Lainey stopped as applause broke out in the crowd. She glanced at Ethan, who gave her a thumbs-up and was about to continue when Ida Vassler pushed her way to the front. Lainey’s stomach plummeted as the old woman came to stand next to her.
“I want you to know,” Ida said, her severely outlined eyebrows drawn together, “that I’m personally going to donate twenty thousand dollars to rebuild this shelter.”
Lainey gasped.
Ida turned to the crowd and wagged a gnarled finger. “And for any of you boys doing seasonal construction work over in Gradysville—I’ll pay double on the weekends so you drag your lazy cabooses here to get this place up and running.”
“I’ll volunteer for the foreman job.”
Lainey looked out at the sea of faces to where Dave Reynolds, Ethan’s best friend from high school, grinned up at her.
“I’m sure the ladies’ auxiliary will organize potluck lunches on Saturdays and Sundays,” Misty Gragg added.
After that, Lainey lost track of the offers of help and supplies. At least a dozen people came forward to hug her. Many more patted her back and pumped her hand, telling her what a good job she’d done organizing the event, how much the posters with the animal photos were making a difference.
“My sister-in-law all the way down in Pensacola saw it in the paper,” one woman told her with a wink. “My husband’s family thinks he moved to the sticks up here. Now she wants to drive up and find another cat just so she can say she met you.”
“My old sorority sisters down in Charlotte want to meet you, too,” Jenny Snyder added.
“Meet me? Why?” It made no sense to Lainey. Her mother was the celebrity.
“They’re hoping to convince you to take pictures of their animals. My friend, Pauline, is wild about her Pomeranians.”
“They’re not the only ones interested in you.” Lainey whirled as Julia’s voice rang out in the commotion.
Her gaze drifted to the wheelchair Julia pushed.
“Mama,” Lainey whispered.
Vera stared back, her expression unreadable. A hush fell over the crowd. In the quiet, Lainey was once again aware of the ruined building behind her and the fact that she was likely the cause of it.
She felt Ethan come to stand beside her. His warm hand pressed into the small of her back. She was eighteen all over again, facing her mother and sister across the dining room table, waiting for their anger to pour out.
“I’m sorry,” she said softly, taking a hesitant step forward. “I’m so sorry about the fire. I didn’t mean—”
“Come here, child.” Although she was unable to walk, Vera’s speech was almost back to normal. Despite the wheelchair, Vera looked more like herself outside the hospital room. Pale blond hair framed her face, and Lainey could see the shine of makeup on her cheeks. She bore little resemblance to the frail, sickly woman Lainey had come home to.
Lainey wiped her wet cheeks against her shoulder.
“I’m proud of you,” Vera said with a smile.
“But I—”
Vera shook her head, cutting Lainey off mid-sentence. “You’ve done so much for me, for the shelter, for this whole town.” She winked. “If I’d have known what a natural you are, I’d have found a way to get you back here sooner.”
“The fire was my fault—”
“The fire was an accident,” Vera again interrupted. “Accidents happen.” She glanced at the crowd that stood watching the scene unfold. “Carol Dakker, are you here?”
A short, chubby woman with teased hair and an unfortunate yellow tracksuit stepped forward. “What can I do, Vera?”
“Remember when you had too many white wine spritzers after the town council meeting last February and drove Mac’s Plymouth through the front window at city hall?”
Carol grew noticeably pale under her bottle-bronzed skin. “There was black ice on the road.”
Vera snorted. “It was dry as a bone that winter. Janie Baker?” When no one answered, Vera’s voice grew louder. “Don’t try to hide, Janie. My daughter parked behind your minivan.”
A timid voice spoke from the edge of the group. “Sorry, Mrs. Morgan, I didn’t hear you at first.”
The crowd parted to reveal a young woman with a mousy brown ponytail, vigorously chewing on one nail. Lainey recognized her as the town’s librarian.
