Flowers from Iraq (The Storyteller and the Healer Book 1)

by Sunny Alexander

  Kathleen spoke empathically. “It’s a difficult time for kids and parents alike. It’s a wonder that anyone gets through it.”

  Christen flashed a grateful smile. “I’m going to start with the recreational areas and save the house for last.”

  They turned off Main Street and drove through some of the less traveled roads that led toward Christmas River.

  Christen parked the car at the entrance to the trail. “Let’s get out for a minute and stretch our legs,” she suggested.

  Kathleen stood at the open entrance gate and felt a sense of peace surrounding her. “It looks as if they’ve kept the trail as natural as possible,” she commented.

  “Yes, it’s a wonderful trail, lots of shade and a feeling of being deep in the forest,” Christen replied. “There are several picnic areas before you get to the river. It’s only a ten-minute drive from Canfield House. Close enough to bring your lunch and sit on one of the benches in the picnic area.”

  Kathleen was drawn to Canfield. She liked the small town atmosphere and the trails that seemed to be around every corner.

  Christen backtracked to the main highway and exited at Thornberry Drive. She made a right turn onto a gravel drive that meandered through a wooded area. Kathleen peeked through the stand of dogwood trees and saw the house at the crest of a gentle hill. It took her breath away.

  Christen parked in the driveway. “This is it! A real jewel—a little in the rough around the edges, but with some TLC, it will really shine.”

  They walked along the brick path that led toward the front of the house. The path continued through a garden area filled with rose bushes, benches, and a birdbath. A pair of black-capped chickadees splashed merrily in the basin, but quickly fled as the visitors approached.

  They climbed the steps to the covered porch and as Christen unlocked the front door she slipped into real estate agent mode.

  “There are nine rooms on the first floor, plus the solarium,” she began. “It’s important to keep in mind that this house has been vacant for three years. The previous owners were planning on a full restoration and made some significant changes before the house fell into foreclosure. There is some cosmetic work that needs to be done and, of course, the first floor will have to be remodeled for offices. Come inside!”

  Christen stopped as they entered the house. “We are standing in the reception hall. This is a large room, complete with a fireplace. Dr. Moore, look at the ceiling.”

  Kathleen looked up to see a high ceiling with carved, patterned beams. “It’s exquisite.”

  Christen smiled. “It’s called a coffered ceiling, and it’s very unusual to find one in such fine condition. Immediately to the left is the entrance to the solarium. At the end of the hall is the reception room. This is the room where, in Victorian times, visitors that had come calling would wait for their hosts.”

  It was the first time Kathleen had ever been inside a Victorian house, and as they walked through each of the rooms, she was taken by the well-crafted workmanship and attention to detail. Kathleen tried to get her bearings and think about how she would plan the office space, but was distracted by the beauty of Canfield House.

  Christen continued. “There are three rooms to the right of the reception hall. Look at this parlor. Isn’t this perfect for a waiting room? It’s a bit chilly in here today, but the fireplace works and will warm the room without having to heat the entire house. Just think of your patients coming in on a cold day and being welcomed by the warmth of a fire! It’s a homelike setting and will sooth the most anxious patient. The other two rooms, off the parlor, should be fairly easy to remodel into exam rooms.”

  As they walked through the house, it became obvious that there was more than light cosmetic work to be done. The kitchen had been remodeled in the seventies when green and orange were the “in” colors. Kathleen felt it offensive to this grand lady and began to get remodeling fever.

  They walked upstairs to the living quarters. There were five bedrooms on the second floor, but only one outdated bathroom. Two of the bedrooms faced the front of the house and had doors that led to balconies overlooking the valley. Kathleen opened the door and stood outside. The day was clear and she could see for miles past the green valley toward the Pacific Ocean. The view was startling.

  Christen said, “Quite a view, isn’t it?”

  “It’s amazing.”

  “Come, there is something else I want you to see.”

  They went downstairs and walked toward the back of the property and stood in front of the garage.

  “This is a real bonus,” said Christen in her professional voice. “At one time the garage was a barn. The previous owners remodeled it into a three-car garage and added a second story apartment. The apartment has two bedrooms, a full kitchen, and comes with a washer and dryer.”

  “Dr. Moore, is it all right if I call you Kathleen?”

  “Please.”

  “I’m aware that, legally, I can’t ask about your marital status or if you have children. If we should offer you this position, I hope you will honor us with your presence.” Christen looked down at the ground and spoke hesitantly. “However, this may not be the best place for a single woman to settle down. There aren’t many opportunities to meet someone, especially someone who perhaps shares your same interests. I’m telling you this because, should you move to Canfield, I want you to be happy and make it your home for a long time.”

  Kathleen noticed that Christen was not using a gender. Instead it was “someone.” She knew Christen was trying to be politically correct, but perhaps she was echoing the same concerns that Gayle had expressed a few days ago. This wasn’t the time or place, though, to get into the subject.

  Kathleen held out her hand to Christen. “Thank you for the tour and for being so welcoming. I enjoyed meeting and spending time with your family. Both Victoria and Alex are wonderful children. You’re blessed to have them.”

