Command Control

“You listened,” Laurel said smugly. “You’re having sex with the soldier.”

“No, I was here with you, fighting dragons,” she said.

“But you’re going to.”

“Maybe.” She thought about the impressive erection she’d felt through his jeans. “Probably. But I don’t know. He is a widower.”

“He told you?”

Sadie gave her pointed look. “He did. The question is why didn’t you mention it?”

Laurel shrugged. “You said no gossip.”

“That’s not gossip. It’s a fact. A pretty important one.”

“I wanted you to give him a chance,” Laurel said. “Jane’s been gone a long time.”

“A year.”

“She was sick for a while before that. And Logan’s a faithful guy.”

“So you’re looking out for his sexual needs now?” Sadie didn’t bother to hide her sarcasm.

“He’s the hometown hero, and this is my home now,” she said. “My family’s home.”

The newborn in Laurel’s arms woke and started fussing, demanding attention. Greg returned a minute later with a selection of Laurel’s favorite candy bars. Sadie decided it was time for her to leave and give the family some space.

She walked out of the main entrance and stared at the parking lot. She didn’t have a car. She pulled out her cell and turned it on. The screen alerted her to a handful of missed calls from her father. She had to call him back and tell him about the baby.

“Dad?” she said when the ringing stopped.

On the other end of the line, her father launched into questions. Sadie answered them, feeling as if she was reliving the birth, minute by minute. While they talked, she found a seat on a metal bench. She thought about lying down and closing her eyes. It was tempting.

“And Laurel? She’s all right?”

“She’s fine,” Sadie said for what felt like the third time in ten minutes. “Dad, I sent you extra money last month. Buy a ticket. Come up here. See for yourself.”

Silence. If he didn’t say something soon, Sadie suspected she’d fall asleep. “Dad, are you still there?”

“I already owe you more than I can pay back.”

Sadie sighed. “It’s a gift, not a loan. All of it.”

“I can’t take that much from you.” She heard the familiar stubborn edge in her father’s voice.

Sadie closed her eyes. Why was this so hard? A sane person with limited income would welcome a check for thousands of dollars. “Please, Daddy. For Laurel. She wants you here. I know she does.”

“I’ll think about it. I’d like to meet my granddaughter.” There was a softness in his voice that she hadn’t heard in a long time. It reminded her of bedtime stories and lullabies.

“But I’d miss work,” he added. “I agreed to cover for my buddy at the hardware store next week.”

She wanted to scream into the phone, I’ll pay you double, triple what you’d make at the store. But that would only wound his pride and expand the gulf between them. And it certainly wouldn’t get him on a plane.

“Some things are just plain worth it,” she said.

There was another long silence.

“You’re right.”