Remember Me by Sharon Sala Page B

didn’t, and that’s that,” Winston said. “By the way, your mother told me to tell you that she’ll be here around eight tomorrow morning.”
    Clay looked startled. The thought of walking out the door and leaving Frankie behind made him ill.
    â€œI don’t know…I was thinking that maybe I’d spend another—”
    Winston took his son by the arm. “Clay.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œIt’s not your fault.”
    â€œWhat’s not my fault?” Clay asked.
    â€œFrankie’s disappearance. And just because she’s back, that doesn’t mean you have to stay here with her for the rest of your lives. If your marriage is going to have a chance of surviving this, you both have to get back to a normal way of life as soon as possible.”
    Logically, Clay knew his father was right, but emotionally, he didn’t think he was ready.
    â€œI’ll think about it,” he muttered.
    Winston set his coffee cup down on the counter and looked at his watch.
    â€œWell, think hard, then, because you only have seventeen hours before your mother shows up. After that, you’re out the door.”
    Clay sighed. He knew his father was right. When Betty LeGrand got a notion in her head, there was no stopping her.
    â€œI’ll talk to Frankie about it when she wakes up.”
    â€œTalk to me about what?” Frankie said.
    At the sound of her voice, both men turned. Clay frowned. She looked as if a good wind would blow her away.
    â€œWe didn’t mean to wake you,” he said.
    â€œYou didn’t,” Frankie countered, and smiled hesitantly at her father-in-law. He was so like Clay, not only in looks, but personality, as well. She wondered if he had judged her as harshly.
    â€œWell?” Winston drawled. “Aren’t I going to get a hello kiss?”
    A wide smile broke the somberness of her face as she walked into his arms. Winston’s shirt smelled of cigars and diesel and the cold, but the bear hug he gave her more than made up for it all.
    â€œI wasn’t sure you wanted one,” she said softly.
    Winston cocked an eyebrow at his son, then looked back at her. His eyes were twinkling. “And why wouldn’t I want a kiss from my only daughter?”
    Frankie wanted to cry. It was rare praise from a closemouthed man, and for that, she cherished it all the more.
    â€œFor that, you may have two,” she said, and kissed him on either cheek.
    Winston blushed, but his smile never faded. “Well, now. I delivered my message, and the tip was probably more than I deserved, but I’ll take it with pleasure.”
    Clay chuckled. It did him good to see his father a little distracted.
    â€œOkay, you two,” Frankie said. “I’ll take the affection, but I still want an answer. I’m here. What are you going to talk to me about?”
    Before Clay could answer, Winston blurted out his message again. “Betty said she’d be over tomorrow to spend the day with you, so that Clay could go back to work.”
    Frankie looked puzzled. “Of course I’d love to spend the day with her, but I don’t need a baby-sitter, you know.”
    Clay tensed. How does a man tell his wife he’s afraid to leave her alone for fear she’ll disappear?
    â€œLook, you guys, except for a headache now and then, I’m fine. The doctor said so.” She looked at Clay, frowning. “If you needed to be at work, you should have said something sooner. I would have been fine on my own.”
    Winston frowned. “Didn’t mean to start such a fuss,” he said shortly. “I delivered your mother’s message. It’s up to you two to let her know if you change the plans. I’m going home now. Call if you need me.”
    â€œYeah, okay, Dad,” Clay said. “And thanks for helping out.”
    â€œNo problem,” Winston said.
    Moments later, they heard the front door slam and then the