Forever, I Promise (A Northern Woods Novel) Read online

  “Good morning, sweetheart.” Hailey kissed her forehead and Tara bounced up and down with a grin. She lifted her arms for Hailey to remove her from the bed. “Let’s go make our breakfast.” She rubbed her nose with Tara’s, causing the child to giggle.

  After she fed her a bowl of oatmeal and a cup of apple juice Hailey dressed her in a cute pair of dark pink cotton shorts and a light pink blouse with a red balloon embroidered on the front and back. She put her in the playpen with a few stuffed animals to keep her busy while she washed dishes and prepared everything for the party.

  She so yearned for a child of her own and when she found herself unable to become pregnant she truly believed that God sent Tara to her. After all, there still had been no message from Kellie. They tried to locate her online and even printed a memo under Missing Persons in the Pinewood Hills Tribune, the Minneapolis Tribune and also the St. Paul Pioneer Press newspaper; they received no word at all. She vanished after leaving this bundle of joy with them. Many of their friends asked if they adopted Tara. Both Hailey and Wade told them that Tara was the daughter of Hailey’s cousin and they’d been asked to care for her. There were no more questions regarding this beautiful child.

  She smiled and inspected the living room. Everything looked perfect. Decorations on the walls and balloons filled with helium were tied to the corner of their contemporary style bookcase, waiting for each guest to take one home when the party ended.

  It was now ten a.m. Hailey glanced at Tara and could see that she was fighting sleep. It was time for her nap; this was going to be her big day. Hailey lifted her from the playpen and carried her to the bathroom, removed her diaper and sat her down on the new potty chair they’d purchased. When she was done, Hailey clapped her hands and Tara gave her a big smile. “You’re a good girl, Tara,” Hailey said, then brought her into the nursery. She carefully laid her down in the crib and covered her with a lightweight blanket. “Sweet dreams, baby.”

  * * *

  The party turned out to be wonderful and Tara was so excited with all of the other children around her. Even Holly was happy with the house full of children. She loved to play with youngsters of all ages and the visitors were also delighted with her. Holly even gave Tara a helping paw as she pulled open the wrapping of each gift.

  Hailey served hotdogs and chips to the older children and a few of the mothers fed their younger babies with food they brought from home. Wade grilled chicken outdoors with the men gathered around him on the deck and they discussed their weekend fishing trip.

  By the time the final guest left for home, it was seven p.m. and Wade began to clean up the kitchen while Hailey brought Tara to the nursery. She changed her clothes into a pair of Snoopy Dog pajamas she received for her birthday. Hailey set her on the floor and Tara pulled herself up by grabbing hold of the bottom bar on the crib. Hailey turned around in time to see Tara take two steps from her crib before she fell to the floor and landed on her rump.

  “Oh my! Wade, come here, quick!” she called out.

  Wade bolted up the short flight of stairs and into Tara’s room. “What happened?”

  “She took her first step – all by herself! Two steps in fact.” She smiled up at Wade.

  “What a big girl, Tara!” He hugged her then took her hands in his. “Walk back to your momma,” he said, and sure enough. She made it over to Hailey in three steps. Hailey caught her and Wade clapped his hands. Tara was all smiles.

  “That’s wonderful, sweetie,” Hailey said, and Tara yawned.

  “I’d better put her to bed. We’ll practice more tomorrow,” she told Wade and he nodded with a grin. Hailey laid her down in the crib and Wade returned to the kitchen.

  “Mom-ma,” Tara muttered, then closed her eyes and fell asleep. Hailey’s mouth fell open in surprise and her eyes filled with tears. Again, they were happy tears. Did she actually say Momma? She closed the door partway and returned to the lower level.

  “Wade,” she whispered from the doorway into the living room.

  “What’s the matter now?”

  “Nothing, quite the opposite,” she walked over to the sofa and sat beside him.

  She faced him and wiped the tears with the Kleenex she held in her hand. “Tara said Momma, Wade. It sounded like Mum-ma. I’m sure she called me Momma just before she closed her eyes.”

