The Decision

by Patricia Roberts

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Since the day that Sara had come to talk to Shelby they had talked most days. Sara found Shelby to be a lot like lily. She was kind hearted and had a great attitude about life. Shelby enjoyed getting to talk to Sara and considered her a new friend. She was about to leave on Friday when she thought of something. A while back Stephen had told her that Sara had always had a crush on her dad. They were going over to the diner tonight for her brother’s birthday and Shelby thought it would be nice to invite her. She knocked on her office door and Sara opened it.

  “Hey” Sara said smiling. “Hey, are you busy?” Shelby asked her. “No I was about to call it a day. What about you?” she asked her. “I am about to leave but I was going to ask you something” Shelby told her. “Sure, what is it?” Sara asked her. “I was wondering what you were doing tonight.”

  “Nothing that I can think of.”

  “Well my brother is having a birthday party and I would love it if you could come.”

  “Where is it at?” Sara asked her. “It’s at the diner in town. It’s just going to be a few friends and family but I thought it would be nice for you to reconnect with dad” Shelby said smiling. Sara narrowed her eyes. “Stephen told you, didn’t he?” she asked her. “Yes” Shelby said laughing. “I am a horrible matchmaker but I think that you two would be perfect for each other. My dad hasn’t dated since mom died and it’s time for him to get back out there. You are either working or taking care of your dad and you need to get out some and have a good time also.”

  Sara wasn’t sure about this. She had been in love with John for most of her life and he barely acted like she existed. She knew her dad needed her but it would feel good to get out and visit with friends and if something did happen with John that would be even better. Shelby looked at her and Sara sighed at her. “Alright, what time is the party?” “It starts at six. I will see you then” Shelby said and walked out. Sara shook her head at Shelby and sighed. She hoped things would go good tonight. Shelby was at home when Stephen got off and was getting ready when he made it upstairs.

  “Hey” Shelby said coming over to give him a hug. “Hey baby, how was your day?” he asked her. “It made me a little sad. I only have two weeks left before I have to take off.”

  “I know you will miss it but it’s best for everyone” he told her. “I just have to get a shower and change and we can get ready” he told her. “I actually wanted to talk to you about that” Shelby told him. “Do you not feel like going?” he asked her. Truth be told Stephen was a little nervous about seeing John again. It had been a few weeks since the last time and they were both angry when they had spoken to each other.

  “No I feel great but I invited someone to the party.”

  “Really, who?” he asked her. “Sara” she told him. “You invited Sara?” he asked worried. He remembered how John seen them together the last time and Samantha didn’t seem to like her either. “What is it?” she asked him. “Well it’s just things got a little heated between Samantha and her when she seen us at the pizza joint, and the last time Sara seen me and your dad we were screaming at each other.” “I know but I thought that they made up.”

  “They said they did but Samantha is very protective over people she loves.”

  “I just think it would be nice if my dad and she could connect.” “Your dad?” he asked smiling. “Well you did tell me that she was interested in him and he doesn’t need to stay single the rest of his life.” “You’re trying to be a matchmaker” he told her smiling. “I am trying, I don’t know how successful I will be” she told him. “I guess we will find out tonight” he told her. When they arrived everyone else had made it.

  “I am going to say happy birthday to Cody” Shelby told Stephen. “Alright I will get you a drink” he told her kissing her cheek. “Hey” Shelby said coming over to give Cody a hug. “Hey, how are you feeling?” he asked her. When Shelby had told him she was pregnant a few weeks ago he was happy for her but worried because of her heart.

  “I am doing great. How was your birthday?”

  “It’s been great Haley gave me the day off and I went fishing with dad.”

  “Where is Haley?” she asked him. “Probably fighting with the caterers. I don’t know why she didn’t want me to cook tonight” he said shaking his head. “I don’t know it might be because it’s your birthday” she said laughing. “Well I am just glad you’re here. There was some major tension before you arrived.”

  “What do you mean?” she asked him. “As soon as Sara arrived Samantha and dad seemed very unhappy.”

  “Really?” she asked biting her lip. “Do you know what is going on?” Cody asked her suspiciously. “No I thought it would be nice to invite her” Shelby told him. “She seemed nice enough to me.”

  “Hey sweetheart, here is some water” Stephen told her. “Hey man happy birthday” Stephen told Cody. They heard a commotion in the kitchen and Cody sighed. “Thanks for coming I better go check on Haley before they decide to leave.”

  “Are you alright?” Stephen asked Shelby. “I am fine Cody just said there was some tension before we came.” Stephen was about to respond when John came over with a frown on his face. “Hey dad” Shelby said giving him a hug. “Hello sweetheart, how are you feeling?”

  “I am doing well” she told him. “Would it be alright if I spoke to Stephen outside for a minute?”

  “Sure I am going to go speak to Sara” she told them. Shelby walked over to Sara. She noticed that she was standing alone. “Hey Sara thanks for coming” Shelby told her. “Thanks for inviting me but I think I should leave.”

