this girl—”
“Our daughter.”
“If this girl’s able to prove she’s related to us, it could grant her some legal portion of our estate. That’s a possibility. She could be an opportunist, taking advantage of the latest state measures. Now that Oregon’s opened its files to all adoptees, you can bet there are scam artists out there rubbing their hands with glee.”
“The audacity, Marsh. Have you even considered the alternative, that perhaps business is prospering so we
can
put together a family again? It seems as if, on some level, there’s a bigger plan here. As if God’s hand is reaching down.”
“Right. Pull out the heavy artillery.”
“Why do you always ridicule my beliefs?”
“Okay, so that religious stuff works for you. Guess I’m programmed differently.”
“Somewhere in that heart of yours I know you believe.”
“Well, if God is out there, he’s too big to be concerned with our measly problems.”
“Or so big that he
can
be concerned.”
“I just don’t think we can count on his doing us any favors. Kara, you care a lot for other people—and that’s commendable, don’t get me wrong—but it doesn’t win you brownie points with God. You still have to face things on your own. You can’t lean on anyone else.”
“Not even my own husband?”
“When it comes down to it, all of us are alone. Each and every person.”
“Well. That’s nicely stated. Certainly sets my mind at ease.”
Over the bedroom intercom, Rosie informed them of a call on the private line.
“Rosamund, if it’s not business,” Marsh vented, “it can wait. Tell them to call back tomorrow. For heaven’s sake, can’t we even argue in peace?” He released the Speak button and continued his tirade. “This vineyard was my father’s dream, Kara. He worked this land, named that ridge out there, and hoped his one son would carry this on … his dying wish. I’m not about to go and risk it all now.”
“I understand that. Your dad would’ve been so proud, darling. You’ve met his hopes—exceeded them!—and I respect your hard work. There are other things in life too. That’s all I want you to see.”
“I’m not as ignorant as that.”
“Perhaps,” Kara said, “losing the vineyard isn’t what you’re afraid of.”
Marsh stalked to the bedroom’s picture window. His eyes raked the landscape. Didn’t she understand his dilemma? Sure, Josee’s photo in the bathroom breathed wistful hints in his ear, but a reunion was out of the question. Where did a man acquire guidelines for such an encounter? Boardroom strategies would be of limited use.
There it is. I grew up without a father, and I don’t have a clue how to be a dad
.
His jaw pointed back at Kara as he considered sharing this fear, then he thought of how she would try to allay his concerns. She’d snuggle against him.Speak encouraging words. Look into his face and spot the self-doubts that roamed behind his eyes.
Worst of all, she would understand. He would be naked before her. Vulnerable.
He faced the window again. “How much longer?”
“Till?”
“You leave.”
“Is it so awful to have me around?”
“There’s work to be done, my morning routine. I’m ready to be alone.” Marsh imagined Steele Knight’s impatience in the online dungeon. Ironic, he thought, how chess hostilities seemed safer than human interaction.
He heard her move up behind him. In the window, the troubled expression on Kara’s face matched the sincerity of her prayer, so soft that he almost missed it.
“Please, God,” she said, “open his eyes.”
Fixed like statues at the window, Marsh and Kara faced their joint reflection, a couple in tableau against the wind-tossed landscape. Outside, the wind skimmed over Addison Ridge Vineyards. Coming and going without warning, it tugged at the tails of early mist, nudged beneath a blanket of foliage, then roared upward in a column of fiery leaves. White pebbles scattered as the gust rushed the
“Our daughter.”
“If this girl’s able to prove she’s related to us, it could grant her some legal portion of our estate. That’s a possibility. She could be an opportunist, taking advantage of the latest state measures. Now that Oregon’s opened its files to all adoptees, you can bet there are scam artists out there rubbing their hands with glee.”
“The audacity, Marsh. Have you even considered the alternative, that perhaps business is prospering so we
can
put together a family again? It seems as if, on some level, there’s a bigger plan here. As if God’s hand is reaching down.”
“Right. Pull out the heavy artillery.”
“Why do you always ridicule my beliefs?”
“Okay, so that religious stuff works for you. Guess I’m programmed differently.”
“Somewhere in that heart of yours I know you believe.”
“Well, if God is out there, he’s too big to be concerned with our measly problems.”
“Or so big that he
can
be concerned.”
“I just don’t think we can count on his doing us any favors. Kara, you care a lot for other people—and that’s commendable, don’t get me wrong—but it doesn’t win you brownie points with God. You still have to face things on your own. You can’t lean on anyone else.”
“Not even my own husband?”
“When it comes down to it, all of us are alone. Each and every person.”
“Well. That’s nicely stated. Certainly sets my mind at ease.”
Over the bedroom intercom, Rosie informed them of a call on the private line.
“Rosamund, if it’s not business,” Marsh vented, “it can wait. Tell them to call back tomorrow. For heaven’s sake, can’t we even argue in peace?” He released the Speak button and continued his tirade. “This vineyard was my father’s dream, Kara. He worked this land, named that ridge out there, and hoped his one son would carry this on … his dying wish. I’m not about to go and risk it all now.”
“I understand that. Your dad would’ve been so proud, darling. You’ve met his hopes—exceeded them!—and I respect your hard work. There are other things in life too. That’s all I want you to see.”
“I’m not as ignorant as that.”
“Perhaps,” Kara said, “losing the vineyard isn’t what you’re afraid of.”
Marsh stalked to the bedroom’s picture window. His eyes raked the landscape. Didn’t she understand his dilemma? Sure, Josee’s photo in the bathroom breathed wistful hints in his ear, but a reunion was out of the question. Where did a man acquire guidelines for such an encounter? Boardroom strategies would be of limited use.
There it is. I grew up without a father, and I don’t have a clue how to be a dad
.
His jaw pointed back at Kara as he considered sharing this fear, then he thought of how she would try to allay his concerns. She’d snuggle against him.Speak encouraging words. Look into his face and spot the self-doubts that roamed behind his eyes.
Worst of all, she would understand. He would be naked before her. Vulnerable.
He faced the window again. “How much longer?”
“Till?”
“You leave.”
“Is it so awful to have me around?”
“There’s work to be done, my morning routine. I’m ready to be alone.” Marsh imagined Steele Knight’s impatience in the online dungeon. Ironic, he thought, how chess hostilities seemed safer than human interaction.
He heard her move up behind him. In the window, the troubled expression on Kara’s face matched the sincerity of her prayer, so soft that he almost missed it.
“Please, God,” she said, “open his eyes.”
Fixed like statues at the window, Marsh and Kara faced their joint reflection, a couple in tableau against the wind-tossed landscape. Outside, the wind skimmed over Addison Ridge Vineyards. Coming and going without warning, it tugged at the tails of early mist, nudged beneath a blanket of foliage, then roared upward in a column of fiery leaves. White pebbles scattered as the gust rushed the
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