Free Cascade by Claudia Hall Christian Page B

rambled about what to get her
boyfriend for Christmas. By the time Aden arrived, Sandy had almost
forgotten Nash knew about her past. Waking Nash, Sandy saw the poor
boy’s love for her. Promising to call later, she returned to her
clients and her day. After work, she walked home.
    Locking the door to her condo, she made a
small pile of Aden’s and the kids stuff. They’d basically lived at
both houses for the last few months. When she was done, she placed
a call to Aden. Luckily, she got his voicemail.
    She was sorry. She couldn’t see him any more.
His kids needed him one hundred percent now. She was a distraction.
That was how it had to be. She wouldn’t change her mind.
    Turning off her phone, Sandy picked up her
present, the cake she’d made, and left for Katy’s birthday
party.
    ~~~~~~~~
    Monday evening — 6:25
P.M.
     
    “ You sure you feel up to going?”
Heather asked Blane. “I can go by myself.”
    “ To Katy’s birthday party? I
wouldn’t miss it,” Blane said. “Do you always introduce yourself to
the new Katy?”
    “ Every year,” Heather
said.
    “ That’s the cutest thing I’ve ever
heard of.”
    He held the door for her and they walked to
his cherry red Mustang. He opened her door, helped her into the car
and went around to his side.
    “ You’ve barely said a word since
you got home from the clinic.”
    “ I haven’t?” Blane seemed
surprised. “I’m sorry Heather. I don’t mean to worry
you.”
    Blane pulled out of their driveway. They drove
in silence to the Castle. Rather than going in the gate, he stopped
at the curb.
    “ I want to thank you,” Blane
said.
    “ Me? What’s going on
Blane?”
    “ Enrique showed up at the smoking
clinic,” Blane said.
    Gasping, Heather grabbed his hand. Her eyes
reflected her concern for him.
    “ I didn’t think it bugged me but…
You’re right. I’ve been quiet.”
    “ How was it?” Heather
asked.
    “ It was… Today’s my day to run the
clinic,” Blane said. “I was running from room to room. I didn’t
notice he was there until a student asked me to approve the
treatment. I went in… and there he was…”
    “ What did you do?”
    “ I sent the student out.” Blane’s
eyes were vague. He smiled and looked at Heather. “That’s why I
wanted to thank you.”
    “ What happened?”
    “ Asked him why he was there,”
Blane said. “He said he wanted to beg my forgiveness. He started
and I raised my hand for him to stop. Automatically. I didn’t care
about his tiny excuses and apologies. I said, ‘I’m not the little
orphan you knew. I have a family who loves me, a wife and a child
who depend on me, a career I’m good at and a job I adore. I’m not
that throw-away kid you can jerk around with your excuses and lies.
I’m a part of a large community of people who love and respect
me.’”
    Blane let out a breath.
    “ It just came out.”
    “ Wow,” Heather said.
    “ Yeah wow,” Blane said. “When we
first talked about you moving in… I didn’t realize how much it
meant to me. You’ve made me feel important. Valuable.”
    “ Well Jake too,” Heather said.
“That’s who you meant by family. Right?”
    “ Jake? It was like he was standing
next to me,” Blane said. “He tells me how valuable I am. Almost
every day. But, you? The baby? You make me feel important.
Thanks.”
    “ You make me feel important.
Valuable,” Heather said. “Not some dumb heifer who got pregnant and
dumped. But a real lady.”
    Blane kissed her hand.
    “ How did you leave it?”
    “ I walked out,” Blane said. “I
approved his treatment then went back to running around. I didn’t
give him another thought until I was in the car driving home. I
guess that’s why I was quiet. I’m a little… stunned.”
    Heather laughed. Joining her laughter, he
continued through the Castle gate and to Katy’s birthday
party.
    ~~~~~~~~
    Monday night — 9:27 P.M.
     
    Turning down the hallway to her condo, she saw
Aden waiting by her door. She