Vital Signs by Bobby Hutchinson Page B

that this whole thing was peppered with land mines?
    His thoughts turned again to her hopes of fostering David. He knew that even if he pulled all the strings to make it happen for her, it was still unlikely. He also knew that the chances were overwhelming that she’d get her heart broken over the kid. Hadn’t he seen it happen time and again, kidsyanked from one place to the next, regardless of where they wanted to stay? As usual, Scotty Sieberg’s round little face was there in his head, and the familiar pain and guilt and sorrow filled his soul. Maybe things would change now, but change never came soon enough. He heaved a sigh and opened a folder, trying to figure out all over again how he could best balance out his conscience, his heart and the ministry’s rules to benefit yet another family in desperate trouble.
    Â 
    â€œI WISH YOU’D CALLED first, Hailey.” Laura wasn’t smiling. She was standing in the doorway of her house, long, polished, chestnut hair pulled into a stylish knot on top of her elegant head, wearing a silver tracksuit that probably cost more than Hailey’s entire summer wardrobe.
    â€œI’m really sorry, but I’m off to the gym,” she went on. “I can’t cancel because this is the only time my trainer could spare.”
    On Sunday afternoon? That didn’t sound right.
    â€œWell, would Sam and Chris like to come out with me for a couple hours, then? We could go to a movie. That new one’s on, about the ice age.”
    â€œSorry, they’re not here. They’ve gone to visit friends.”
    Talk about a cool reception. If the temperature wasn’t in the low eighties, Hailey would have shivered. “I see.” At this rate, her niece and nephew would be voting before she got to spend any time with them. “Okay, I guess there’s no point hangingaround waiting till you’re done?” Nothing like one last try at being a hero for her mother’s sake.
    Laura shrugged. “I guess you can if you like.” She sounded downright grudging. “But I’ll be about an hour and a half by the time I’ve showered, and then I have to pick up the kids and take them to the mall. They both need new runners and I’m looking for a decent fall jacket. I can’t believe the poor quality that’s out there.”
    â€œI’ll pass.” The last thing Hailey wanted was to end up shopping with her sister, and she suspected Laura knew it. It meant trekking from one high-end store to the next, waiting while her sister tried on piles of clothing, being called on to give an opinion and make choices between one item and another, when everything Laura put on her long, slender body could only look spectacular.
    â€œMaybe you could take the kids to a movie next Friday?” Laura frowned. “I’m not sure, but I don’t think they have anything going that night.”
    â€œCan’t. I’m working nights next week.” Hailey considered suggesting another day and decided against it. It would probably be easier to make an appointment with the mayor. “Well, I’ll be on my way. Enjoy your workout.”
    The double garage doors were open, and as she got in her truck and drove away, Hailey noticed that Frank’s black BMW wasn’t there. It was Sunday. Wouldn’t you think they’d be spending at least part of it as a family? Did they ever eat a family dinner together? Hailey had never been invited if they did. But then, what the heck did she know about howreal families spent their time? The only thing she had to go on was her own life, and Jean and Laura had been on diets most of the time, so eating had been really low on their priority list.
    Thinking about families made her feel lonely. Ingrid and Sam had gone to Vancouver Island for the weekend, so visiting them was out.
    She must be really desperate, Hailey decided, to even think about dropping in on her mother.

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