  “Maybe you should” Samantha said walking over. “Samantha why would you say that?” Shelby asked frowning. “I think that it’s wrong that Stephen invited her. Do you know he had to give her a ride home last night?”

  “First of all I am the one that invited her, and secondly of course I knew he did. Stephen told me what happened as soon as he got home last night.”

  “Oh” Samantha said looking down. “I thought that you guys made up. Why are you treating her like this.” Samantha didn’t say anything and Sara sighed. “She doesn’t trust me” Sara told her. “I have already apologized and I don’t know what else you want me to say Samantha. I have been friends with Stephen for a long time and I am becoming friends with Shelby. You need to get over whatever you think is happening. If you have a question come and ask me. I am not interested in Stephen” Sara said walking off. Shelby shook her head and followed her. Outside John and Stephen walked outside and john started to pace.

  “What is going on?” Stephen asked him. “Stephen I have known you a long time and I know your life has not been easy for you but I can’t allow you to keep on hurting my daughter. When you two got together I thought that everything was going to great but as soon as she found out she was pregnant you left her. Then she tells me you have come back so I came over last night to make peace with you before this party. Imagine my shock when I see you taking home Sara. Shelby has been through so much in the last year and I will not let you hurt her anymore. Are you having an affair with Sara?” he asked him. “What?” Stephen asked shocked. He knew things between them had been rough lately but he couldn’t believe he would think that he would do that to his daughter.

  “John I love Shelby with all of my heart. I can’t believe that you would think I would do something like that to her.”

  “What am I supposed to think? The whole time you were gone from Shelby I would see you out with Sara. Then I see you leave with her last night.”

  “The only reason you seen me with her all the time is because you didn’t agree with me leaving Shelby. Looking back I completely understand and wished I would have never let that happen but it did. As for last night Sara’s vehicle was in the shop and she needed a ride home.”

  “Alright I understand all of that but you must know that some people close to Shelby thought that something was going on with you two. Why would you invite her tonight?” />
  “I didn’t invite her your daughter did” Stephen said angrily. “Why would she do that?”

  “Because of you” Stephen yelled out. “What are you talking about?” John asked him. “Sara has had a crush on you since she was in high school.”

  “What?” John asked shocked. “Shelby was trying to play matchmaker with you two. She doesn’t want you to be alone for the rest of your life. As for me I think it’s time Shelby and I left” he said glaring at him and went back inside.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Shelby seen Stephen walk back in and could tell that he looked upset.” What is wrong?” Shelby asked him. “I am sorry to cut this short Cody but I am not feeling that great. I think we need to leave” he told Shelby. “Of course, I hope you feel better man” Cody told him.

  They said goodbye to everyone and Stephen and Shelby left. Shelby knew she needed to have Stephen calm down before they talked. His hands were shaking the whole way home. When they arrived home Shelby got in her pajama’s and went to look for Stephen. He was sitting in the kitchen and Shelby came over to sit on his lap. He pulled her to him and stroked her back. Shelby would never know how much this calmed him down when she was close to him like that. A few minutes later Shelby lifted her head and looked at him.

  “What happened?” she asked him. “Your dad accused me of having an affair with Sara” he told her angrily. “What?” Shelby asked shocked. “Why would he say something like that?”

  “When I had moved out I told you how Sara was my only friend. I guess that he would see us around town and heard what happened at the pizza joint. Then he decided last night to go talk to me before the party to make peace and he seen me giving her a ride home.”

  “Oh” Shelby said worried. “I know what I did was wrong by not staying with you but I have never even thought of being with another woman after I started to date you.”

  “I know that” Shelby told him gently. “It just hurts because I thought of your dad as a best friend and for him to think that I would do that to you is pretty low to me” he told her.

  “I am sorry he thought that Stephen. I know we have been through some rough times for the past few months but I have never thought for a minute that you were interested in Sara” she said kissing his cheek. “I am sorry we left early I just couldn’t be in the same room with him right then.”

  “It’s alright it wasn’t going much better inside.”

  “What do you mean?” he asked her. “When you went outside to talk to dad I went to find Sara. I guess that there was a lot of tension before we arrived. When I was talking to her Samantha stormed over and asked her why she was there. She thought that you had invited her and was so rude to her. Here I was trying to match dad and Sara and I don’t even think that they spoke to each other.” Stephen sighed and moved Shelby off of his lap. He started to pace the kitchen.

  “Stephen, what is it?” she asked him. “Maybe I should keep my distance from Sara. All you need in your life right now is stress.” “Absolutely not I think it’s all just a big misunderstanding. If it helps any Samantha looked really guilty over what she said.”

  “Yeah so did your dad after I told him what happened.”

  “I think that we should just keep to ourselves for a few days and then things will get back to normal.”

  “I hope your right. I don’t know about you but I am exhausted. Let’s go to bed and you can let me hold you. That will be what will help me the most” he told her and Shelby giggled at him. The next morning Samantha went into the diner to grab a coffee and seen Sara sitting in the back reading a book and sipping on her coffee.

