Part 33 (1/2)

”I'm very persuasive when I have to be.” Sara made a face at him as if to contradict his statement. ”Besides, they'll want to see the baby.”

So far, so good, Brom thought. Now for the most important part. ”And Nik- '

”Yeah?”

”See if you can get Sara to come up with all of you, as well. It's kind of tough for her, being around her father, dealing with old wounds. I think she really needs to get away.”

”My sentiments exactly.” Nik remembered the questions he wanted to ask Brom about Sara. He hadn't had time to call him before, but he couldn't do it now, with Sara sitting right here. He made a mental note to talk to Brom once he arrived in Tahoe.

He looked directly at Sara as he made his promise.

”Consider it done.”

Brom smiled to himself. He knew he could count on Nik.

”Good, I'll have a car come around to pick you up at the airport. Just call me back when you know what flight you'll be taking.”

”Will do. ” Bye. ” Nik replaced the receiver on the cradle and then rotated his neck to get rid of the stiffness.

Sara had pretended to be busy working during the call, but she had listened. They both knew she would.

”Consider what done?” she wanted to know. The look he had given her when he'd said it warned her that something was up.

He dropped the list on the desk. ” ” Brom wants me to bring you with us when we visit. ”

She didn't think she particularly cared for his wording.

”You make me sound like a box of candy you're supposed to pick up at the airport.”

He lifted a brow. ”Not at all. Candy's sweet. A box of ; dynamite might be more appropriate a comparison,” he q corrected. ”Will you come with us?” q She shrugged. She certainly wouldn't mind seeing Brom ” again, but she didn't care for being backed into a corner. ” I might be busy. ”

Nik cupped her chin in his hand and turned her head until she was looking up at him. His eyes searched for a difq fe rent response.

”Will you come?” he repeated.

Why did she have this feeling that her whole life might change if she agreed? It was just a weekend. A weekend with a whole entourage of people. And Brom. She had always felt safe around Brom.

So what was the problem?

Nik, a small voice whispered in reply.

She blocked the voice out. Sara leaned back in the chair and dragged her hand through her hair. ” ” Why not? ” she agreed gamely. ” ” I always like seeing Brom .”

”Good. Unless something unforeseen happens between now and the weekend, we'll be leaving Sat.u.r.day morning: He began to walk out of the room, then hesitated in the doorway, suddenly realizing that there might be an obstacle ” ”Is your father up to being left alone? ”

Sara nodded. Raymond Santangelo was a hard man to keep down. He had already been up and about for short periods of time.

”He can spend a couple of days by himself.” She looked at Nik pointedly, just so that he remembered. ”He'll have to soon enough, anyway.”

Nik nodded, but made no comment as he walked out of the room. Sara thought she saw him frowning, but she might have been mistaken. At any rate, it wouldn't have changed anything. As soon as she felt her father was well enough, she was leaving. She had to.