Amanda tugged on his arm. “Come on, Chad, we’ve got to go. Kara wants to play on the swings again.”

He nodded and looked from one adult to another as they stood waiting. “Now that we’ve got the house ready, my niece is being released into my custody. I’m getting legal guardianship, but if all goes well, I hope to one day adopt her. I’m the only family she has.”

Mom’s eyes were suspiciously moist. Amanda half expected her to grab Chad in a motherly hug, but she didn’t. Karen, however, had no such reservations. She pushed past Amanda and squeezed Chad to his obvious surprise, although he gave her a couple of awkward pats on the back.

She pulled back and grinned from Chad to Amanda and back. “You’ve got my support, Chad. If you need anything, just let us know. And if that little girl needs more family, you know where to find us.”

“That’s right.” Esther agreed, and Brad’s grin spread across his face, although he didn’t speak.

As Wayne and her parents added their support, Amanda looked up and saw raw emotion on Chad’s face. She whispered so only he could hear, “Didn’t I tell you?”

He shook his head and blinked. “I don’t know what to say. Mandy told me you believe in forgiving. Now I know why she’s such a wonderful person. She has to be coming from a family like this. Thank you all. Kara couldn’t find a family any better to influence her life for good than this one.”

As they said their good-byes and headed out the door, Amanda’s heart sang. Sharing Kara with her family sounded like an excellent idea. If only the sharing could be permanent.

O
n Monday morning Amanda’s excitement moved through her emotions like a bubbling stream. She stood beside Chad as he turned the old-fashioned door ringer that would bring Kara to them.

Kathy let them in. Her smile seemed dimmer than usual. “She’s in the family room playing with some toys.”

After they entered the family room, Kathy’s daughters slipped out without speaking. Kathy watched them go then turned back and shook her head. “They’ve been moping around all morning. We may have to stop taking babies if this keeps up. They get so attached to the little ones. We all do, but this girl’s been special.”

Amanda sank to the floor beside Kara, who hadn’t noticed them yet. “Hey sweetheart.”

Kara looked up with a surprised expression before her arms waved and she squealed. She flopped forward on hands and knees and crawled the short distance to Amanda, then grabbing fists full of Amanda’s clothing pulled herself to a standing position. Amanda laughed and squeezed her tight.

“Are you ready to go home, precious?” Amanda looked up at Chad who still stood just inside the room watching as if he were afraid to venture closer. “Come on, Chad, Kara’s glad to see us.”

“I see that.” He turned to Kathy. “Does she have any belongings?”

Kathy motioned toward the couch. “There are a few clothes and toys in the bags there.”

“A few? Three bags full.” Amanda laughed and stood with Kara in her arms. “That seems like a lot for such a little person.”

“I know.” Kathy smiled. “The girls and I get carried away sometimes.” She patted Kara’s back as she walked past. “Like I said, this one has been special. She’s been loved and it shows. The behavior of even the babies tells a lot about their background. I don’t mind letting her go home because I know you’ll love her. Can you get all of that?”

Chad lifted the two large trash bags and swung them around to rest against his shoulders. “I can come back for the smaller one and the diaper bag.”

“I’ll carry those.” Kathy slung the diaper bag over her shoulder and picked up the smaller plastic bag. “We may as well make one trip.”

On the way to the truck, Amanda decided she needed to have a serious talk with Chad. What could be sweeter than the feel of Kara in her arms? If she could, she’d gladly hold her on her lap all the way home, but Chad hadn’t even touched his niece yet. If he didn’t get over his fear of her, how could he provide the security she needed?

Kara smiled and babbled in her own baby language as they went down the walk to the street. Amanda let Kathy hold Kara and set her in the car seat. Kathy kissed the baby’s cheek, told her bye, and then backed out and closed the door.

She swiped at her eyes as Chad set the bags in the back of the truck. “I’ll miss her.”

Amanda shook her head. “I couldn’t be a foster parent, but I admire those of you who do.”

Kathy shrugged and laughed. “They aren’t all like Kara. Sometimes when they leave, I’m ready for the break. With all of them, I pray I’ve made a difference in their lives for the better.”