Wanted A Real Family(44)
He remembered, too, but didn’t say the words. Instead he said, “It doesn’t matter when I last saw you. It’s been too long. I read that article in the paper and the follow-up conversation online. That’s one of the reasons I came today. I wanted to see how you were.”
Her worst fears had materialized. More people than she’d expected had read the comments online. “I guess everyone knows I’m living here. In the cottage behind the main house,” she added for good measure, wanting him to know the truth.
“It’s hard to keep anything quiet in Fawn Grove. You do know that, don’t you? Conrad told me you moved here for a position before you were married, so you haven’t lived here all your life. But small towns are small towns.”
How often had she heard that in the past week? Maybe because it was true.
He looked uncomfortable for a moment, then said, “I’m sorry about everything that happened to Conrad. As the store’s accountant, I was aware of his financial problems, but there was nothing I could do to help him turn things around. The store he managed was headed downhill because of the bigger chains. He did the best he could and I wanted you to know that.”
Conrad might have done the best he could with the store, but Rodney didn’t know about the lies. Rodney didn’t know how betrayed she’d felt because her husband hadn’t shared his problems with her.
Suddenly Kaitlyn appeared, strolling down the path, looking like a model. Casual and classy, she was dressed in a summer-flowered sheath with white sandals. Her gold earrings glinted in the sun. When she caught Sara’s eye, it was as if she was asking a question. Sara answered it by waving to her.
Taking the cue, Kaitlyn approached Sara and Rodney.
After introductions, Rodney said, “I just want to give you my card.” He slipped it to Sara. “If you need any help with numbers or budgets or taxes, give me a call. I mean it, Sara. I couldn’t help Conrad, but I’d like to help you.”
A jazz band began playing and Rodney gestured to it. “Ah, the music’s started. What a wonderful place these festivals can be. I hear they’re starting with jazz, leading into the forties, then going up the decades with the music we all loved most. That could have some guests staying here all day. I’m going to sample more of the food. Sara, it was good to see you. Dr. Foster, nice to meet you.”
After Rodney had ambled away, Kaitlyn glanced around. “Everyone’s not only eating, but sampling the wine. These festivals help sales, no doubt about it. The guests not only buy for themselves, but for their friends and families, too. They’ll buy wines for birthdays and Christmases.” She took a sip from the wineglass she held and savored the taste. “There are companies trying to bottle wines the same way companies make soda. It’s just not possible. As long as Raintree keeps their wines pure to the idea they had when they began, they will never make run-of-the-mill wines.”
“You sound as if you know a lot about it,” Sara said.
“My husband was in marketing for a rival winery.”
That was the first Sara had heard anything mentioned about Kaitlyn’s past life.
“Let’s go over here and get you a balloon,” Kaitlyn said to Amy. “I know one of the chefs. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind a balloon missing from his display.”
Sara led Amy over to a booth where Kaitlyn exchanged a few words with the chef making a delicious-looking fried crab ball. She plucked a light blue balloon from the array flying toward the sky. Opening her purse, she found a ribbon there. She tied the balloon onto it, made a little loop so it would be easier for Amy to hold on to or slip her hand into. Then she gave the balloon to her.
“Here you go.”
“You’re so good with kids,” Sara complimented her.
This time, when she gazed at Kaitlyn’s eyes, she saw sadness there, something she hadn’t noticed before. As they strolled through a throng of people and found an empty bench, they sat and Amy bobbed her balloon up and down.
Sara asked, “Are you going to let Jase interview you for an article?”
Kaitlyn, usually a decisive person, looked undecided. “I’m weighing the possibility, but I don’t like the idea.”
“I know what you mean. But I think I’ve come to the conclusion that I’d like the truth out there, and maybe my story will help someone else.”
“We all have stories, and none are easy to tell.”
“Do you tell yours often?”
“Hardly ever. Even Jase doesn’t know why I’m so involved in The Mommy Club.”
“Do you want to tell me?” Sara asked gently, wondering if Kaitlyn needed a friend just like everyone else.