LITMIR.BIZ

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the bridge.”

      “Oh, Abby, you’re being very generous.”

      Abby ducked her head. “No, not really. I’ll admit I blamed you a little, too. But in the end, it was Nick who sent me away. It took me a while to stop being angry.”

      Kate stiffened. “I realize he shouldn’t have—”

      “No, we need to just let it go. Our time is gone. Now it’s Nick and Patricia’s time. I can accept that as long as he doesn’t take Robbie away from me.”

      “I won’t let him do that, Abby, I promise.”

      “I want you to tell me if my staying here causes problems between you and Nick. I’ll start looking for a place at once.”

      “No. I know Nick is upset, but he can’t be that mean. I won’t let him force you to leave your little boy here while you go away. Robbie would hate him if he did that.”

      “Maybe not if he gets that puppy!” Abby said with a small smile through her tears.

      “Yeah. He’s just like his daddy, isn’t he?”

      “Yes. I’m sorry I kept him from you, Kate, but I didn’t—I didn’t know how to come back.”

      “Well, that’s certainly one thing Nick accomplished,” Kate said with a shaky laugh. “A grandson! And you named him after Robert. That was so wonderful of you.”

      “I’m glad you’re pleased.”

      “Oh, yes.” Kate patted a chair next to her for Abby to sit. “Now we’ve got to find a place for you to settle in. Let’s see. Julie is in Cheyenne, so you can have her room. We’ll put Robbie in Charlie’s room. He’s at college in Laramie. It’s right next to Nick’s room, so that should please him.”

      “Perfect, Kate. Thank you for making me feel welcome.”

      “You’re the mother of my grandson. Of course you’re welcome.”

      Much as she was still surprised by Kate’s transformation, there was still the big question looming over them. “Now we have to talk about Patricia.”

      “Oh.”

      Abby stared at Kate. “Is she that bad?”

      “Well, she’s very pretty…in a prim way.”

      “What do you mean?”

      “She expects everything to go her way.”

      Abby stared at Kate. “With Nick? She gets her way with Nick?”

      “No. She’s playing him very carefully. But everything else is done her way or not done at all. She volunteered to cook for Nick once. He agreed, thinking she’d come out and fix dinner for all of us. But she fixed dinner just for her and Nick. And she didn’t even fix enough for him. He works hard all day. You know how hungry he gets. He was polite to her, but after she left, he fixed himself a sandwich!”

      “And where did you and the kids go to eat?”

      “To the café. Julie and Brad weren’t here. The other three didn’t care. They thought it was great. When we got home, I found she hadn’t had time to wash the dishes. She left them for me!”

      “She didn’t!” Abby protested.

      “Yes, she did. When I got home, Nick was trying to clean up and eat his sandwich at the same time. I took over. But that’s when I realized I’d made a big mistake. She’s totally wrong for him!”

      “Does she like children?” That would be the woman’s saving grace, that she would be good to Robbie.

      Kate slowly shook her head. “I know she’s a teacher, but she doesn’t seem to—The kids don’t like her.”

      “Maybe she’s better one-on-one?”

      Kate slowly shook her head. “No, I’m afraid not.”

      Abby sank back into her seat. She’d vaulted one hurdle—Nick’s mother—but the more formidable one loomed ahead.

      What was she going to do about Patricia?

      The topic of Patricia didn’t come up again for the rest of the day. Abby was too busy to worry about her. After dinner, she helped Kate clean the kitchen. Then she gave Robbie his bath before dressing him in his pajamas.

      Though she hesitated, she encouraged him to go tell everyone good-night. Kate hugged him and gave him a kiss. Then Robbie looked at his mother. She nodded in Nick’s direction and Robbie walked over to Nick to tell him good-night.

      “Don’t I get a hug like your grandma did?” Nick asked.

      “Okay,” Robbie said.

      After Nick hugged him, Robbie moved on to Brad and his two younger brothers who had been introduced to Robbie when they’d returned home from school. Then he turned toward Abby, his hand outstretched for her.

      “I’ll carry you to bed, Robbie,” Nick said, scooping him up before he could protest.

      “Okay,” Robbie said, but his gaze centered on his mother. “Mommy, are you coming?”

      “Yes, sweetie, I’m coming.”

      Nick glared at her, but she ignored him. Her son wanted her to come, and that was all that mattered.

      She followed them into Charlie’s room, the one that now would be Robbie’s room.

      Nick put Robbie down on the bed.

      Abby reached for the covers and pulled them back. “Here you go, sweetie. You’re going to like this room. It’s right next door to your daddy’s.”

      “Where is your room, Mommy?” Robbie asked.

      “I’m right down the hall. Don’t worry, I’ll be here when you wake up in the morning.”

      The boy settled into the bed. “Will you go see my puppy in the morning?”

      “Yes, I will. Did you decide on a name?”

      Robbie looked at the man looming over his bed before he looked back at his mother. “I—I want to call him Baby. ’Cause he’s the littlest one.”

      Abby looked at Nick. To her relief, he said, “That’s a good name, Robbie.”

      The boy smiled, as Abby leaned down to tuck the covers around him just the way he liked.

      “Now it’s time to say your prayers,” she told him.

      He folded his hands together for their nightly ritual. As Abby said the prayer, he repeated the words. Then he added his own requests at the end. “Thank you for my puppy, and please bless Mommy and—and Daddy.”

      With a smile, Abby bent over and kissed him good-night again.

      Nick didn’t move. He stood by the bed, an odd, contemplative look on his face. He was about to say something when the phone rang. He looked toward the kitchen where the closest phone was located.

      “Nick, Patricia is on the line,” his mother called.

      Without saying anything, Nick turned and left the room.

      “Is he mad at me?” Robbie whispered to his mom.

      “No, he’s not. He just had to go take that telephone call. Everything’s fine. Don’t you worry.”

      He nodded. “Mommy, are we really going to live here?”

      “I’m not sure. But we’ll be together, you and me, just like always.”

      “Okay,” he said and closed his eyes. “G’night, Mommy.”

      She smoothed his silky hair. “Good night, baby.”

      But instead of leaving him, Abby sat beside his bed, not eager to go back

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