by Annie Pelle
“You are like my own son, Dalton; I love you no matter what!” Gabby said fiercely.
“I love you too Mama.” replied Dalton
Lindsay took Dalton’s hand and looked him in the eye. “I love you and nothing could ever change that.” Dalton pulled Lindsay in for a big hug.
David cleared his throat and addressed the room, “Well, now that we know the whole story, what do we do now?”
No one had much to say right then. No ideas. No big plans. Dalton spoke. “It may be very hard for a while. When CeCe pulled me away on the pretense to ask me a question, she told me that Sarah never wanted us to know this story. And that she blames herself for being where she wasn’t wanted in the first place. I have to try to talk to Sarah but I am not sure how. I don’t think she will take my phone calls even on the notion that it was foundation business. Gabby, do you have any ideas?
“No, I don’t. But I agree that it is going to be tough to get in contact with Sarah. She may not even talk to me. But I will try.”
“Please tell her I really want to talk to her.” pleaded Dalton
The family meeting broke up soon afterwards. Lindsay sat with her brothers a few more minutes. Dalton went to her again “Lindsay, will you be able to forgive me for this?”
“Of course, you are already forgiven.” Lindsay said as she hugged her brother. “Now, I am exhausted I am going to bed. Try to not worry about this Dalton; it won’t do any good to worry about the past. We just have to try to move forward. I love you.”
“Goodnight Lin” cried both brothers as she left the room.
Dalton’s shoulder slumped as soon as she was gone from the room. “That was probably the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life. Look my wonderful sister in the eye and confess that I cost her a best friend. I am such an idiot, why did I even think those things about Sarah? Let alone, voice them to anyone.”
“It was apparently how you felt at the time and you didn’t know she would hear you. You have asked us to forgive you Dalton; but you are going to have to forgive yourself too. We will work this out with Sarah somehow.”
“I really hope so David. I really hope so” came the glum reply.
Sarah had had quite a bit of time to regret her outburst to Dalton. She had promised herself that she would keep that knowledge to herself. But she had failed and now many people could be hurt by this. Sarah went to her computer to send Gabby an email.
Dear Gabby,
I am sure by now that Dalton has told you what happened five years ago. I’m sorry you ever had to find out. I failed to keep my own promise to myself to never share that story.
I have one more favor to ask of you. I have written a note to Dalton in the attachment. Can you print it off and give it to him? If he refuses it, that is okay.
Love
Sarah
Sarah’s cell phone rang a few minutes after sending the email to Gabby. She read Greg’s name on the display and moved to answer it quickly.
“Hello”
“Hi Sarah, its CeCe. Can you come up to the house?”
“I am on my way.” she replied and left her house
CeCe was waiting for Sarah at the back door. She enveloped Sarah in a big hug. “Dalton told me what happened. I am so sorry for all of you.”
“Thank you CeCe. I’m sorry Greg, but Dalton’s business with the foundation is probably over and done. I tried not to blow it but he … Well, I blew up at him and we will probably never hear from him again.”
Greg caught her in a hug also. “Sarah, this is not your fault. Dalton told CeCe what happened. Even as important as the foundation is, it is not more important than you. OK?” Sarah nodded her response.
The group moved to the sitting area. “So how did you like Stage West? Did you find a horse?”
“That place was beautiful and yes we found a horse. Nathan will deliver him next week when they come to see you.”
“What did you think of David and Lindsay when you got to know them better?”
“David is a great guy.” replied Greg. “He may kid Nathan about calling those horses his babies, but David is just the same way. Those horses are David’s babies too.” Sarah laughed but agreed.
‘They all rode around the ranch while I stayed and had girl talk with Gabby. She told me all about the Matthews’ and all about her three boys. She has some grand stories to tell on that family. I can see why they all love and respect her. She is wonderful.”
Sarah had tears in her eyes as she replied “Yes, my Mama Gabby is wonderful.”
