Episode 652: The Great Escape

She stepped inside his office and closed the door behind her. Her smile wobbled, but the rest of her looked as together as always in one of those skirt suits.

"It’s great to see you," he said, much of his anger from the previous months and years damped down at the sight of her. Cal still loved to clamp eyes on Sarette, particularly at that moment when Sarette was apparently finally ready to do what Cal considered the brave and right thing.

He started to rise from his chair to go to her and greet her properly, but she looked skittish. He didn’t want to do anything that might scare her off. He didn’t want to ruin this for her or their daughter, he knew it wasn’t easy for her to take this step, and it would only get more difficult once everything was at last out in the open.

She took a long time to relax enough to take a seat opposite him, first complimenting his office, and talking about the weather, engaging in all manner of jittery small talk.

"It’s okay," he said. "You don’t have to be nervous. I’ll be with you every step of the way, through getting to know Ava, and whatever fallout happens when your family and other people find out."

"No, you’re mistaken." Sarette twisted her hands on her lap. "I’m not doing that. I’m not telling anyone."

Cal’s shoulders sagged. "But you’re here."

"My husband thinks I’m after you for a charitable contribution. I have to make it look authentic. I need your help for that."

Cal shook his head, incredibly disappointed in her. "You’re just going to let your daughter get married without you."

"Actually, I was hoping you might help me with that, too."

Great, Caleb thought with a frown, not only was Ava marrying someone Cal didn’t trust, her mother was up to something as well, now he had two people he may or may not need to protect his little girl from.

Episode 653: Step By Step