A Journey by Chance by Sally John Read Free Book Online Page B

a national land development company, he traveled more than 50 percent of the time. Work was his life.
    â€œI’ll be in Chicago in a couple of weeks, and I may run down to Valley Oaks .”
    â€œVery good, Dad! Mother would appreciate that emphasis.”
    â€œWell, I’m not coming to the garden spot to sightsee. Our Midwest division ran into a snag on some nearby property. I said I’d look into it. On another subject, nothing new here yet on the Park situation. How are you dealing with that issue?”
    Gina answered her dad’s straightforward question in a like manner. “I’m not. I don’t want to even think about it. I’d rather plan the future.”
    â€œAll right. It will work out, honey. Don’t worry.”
    He chatted with her about other things, keeping her on the phone, she knew, until she calmed down. He was a good dad.
    While her mother talked with him, Gina sat outside. Her thoughts drifted over the full schedule that prevented her from focusing on the future. She remembered Brady’s comment under the oak tree as her mother rejoined her.
    â€œMom, you know that Brady character kind of rubs me the wrong way. He’s just so friendly, but at the same time I sense a chip on his shoulder or something. Kind of like he’s not being genuinely friendly toward me. Anyway, we were getting into it about being paired up. I said the ceremony was the only necessary time for that, and then he definitely lost his down-home attitude. He said, ‘I don’t know what your mother told you,’ but he never finished the sentence. Do you know what he’s talking about?”
    Her mother stopped pushing the porch swing and looked out at the street. “Your dad and I were just talking about some memories. He said you should know.” Her voice trailed off. “Gina.” Maggie looked at her then, and there was sadness in her eyes. “I need to show you something. It may answer your question. I’ll get the car keys.”
    Gina sat frozen on the swing. Why would there be an answer to that question?

    Open, rolling fields surrounded the town of Valley Oaks. Maggie drove Aunt Lottie’s old car to one of the edges oftown. A few minutes later Gina’s stomach tightened as they turned into an old cemetery enclosed on three sides by soybean fields. Cows grazed on a distant rolling hill. They parked along one of the narrow gravel lanes and climbed out.
    â€œIs this where Grandma and Grandpa are buried?”
    â€œYes. Do you remember coming here?”
    â€œNot really,” Gina replied, “just that we brought flowers to a cemetery.”
    She walked behind her mother between tombstones, many more than a hundred years old with worn lettering. It was a well-maintained place with neatly trimmed grass. They stopped before a small, pink-flecked marble stone. Fresh white roses filled an attached metal vase.
    Gina read the engraved name. Rose Lindstrom Olafsson.
    Lindstrom? Her mother’s maiden name.
    Olafsson?!
    She read the dates. The girl was born 35 years ago. And she lived only three days. Gina felt as if a hand clutched her throat. “Mom?”
    Unshed tears swam in her mother’s eyes. “It was before hyphenated names were fashionable.” She gave her a tiny smile. “I did have another middle name in mind. Engraving four names cost…” Her voice trailed off. “I made a mistake, but I didn’t want her to leave without her mother’s family name.”
    Gina sat on the soft grass and let the news sink in. She had a sister.
    â€œSweetie, I was married to Brady’s father.” Maggie sat down beside her.
    Another shock wave rolled through her. A baby and a husband? Hearing out of the blue that her mother had such secrets was disconcerting. She listened without comment to the story that began at Valley Oaks High School almost 40 years ago. Her mother and Neil Olafsson dated and fell inadolescent love.