A Daughter's Trust

“I needed the exercise.”

“Bullshit.”

That reminded him of Sue. Of her response when he’d said it one time. But then, for the past two days, everything reminded him of Sue.

And Carrie.

“How about di

nner?” he asked when he’d made the basket. “Think Darla would agree to meet us someplace?”

“Probably.” Mark grabbed the ball, made a basket, rebounded and brought the ball down to hold it. “She’s waiting for my call,” he admitted. “Waiting to hear what’s going on.”

“Have her meet us at Tally’s,” Rick said, naming a bar and grill not far from their homes.

While Mark called his wife, Rick went in to shower.

“MS. KRAYNICK, please, come in.” Sue smiled as she opened her door to the woman, who was much younger looking than she’d expected.

“Thank you.” Nancy Kraynick could have been a seventies sit-com remake in her conservative pants and blouse, her flat shoes, tasteful makeup and understated, short dark hairstyle.

Her handshake was firm and she looked Sue straight in the eye. “You’ve already met my son,” she said. “Sonia told me he was here yesterday.”

“Yes.” And with those green eyes, she was the spitting image of him.

“He’s not all that fond of me.”

“I wouldn’t say that.”

“It’s all right, Ms. Bookman. Whether Ricky realizes it or not, I know my son.”

Sue liked the woman. She couldn’t help it; she just did. “Please call me Sue.”

She moved toward the family room, where Carrie waited in her swing.

“I want to tell you,” Nancy said, “up front, that anything my son told you about me is right. Ricky doesn’t lie.”

“Okay.”

“But he hasn’t seen me in years. He doesn’t believe I’ve changed, but I have, Ms. Bookman. I am not the woman who let him down. I need a chance to prove that to him.”

Other than being a little on the thin side, the woman didn’t look anything like an addict. Her complexion was rosy and healthy looking. Her eyes were clear.

“Well, maybe you’ll get your chance,” Sue told her. She hoped so. But didn’t count on it. “Now, would you like to see your granddaughter?”

“Oh, yes. You have no idea how badly.”

Nancy’s grasp was confident when Sue handed the baby to her. And when Carrie looked up and smiled, the older woman’s eyes filled with tears. “Hello again, my precious princess,” she said. “Grandma’s back and she’s going to be here for good this time. She’s got a room already prepared for you. A crib and a changing table, drawers full of clothes, a basket of toys…”

Sue supervised the visit—as she had done with Rick the night before—and knew that her lover’s chances of being granted his adoption were dwindling. Nancy Kraynick was wonderful.

And prepared.

As far as Sue knew, Rick hadn’t even thought about a box of disposable diapers, let alone a fully stocked nursery.

RICK WAITED UNTIL Darla and Mark had beers in front of them. “I got the stay and I’m moving forward with the adoption proceedings. I had my physical today.” He hadn’t even had a sip of his iced tea. Or looked at the menu to decide what he wanted for dinner.

Dinner didn’t much matter. Any food would do.