Page 45 of Stranded with the Billionaire
Chapter Eight
Mom? Dad?” Sterling plopped her bag on the bench in the entryway as she crutched forward into the farm house. She hadn’t given them any notice that she was coming home.
An empty space caught her eye where an antique cupboard used to stand. Looking around the room she could see a few more empty spaces where antiques used to be.
“Sara!” her mother Paisley exclaimed as she came from the kitchen. “You’re home!”
Sterling let herself be wrapped up in a big hug, embracing her mother in return. “You sold great-grandma’s cabinet?”
Paisley’s smile dimmed a little. “It had to be done.”
“When?” Sterling knew that her mother had loved that particular piece of furniture.
“A few months back. You know Eunice Brown had her eye on it for a long time,” Paisley pointed to the crutches that Sterling used. “What happened?”
Sterling groaned. “It’s a long story.”
“You can tell it over dinner,” Paisley unwrapped an apron from around her slim form. “I was just about to call your father. He’s struggling over some safety forms in the den.”
“I’ll go surprise him and let him know dinner is ready,” Sterling gave her mother a smile and another hug. “I’ve missed you guys.”
Paisley laughed. “You were here for the holidays. Not that you aren’t always welcome to be here since we miss you all the time.”
Sterling crutched over to the den, knocking on the door. “Surprise!”
Owen Hawkins looked up in astonishment. “SaraLee! When did you get home?”
“Just now,” Sterling grinned as her dad gave her a hug. “Mom says it’s time for dinner.”
“How long are you staying?” Owen asked. “Will you be here for the town fair?”
A member of the Hawkins family had been opening the annual town fair since its conception. It was a big deal for the little town.
“I could probably manage that,” Sterling thought that she really had nothing better to do.
“I know that look,” Owen looked down at her in concern. “What happened?”
“Let’s go to supper,” Sterling dredged up a smile. “I’ll tell you all about it.”
“Including how you got the crutches?” Owen turned off the desk lamp.
“That’s the most exciting part,” Sterling led the way to the kitchen where her mother had already put out an extra setting. Her brother Brant would be working at the factory, as the second shift was his responsibility. They all sat down to enjoy the homecooked meal.
Sterling asked about how things were doing in the small town. She found out that the daycare was rumored to be reducing its staff again. A small town boutique Fleur for Her had closed. The tea room and quilt shop had opened the upstairs of the building for a bed and breakfast which no one in the town thought would succeed. Melody Jesnil and Dixby Cooley were engaged.
“Dixby and Melody?” Sterling looked at her parents in shock. Melody, Dixby and Brant had been friends for a long time. However, the last she’d known it was Brant and Melody who were in love, even if they weren’t a couple at the time. She couldn’t imagine how Brant must feel. “How is Brant coping with that?”
“He’s ignoring it,” Paisley sighed. “We feel for him but there really is nothing to be done.”
“Now SaraLee,” Owen clasped his hands and leaned forward. “Not that I don’t love it when our daughter comes home but I think it’s time you told us what’s going on in your life.”
Sterling sighed. “Should I start at the beginning or would you just like the bad news?”
“I find the beginning is always the best,” Owen replied.
She found herself telling them the whole sad tale. From sneaking onto the plane, the crash, hiking through the snow, getting to like Jake Ramesly, the rescue, how Jake had ruined her career, having a little over three hundred dollars to her name, and returning home. “I won’t have my share of the payment money this month. Will the bank give another extension?”
“It was never your share,” Owen said quietly. “While we desperately needed the money, you shouldn’t have felt obligated Sara.”
