Home to You Read Free Page B

weren’t going to tell her immediately, however. She’d just have to wait them out.
    Seating herself in the chair next to the Princess-style phone, she crossed her legs. “No, not today. It’s been about a week now since we’ve talked.”
    “I thought as much.”
    “He’s a busy man,” Carolyne defended her son.

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    “Is he ever. No, sister, she said he was busy. Busy.
    Now just wait until I’m off the phone. Carolyne, are you still there?”
    Carolyne nodded. “Yes, Margaret. As I said, Dakota has his own life. He doesn’t need me there or calling him constantly.”
    “I’m not so sure about that.”
    Margaret dropped that last sentence and utter silence filled the phone line.
    Now they were getting somewhere. But what was this all about? “Why do you say that, Margaret?”
    “Well, I’m not one to tell tales, now. You know that, Carolyne dear, but then, when I feel something isn’t right, I’m not one to go hide, either. I’m not some faint-hearted girl who simply swoons every time I see something like, well, you know…”
    No, she didn’t know.
    “So, I’m glad it was me that saw it. Yes, sister, and you, too. She always thinks I’m trying to best her, Carolyne. Anyway, we saw it. And I felt it my duty to call you.”
    Margaret took a deep breath, but before she could continue, Mary’s voice came across the line. “There’s a strange woman on his front doorstep.”
    “Mary. Get off that extension and let me handle this!”
    Carolyne held the phone away from her ear, frown-ing. Margaret was usually the more practical of the two.
    What was going on?
    “You aren’t telling her about the shenanigans, sister, so don’t you tell me to get off the phone.”
    “If you would give me a minute.”
    Carolyne sighed. Confused, but determined to wade 22
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    through their chatter to find out just what was going on, she raised her voice firmly, “What woman?”
    “I don’t think she’s addled or slow, mind you,” Margaret butted in over Mary. “To be honest, I don’t recognize her at all and I’m sure that Dakota won’t either.
    Anyway, we’re about to go over and talk to her.”
    “We thought about reporting her to the police—”
    Mary added.
    “She’s drinking.” This from Margaret who attempted to cut Mary’s words off.
    “And she’s dressed, well…indecently,” Mary added, not to be outdone.
    “Black boots up to her thighs,” Margaret supplied.
    Alarmed, Carolyne sat up straight, both feet coming to rest on the floor. “Boots to her thighs?”
    “And what she’s wearing would make anyone blush,” Mary said outrageously.
    Alarmed, Carolyne tried to tell herself not to over-react. “I’m sure there’s some explanation…”
    “There sure is,” Margaret said bluntly. “Your son needs you. He’s not eating supper at home and not getting home until late at night. He’s gotten to where it’s as late as mid-night or more before he makes it home and now this woman is on his doorstep. He’s ruining his reputation!”
    “Well now, sister,” Mary interrupted, “I wouldn’t say he’s ruining his reputation, but it is obvious that he needs Carolyne back home.”
    “It’s scandalous,” Margaret sounded knowing.
    “Maybe I should call him,” Carolyne’s mind whirled in a tizzy over the conversation these two women were attempting to have with her.
    “He’s not home yet. Believe me, if he was, I’m sure Cheryl Wolverton
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    that woman wouldn’t be lolling out on the front porch like she is.”
    Mary added, “If you were here, everything would be fine. It seems like as soon as you left, Dakota went wild.”
    “He always was the wilder of the two,” Margaret butted in to say.
    “I have to agree with sister on that. But I think this is all some mistake. Dakota is a fine man. Still, he has no one here and I think he’s lonely.”
    “Lonely?” Margaret scoffed. “He’s so busy he doesn’t know what lonely is. Carolyne, we tried