Sarah changed subjects before the tears overwhelmed her. “I had a call from my doctor. I am going to have the surgery on my ear on Monday. Tyler or Amy will be here with you the whole time I am recuperating so don’t worry about your schedule. I will brief them thoroughly before Monday.”
“Sarah, we are on vacation from schedules. So relax. It will be fine. You just concentrate on you for a change. Who is taking you to the hospital?”
“Tyler or Amy”
“Until then, wrap up items still outstanding. Then no worries about either place of work. You hired the people under you so you know they can handle the work, let them.” Greg sternly advised.
“Yes, sir” Sarah said tongue-in-cheek
“Go home girl, it has been a long day. Not what you need right now. So go home! That is your boss’ order.”
Sunday morning, Gabby found Dalton in her kitchen bright and early. He looked like he hadn’t slept in a week, he hadn’t even shaved. “Dalton, did you go to bed?”
“Yes.”
“Let me rephrase the question, did you get any sleep?”
“No. I just kept seeing Sarah’s hurt face as she talked about how unworthy she was.”
“Dalton, this was in an email from Sarah this morning. She wanted me to give it to you. I want you to read the email she sent me also. It is included.” Gabby said as she handed Dalton an envelope.
Dalton took the envelope from Gabby and went to his room to read the notes in private. Gabby’s email from Sarah was short and filled with regret. And heart wrenching if she thought he wouldn’t read her note. Dalton pulled out Sarah’s note to him and began to read:
Dalton,
I am so very sorry! I didn’t mean to hurt you. I never meant for you to know this story. I lost my cool today and it just spilled out. Please forgive me.
Please forgive me for my actions five years ago also. Please tell Lindsay I am sorry. I never meant to come between you and her. I’m sorry I bothered you at your ranch; I never would have come if I had known. I hope you all can forgive me someday.
Again, I’m very sorry.
Sarah
Dalton read and re-read her note. ‘Oh, Sarah, this is not your fault. You are not the one who needs forgiveness. I, and only I, am to blame for this. I will make this up to you somehow. I was so wrong to treat you this way. I find myself thinking of you every minute since that gala. Now I just hurt.” Dalton finally fell asleep trying to find a way to make this up to Sarah.
Monday morning, CeCe and Greg saw Sarah off to the hospital. Tyler was instructed to call them as soon as she was out of surgery and then they would call Gabby to tell her. Sarah’s surgery went well but the recovery did not and she would be spending a night or two at the hospital. At the foundation office, Amy was busy fielding calls from clients and one very determined Dalton Matthews.
“Sarah Dawson’s office. Amy speaking. How may I help you?”
“This is Dalton Matthews, may I speak to Sarah?”
“I’m sorry; she will not be in the office for a few days. May I take a message so she can return your call when she returns to the office?”
“Where is she?” questioned Dalton
“I’m sorry sir; that I cannot tell you. I will pass along your message.”
“Can you transfer me to Greg Davis?”
“Yes sir, one moment please.�
�
“Hi Dalton” Greg said as he answered the call
“Where is Sarah?”
“Dalton, that is Sarah’s personal business. I can’t give you any information except to say she will be back in a couple of weeks.”
“Weeks? Amy said a few days.”
“No, it will be a couple of weeks at the minimum.”
“I need to talk to her” pleaded Dalton
“Sorry. That isn’t possible. I know the whole story and yes you two do need to talk, but it won’t be for a while.”
Dalton was so frustrated he hung up without saying goodbye. He paced his office until his assistant contacted him about his next appointment. He had to get his head back into work and forget about Sarah for a while.
Dalton went home that evening as frustrated as ever at not being able to contact Sarah. He wasn’t pleasant company at dinner. David was the only one who braved his mood and asked him what was wrong.
“Sarah! She is gone and I cannot talk to her.”
