River's Call

by Melody Carlson

  "Let's check the progress on the cabin," he said as he guided her into the building he was currently working on. "More privacy in here."

  "Thanks." She removed a handkerchief from her pocket and blew her nose. "It's silly to get so emotional over this."

  "No, Anna, it's not silly at all." He turned on the overhead light and she looked around to see that the kitchenette was making real progress. The lower cabinets were nearly framed in and the rough plumbing was finished. "I think, all things considered, you're handling it very well."

  "But I'm falling apart on the inside. It's so frustrating not being able to say or do a thing about it. I just have to bite my tongue."

  He ran his hand over a cabinet door that was laid upon a sawhorse. "Sometimes that's all you can do, sweetheart. Just be quiet and ride it out."

  "I keep telling myself that Lauren will have other children and that I'll get to be a grandmother some day."

  He turned to look at her now. "Did you tell Lauren that you and I are willing to keep the child?" He touched her cheek. "You're still young enough to be the mother of a small child. We could raise the baby as our own."

  She gave him a watery smile. "Thanks, I appreciate that. And I did tell Lauren that before . . . back when she just wanted to be rid of the whole pregnancy. She didn't like the idea then and I suspect she still won't. It's as if she wants to just pretend it never happened."

  "I'm thankful my mother didn't do that."

  "Even though it was hard on you as a child?"

  "I wouldn't change anything."

  "But your mother isn't . . . well, she's not like Lauren." Anna felt tears coming again. "I feel like such a failure, Clark."

  "That's nonsense, Anna. You're the farthest thing from a failure. I've never known a woman as strong and good as you are."

  "But with Lauren . . . I feel that I've failed her as a mother. Badly."

  "You're wrong, Anna. Lauren might be a bit spoiled and immature, but I've noticed that she seems to be changing. I think you're a good influence on her." He sighed. "Speaking of influence, why do you think Eunice is staying on with us?"

  "I haven't a clue. Lauren told her this afternoon that she has no intention of going home with her. Your mother pointed out, again, that it wasn't too late to beat the weather and make it out of here. And I even offered to drop everything and take her downriver. But she refused."

  "I think the old girl is up to something."

  "What do you mean?"

  "I mean she's got this look in her eye. Did you notice it at dinner? Like the cat that ate the canary . . . like she's got something up her sleeve."

  "What could it possibly be?"

  "I have no idea, but I would wager that she's conniving over some kind of wicked plan." He rubbed his hand together, making an evil-sounding cackle.

  Anna laughed. "You're probably right." She blew some sawdust off the top of the cabinet. "This place is looking really good. I can't wait until it's time to put on the finishing touches."

  "These cabins are so homey, I wouldn't mind living in one of them myself."

  "By yourself?" She lifted her brows.

  He reached for her, pulling her close. "Not by myself."

  "It would be cozy out here." She leaned her head against his shoulder.

  "In fact, I'd even imagined Lauren and her child living in one of these cabins." He smoothed her hair. "I would've loved growing up in a place like this as a kid."

  "I know I did."

  The sound of someone knocking on the door made them both jump. Clark went to open it and there stood Lauren with an excited expression. "Sorry to bother you, but I saw the light on and hoped you were in here. You will not believe what's going on."

  "Come in," Anna urged her. "Tell us what's up."

  "Grandmother invited Ardelle to come here!"

  "Ardelle?" Clark looked confused.

  "Ardelle is Donald's mother," Anna explained. "She's a good friend of Eunice's."

  "And she'll be here tomorrow," Lauren said with frightened eyes.

  "Why?"

  "Grandmother wouldn't tell me."

  "Do you think she knows?"

  "I have no idea." Lauren was pacing now, chewing on her thumbnail as she went back and forth next to a pile of lumber. "I know Donald wouldn't tell her. I'm sure he wouldn't want anyone to know."

  "So if Donald's mother is coming here, is it just for a day visit?" Clark glanced at Anna. "Or do you think she plans to stay?"

  "Well, she hasn't made a reservation," Anna pointed out.

  "Neither did Eunice."

  "That's true."

  "Oh, Mom, what am I going to do?" Lauren looked on the verge of tears. "Why is Grandmother doing this?"