Lainey did an inward cringe. As much as she hated being judged, she didn’t want to see the rest of the town called to the carpet for past indiscretions. “I think they get the point, Mom,” she whispered, straightening. “People are here because they want to help rebuild the shelter. It’s okay.”
“Always too nice,” Vera said with a sigh. “The point is everyone makes mistakes.” She raked the crowd with a steely gaze. “My daughter—both my daughters—have done as much as humanly possible to help me. To help all of us.”
Lainey made eye contact with her sister over Vera’s head.
“Wow,” Julia mouthed.
Lainey nodded.
“This event brings in people, publicity and revenue that Brevia desperately needs,” Vera continued. “I appreciate those of you who have come forward to help. To the rest of you, what are you waiting for? There’s work to be done. Vital work.”
She paused for a breath and Lainey noticed her mother’s chest rose and fell sharply while her hands trembled.
“Mama, don’t wear yourself out,” she said, resting a hand on Vera’s thin shoulder. She looked out at the crowd. “As I said before, we appreciate the concern each of you has shown for the shelter. We hope we can continue to rely on your support as we rebuild All Creatures to its former glory and beyond.”
She heard a noise behind her and turned to see Ethan clapping. Sam and Harlan joined him and pretty soon the entire crowd was awash in applause.
“Find me a handkerchief,” her mother said. “I don’t want my makeup to run.”
Julia dug in her bag and pulled out a tissue as a stream of people came forward to hug all three of them. Lainey was overwhelmed by the words of kindness and support from people she had thought still hated her.
It took almost forty-five minutes for the crowd to disperse after receiving instructions on how they could each help with the reconstruction that would begin in the morning. Vera was clearly tired by the time Lainey, Julia, Ethan and a few core shelter staff members were left.
“Why did you bring her here?” Lainey whispered to Julia as her mother held court with her staff and Ethan.
Julia rubbed her hands over her belly. “By the time I got to the hospital this morning, she’d found out and was already dressed and ready to go. She’d convinced the hospital director to give her a day pass or whatever you want to call it.”
“Is that even legal?”
“Who knows,” Julia answered. “Anything’s possible with Vera.”
“Girls?”
Lainey and Julia both turned.
“I want to see the back of the building.”
Lainey heard Julia suck in a breath but Lainey spoke first. “That’s not a good idea, Mom. It’s pretty awful, and in your condition...”
“Don’t tell me what I can and can’t do, young lady.” She straightened her shoulders. “This is still my operation.”
“I didn’t say—”
“Ethan, take me to the back,” Vera ordered.
He met Lainey’s gaze, and she nodded as he stepped forward to take the handles of the wheelchair. “You’re the boss,” Lainey murmured. “I need to find Sam before he leaves, then I’ll be around.”
“I saw him head over toward the clinic,” Julia answered.
Lainey watched Ethan, Julia and her mother disappear around the side of the shelter then turned. Ray Daniels stood directly in front of her. Lainey’s heart thumped. She hadn’t seen Ethan’s father s
ince her ruined wedding day. He’d hated her then for wrecking Ethan’s life, and the steely gleam in his eyes told her not much had changed.
She took an instinctive step back. “Does Ethan know you’re here?”
“Hell, yes.” Ray smirked at her. “We had a cozy little father-son chat the other night. I even met that fleabag mutt of yours. Petey, right?”
“Pita,” she whispered, unease curling around her spine.
“Whatever.” Ray moved past her and tipped his head in the shelter’s burned-out front door. “Ethan knows who’s lookin’ out for him around here. I ain’t gonna let him be jerked around again.”
“You never once looked out for him,” she answered, holding fast to her temper. “Ethan hates you, Ray.”
“Not as much as he hated you, you little tramp.”
His words hit her hard, the brutal truth in them making her stagger a step. “He doesn’t...”
Ray flicked his cigarette into the shelter’s entrance.
“Don’t do that,” she snapped.
