Della listened intently to the story that Sally told her. How this young girl could have navigated the deep woods that surrounded the cabin by herself was unbelievable. She had kept her head and had followed the flow of the water of all things. The poor girl had taken the backpack that she had left at the cabin so long ago when her parents had taken her there for a weekend.
Della and Perry had tears in their eyes as they listened to Sally . She told them "When I got to the cabin, I found some of the things that I had left here. I hope you don't mind, but I took my favorite blanket and my old backpack. I wanted to have something to carry my things while I walked. I brought an apple to eat while I walked. But I saw a deer and followed him, the next thing I knew I couldn't find the road. I found a big tree and slept under it that night. I wasn't too cold because I had my blanket. I forgot my sweater though and could have used it at night." she told them.
Sally smiled as she told them "I called the office, but the lady that answered the phone couldn't help me. "I didn't know what the phone number was at the house. The Wheelers were nice and Mrs. Wheeler helped me call you mommy."
Della just held her daughter in her arms. She was in bad need of a bath and so she smiled at her and said. "I am sorry that you had to go through all that, but you are safe now. Let's go upstairs and take a bath. " she told her tenderly.
Sally seemed happy to go with her mommy and they walked up the stairs holding hands. Perry had to take a deep breath once more and as he aimlessly walked around the kitchen the phone rang. It was Jim Burns he had been charged with the murder of Larry and Steve. He needed a lawyer and Perry knew that he had to defend the man. It was going to mean a long trip back up to the town once again. But Sally was now safe and he was a lawyer. He told Larry that he would be up there within two hours and went upstairs to talk to Della.
Della had been upstairs when she had heard the phone ring. She couldn't hear what her husband was saying, but knew by the tone of his voice that someone was once more in trouble. She helped Sally out of the bathtub and was brushing her hair when Perry came into the room.
Sally watched as her mommy and daddy went out into the hall to talk and knew that something had happened. She was thinking that maybe the police had arrested or uncle and Larry for what they had done. She was not sure. But when her mommy came in the room she was smiling. She asked her "Where is daddy going?"
Della knew that Sally was going to find out what had happened to the two men who had kidnapped her, but she had been hoping that she could tell her later. She picked up the brush and told her "I am sorry to have to tell you that your Uncle Steve and Larry have been murdered. We don't know who did it but a friend of your daddy's Jim has been charged with the murder. Daddy is going to defend him."
Sally had tears in her eyes as she thought of her uncle and the man that used to cut their grass. They were not mean to her and she thought of her cousins. She knew what it was like to lose your parents. She looked up at her mommy and said "I want to call Aunt Mary and tell her how sorry I am."
Della shook her head as she brushed the hair of the little girl that had come into her life. All of the things that she had been through and all she wanted to do was call her Aunt and cousins and told them how sorry she was for what had happened to her. She was a kind child who had a heart of gold. "All right we will go into the bedroom and call your Aunt Mary." With that the two of them went into the bedroom and Della took out her phone book.
Sally went over to the bassinet and looked at her new brother. He was sleeping so peacefully. She kissed her finger and placed it on Perry's cheek. She loved her brother and was glad that he was safe and at home.
As Della dialed the phone to Aunt Mary's house she watched Sally. She loved her two children so much. As Mary got on the line Della handed the phone over to Sally. "I am so sorry about "Uncle Steve If there is anything that I can do for you please call me."
Della smiled with pride as she listened to her daughter. She sounded as though she was an adult not like a child. The best thing about it was that what Sally was saying was what she meant. Sally really did care about her aunt and her cousins.
As Mary hung up the phone she could not believe what Sally had said. She should have taken her in. She really was a good child. Michelle Jones had been standing there with tears in her eyes. She had never deserved such a good person and Sally really did belong with the Mason family.
Perry had gone upstairs to change his clothes before he went back up to the police station and start to defend his friend Jim Burns. He looked down at his son and swore to himself that he would be safe. Even with him and Della right there in the house along with the nanny his daughter had been kidnapped. It had been broad daylight when it had happened. As he kissed his son good-bye he shook his head.
Perry went into Sally's room and kissed her good-bye. Della followed him downstairs and kissed him passionately as he left for the police station once more. She went to go upstairs and was met by Sally. She and Sally went into the study and turned on the baby monitor. Jen was upstairs, but Della wanted an extra eye kept on the baby now. She would not feel comfortable for a while now. As she sat down to begin doing the necessary paperwork for court she watched Sally as she colored at her own desk. Della went to work loving her life once more.
