Dix-Hiut
December 28
Kelly returned to work but not with the same enthusiasm she’d had before. She stared at her computer screen not seeing the words. From the corner of her eye she noticed a movement. It was her editor approaching her desk.
“Good job on the Christmas article. We’ve received many positive comments from our readers. I was hoping to expand this into a feature on the Cajun culture. What do you think?”
She liked the idea. The article would keep her busy for the next few days and she could continue to immerse herself in Denny’s world. “Sure, I would like that.”
“With all the current Cajun reality shows, it might spark reader interest.” He turned away from her desk, took a step, and then turned back.
“Kelly, are you OK?” He sat in the chair in front of her desk.
She met his kind gray eyes. “Yes, Mr. Randall, I am. I fell in love with the culture and people there and I’m missing them a little.”
He smiled. “Got to you, did they?”
She nodded.
“Well, Carroll Labouve was impressed with you. He told me he was going to offer you an editor’s position.”
“He did.” The mention of Denny’s last name tightened her chest.
“Are you considering taking it?”
“I’m not sure, Mr. Randall. There’s a lot to think about.”
“Well, I think you can handle the job, if that helps you any.” He slid his hand along the edge of her desk. “Don’t get the wrong idea. I would hate to lose you, but you’ve got talent, and I know you’d be a big asset to that paper. Anything I can do to help, let me know.” He stood then walked back to his office.
Lord, I trust You to lead me in this situation. I want to be in Your will. Please open my eyes to the path You would have me follow.
She glanced out the window and tried to organize her thoughts for the feature. Memories surfaced along with emotions that threatened to send her on a plane back to Louisiana.
The ding from her computer signaling the arrival of a message brought her back to the present. When she switched to her e-mail program a message from Denny waited in her inbox. Her pulse quickened. What would he have to say?
She opened his message.
Dear Kelly,
I hope things are going well for you. Chelsea has talked non-stop about taking a trip to the mountains. She misses you. In fact, everyone here in Caneville misses you. How’s work going? I hope things are settling back to normal.
Take care and let us know how you’re doing.
Denny
Kelly sighed. She wasn’t sure what she expected. A confession? A letter professing his enduring love? Everyone missed her. Did Denny include himself in the everyone? She missed them. More than she thought she would. The Labouve family had left an indelible mark on her heart.
****
Denny stared at his computer screen. His lack of concentration at work had become worse since Kelly left. Even his employees had made snide comments about that northern woman stealing his heart and his mind. Sadly enough, he couldn’t deny their claims. She had his heart and his attention. Kelly filled his waking thoughts. She also filled his dreams.
It had taken a few days to get the courage to e-mail her after their last phone call. She hadn’t had much to say when she’d called him to let him know she’d arrived safely. Maybe it was for the best. Too many miles separated them.
Denny arrived home from work to find Chelsea and his mama in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on several sandwiches. “What’s this?”
“I didn’t think you’d feel like cooking tonight.”
No. He didn’t. He didn’t feel like doing much of anything but booking a flight to Denver.
Eula patted his shoulder. “Good night, Denny. I’ll see you later. I’m bringing Mamére one of these sandwiches.”
“G’night, Mama. Thanks for the dinner.” He walked her to the door and watched her trek across the yard.
He sat on the couch and flipped through the mail he’d brought in. Minutes later Chelsea plopped down next to him and sighed.
“What’s wrong, sweetie?”
“I miss Miss Kelly.”
Denny placed his hand on her tiny leg. “I miss her, too. Would you rather go out for hamburgers? That might cheer you up.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Nah, sandwiches are fine. Can we call Miss Kelly instead?”
“What’s wrong, half-pint? Don’t you want to go out with your dad?”
“I wish Miss Kelly was here to go out with us. Daddy, please, please can we call her?”
Denny’s chest tightened. Kelly hadn’t yet responded to the e-mail he’d sent yesterday. He didn’t want to seem pushy. He wasn’t sure what hearing her voice would do to his already shredded heart. He glanced toward the clock: 5:00 PM. Kelly would still be at work.
“Let’s go have an early dinner then we can call her when we get back. She should be home then. OK?”
Her angelic face brightened with a brilliant smile. “OK.”
****
Kelly plopped onto the overstuffed cushion of her couch and propped her feet on the ottoman. Despite working on the new feature, being at the paper had exhausted her. She had to struggle to keep her attention on her work. Thoughts of Denny and Chelsea kept creeping into her mind.
The elegant décor throughout the small apartment had brought her joy just a few months ago. Today she looked around and sighed. The rich fabric of the couch and chairs only emphasized that the seats were empty. No one shared her beautifully decorated home.
The ringing of the phone snatched her attention. “Hello.”
“Miss Kelly, it’s Chelsea.”
A smile spread across Kelly’s face—the first time today that she did so from the depths of her heart. Chelsea. She imagined silky-fine blonde hair and crystal blue eyes. Suddenly, the sound of the girl’s voice lifted her from the doldrums she had allowed herself to sink into.
“It’s so good to hear your voice. I’m glad you called.”
“I miss you very much, Miss Kelly.”
“I miss you, too.”
“Guess what?” Chelsea teased.
“What?”
“You have to guess.”
Kelly smiled into the receiver. “You got your driver’s license.”
“Nooo.” Chelsea giggled. “I have a secret to tell you.”
“Really. And what might that be?”
“You have to promise not to tell that I told you.” Chelsea lowered her voice to a whisper that Kelly could barely hear. “My dad said he missed you too.”
Kelly’s breath caught for a brief moment. Could Denny be feeling the same way she did?
“And he—”
“He wants to know when he’s going to see you again.” Denny voice flowed through the receiver. It didn’t take much imagination to visualize his brilliant smile and the scar on his left eyebrow. The thought of being in the humid air of Louisiana made Kelly smile. She wanted to be there, not for the air, but to see Denny and Chelsea again.
Chelsea’s protest echoed from the background. “Hey, I want to talk more.”
“Denny, hello. It’s good to hear your voice.”
“It’s good to hear yours, too. But I have to hand the receiver back to my irate ten-year-old. I’ll talk to you when she’s done.”
“OK.”
Kelly chatted with Chelsea for another thirty minutes, and when the young girl had finally run out of things to say, she’d said a quick good-bye then handed the phone to Denny without any advance notice to Kelly.
“Hello.” His voice beamed through the phone.
“So, tell me, what’s new.”
The drumming of her heart made concentrating on the conversation difficult at first, but as she answered his questions and asked questions of her own, her heartbeat eased. It was as though she’d never left the bayou. They talked about so much and she shared easily with him all about her last two days at home as though he sat in the comfortable couch right next to her. He filled her in on his days and the latest challenges he met at work. Two hours flew by.
“Oh, no. Kelly, I’m so sorry, but I have to go. It’s past Chelsea’s bedtime, and I need to get her tucked in.”
“No, problem. Denny, I enjoyed the call. Talking to Chelsea and to you brightened my day.”
“I’m glad. I know you made one little girl’s day, and you cheered her dad up as well. Sleep well. I’ll talk to you soon.”
When Kelly disconnected the call, sadness gripped. Chelsea’s voice pierced the corners of her heart that lay vulnerable and longing. Her love for the little girl had grown stronger and not dulled as she’d hope. And what about Denny? Had she forgotten his absence on Christmas Eve? But despite her misgivings about his actions that night, she couldn’t ignore her reactions when she’d heard his voice.
Carroll’s job offer came to mind. Should she consider taking it? Even if things didn’t work out with Denny, she’d still have a job she loved. But could she leave Colorado? Lord, please make Your will clear. Close the door You don’t want me to go through.