Christa and Davy returned from their run to the bank in time to eat
dinner at the inn before the place was crowded by guests and locals. Her son’s
silence puzzled her. Usually the trip to and from town was filled with stories
of his friends, school and anything popping into his thoughts. Since he’d
returned from the lake he’d been thoughtful.
Her stomach roiled. Had he met Mark? Had Mark made a threat or an
announcement? She needed to know but was afraid to ask.
After the waitress brought their food Christa reached for Davy’s hand.
“Is something bothering you?”
He looked up. “Sort of. I know there are no ghosts but he isn’t one.”
Christa’s hand tightened. “Tell me what happened.” She released her son’s
hand when fear flashed in his eyes.
“There’s this man I saw by the lake. He looked a lot like the picture the
half aunts showed me last month. They took it from your wallet. They told me he
was my dad and I thought he was dead. Did he have a brother?”
Christa drew a deep breath. The time had come. How much could she tell
him? “Would you like him to be your dad?”
Davy shrugged. “Never thought about having one. Might be fun. He said he
was Mark something.”
“Did he say anything else?” She hated the sharp edge to her voice.
“Just that he wasn’t a ghost. He didn’t touch me or anything. He stared a
bit. Didn’t even ask my name. I ran off ‘cause I didn’t want to miss going to
town.”
Relief washed through Christa. Mark had behaved in a way she hadn’t
expected. She needed to tell her son about the events of the past but she had
to know Mark’s intentions. She would fight any move on his part to take Davy
away. “Do you need to talk more about this?”
He shook his head. “I need to think if I want a dad or not. I don’t want
to live without you.”
“I won’t let that happen.”
“Okay.” He lifted his fork and attacked the food.
Christa smiled. Davy would be fine. Would she? Until she spoke to Mark
she wouldn’t know what he intended to do. “Mrs. Lowry will take you home. Peggy
and Stella are working tonight. I have to check on them.”
He nodded. “That’s good. They’re nosy and always acting like they know
secrets.”
And they did. About Mark. And their
thefts. Now about Davy. Though she hadn’t denied his claim the pair could
use their knowledge to hurt her and Davy.
Christa tasted the Yankee pot roast and sighed with satisfaction. The
dish was perfect. She only wished her appetite was equal to the meal.
While she ate her thoughts turned to her problems. How was she going to
tell Davy why his father had been shut out of her life? He would want to know.
How could she tell him she’d fallen in love with Mark and had feared his
reaction to the news? She had imagined Mark denying he was the father or
offering money if she would go away.
Davy wouldn’t understand. Especially when Mark was here and determined to
claim his son. She’d made the same decision about him just as she had with her
half-sisters. Admitting her mistake was difficult.
As they began dessert Davy returned to his chatty self. She laughed at
his stories. He scooped the last bite of apple dumpling with cinnamon ice
cream. “Can I leave the tip?”
“Don’t you always.” She handed him several bills. After he tucked them
under his plate they rose. “Don’t give Mrs. Lowry a hard time. Homework. A
half-hour of TV, then bath and bed.”
He nodded. “Can I stay up late tomorrow?”
“What day is it?”
“TGIF.” He gave her a high five and darted past guests arriving for
dinner. Moments later Christa caught him in the foyer. She ruffled his hair. He
and the older woman who doubled as desk clerk and sitter waved and left.
My Places
Buy Mark
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