Mama's Pearl

By Bette Ford

Mama’s Pearl is a novella that was originally published in the anthology, A MOTHER’S LOVE
From the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award-winning author for Multicultural Romance, Bette Ford, a novella about a second-chance romance for two high school sweethearts…
“A poignant, sensual story showcasing the best qualities of romance: grace, forgiveness and healing.” –Romantic Times
Once, Sarah Dean and Kurt Rogers were high school sweethearts with their whole future together planned out. But circumstances beyond their control forced them to go their separate ways. Now, many years later, the secret that Sarah has harbored for so long is about to be revealed as Kurt returns to rekindle their long-ago passion – and a love that still burns in both their hearts.

• Language: English
• Publisher: NYLA
• Release date: May 1, 1996
• ISBN: 9781625174253

Bette Ford

Bette Ford grew up in Saginaw, Michigan, where she continues to live. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. Bette began her teaching career in Detroit and completed her master’s degree from Wayne State University. She has taught for the Detroit Public Schools HeadStart program for many years, and is the author of eight previous novels.

Book preview

Moton.

Chapter One

Sarah Mosley Dean had awakened early with a grade-A headache. She didn’t need a doctor to tell her it was caused by stress. She had been back in Oakland, California, outside of San Francisco, for several weeks now. Every day she awoke with the same question uppermost in her mind: Was this the day she was going to come face to face with Kurt Rogers?

Rather than lie in bed, she had dressed and busied herself with tending to the roses in the expansive gardens of her home. Afterward, she prepared breakfast and readied her granddaughter’s things for the day ahead. Sarah was sipping a well-deserved cup of coffee when Mandy raced in.

Granny, I’m ready. Mandy Dean’s velvety brown eyes sparkled with excitement.

You look so pretty. Come here, let me tie that sash. Mandy looked like the precious doll she was as she ran to her grandmother and guardian. She could hardly stand still in her excitement. Pretty pink sash for a pretty little girl, Sarah said, feeling her fatigue slip away. Would you like me to put pink ribbons in your hair?

Please! Mandy practically jumped up and down.

Sarah laughed. There. I think you are all set for your first day of school. You’re not going to cry, are you?

Oh no, Granny. I’ve been waiting and waiting for school to open. Do you think the other girls will like me?

Of course, they will. Just remember to play nice…share toys.

Mandy nodded, her dark brown braided hair bobbing on her thin shoulders.

Ready? Sarah knew that Mandy needed friends. She needed to be around children her own age. The little girl spent far too much time with adults.

Yes! Yes!

They had moved cross-country from Washington D.C. to California in order for Sarah and her sister, Cassandra, to get their new business off the ground. There were endless details that needed their attention as the two sisters worked toward the realization of their dream: to convert their grandmother’s old, rambling rooming house into a country inn.

Sarah took only a moment to glance in the mirror. She was dressed in her customary jeans and pink cotton knit shirt. Her small feet were encased in pink canvas sneakers.

Today, Sarah felt every one of her forty-three years. Perhaps it was the reality of her five-year-old granddaughter starting school…starting school without her mother, which had Sarah feeling a little down. No, she would not think of Emily today…dear Emily, her baby, her sweet pearl. Emily had passed away and Sarah was raising Mandy alone. No, not alone. She had her sister, Cassy. What would she have done all these years without Cassy’s loving support?

The sisters had remained close, even though Cassy, six years younger, had chosen to stay on with their grandmother, except for her college years at that fancy eastern culinary arts school.

Hurry, Granny. We don’t want to be late.

I’m coming.

Sarah followed Mandy down the long central hallway toward the wide, sunny foyer. She paused to glance at the mail stacked in neat piles on the high counter that would eventually serve as the reservation area. Mandy and Sarah shared the two-bedroom apartment in the rear corner of the large, sprawling house. Cassy’s apartment was next door.

Well, look who’s off to school, Cassandra Mosley remarked, coming out of the small room off the foyer that they had turned into an office. She beamed at her niece. Don’t you look pretty. Granny fixed your hair?

Mandy ran to Cassy and gave her a hug, before she whirled around proudly, giggling with pleasure. I’m ready, Auntie!

Smiling, Cassy handed Mandy a shiny red apple. Here’s something for your teacher.