His ugly laugh filled in the silence. “What’s it matter now? You took care of this place real good.”
A sudden swelling of resolve stiffened her back. “I didn’t start the fire.”
“Just like you didn’t get knocked up to trap my boy.” He leaned closer. “You can’t fool ole Ray, honey. I know how bad you wanted Ethan. And I know how bad you wanted to stick it to your mama for turning on you all those years ago. I could help, you know.” He laughed again. “Maybe I already did.”
She pressed her fingers to the sides of her head. “Shut up, Ray.”
“Once a lying skank, always a—”
Something flashed in the corner of Lainey’s vision and Ray slammed into the window to the right of the doorway, shattering the already broken glass.
Tim Reynolds loomed over him then turned to Lainey, the wild gleam in his eyes more frightening then Ray’s angry tirade.
Lainey stood absolutely still and forced herself to keep her gaze locked on his. Panic rushed through her as he took a step closer.
“I won’t let him hurt you,” he murmured, his voice a husky growl. “I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
“What the hell was that for?” Ray straightened, rubbing his jaw.
“Apologize to her,” Tim ordered, still pinning Lainey with his stare.
“It’s okay, Tim.” Lainey shifted her gaze to Ray. “He doesn’t matter.”
“Screw you, Reynolds,” Ray muttered and spit. “I oughta kick your twerpy—”
Tim lunged forward and pushed Ray into the wall. Tim wasn’t a big guy but seemed to have adrenaline fueling him. Lainey shuffled to the edge of the building.
Tim squeezed his hand around Ray’s throat. “I said—”
“What’s going on here?” Sam Callahan walked across the lawn toward them. “Reynolds, get off him.”
Tim glanced over his shoulder, thumped Ray’s head hard against the wall and let go.
“Sam,” Lainey said on a breath. Relief made her knees weak.
He squeezed her arm. “Is everything okay?”
She gave a slight nod. “Ray...was...just leaving.”
Sam eyed Ethan’s father. “You, too, Tim.”
“I need to talk to Lainey,” Tim argued.
She shook her head.
“Not a good idea,” Sam answered. “Lainey, why don’t you head back with your mom and Ethan? I’ll see these two off the property.”
“Thanks, Sam,” Lainey whispered. Her legs wobbled, but she darted toward the rear of the building. She didn’t want Ethan or her mother to see Ray and Tim.
She had time to get a handle on her raging emotions as Vera barked out to-do lists of things needed to bring the shelter back to life. She didn’t get angry, didn’t shoot Lainey incriminating looks or make snide comments. It was a good thing because Lainey felt like she was walking an emotional tightrope.
“After what I’ve been through,” Vera said, her tone resigned, “I know you can rebuild anything with enough work.”
Lainey let out a pent-up breath. “I’ll find another place to have the event—”
“We’ll have it here.” Her mother’s tone was firm.
“She’s right,” Ethan agreed. “With Dave’s help, we can get this cleaned up in the next couple of weeks. Maybe even some framing. I’ll move out to the lake house so the trailer can be converted to a kennel. The barn and clinic will hold the overflow animals. It’ll be good for people coming to see how we’re rebuilding.”
Lainey nodded, allowing thoughts of the work ahead to drown out Ray’s accusations. “I’ll do whatever I can to make this up to you, Mama.”
“You already are,” her mother said and her eyes drifted shut. “Julia, honey, I think I’m ready to go back.”
“Do you want me to take her?” Lainey offered.
Julia cast a meaningful glance toward Ethan, who had walked back toward the shelter. “Take the day off,” Julia said with a smile. “I’ve got it covered.”
“Okay,” she agreed. “I want to finish a few things here and I’ll be over this afternoon.”
A quiver near Julia’s midsection distracted Lainey. “A wave just rolled across your stomach,” she said in a hushed voice, the movement bringing her totally present.
Julia groaned, but her eyes glowed with humor. “He’s like a gymnast—turning somersaults, cartwheels—the whole bit.”
