Page 4 of Coming Home for Fall
Callie scoffed. “Do you really think they’re all going to show?”
He raised his brows and shrugged. “They all agreed to come this year.”
“Yeah, but we’ve been burned in the past...” Callie said, her gaze downcast. “One or two of them always ends up having some excuse and then cancels last minute.” She sighed. “I want to keep my expectations low this year…”
“Keep your expectations wherever you want them, I’m just saying I don’t think you should count on the kids canceling and then not tell them about Sasha. Seems like a good way to cause trouble.”
Callie leaned back and considered David’s words. “Yeah, you’re right. I won’t keep putting it off forever. But let’s just give Sasha a week or so, before we bombard her with the entire family. And vice versa.”
David put his hands up in the air, as he always did when he decided to let Callie win. “Whatever you think’s best. I’ll follow your lead on this one.”
“Thanks. I really mean it. I appreciate you letting me do this in the first place. I know it’s a lot to ask... and this is your space too. It means a lot to me that you’re willing to open up the home to Sasha. Not everyone would.”
“Of course,” David said with a reassuring smile. “You know I always have your back. No matter what.”
They shared an understanding look; the kind only two people who had known each other for a long time could give each other. Callie loved David, and she was grateful to have someone as supportive and caring in her life, even if things between them weren’t always perfect.
David pulled his gaze away first and then checked his watch. “So, when’s she supposed to be here again? At—”
But before David could finish his words, the doorbell rang.
Chapter 2
“Hello!” Callie’s greeting echoed in the entryway, and she immediately felt embarrassed for sounding too eager.Calm down, she told herself.Sasha is probably overwhelmed, and you’re only going to make it worse. “Come in, come in.”
She stepped aside and motioned for the twenty-year-old single mom to step over the threshold. On one shoulder she carried both a duffle bag and a diaper bag, and her other arm lugged the weight of a baby carrier. “Here, let me take something for you.” Callie instinctively reached for the baby carrier, but Sasha pulled back and shot Callie a wide-eyed look.
“Sorry,” Callie said, smiling through the awkwardness. “I didn’t mean to—”
“She’s sleeping,” Sasha explained. “She’ll wake up if she gets moved too quickly.”
“Got it. Understood.” Callie helped take the bags from Sasha, who sighed with relief when the straps were removed from her shoulder. She was wearing a worn pink t-shirt and jeans that had seen better days. However, aside from her outfit, Sasha was a pretty girl. She had large hazel eyes, and her thick hair fell in soft ringlets down to her waist. Callie felt a pang of friendly jealousy when she saw how the blond streaks caught the light.
“Gosh, I wish my hair would grow that long,” she said. “But for some reason, it just stops after it gets past my shoulders, no matter what I do. That’s why I keep it cropped pretty short.”
Sasha smiled. “I think it looks cute.”
“Thanks, that’s so sweet.” Callie liked this girl already. Walking into the living room, she set the bags down and then turned to Sasha, offering her hand. “Anyway, I’m Callie. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”
“Sasha.” The girl took her hand and gave Callie a good shake. “I’m glad to finally meet you too.” She gingerly set down the carrier and both of them smiled down at the beautiful sleeping baby. “And this is Dot.”
“She’s precious.” Callie pressed a hand to her chest. “Where’d those dark curls come from?”
“Her dad,” Sasha whispered.
“Oh right…” Callie’s eyes darted, wincing internally at her own words. She didn’t know the history between Sasha and the baby’s father, but it was obvious the man wasn’t in the picture anymore.
“Where’s your husband?” Sasha asked before Callie could come up with something to say. “The social worker said I’d be staying with a married couple.”
“David’s here,” Callie replied. “He went to make sure everything was ready in your room and—oh, there he is!” David approached from the hallway that led to the staircase with a smile.
“Hi there!” he began, stretching out his hand. “You must be Sasha.”
Sasha didn’t take David’s hand right away, and for a moment, Callie worried something was wrong. Her stomach muscles tensed. Was this all about to come crumbling down? She wasn’t exactly sure where this fear came from, but Sasha wouldn’t have been the first downtrodden single mother who’d developed a healthy suspicion of men. Thankfully, the tension in the room eased quickly after Sasha smiled and shook David’s hand.
“Hi,” she said happily. Callie released her bated breath.
David glanced down at the baby and grinned. “Aww, what a cutie! Reminds me of our oldest granddaughter. She also had a lot of hair from the start.”