  They never called themselves mommy or daddy to Tara. They thought it wouldn’t be right for her when and if Kellie ever returned.

  Wade smiled and said, “All of the children at the party were constantly calling out to their own mothers. She probably heard the word over and over.” He put his arm around Hailey’s shoulder and gave her a hug. “You’re a very good momma, too,” Wade whispered in her ear and kissed her cheek.

  Hailey heard the click-click-click on the kitchen floor and realized poor little Holly was waiting for her supper. She fed her and brought her outdoors to relieve herself. “Good girl,” she said, then brought her indoors and gave her a dog cookie.

  Hailey returned to the living room where she sat on the couch with Holly snuggled up against her and Wade in his recliner, the newspaper on his lap.

  “I can’t believe she called me momma. It felt so good, though I’m not sure if it’s the right thing for her to do. I’m afraid she’d be confused when Kellie returns.”

  “We’ll see,” he answered. “Her next word might be dolly or ball or some other toy she received today.” He smiled at her.

  “Or daddy – just you wait and see,” she added. “I’m not going to correct her, Wade. Every child needs someone to call their mommy or daddy. Kellie has been gone too long. I’m so worried that she’ll return and take Tara away.”

  “We’ll deal with that when and if it happens.”

  Wade stood and held out a hand to Hailey. “We’ve all had a big day. Are you ready to hit the sack, little Momma?” Hailey laughed and playfully tossed a couch pillow at him.

  He caught it and threw it on the couch before he chased her up the short stairway and into the bedroom. He put his arm around her waist and she turned to face him. “I’ll meet you under the sheets – give me ten minutes.” He gave her a light pat on her sexy buns as he walked passed her then headed for the main bath, whistling softly along the way.

  By the time Hailey opened the door of the master bath he was waiting for her. He smiled and lifted the sheet while his eyes were drawn to her beautiful breasts and he welcomed her to join him. “Come here sweetheart,” he whispered, a sparkle in his eyes.

  She climbed into bed and he reached for her, his hands on her firm buttocks as he pulled her alongside him. He ran his fingers through her long blonde hair and gently nudged her head into the deep, fluffy pillow while kissing and nibbling her neck. He could feel the hammering of her heart. He paused to kiss her, whispered his love for each part of her body while his hands explored the soft lines of her back, her waist and her hips.

  They were able to take the time to explore, to arouse, and give each other pleasure, pure and explosive. Their bodies were in exquisite harmony with one another, soaring until the peak of delight was fulfilled, exploding in a downpour of fiery sensations, both with an amazing sense of completeness.

  Wrapped in contentment, Wade put his arm around Hailey’s waist, his mouth grazed her earlobe and he lovingly kissed her neckline before drifting into a deep and peaceful sleep.

  * * *

  It had now been two months since Tara’s birthday party and Sunday turned out to be a beautiful June day – the perfect afternoon to bring Tara to the park in Huntington. Hailey brought Tara into the bathroom to use her potty chair before she dressed her.

  “Good girl!” Hailey said and Tara clapped. They returned to the nursery and Hailey dressed her in a pair of green shorts and a green and white checkered blouse. She combed her hair and put a green barrette on each side above her ears.

  The park consisted of a playground for children and a sidewalk where they’d be able to walk around a large pond with a stunning water fount
ain in the center. When they arrived Wade removed the stroller from the back of their vehicle while Hailey released Tara’s harness and lifted her from the car seat. Wade opened the stroller and moved the seat to a sitting position, high enough for Tara to view everything around them. The sun shone brightly; it was a gorgeous day. Tara’s little hands waved and her feet kicked with anticipation.

  They began their stroll down the sidewalk and admired the flower buds beginning to bloom on the lilac trees and the beautiful magnolias that had been planted in various areas along the walkway. Suddenly a flock of loons flew a few feet in front of them and entered the pond. Tara squealed with delight and they stopped to watch the loons swim across the water toward the spray from the fountain.