  Anna went over and hugged Lauren. "I don't know, but whatever is going on, we'll just have to be strong."

  "But I don't want to see her. I don't want her looking at me, thinking that I'm a bad girl."

  "You're not a bad girl," Anna quietly told her.

  "You know what I mean."

  Clark looked uncomfortable and Anna tipped her head toward the door. He quietly let himself out.

  "If your grandmother has told Ardelle about the baby, there's nothing we can do about it," Anna told her. "And if Ardelle treats you poorly, I will stand up to her, Lauren."

  "Really?" Lauren sniffed.

  "Of course I will. In fact, I'll warn Hazel about what's going to happen, and I know she will stand up for you as well. So will Clark. And, if either Ardelle or Eunice is unkind, I will call up Henry and ask him to pick them both up and transport them out of here."

  "You'd do that?"

  "I would. This is my inn and it's meant to be a place of peace and healing. Anyone who does not respect that is not welcome here." Anna looked around the cluttered room, trying to find a spot where they could sit. "Is your grandmother still in the house?"

  "She went to bed." Lauren made a face. "I hate her."

  "Oh, Lauren, you just feel like you hate her."

  "I do hate her, Mom. She is evil. She's been mean to you for as long as I can remember. And now she's doing it to me too."

  "She's mad at you because she can't force you to do what she wants, sweetie." Anna opened the door. "Let's go back to the house."

  "I feel like running away," Lauren said as they walked through the darkened yard. "That would serve Grandmother right. Then she and Ardelle wouldn't be able to torture me. Maybe I'll hide out in one of the cabins. You wouldn't tell, would you?"

  "I'm surprised that Eunice told you that Ardelle was coming," Anna said as they went up the steps. "She could've just surprised us, the way she did with her own arrival."

  "I know why she told me," Lauren said as they went inside.

  "Why?" Anna took off her jacket.

  "So I would be sure to fix myself up. Grandmother told me that I was letting myself go and that it was no wonder Donald didn't want to marry me. Can you believe that?"

  Anna sighed. "Unfortunately, I can."

  "Anyway, I guess I better take a bath and do my hair."

  "For Ardelle?"

  "Well, I don't want her thinking that I've turned into a slob. She might tell Donald."

  Anna wanted to question whether that even mattered, but decided to keep her thoughts to herself. Besides, it wouldn't hurt if Lauren took better care of herself. She used to be annoyingly fastidious in her appearance. Maybe she would find a happy medium now.

  Anna could tell that they were all on pins and needles as they waited to hear Henry's boat come chugging up the river. Even Hazel seemed uneasy as she helped Anna clean up after lunch. "I cannot believe the nerve of that woman." She shook her head as she scrubbed the soup pot. "Inviting her friend here without even asking you first."

  Anna sighed, placing a plate in the dishwasher. "I'm trying very hard not to feel vexed."

  "Are you going to charge Ardelle for her room?"

  "Oh, I couldn't."

  "You could and you should, Anna. This is, after all, an inn."
r />   "Yes, but Ardelle is . . . well, now that Lauren is pregnant, it's almost as if she's family." She handed the wet pot to Hazel then lowered her voice. "Although I have to admit that I'm slightly relieved that she won't actually become family. Ardelle is, well, she is a bit like Eunice."

  "I was afraid of that."

  "You see, Ardelle's mother was Eunice's best friend and when she passed on, back when Ardelle was a young bride, Eunice took her under her wing."

  "Well, if Ardelle's got any kind of a conscience, she will offer to pay you for her room." Hazel chuckled as she dried the last pot. "In fact, I would love to see you present both her and Eunice with a big fat bill at the end of their stay. Nothing would bring me more pleasure."

  Anna gazed out the window. "Looks like it's getting ready to rain."

  "Good. I hope your unexpected guest gets thoroughly soaked."

  Anna squinted down the river. "Is that a puff of smoke?" she asked. "Or just a low cloud?"

  Hazel adjusted her glasses and leaned toward the window. "Looks like Henry's boat to me."

  "Oh, my. Are we ready for this?"

  "I wouldn't miss it."