“What do you mean gone?” bellowed David “Not again”
“No sorry. She is gone from the office for a couple of weeks and they won’t tell me how to contact her” replied Dalton
Nathan kicked Gabby under the table and glared at her to tell what she knew. He had already told her no more keeping secrets from the Matthews. “Dalton, Sarah is in the hospital. She had surgery today and she isn’t recovering as they had hoped so she will have to stay for a couple of days. Then she will be at home healing.”
Everyone spoke at once…”What?” “What kind of surgery?” “How do you know this?” “What hospital is she in?”
Gabby held up her hand… “I’ll tell you what I know which isn’t much. CeCe called today to report that Sarah had had surgery but instead of getting to come home tonight she would be in the hospital for a couple of days. And at Sarah’s request she wouldn’t tell me what kind of surgery or what hospital.”
“She wouldn’t even tell you?” Dalton asked incredulously.
Nathan jumped in to answer the query. “Sarah is extremely private and doesn’t share much. Even though we have been in contact with her all this time, we don’t know much about her life.”
Lindsay asked those at the table “Is there any way to find out what hospital?”
“Sweetie, if Sarah doesn’t want us to know then we can’t force anyone to tell us. She would prefer it that way.” Gabby said patiently. “I’m sure Sarah will get in contact with me when she is able.”
But Gabby would be wrong about that. A month had passed since everyone had found out why Sarah had disappeared. She had not contacted anyone from the Matthews’ family or Gabby. She would not answer phone calls or return emails. Dalton tried repeatedly to speak to Sarah on the phone but was denied each time. She kept passing him off to Tyler, Amy or Desiree to answer his questions. But he didn’t want information on the foundation; he wanted to speak to Sarah. He thought about her all the time. He wanted to take her someplace special so that they could talk and dance and begin to get to know each other again. Forgive and forget the past mistakes on his part. He hoped she would forgive him.
Dalton tried Sarah’s office one more time hoping that she would take his call.
“Sarah Dawson”
He was shocked but recovered quickly. ”It’s Dalton. Don’t hang up.”
“Yes, I was aware of who it was before I answered.”
“I need to talk to you.”
“Dalton, that isn’t a good idea. I am hanging up and you and your family need to forget that you ever saw me again. Go back to the way it was.”
“No, that is unacceptable to me. To all of us.”
“Dalton, I’m sorry for what happened five years ago. If I would have known that you would contact Greg about that newspaper article, then I would have never allowed it. I would give anything to have never shared that story with anyone. I’m sorry I did, it hurt too many people. Again.”
“Sarah, shut up.” Dalton growled. “Stop talking and listen to me.”
“No. I am doing this for everyone’s best interest. Forget…”
“Stop! Meet me at the park. I am on my way there.” Dalton said abruptly and hung up.
Sarah tried calling him back but he refused to answer his phone. I should just leave him sitting in the park. But she wouldn’t and he knew that.
Dalton was already sitting on a bench when Sarah arrived. She looked fierce and ready to do battle. “Dalton, this is..” Dalton stopped her flow of words by clamping his hand over her mouth.
“You don’t get to say anything until I tell you that you can.” Dalton’s reply was just as fierce as Sarah’s started to be. “Now, are you going to agree to that so I can remove my hand or not.”
She nodded so he removed his hand. “Dalton..” And immediately his hand came back
“Good grief you are stubborn! No one is in the park so I can talk to you the entire time with my hand over your mouth.”
Sarah shook her head and reached to remove his hand.
“You promise?” Dalton asked.
Sarah nodded and he took his hand down from her mouth. He gently took her hand and led her to one of the gazebos in the park. They sat down but he didn’t let go of her hand for a minute. Then he got up and started to pace. He thought to himself that he had worn out so much carpet in the last six weeks pacing his bedroom, his office trying to find the right words to say to her. He moved to sit down again and faced her.