  A person stood and watched from the door of the public restroom and held a tight smile, hands clenched and unclenched before moving to the rear of the building, then disappeared. Neither Wade nor Hailey noticed.

  They walked on until they arrived at the opposite side of the basin where they stopped at a food stand for a couple of corndogs. Hailey and Wade both handed Tara small bites, then Hailey gave her a small box of Animal Crackers from the pocket in the back of the stroller. By the time they completed their stroll Tara became tired and cranky. She whimpered as Wade lifted her from the stroller. Hailey nabbed the diaper bag and quickly changed her before she set her into the car seat and buckled the seatbelt. Hailey reached into the insulated bag and grabbed a small bottle of milk and held it for Tara while Wade walked over to the garbage bin to dispose of the dirty diaper. The stores carry porta-potties for adults. It sure would be nice if we had a porta-potty to carry in the car, he mumbled to himself. He returned and looked into the back seat; Tara had drifted off to sleep. He smiled at Hailey, started the car and they headed for home.

  As Wade exited the parking lot he passed a large oak tree where a woman stood and watched. She then stepped into the empty parking place and her eyes followed them as they drove away.

  “That was fun while it lasted,” Hailey said with a smile.

  Wade nodded. “It’s too bad I forgot to bring the camera along. Tara was so cute when she saw the Loons swimming toward the water fountain. Oh well, next time.”

  Hailey had begun a photo album from the very first week she discovered Tara in her garden and it didn’t take long to fill. She would need to pick up a new one this week.

  “Next time we’ll also take her to the playground before she falls asleep,” Hailey whispered.

  “And the little train for toddlers to ride on. The park employees drive it around the common grounds,” Wade added. “She missed out on a lot of fun. Next time we’ll spend the entire day at the park.”

  “I’ve always loved Huntington Park. I accompanied Mariah a few times when the twins were Tara’s age. It’s a charming place to bring children during this picture-perfect weather.”

  Wade approached the driveway and pushed the remote for the garage door. Hailey turned in her seat to find Tara still sleeping heavily; she had an exciting day. Hailey climbed out of the front seat and seized the diaper bag from the back while Wade carefully removed Tara from her car seat.

  “Here’s the key to unlock the door,” he said to Hailey. “I’ll carry her into the nursery and you can take it from there while I return for the stroller.”

  They entered Tara’s room and Wade laid her in the crib. He left the room while Hailey removed Tara’s shoes, outer clothing and replaced them with her pajamas. She covered her with a small blanket and quietly left the room.

  Hailey fed Holly before she brought her outdoors. When Hailey entered the living room she found Wade sound asleep in the recliner. She tapped his shoulder. “Come on to bed, honey. We both need sleep. Tomorrow will be Monday, your busiest day at work.”

  Wade ran his hands through his hair, shook his head lightly and said, “You’re right, it’s time to hit the sack.” He went to their bedroom and Holly followed while Hailey checked the locks on the doors and turned out the lights.

  Chapter Thirteen

  September came upon Hailey’s Garden much too quickly. Hailey received two more requests for wedding flower arrangements. By the end of September her workload would slow down a bit until the first of November, when everyone would begin to prepare for Thanksgiving. She’d been sitting at her desk in the greenhouse when her phone rang.

  “Hailey’s Garden,” she answered. There was no reply. “Hello?” Still no answer. Apparently someone dialed the wrong number, she muttered to herself and hung up the phone. She stood to arrange a bucket of long-stemmed flowers then set them on the ledge in front of the window near the doorway. She stared outdoors and admired the leaves from the trees. Every year she was able to observe a beautiful show of various colors as they changed from green to red, yellow and brown. They were remarkable and brightened up the grounds in both the front and backyards.

  Again, the phone rang and Hailey immediately answered, “Hailey’s Garden, may I help you?”

  “Hi, honey.”

  “Hi, Wade. I didn’t expect the call to be from you. Someone phoned earlier but said nothing. I waited for a moment, said hello a couple of times. There was still no reply so I hung up. I thought perhaps they had a bad connection and would call back.”

