"I know, Dad. I'll be careful."
"I tried to call you this afternoon, but I couldn't get through.
"I know. I guess there aren't any towers close."
"What's the number at your cabin?"
"I don't have a phone."
"No phone? What kind of place is that?"
She laughed. "Now Dad, I came out here to get away from all of that, remember?"
"Don't you have a number where I can reach you in an emergency?"
"Just a minute." She covered the receiver and glanced at Clara. "Would you mind if I gave this number to my Father for emergency use only?"
"Of course not. Tell him I can send someone out if he has a message for you."
"Thanks." She lifted the receiver to her ear. "Dad, this phone is inside a little country store and the lady who runs it said it would be all right to give you this number." She gave him the number and he repeated it back to her.
"Do you plan to spend four weeks there?"
"Yes. I'll probably travel some, but I'll be back home before night. Will you stop worrying about me? I'm a big girl now and I can take care of myself."
"We miss you."
"It's only been a day and a half."
He chuckled. "Denton has been asking where you are."
She caught her breath. "You didn't tell him."
"No. I just said you went out of town for a while. He's annoyed that you didn't tell him where you were going and I can't blame him." He was silent for a few seconds. "If you're no longer engaged, why do you have to deceive him? Why can't you tell him to take a hike? You didn't have any trouble telling me."
"Sure, but I love you."
Clara was watching her intently. "Look, Dad. I have to go. I just wanted to let you know I got here and everything is better than I expected. The place is fantastic. How are things going at the office?"
"Things are fine here. We're short-handed, but we're getting along."
"And Mom?"
"She's fine too. You take care of yourself and call me any time - even if it's in the middle of the night."
"I'll call. Love you. Bye." She replaced the receiver and headed for the door.
"Ms. O'Hara?"
She stopped and turned around. Clara couldn't be expected to know she hated being called Ms. She had forgotten to pay for the call. She pulled a five dollar bill from her wallet. "I'm sorry. This should pay for the call."
Clara waved a hand. "Oh don't worry about that. I have unlimited long distance. I wondered if you would mind if I stopped by your house tomorrow? I have some hanging plants I've been trying to get rid of that would look great on your front porch."