Sullen now, he said, “I won’t try to renege.”
“Of course not.” Having gotten what she wanted, Sara said, “Ray, would you tell Cal for me that I’m coming back to Branson tomorrow, right after your charitable announcement?”
“Call him; he’ll meet your plane. You have his number, don’t you?” he asked without a trace of irony.
“Around here somewhere,” she admitted.
“Nice talking to you,” he said, with an edge to it.
“Come on, Ray,” she said, “don’t be bitter. You’re getting what you want. The original scenario and all.”
With surprise in his voice, he said, “I guess I am, at that.” Then he chuckled, back in a good mood at last, and said, “Okay, Sara. And you’re getting what you want, too, huh?”
“No losers, Ray,” Sara said, pleased with herself. And why not? “Everybody wins.”
She hung up, then sat a while, smiling.
An hour and a half later, Jack came home, in a bad mood, sour and exhausted from having spent a lot of time listening to pundits. “Hi, baby!” Sara cried, and kissed him a good one.
He pulled away, snarling. “What are you so happy about?”
“Good news,” she said, and laughed.