Sarah laughed, shaking her finger at her sister. You’re spoiling her.

Children need a little spoiling. How else are they going to know they’re loved? Cassy gazed at her sister with concern. You’re looking a bit tired. Didn’t sleep well last night? Want me to take the baby to school?

I’m not a baby, Auntie. I’m a big girl.

Absolutely, her aunt agreed quickly. Sar?

I’m fine. Just a small headache. No, I don’t need you to fuss over me. You’ve got enough to do around here, with hiring kitchen staff and waiters for the dining room. How many interviews do you have today?

Too many to count. With any luck, I’ll be done before the end of the week.

See you later. Come on, Mandy. Oh, Cassy, I plan to stop at the produce and meat markets to finalize the contracts. Sarah’s degree was in accounting and business.

Be good, Cassy called to her niece, wondering if she was wrong for not warning her sister. She knew Sarah was going to be upset. Oh, what difference would it make, anyway? Oakland’s black community wasn’t that large. Sooner or later, those two were bound to run into each other.

Granny, will there be lots and lots of kids?

Yes, darling, lots and lots.

Emily would have been so proud of her baby, her sweet pearl, Sarah thought as she blinked back the tears. It still hurt to think of Emily, although she’d been gone for five years. Sarah didn’t start the engine until they were both strapped into their seats in her bright red van.

Will there be lots of toys?

Sarah smiled fondly. Yes, and you’re going to have so much fun. Just think, you’ll be able to play and sing and draw pictures and maybe even paint one, she reassured Mandy gently, her gaze traveling lovingly over the familiar landscape.

The property was conveniently situated within walking distance of Lakeside Park. The renovations to the huge old house were going even better than expected. Both sisters had sunk their life’s savings into the project, knowing it was a big gamble, but they were determined to succeed. Their Parkside Garden Inn would bring the beauty and tranquility of the country to the heart of the city.

The years had been kind to Sarah. They’d given her the self-confidence and poise she’d lacked as a girl. She had left Oakland brokenhearted. Thank goodness that was all behind her. She was determined not to look back. The past was in the past and couldn’t hurt her anymore.

Nevertheless, there was one person whom she never again wanted to see. Unfortunately, time had not let her forget the hurt and pain Kurt had caused. Bitterness and resentment lingered in spite of her best efforts to put it behind her.

We’re here! Mandy sang, her little face alight with glee.

Yes, we are, Sarah echoed, reluctant to go inside the impressive single-story brick structure.

They’d driven past the elementary school every day so that Mandy would be comfortable with the setting. It was Sarah who was feeling a little sad. She didn’t want to leave her granddaughter in the care of strangers. Since Mandy’s birth, they had never been apart. Sarah had cared for this precious grandchild as lovingly as she had cared for her dear daughter Emily. Mandy needed to grow intellectually, emotionally, and socially in order to reach her full potential. While Sarah’s intellect told her one thing, her emotions were relaying a different message. She could tell from Mandy’s enthusiasm that she had done an excellent job of preparing her granddaughter for the separation. Had Sarah overlooked herself?

Kurt Rogers stood on the steps welcoming the students and parents back for the new school year. He’d known most of the adults his entire life. Many of them had gone through school with him, while he had taught some of the others during his nearly twenty years in education.

California was home. Kurt had spent most of his forty-three years in and around Oakland. He’d only left California when he’d entered Kentucky State and later gone into the military. He’d done his postgraduate work in administration and eventually been appointed principal of Frederick Douglass Elementary School.

Hey, Kurt

Morning, Jill. Kurt offered an easy smile. Hi, Tommy. Glad to be back in school? he asked Jill’s eight-year-old son. The boy took after his mother in looks, but his father, Thomas, Sr., in disposition. He was always in the principal’s office for one prank or another.

Yes, sir, Tommy said with a decided twinkle in his brown eyes.

Jill and Kurt exchanged amused smiles before mother and son moved on into the building.

Mornin’, Kurt Barbara Lang beamed up at him with a flirtatious grin as she led her twin nieces toward the school. Kurt and the petite black beauty had dated a few times, nothing serious on his part. Kurt knew she felt differently.

He was well aware of the fact that he was considered by some to be a great catch. He was not in the marriage market however, having for many years derived comfort from his single status.