  Anna had decided to treat Ardelle like a real guest. She and Clark would greet the boat, welcome her, carry her bags, and settle her into one of the rooms downstairs. Hazel had suggested that Eunice might share her room with Ardelle. Naturally, Eunice declined.

  It was just starting to rain when Henry's boat pulled in. Quick greetings were exchanged. Anna opened the umbrella she'd brought and, reaching for Ardelle's hand, helped her off the boat. "Thanks, Henry," she called out. "Let's get inside before it really starts to pour," she told Ardelle as Clark scrambled to grab her bags.

  "I had no idea you lived so far from the beaten path," Ardelle said as they hurried through the rain.

  "We are a bit out of the way," Anna admitted. "But we like it that way. And on a sunny day, it's really quite beautiful." She opened the door to the room she'd decided to offer Ardelle. "As you can see our accommodations are quite simple, but I hope you'll be comfortable." She showed her where the bathroom was and tried not to be offended by Ardelle's complete lack of appreciation.

  "I realize it's more rustic than what you're used to . . ." Anna made a stiff smile. "But I hope you'll try to make yourself at home."

  "I'm sure that outdoorsy people are perfectly comfortable here. Harry and his fishing buddies would probably like it."

  "Oh, there you are!" exclaimed Eunice as she emerged from her room. She hugged Ardelle. "Mercy, did you get wet? It's raining cats and dogs out there."

  "You didn't tell me that this place was so remote," Ardelle told Eunice. "I feel almost as if I've gone back in time."

  "If you'll excuse me," Anna moved toward the door. "Eunice can tell you about when we have meals and such."

  "Yes, of course, I'm sure you have other things to do." Ardelle made a dismissive wave. "Don't let us keep you."

  Anna left the umbrella there for them, then hurried up the stairs, letting out a loud groan as she went into the house.

  "That bad?" Hazel turned away from the fireplace.

  "I will not let them get the best of me." Anna shook off the rain's dampness. "I will not."

  "I took the liberty of making a fire."

  "Thank you." Anna smiled. "You are truly a blessing, Hazel."

  "Did Ardelle say anything to you?" Lauren asked as she joined them by the fireplace.

  "You mean about you?" Anna held her hands out to get warm.

  "Yes. Do you think she knows yet?"

  Anna frowned. "I honestly don't know. Mostly she commented on how this is such a remote location."

  "Not remote enough." Lauren scowled.

  "Well, you look very pretty," Anna told her. Lauren had on her baby-blue sweater set and a plaid skirt in shades of pink and blue.

  "Thanks." Lauren patted her hair. "I will not have Ardelle going back to Pine Ridge telling everyone how I've gone to the dogs."

  Just then the front door opened and both women burst into the room. "My goodness!" cried Eunice. "It's a deluge out there."

  Ardelle closed the umbrella, setting it by the door. "What do you do out here when the weather's so nasty?"

  "The same kinds of things you do back in Pine Ridge." Anna pointed to a shelf. "There are books and puzzles and some games if—"

  "Not yet," Eunice said. "First we all need to sit down and talk." She frowned at Hazel. "A family talk."

  "Hazel is family," Anna said. "She's my mother-in-law."

  "And my new grandmother," Lauren proclaimed. "Did you know she's getting her doctorate degree?"

  "Would anyone like coffee or tea?" Anna offered.

  "Not yet," Eunice commanded. "First I want us to sit down and talk."

  Lauren fidgeted with her strand of pearls, glancing from one face to another and looking like she wanted to bolt.

  "I've already told Ardelle the unfortunate news," Eunice said as they found seats in the living room.

  "Naturally, I was shocked and disappointed," Ardelle said primly.

  "As were we all," Eunice added. "But like I explained to Ardelle, these things happen. Even to the best of families. There's no need to be ashamed." She pointed to Lauren. "At least there's no need for us to be ashamed. As for you and Donald, well, that is another matter."

  Lauren pressed her lips together, narrowing her eyes and folding her arms across her front. Meanwhile, Anna braced herself for the storm that was about to begin raging. She felt certain this one would rival the gale outside in its bluster and brute force.

