The Family Plan (The McClouds of Mississippi 1)

“I just wanted to hear your voice.”

She toyed with a tassel at the corner of a small tapestry throw pillow. “That sounds like a line.”

“It isn’t, you know. I really did just want to talk to you.”

“Anything in particular you want to discuss?”

“Not specifically. How about you? Anything interesting going on in your life today?”

Her gaze was drawn to the letter still lying on the coffee table. “No. Nothing exciting. You?”

“Not a lot. Isabelle and I went to the park this afternoon. That was an experience.”

“I’m sure it was. Did you have fun?”

“Yeah. Even though I was dismayed by how many people let their kids run wild in places like that. Some of those kids were hellions—pushing, shoving, breaking in line, screaming when they didn’t get their way. I can tell I’m going to have to be careful about making sure Isabelle hangs out with the right friends. I wouldn’t want her to start imitating some of those brats.”

Caitlin couldn’t help smiling. He sounded so much like an indignant parent and so different from the carefree bachelor he had been so recently.

Her amusement faded when he said after a slight pause, “Today would have been my father’s sixtieth birthday.”

“It must have been a difficult day for you.”

“A bit. Dad loved birthdays. He always insisted on balloons and a cake. Even after he left, I tried to make a point of calling him on his birthday, though neither Gideon nor Deborah did, of course.”

“At least you have the comfort of knowing you acknowledged the occasions while your father was still living. I wonder if Gideon and Deborah regret not doing so when they had the chance.”

“Maybe. I talked to both of them today. Gideon said he was having trouble concentrating on his work, and Deborah seemed sad. I’m sure both of them were affected by the date.”

“They didn’t talk to you about their feelings?”

“Hey, I was just glad neither of them hung up on me.”

“They’re still that resentful about you taking Isabelle?”

“Gideon says he doesn’t care one way or another, as long as I leave him out of it. He’s leaving the door between us unlocked, if not fully open. Deborah, well, maybe she’s coming around a little. I think she listened when I talked today instead of tuning me out.”

“That’s a good sign, I suppose.”

“Perhaps. To be honest, I don’t know what’s going on with Deb now.”

And it was driving him crazy, she thought. “Did you talk to your mother today?”

“No. I was afraid hearing from me, especially today, would only upset her.”

“I’m sure she misses you.”

“She knows where to reach me.” He hesitated a moment, then sighed. “I’ll call her again soon. I didn’t give up on Dad and I won’t give up on my mother.”

“You’re a good son, Nathan. And a good brother.”

“Thanks. It means a lot to me for you to say that.”

Because they were straying too close to personal feelings again, Caitlin redirected the conversation. “What’s Isabelle up to now?”

“I put her in bed twenty minutes ago, at eight. She was tired from playing at the park, and she has to get up early for school tomorrow.”

“I hadn’t realized it was so late. Lindsey just left. She and I were visiting and the time slipped away from me.”