Free The Baby Truth by Stella Bagwell Page B

third ring and Sassy was thankful when the woman’s familiar voice quickly jerked her wandering thoughts back to solid ground.
    “Sassy, I’m so glad you finally called. I was beginning to worry about you.”
    The woman would’ve been even more worried if she’d known Sassy had spent her first hour in Carson City lying on a hospital gurney in the emergency room. But, for now, Sassy had no intention of revealing any of that to Frankie. There would be plenty of time for that later, after she’d had a chance to collect her thoughts and map a plan for herself and the baby.
    Sassy took a seat on the edge of the queen-size bed. “Didn’t you get my text message telling you that my flight had arrived safely?”
    “Yes. I was glad you let me know. But we’ve all been wondering if you’ve met the Calhouns yet.”
    “Actually, that’s the reason I’m calling. To let you know we went to the Silver Horn this evening. In fact, we just returned a few minutes ago.”
    “We? Someone went with you?”
    “Jett Sundell. Remember? He’s the Calhoun family lawyer.”
    “Hmm—yes. I do remember now. But isn’t that taking things a bit far, to have their lawyer accompany you? Are these people paranoid or something?”
    It would be impossible for Sassy to explain how Jett had somehow emerged as her protector. Because, frankly, his support didn’t make sense. His first alliance and concerns should be the Calhouns. And, truth be told, if he was forced to choose between her or them, it would be the Calhouns. But none of that should really matter now. As far as she was concerned, there was no branch on the Calhoun family tree with her name on it.
    “I suppose it is odd in a way. It’s sure not the way you Cantrells handle things. And the old patriarch of the family was far from welcoming. But Jett has been very helpful. In fact, I’ve been staying on his ranch.”
    “Oh. I see. I think.”
    The motherly caution in Frankie’s voice had Sassy quickly adding, “His sister lives here, also. She’s very nice.”
    Frankie’s sigh of relief was evident. “If these people are being helpful, then I’m glad. So tell me about the Calhouns. Think there’s a chance you might be connected to them in some way?”
    “Not really, Frankie. They can’t think of any relatives I might link with.”
    “Awww! And for some reason I was so hopeful about it all,” Frankie said, her voice full of disappointment. “But I’m proud that you made the trip and that you’re seeing new things and meeting new people. It couldn’t have been easy talking to strangers about such a personal matter, but even that was probably a good learning experience for you.”
    The memory of Bart Calhoun staring a dark hole through her was something Sassy would never forget. And she’d definitely learned from the experience. She’d learned that having Jett by her side had given her the courage and patience to stand her ground. If not for him, she would probably have turned on her heel and left the house. Mostly out of anger.
    “It wasn’t easy, Frankie.” And prying any sort of information from Bart Calhoun would be even more difficult, she thought grimly. Getting him to spill a secret would be like breaking a piece of granite with her bare hand. “But for the most part, the brothers, minus the one who’s a Marine in California, and their father, Orin, were very warm and likable.”
    “But they had no clues about your family? Did you explain about the orphanage and how you were dropped there?”
    Sassy held back a sigh. “I told them everything. They all seemed clueless. So I figure I’m wasting time here, Frankie. I’ll probably be coming home in a day or two.”
    There was a long pause and then a groan. “Sassy, there’s no need for you to hurry back. You’re just a short distance from Reno and Lake Tahoe. Lewis took me there on one of our wedding anniversaries. I promise, it’s beautiful.”
    Before this flight to Nevada, Sassy had never had the