Chapter four
Sam pulled to a stop in the driveway and shut off the engine. Turning toward the dark-haired child beside him, he wondered where to start. Long lashes shadowed blue eyes that were focused on her lap. Newly trimmed dark bangs rested just at her brows.
He was reminded of the previous Thursday when he'd offered to trim the bangs for her. She'd sweetly but firmly informed him that Jessica's mom would do a much better job. Bethany Wright was a wonderful child and he wished that he could offer her better than a single parent family. Little girls needed mothers -- mothers who would be there for their children.
"Everything is going to be all right, honey," he told her. "I know you were afraid today, but I'll make sure that you don't have to be afraid again."
Beth looked up at him with wide innocent eyes. "Is mommy still sick, Daddy?"
Sam opened his mouth to speak and then closed it again. He really needed to think before he committed either way. "For a long time your mom had a hard time not doing things that were bad for her, so she had to go away for a while. Remember that's why we haven't seen her for these past years."
"So now she's back? Does that mean she's going to come live with us again?"
"No that's not what that means."
Beth seemed to absorb that. "She was really scary, Daddy. When she came to get me, I thought she was a stranger. I screamed, and the other kids starting yelling 'Stranger! Stranger!' and she started crying. I think we hurt her feelings."
Sam swallowed and ran a gentle hand over her hair. "You were frightened honey. You did the right thing."
"Before, she loved those bad things more than us, didn't she? That's why she had to go away, isn't it?"
Sam felt bruised inside to hear his daughter speaking in such a way. No child should ever feel that drugs or partying were more important. "She couldn't help it, sweet heart. That was part of the sickness."
"But that's why she went away. And now she's back. So she can love us again."
It sounded so simple, so reasonable. Why couldn't it be true? And how in the world was he going to tell his daughter that it wasn't? The sound of a vehicle in the drive saved him from having to make a response.
"It's Uncle Mark," he announced, climbing out the vehicle before moving around to the opposite side to help her down.
"Who's the lady with Uncle Mark?" Beth asked.
Sam turned sharply and found himself looking into the caramel-eyed gaze from RR, Inc. Peripherally, he noticed that Mark had gotten out of the car, while the woman had remained inside. She didn't blink or look away, but simply met his accusing stare head on. Anger stirred in him. She had no right to be here.
Beth, apparently tired of waiting for his response, turned to Mark. "Uncle Mark, who's the lady? She's pretty. She your new girlfriend?"
"Just a minute, Sweat Pea. Let me talk to your dad for a second okay?"
"Okay. Sure." Bethany looked briefly between the two men and then turned toward the SUV.
Sam grabbed his friend's arm and dragged him toward the front door of his home, out of ear shot of his daughter and uninvited guest. "What is she doing here? Don't either of you ever quit?"
Mark raised his hands in a gesture of surrender as he followed him into the house. "Hey, buddy. I'm here to check on you, make sure you're okay. The nice lady in the car is just along for the ride. Unwillingly I might add."
Some of the steam went out of his anger. He glanced away from his longtime friend. "We're fine," he murmured. "Sandra was gone by the time I got there. I don't think she'll be back."
"You sure?" Mark asked. "Maybe you should talk to someone who knows about these things. Get a restraining order or something."
Sam was taken aback. "I couldn’t do that, not without talking to Sandra first. I need to find out where her head is. I'm sure that we can settle this between us without getting the authorities involved. Calling the police might get her sent back to jail when all she wanted to do was see her daughter. That in and of itself is something of a miracle, don't you think?"
Mark shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe what a glutton for punishment you are. You're not seriously considering taking her back into your life, are you?"
"Just because I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt, doesn't mean that I'm willing to do that."
"But you would, if she's changed, wouldn't you?" Mark shot back.
Sam looked at him in silence. Would he? Where had all of this sudden defense come from anyway? Did he still love the woman who'd caused so much pain? The answer was no, he'd lost his romantic love for her a long time ago. But for Beth, who wanted so much for her mother to love her more than the 'bad things', would he do it? His child needed a mother's love.
"Oh Sam, say it's not so," Mark cut into his thoughts. "You know it would only be a matter of time before she pulls a typical Sandra stunt, and then where does that leave Beth? She's older now, Sam. She'll be crushed."
"She needs--" Sam broke off and glanced around, making sure that Beth was no within earshot. Then distracted by the fact that he hadn't seem her come in, his brow furrowed. He'd last seen her outside near the truck.
"Where is Beth?"
Robyn let out a sigh as she watched Sam and Mark walk toward the lovely two-story house that was the Wright home. In a well established area of town, she had always imagined that this would be the perfect place to raise children. Each property contained tall, shading trees and large back yards -- wonderful for gardens and swing sets and family barbecues. She wondered what was in Sam Wright's backyard.
If the look of poison he'd shot her before turning away was any indication, she would never know.
A small cry drew her attention away from the still open front door. The little girl, Bethany, was sitting on the ground near Sam's SUV with a stunned look on her face. Robyn was out of the car and at her side before she had time to think.
"Are you okay?" She went to one knee beside the girl.
"Yeah," was the sheepish reply. "But maybe if I got hurt I wouldn't feel so stupid."
Robyn fought to stifle a grin. "I know what you mean. Sometimes it's better just to stay down there for a while just to make it look good. In fact, why don't I join you?" She carefully settled on the concrete.
The girl looked up at her with interest. "Are you Uncle Mark's girl friend?"
Robyn made a face. "Not exactly. I only recently met your dad and Mark. My name is Robyn Sommers. What's yours?"
"Beth Wright. Short for Bethany."
"Pleased to meet you, Beth." Robyn extended a hand with mock seriousness. "You think we've made it look good enough to get up from here?"
"Yeah. I think so." Beth laughed and stood, brushing off the back of pale pink corduroy pants. Stooping she grabbed up the back pack that had fallen to the ground and slung it over her shoulder.
Robyn stood and closed the door of the SUV. When she turned back toward Beth, all signs of humor were gone from the child's face. Wide, stormy blue eyes looked up at her, dramatically different than those that had danced with laughter moments earlier.
"Are you here because of what happened at school today?"