  11

  Ardelle seemed to want to take the lead in this uncomfortable discussion. Anna watched silently as she stood and straightened the front of her charcoal gray suit jacket and, as if full of self-importance, began to pace back and forth in front of the fireplace. It almost seemed she was posturing, trying to get the upper hand. "I am fully aware that some girls get in this condition in order to snare themselves a husband," Ardelle paused to study Lauren carefully. "However, your grandmother has assured me that was not the situation with you. And I realize that Donald could have done worse." She shook her head. "Some of the girls that boy has brought home."

  "It is a benefit that Ardelle and I are already good friends," Eunice pointed out. "That makes this so much easier."

  Ardelle nodded eagerly. "Which is precisely why we've decided that we will handle everything for—"

  "Excuse me," Anna interrupted, "but I'm feeling rather lost."

  "Me too," Lauren said. "What are you talking about anyway?"

  "Why, you and Donald, of course." Ardelle's brow creased. "Seeing how you and Donald are in dire need of help, Eunice and I have taken it upon ourselves to make some plans for your future."

  "Our future?" Lauren tipped her head to one side. "What do you mean exactly?"

  "First of all, you obviously must get married, quickly and quietly." Ardelle glanced at Eunice. "Right?"

  "Exactly." Eunice pointed at Anna. "We will tell everyone that history has repeated itself and that Donald and Lauren eloped to Reno just like Lauren's parents did twenty years ago. Naturally, we'll make up a date, saying they were secretly married not long after Lauren began her first year of college."

  "Of course, the baby may arrive a bit early," Ardelle added, "but people tend to overlook those things . . . especially over time."

  "Donald will be employed at the mill," Eunice told Lauren. "I will see to it that he gets a fine job in management. You two will live at my house until you can afford a place of your own."

  "And hopefully we will all live happily ever after." Ardelle laughed, but not with real mirth. She shook her finger at Lauren now. "And, perhaps in time, I will forgive you for making me such a young grandmother."

  "But what about Donald?" Lauren asked with worried eyes. "He made it painfully clear that he has no intention of marrying me—ever."

  "Oh, don't worry about him." Ardelle waved her hand. "I'll see to it that he marries you, Lauren."


  "That's right," Eunice concurred. "We have ways of making that boy do as we say, don't we, Ardelle?" The two women chuckled as if this were a private joke.

  "Then what about me?" Lauren stood up with balled fists. "What about what I want? Do you think you can force me to do what you want too? What if I refuse to marry that big baboon?"

  "Why on earth would you do that?" Ardelle's voice grew stern.

  "Because I have a choice in this matter." Lauren was backing away, and Anna knew that this conversation was over.

  "But I thought you loved Donald." Eunice's brows drew together.

  "I used to love him." Lauren's voice choked with emotion. "Now I hate him. I hate him, I hate him. I wish he were dead!"

  "But you are carrying his child!" Ardelle's face was red with anger. "Doesn't that mean anything to you? Do not forget that child isn't just his and yours, Lauren. That's my grandchild, too, and it belongs to Eunice as well. You can't just make this decision based on your own childish feelings."

  "You wanted to marry Donald before," Eunice pleaded with her. "Why should that have changed now?"

  "I—uh—I don't know." Lauren turned and ran to her room, slamming the door.

  "Well!" Eunice turned to Anna, looking at her as if she were somehow to blame for all this. "When I think of the work we've gone to, trying to help your ungrateful daughter, and this is the thanks we get. Well, I never!"

  "Can you blame her?" Hazel stood, placing her hands on her hips. "You're treating Lauren like a child, as if she doesn't have a mind of her own, as if you think we're still living in the dark ages." She strode over to the front door. "Please excuse me, Anna. I'm afraid if I stay I will say something I truly regret." Hazel closed the door with a solid thud.

  "I agree with Hazel," Anna told quietly them. "You can't force Donald and Lauren to marry simply for your own convenience."

  "Then tell us," Ardelle said in a demeaning tone, "what would you suggest?"

  "I suggest you let Donald and Lauren figure out their own lives. They were old enough to get into this predicament, and they are old enough to decide what to do about it. In the meantime, I will stick by my daughter no matter what she chooses to do." Anna stood. "Now, if you will excuse me, I will check on her."