Free Dakota Home by Debbie Macomber Page B

Bellmont school taught the elementary and junior-high students, and Buffalo Valley was responsible for the high-schoolers from both communities. It meant busing a lot of kids in a lot of different directions, but the plan had worked, and both schools were doing well.
    Dennis gave Calla half an hour to make it home. Then he left Bruce Buechler, his employee, in charge of the station, and he walked quickly to Josh McKenna’s house. He rang the doorbell.
    Calla didn’t keep him waiting long, and he could tell from her expression that he was the last person she’d expected to see. “My mom isn’t here,” she announced curtly. She would have closed the door if he hadn’t stopped her.
    â€œI know.”
    â€œMy grandpa’s at the store.”
    â€œI know that, too. I came to talk to you.”
    She stared at him, frowning. “But I don’t want to talk to you.”
    â€œThe least you can do is hear me out.”
    She crossed her arms and gave him a bored look. “Okay, fine. What do you want?”
    â€œLet’s sit down, shall we?” He gestured toward the porch swing.
    â€œI prefer to stand.”
    He sighed. “All right,” he muttered. Although he realized that it gave her the advantage, he took a seat and let her stand. “As you already know, I care deeply for your mother.”
    Calla snickered, and Dennis gritted his teeth.
    â€œYour attitude toward the two of us is tearing your mother apart.”
    â€œYou think I don’t know that you’re lovers?” Calla said scornfully.
    Dennis stiffened. “What happens between your mother and me is none of your business.”
    â€œYou two make me sick.”
    â€œPerhaps when you’re an adult—”
    â€œAn adult?” she repeated, sounding vastly amused. “You think my feelings toward you are going to change?”
    â€œI’m hoping you’ll be a bit more tolerant.”
    Her chin came up a defiant notch. “Don’t count on it.”
    This conversation was not going the way Dennis had hoped. “As I started to say, your attitude is hurting your mother. She loves me.”
    Calla pinched her lips together and stared into the street as if mesmerized.
    â€œWhat’s it going to take for you to understand that I only want the best for you both?”
    Her gaze flickered toward him as if his words had caught her off guard. “Then stay the hell out of our lives.”
    â€œI’m not willing to do that. Perhaps if you told me what you find so objectionable about me…”
    â€œFor starters, you’re five years younger than my mother.”
    â€œThat doesn’t bother us, so why should it bother you?”
    â€œBecause it does.”
    â€œAnything else?”
    â€œYeah.” She faced him then, hands lowered to her sides, fists clenched. “I have a father.”
    He wasn’t sure what she was saying. “Yes,” he urged, wanting her to elaborate.
    â€œYou think you can take his place in my life.”
    Dennis’s head reared back in surprise. “Calla, no! I don’t think that at all.” So that was it. She feared he was going to interrupt the limited relationship she had with Willie Stern. “I wouldn’t do that,” he said, keeping his voice calm and as sincere as he could make it.
    â€œIf it wasn’t for you, my mom and dad might get back together.”
    Dennis sighed with frustration. “I’m sure that isn’t true.”
    â€œHow would you know?” she demanded. “My dad told me—” She closed her mouth as if she regretted having said that much.
    â€œAre you saying your father holds out some hope of a reconciliation?” Dennis asked, unable to believe it. Sarah hardly ever mentioned Willie, and when she did, it was with disgust for the things he’d done.
    â€œHe still loves her,” Calla blurted out. “He told me so himself.”
    â€œI