“Sarah, I’m so sorry. I…”
“Dalton..” she started to interrupt and Dalton pointed his finger at her. Sarah stopped as Dalton started again. “Lindsay asked me why I said those things about you. At the time I couldn’t think of a reason but now I can. I am so sorry that I said those things about you in the barn. I don’t have a good excuse. In fact there never could be a good excuse, it was bad enough that I thought them and atrocious that I said them to someone else. I have tried to recall my mind that day and whether or not something had happened to set me off. But I don’t think so. I was an idiot! To be honest, no I wasn’t friends with you….but only because I didn’t know you.” He hastened to explain as her eyes showed her pain. “We had not spent any time together. You were not my family. In my mind you were a kid like my little sister. She was still a kid too. And kids didn’t belong at grownup birthday parties. I didn’t think of you as anything other than a kid. Lindsay was family so she could be there. And as long as you weren’t my friend or my family, I didn’t care if I never saw you again. You were Lindsay’s friend not mine. Just a kid.
Sarah held up her hand like she had a question to ask.
“Alright, I guess you can talk now.”
Sarah rushed to explain and apologize. “Dalton, this speech is unnecessary. This is not your fault. I was the one who owed you an apology. I was at the ranch where I shouldn’t have been. I was bothering you. I could have ruined things between you and Lindsay. I hurt you and your family by telling you what happened. I was …”
“Forget I said you could talk.” He said tartly as he clamped his hand over her mouth again to stop her flow of words. After she had stopped struggling he removed his hand again. “Listen to me and listen close….None of this is your fault! You were not bothering me. I believed you to be a kid and all that other stuff I spouted was because I thought you were a kid. And as for telling me what happened, we all needed to know that story and you had held in long enough; don’t apologize again for that.”
Dalton spoke again after a couple of minutes of silence. “I owe you an apology for the day you told me also. I accused you of not having lost anything while you lost more than anyone. I’m sorry.” “You lost most of all.” He repeated mostly to himself and charged to his feet to pace some more.
After a few minutes of pacing to get himself back in control again, he went to Sarah and knelt down taking her hands in his. “I have asked Lindsay and my family
for their forgiveness. Now I am asking you, will you forgive me for taking away your friend and your family?”
Tears poured down her cheeks at his request. She gripped his hands in hers and said “Dalton, you didn’t do anything but be honest. You were angry at Lindsay because of me, I couldn’t bear that. They are not my family they are yours. You don’t need me to forgive you for…”
“Yes, I do…” he started to say as she clamped her hand over his mouth just as he had done to her a few minutes before.
“My turn to talk and I will keep my hand here just like you threatened. Now will you listen?” she asked
He nodded so she removed her hand.
“You don’t need me to forgive you for being honest. But I will, if you forgive me and then we not talk about this anymore. We leave it in the past and get on with our lives. Deal?”
“You do not need my forgiveness, you didn’t do…”
Sarah growled at him “Dalton!”
“Thank you. I don’t deserve it but thank you.” Dalton replied swiftly.
After several moments of quiet that both parties needed to calm down, Sarah looked at Dalton apologetically. “I have to get back to the estate. Will you excuse me?” Sarah moved to leave the gazebo.
“Sarah, wait! Don’t rush off. Let me take you out to dinner.”
“I was still in the middle of working Dalton when I rushed over here. And I have things I have to do tonight and I am late already, I cannot go to dinner with you.
Sarah rushed to her car. She had to get home quickly, it was already starting to get dark and she couldn’t be driving at night.
Dalton drove back to Stage West in a better mood than he had been in weeks.
At dinner that night, everyone noticed a different Dalton. David was the brave one again and asked Dalton about his change in mood.
“Sarah finally answered my phone call. She started to blow me off on the phone so I gave her no choice but to meet me at the park and talk to me. She arrived fighting mad and started in again and I clamped my hand over her mouth and told her she couldn’t talk until I said she could. I apologized and asked for her forgiveness. She tried to blame herself again; until I clamped my hand over her mouth again. I finished my explanation and let her talk. She started to say that I didn’t need to be forgiven and I interrupted. She then clamped her hand over my mouth and finished what she was saying. We agreed that this needed to be left in the past.”