  Kathleen had made up her mind to accept the position if it was offered, but with two conditions. She could buy Canfield House, and the practice would be under her full control. For that to take place, she would need Robert’s help.

  CHAPTER 17

  Robert heard the front door open. He knew it was Kathleen by the way she closed the door. He lovingly called it her “almost unidentifiable breakin.” He never knew how or where she learned the technique, but she could enter and exit in almost total silence. There was only one small sound that gave her away and Robert picked up on it, every time.

  Kathleen hugged Robert in a way that said, “I’m happy and I love you.” She smiled and hugged him again, resting her head against his chest, sighing. “I found where I belong. Everything I’ve ever dreamed of—well, almost—is in Canfield. They’re planning on using a Victorian house for medical offices. It has the most incredible views, and it would be so much fun to restore it. The town wants to lease the building to the physician they choose, but if I’m offered the position, I want to own the house and have full control of my practice. Can you help me?”

  Kathleen handed Robert the Canfield portfolio. “Look at the photos of the house. Isn’t it incredible?”

  Robert studied the information, settled back in his chair and smiled. “I can understand why you’ve fallen in love with the house—it’s a bona fide page out of time. I think you know I love you as much as if you were my own daughter, and I want nothing more than for you to be happy. If this is what you want, and you get the offer to lease, I want to be prepared with a counter offer. We need to have a game plan in place. This kind of project requires in-depth research. You really want to go ahead with this?”

  Kathleen nodded. “I’m ready for anything.”

  “Okay. Here’s your part. First, how do you want your offices designed? What kind of equipment will you need? What is the cost? If you buy the house, you may have to take on all these responsibilities. Have you thought about staffing? You can’t operate a practice by yourself. You need to get the answers to these questions. M
y part will be to put together a research team to determine the value of the property, cost of maintenance, and potential growth in the area. If you receive the offer to relocate, I want to be ready to present Canfield with what I hope will be a win-win proposition.”

  Three weeks later Kathleen received an overnight package from Canfield. Inside was a letter offering her the position, a contract written by the town’s attorney, and a lease agreement.

  Kathleen found Gayle in the kitchen and put her arms around her. “I’ve got the job!” she squealed. “I wouldn’t have been able to do this without you.”

  “I’m so proud of you. You’ve worked hard to get to this place, and here you are. Now go find Robert and figure out how you can buy your home.” Gayle wiped her eyes. “Go quickly, I’m about to start blubbering like an old fool.”

  Robert looked over the agreement. “Honey, in a few years, this area will be ripe for growth, and they know it. Your credentials and experience are more than they could ever hope to get. If you sign the contract, you’ll make a substantial income and have few worries. It does give them most of the power, and that’s not what you want. I can pay them a visit as your legal representative and see if buying the house is an option. Money is going to be a problem because you can’t buy something without cash. Do you have anything saved?”

  “I have saved everything.” She handed him a ledger printed from her computer’s Quicken program with names of banks and account balances.

  Robert was amazed at how much she had accumulated. “How did you save so much?”

  Kathleen smiled proudly. “Mrs. Roth told me that if I saved my pennies my dollars would take care of themselves.”

  “A wise woman. This is a great deal of money, but the house needs work and maintenance will be expensive. It won’t be enough to buy the house outright. I have some ideas that might make your dream a possibility but I need to do some more thinking. Why don’t we meet tomorrow evening… hmm, say around seven?”

  Kathleen smiled. “You’ve got a date!”

  Gayle eased into bed, letting the days pressure escape through a sigh as she snuggled up tightly against Robert. “This is my favorite time of day,” she said.

  Robert wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer. “Mine, too.”

  “I can tell you have something on your mind.”

  “Yeah, I do. Sweetheart, how do you feel about Kathleen’s moving?”

  “We can’t keep her here forever, and I would like to see her strike out on her own and have that feeling of success. The only thing I worry about is her loneliness. What if Kathleen can never lie next to someone and feel she is the most important person in her life? What if she never experiences the kind of love we have for each other?”

  “I worry about that, too. God has been good to us in almost every area of our lives, but we can’t second-guess His plans. Kathleen wants to buy the house in Canfield, and I’d like to make her dream come true. She’s fallen in love; it’s not a person, but perhaps it’s a beginning.” Robert chuckled softly. “Well, you should have heard her today. She was lively and animated and interested in the future. We haven’t seen that for a long time.”

  “Are you thinking of buying the house for her?”

  “No, no, I’m a businessman and that wouldn’t be good for her. Besides, you baby her enough for both of us. I’m thinking of becoming a partner so that she can float and won’t sink. Once her practice gets off the launching pad, we can dissolve the partnership. What do you think?”

  “I’m a lucky woman to have found you.”

  The next evening, promptly at 7:00 pm, Kathleen walked into Robert’s office carrying a thick folder in her hands and hope in her heart.

  Robert said, “I’ve given this situation a lot of thought. I’ve crunched the numbers every which way, and there’s no way you’ll be able to buy the house and stay afloat on your own. What would you think about the two of us becoming partners?”

  “You would do that for me?”