They’d been to three Lamaze classes, and Lainey had massaged her sister’s shoulders, fed her ice chips and rubbed her feet. But she’d actually touched Julia’s belly only a couple of times after the first night.
She reached out a tentative hand. “Can I feel it?”
Julia’s mouth curved into a small smile. “Of course.”
“He’s a strong one,” Vera said, rolling her chair closer.
Lainey laid her hand on the soft cotton of Julia’s pink T-shirt.
Julia’s fingers pressed against hers. “He’ll perform better if he knows he’s got your attention.”
“I don’t want to hurt him,” Lainey whispered.
“You won’t.”
Then Lainey felt it. A small thud against her palm. She gasped and spread her fingers across Julia’s middle. Three more staccato kicks landed on her palm.
Heartache rose in Lainey like a sudden summer storm. She’d thought she’d felt a few flutters before she’d miscarried and had loved to rub her flat stomach like a lucky Buddha.
The doctor later told her she was probably experiencing indigestion. Indigestion. He might have been trying to ease her sorrow but had only succeeded in making her feel like a fool on top of everything else. She couldn’t tell the difference between a baby’s movement and gas pains. How pathetic was that?
The baby inside of her sister was so vitally alive. Julia’s every pore burst with life. Lainey felt like a recovering alcoholic watching someone drink a rare, priceless wine. When alone, she didn’t miss what she couldn’t have, but seeing someone else enjoy it made her soul ache.
She shook her head, forced her mind to clear. “It won’t be long now, buddy,” she said to Julia’s stomach. “You hold out a few more weeks.”
“Longest of my life. Are you ready, Mom?”
Lainey bent and kissed her mother’s forehead. “I’ll see you later.”
Vera placed her hands on Lainey’s cheeks. “I’m proud of you,” she said.
“Thank you, Mom. For everything.” She watched Julia wheel Vera over the grass toward the parking lot.
Ethan placed a hand on the small of her back. “Dave’s going to meet me here after lunch to figure out the best way to start rebuilding. Do you want to grab a bite in town or at your place?”
“Do you ever wish you were a dad?” The words whooshed out o
n a rush of air. When would she learn to leave well enough alone? “I need to understand why you don’t have a family. I know you wanted kids.”
“That was ten years ago. Wants and needs change.” He looked away, began to pace in front of her. “Maybe I said that because I couldn’t stand how sad you were after you lost the baby. Look at my old man. He was one helluva role model. Maybe I wasn’t meant to be a family man.”
She studied him. He was different than Ray in every way possible. “You’d be a great father.”
His eyes widened in shock before his mask slammed back into place. “How about you?” he countered. “Why haven’t you settled down?”
“My job...” she began.
“That’s crazy,” he interrupted. “You’d find a way around your work with the right guy.”
If only that were possible, she thought. She said simply, “I don’t like commitment.”
He studied her. “I don’t believe you.”
“I’m not asking you to.”
He rubbed one hand over his face. “We’re quite a pair.” He walked to her, cupped her face in his palms. “I want to be with you, Lainey. Only you.”
“Me, too,” she whispered and let him draw her closer.
In the quiet, the gentle rhythm of her breath calmed his own heart as her chest rose and fell against his body. The soft breeze played with strands of her hair, tickling his neck as they drifted around him.
“I can’t stand to hurt you,” he whispered.
“You won’t,” she murmured.
He wondered how she could be so sure. He’d caused her so much pain years ago. They’d hurt each other.
“I have to move clothes to the lake house. Let’s get carryout and take it out there, away from everyone.”
“I can’t. I told Ida I’d come over to discuss her donation. That woman has more strings than a circus tent.”
“Later then,” he said, rubbing his lips across her temple.
“My mom isn’t coming home until tomorrow.” She almost giggled as she said the words. She felt like a teenager again, but this time she had the boy she’d always wanted. “I could come out for the night.”
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