  “Hey” Samantha said coming over. “Hey” Sara said nervously. “Would you mind if we spoke?” she asked her. “Of course not, sit down.”

  “Listen I was way out of line last night. I didn’t even let you explain and jumped to my own conclusions. I guess that I have always tried to make sure things were alright with my brother and I didn’t even ask either one of you what was going on. Instead I came to my own conclusion and it made everything worse. So I just wanted to apologize to you.”

  “It’s alright” Sara told her. “No its not I shouldn’t of done it. I have always been protective of Stephen but I became even more protective after Lily died. I had seen him loose everything he loved in one day and I didn’t know if he was going to make it. When we moved to town I could tell the moment he met Shelby he was in trouble. She reminded me so much of Lily and still does. I miss her a lot” she told her.

  “I do too” Sara said with tears in my eyes. “When you came back to town I seen you as a hindrance of them getting back together. When the truth of the matter is you were a friend to my brother when I couldn’t be one. I am going to try really hard to see the good in people and not be so harsh.”

  “Thank you I really am not after Stephen at all” Sara said looking up front. Samantha turned around to see John greeting customers. When she turned around Sara was blushing. “You like John?” she asked shocked. “Yeah I have for a long time but I don’t think he even notices me” Sara told her. Samantha couldn’t believe that Sara didn’t think that she looked beautiful. That was why she had worried about her with Stephen. Over at Shelby and Stephen’s they were getting the decorations down.

  “I don’t think we even put up lights outside last year” Shelby told him. “Well that is something that we can change.” Stephen didn’t like to think about this time last year. She had heart surgery and it had been a difficult time. “Well I don’t think we have any lights for outside” she told him. “I will go to the store and get some and you can do the Christmas tree.”

  “Sounds like a plan to me” she told him giving him a kiss before he left. He had been gone for a few minutes when there was a knock on the door. Shelby went to answer it and seen her father standing there.

  “Hey dad” Shelby said cautiously. “Hey, is Stephen here?” he asked coming inside. “He had to run to the store to pick up some Christmas lights. He should be back soon” she told him. “I take it he told you about last night” John said sighing. “Yes he did dad. You really hurt him by thinking that he would be capable of doing something like that.” “I know that is why I came over. I felt horrible about it after you left last night.”

  “I know you’re worried but Stephen and I are doing great. Sara isn’t interested in him trust me.”

  “About that, Stephen said she came for me last night” he said confused. “Is it so hard to believe that someone would be interested in you?”

  “Well now that you mention it yes it is hard to believe.” Shelby laughed at him as the door opened. “I think I found some lights sweetheart” Stephen said walking into the kitchen. He paused when he seen John standing there. “You know I bet you could use some help outside” Shelby told him. “Would you mind?” John asked him. “No I will be out in a minute.” John went outside and Stephen went over to Shelby.

  “He didn’t upset you did he?” Stephen asked worried. “Of course not I think he feels pretty rotten so go easy on him” she said giving him a kiss. “I will make you guys some hot chocolate” she told him. Stephen sighed and walked outside. “Thanks for agreeing to help” he told John. “Thanks for not kicking me out of the house” John said smirking. They couldn’t help it and both laughed.

  “Listen I was way out of line last night.”

  “Yeah you were” Stephen told him. “I should have come to you and asked instead of assuming things.”

  “It’s not completely your fault John. The more I thought about it last night the more I realized I had given you and Samantha reason to think something was going on. I promise that I love your daughter and have no intention of ever hurting her” Stephen told him. “I know that now I just feel like a fool and then you’re both telling me Sara has a thing for me.”

  “I wouldn’t know where to start.”

  “You sound like I did with your daughter. Why don’t you ask her out for coffee or to see a movie? Then you can see how things dev
elop from there.”

  “I guess you’re right. It’s hard to start dating again” John told him. “It is” he said looking through the kitchen window at his wife. “Sometimes it’s the best thing you ever do” he told him smiling. John smiled back and realized he had been an idiot to think something was going on between them. Stephen was in love with his daughter and he knew that would never change. He just hoped he had the courage to ask Sara out.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Shelby was feeling so exhausted but she was enjoying her day of shopping with Samantha. She tried to get out and do things with Samantha, Sara, and Haley when she could. If she didn’t she would go stir crazy in the house. She would feel a lot better when she found out the sex of the baby and be able to decorate the room. It had been almost two months since the party and Shelby had seen a change in everyone. John was hanging out more with Stephen and he even talked to Sara now. Samantha and Sara were getting along better every day.

  “Are you ready for some lunch?” Samantha asked her. “Sure my feet are killing me today” she told her. They ate lunch and Samantha could tell Shelby wasn’t feeling good. She had been noticing here lately how tired she would become and she was beginning to get worried about her. She knew that she was pregnant but with her heart problems it put everyone on edge. She looked completely exhausted and she barely touched her food.

  “I know I said we could watch a movie this afternoon but you look exhausted.”

  “Are you sure?” Shelby asked worried. “Of course we will have plenty of time to watch a movie later. I think you should go home and take a nap.”