  “Let’s say for all of us. Gayle and I want to see you succeed, but to tell you the truth, my law practice has been getting a little boring lately. I think we’re both ready for an adventure. I’d like to suggest that we form a temporary partnership, then when you’re financially sound, we’ll dissolve the business and the house will be yours.

  “If you decide to go this route, I’ll make an appointment with Canfield and try to get as much as I can for us—for you. We’re going to have to work hard for the next week or so. I need to go to the meeting fully prepared. Have you done your research?”

  Kathleen handed Robert the folder. “I’ve sketched the office configuration and I’ve worked on equipment costs. My guess is it will take six months to get the first floor of the house designed and equipped for medical offices. I’d like to open my practice in early spring. That will give me time to continue working on my rehab. My hand is almost back to normal, sensations and all, but I need to work on building muscle strength.” She flexed her biceps Popeye style and laughed.

  It’s good to hear you laughing again,” Robert spoke thoughtfully. “It’s been a long haul for you. You’ve come so far…” Robert cleared his throat and looked over the floor plans, nodding his approval. “I’m impressed.”

  Kathleen’s voice softened. “How can I ever thank you and Gayle for everything you’ve done for me? You made me part of your lives and treated me like a daughter. I’m so grateful.” She caught her breath. “I’d like to continue staying here with you and Gayle, if you don’t mind. There’ll be trips to Canfield to oversee the work and it would be fun for us to go together.”

  She looked at Robert, eyes wide and a plea in her voice. “I want you to teach me everything.”

  “Aren’t I the guy that taught you how to drive?”

  “Oh God, Robert, don’t remind me.”

  Robert laughed. “It was only the front lawn. You missed the house.”

  “I’ll never forget that moment. I thought I would die.”

  Robert sat back in his plush office chair. “Kathleen, my father taught me how to drive and the first time I took the car out, I crashed into a telephone pole. My father didn’t get mad either, but I had to work the whole summer to pay the bill.”

  “Is that why you had me reseed and work on the lawn that summer?”

  “Yep. Everything in life has its consequences.”

  Kathleen nodded. “I’ve contacted St. Mona’s Hospital in Santa Barbara and I can get a weekend shift in the ER.”

  Robert inched forward in his chair, as if to talk her out of that part of the plan.

  “Before you say anything, the practice won’t be self-sustaining for at least a year, possibly two,” Kathleen put in. “I’m going to need the extra money, and I think I can handle a weekend shift. My hand has improved, and I’ll be up to speed by the time I begin. I’m used to working hard, and I’ll feel better if I’m working toward something. Remember, Robert, everything in life has its consequences. If I don’t take a risk I’ll never grow.”

  Robert smiled. “I can’t disagree with that one.”

  Kathleen continued. “In doing my research, I believe that Canfield may be designated as a rural area. There may be government grants or low interest loans for bringing medical services to Canfield. Could you have someone check into government funding?”

  “Sure thing,” said Robert.

  “Great!” said Kathleen. “Also, I’ve got my staff in place. I’ve contacted Sam and Helen Hughes. They’ve agreed to work with me.”

  CHAPTER 18

  Kathleen reread Helen and Sam’s New Year’s note.

  Enjoying Baja, CA, Mexico. We are perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Can’t wait to see you. We’ll be there on the tenth wearing our work clothes.

  Happy New Year.

  Love,

  Helen and Sam

  P.S. 2008 is going to be a humdinger!

  The Four Musketeers, as she came to think of Robert, Gayle, Helen, and Sam, insisted on he
lping with the move to Canfield. Kathleen couldn’t protest after they told her they didn’t want to miss out on all the fun.

  Helen and Sam pulled up to Gayle and Robert’s house in their motorhome. It had been months since Kathleen had seen them and she ran outside with arms outstretched.

  Sam picked her up, twirled her around, and gave her a big hug. “I guess once you’re my boss, I won’t be able to do that,” he said, flashing a broad, youthful grin.

  “No one is ever the boss of you, Sam.”

  “Only Helen. She is definitely the boss of me.”

  Helen laughed and reached for Kathleen. “Sam, let me have a turn with this girl and would you please get the massage table out of the RV?”

  Sam and Kathleen exchanged a quick glance and an even quicker wink before he turned around to follow Helen’s orders.

  Kathleen had never seen Sam looking so handsome. The worry lines that had mapped their way through his face had faded and the slight paunch from, as Helen would say, “Too much junk food and not enough fruits and vegetables,” was gone. Helen and Sam seemed perfectly matched.

  As Kathleen watched them, she felt the familiar longing to be in a relationship, to have what they had: someone to love, someone to love her. She wondered if there was anyone who could love her.

  After the others went inside, Helen asked Kathleen about her arm and hand. Kathleen held her arm up high. She walked to a nearby plant and stooped to pick a bright yellow chrysanthemum. “For you,” she said, handing the blossom to Helen.

  Helen held the flower next to her cheek. “It’s one of my favorites.” She took Kathleen’s hand and spoke softly. “How’s the pain?”

  Kathleen’s expression changed as if caught unaware by Helen’s question. She sighed. “Still there, some of the time.”

  “When you lifted you arm, it looked as if you were forcing it and I saw the pain in your eyes.”

  “I should know not to try to fool you.”