  “No, ‘tis only me,” he said, and laughed. “I’m calling to invite you out on a date. We’re getting off work a bit early today. Would you care to go somewhere for dinner? I thought you might like to go to Applebee’s or the Red Lobster.”

  “Hmm, sounds nice but we don’t have a sitter for Tara.”

  “I was talking to Art and mentioned that I’d like to take you out to eat for a change, although we haven’t been able to find a sitter close by. I asked him if he knew of anyone and he told me Lillie loves children and they’d be happy to sit for us.”

  “That would be nice; we can trust them. I’ll be ready by the time you get home.”

  “I’m on my way. Won’t take me long to wash up. Art said they would arrive by five o’clock.”

  “Wonderful, I’ll see you soon.”

  * * *

  Hailey was telling Wade about one of her new customers when their waitress returned with their food. They ate quietly until he noticed a frown on her face. She was about to take a bite of food but set her fork back on her plate.

  “What’s the matter?” he asked.

  She slowly moved her head back and forth and stared out the window next to their table. The color had drained from her face.

  “Doesn’t your food taste right?”

  “A person outside walked by the window.”

  “And…?”

  “I thought she resembled Kellie,” she whispered. She dabbed at her mouth with a napkin then set it alongside her plate and stood. “I’ll be right back.” She hurried toward the entryway and stepped out the door. She peered down the sidewalk in both directions but saw no one. She was about to turn and re-enter the restaurant when she spotted a woman about to leave the parking lot by foot. She had the same color blouse as the woman she saw pass by – light green with white trim and she wore a wide floppy hat. That was all she’d seen from indoors. Hailey now was able to see that the woman also wore a pair of ragged blue jeans. The woman crossed the street at the light and continued along the sidewalk.

  Wade had been watching Hailey from the window. “Was it Kellie?” he asked, when she returned.

  “I’m not sure. She looked a lot like her. Her pointed nose, the angle of her head, her gait… but it’s been so long since I’ve seen her. I haven’t the slightest idea what she looks like now. If she’s been in some kind of trouble she may have changed her hair color and anything else that may alter her appearance. I’ll try again to search on the Internet when we get home. There must be information on her somewhere.”

  When they returned Hailey offered Art and Lillie some coffee before they left for home. Lillie described to Hailey and Wade of all the fun they had with Tara and what a sweet girl she was. Wade tried to put a twenty-dollar bil
l in Art’s hand but he refused to take it. “Give us a call whenever you need a sitter. We’ll sit anytime you’d like to get out of the house for a while,” Lillie informed them.

  “Thank you so much. It did feel good to have time to ourselves for a change.” Hailey was anxious for them to leave, though she tried not to show it while they gathered their coats and said goodbye.

  She went to the nursery to check on Tara and she’d already fallen asleep. “You must have had a good time with Art and Lillie,” Hailey whispered, and kissed her cheek. “Goodnight sweetheart.” She tiptoed from the room and closed the door partway before she hurried into the office and turned the computer on.

  She pulled up Google and typed in Kellie Shanlin. She checked for her a few months ago, but hoped the name would pop up this time, though the results were the same – there still was no one by that name. There were several with different last names, Kelly Anderson, Kelli Brown, Kellie Burke and Kellie McKenzie, but no one with the last name of Shanlin. She tried Kellie Carson. Still no one; she typed Kellie Carson in the U.S.A. and too many were listed with that name. They would take forever to call and not all of them had their numbers listed.

  Wade walked up behind her, rested his hands on her shoulders and bent down to read the names. “Nothing yet?” he asked. “You’ve been trying for months now and no one has appeared with the name of Kellie Shanlin. She’s probably married and living in who knows what state.”

  Hailey snapped her fingers. “I just thought of something. She always said she wanted to live in Florida.” Hailey quickly typed Kellie Shanlin, Florida on Google and waited as the name ran through. Suddenly the name of Kellie Shanlin Burke appeared and she glanced up at Wade. “If that’s Kellie, then you’re right – she’s married. Should we pay the twenty dollars to receive more information? I’d probably get their phone number.”