After the weeds were cleared, Anna got out the spade and the wheelbarrow, loaded three rocks from her pile and started leveling the area around her garden, careful not to disturb the young plants establishing roots into the earth.
Margaret staggered through the gate an hour later, loaded down with bags. “What a day.”
“Do you have more parcels?”
“Just a few.”
“I’ll get them.” Anna sprinted to the car and retrieved bags so the other women could leave. When she returned, she found Margaret sitting in a deck chair.
“Thank you,” she sighed. “I’ve forgotten how much work going shopping can be, but we had such a good time.”
“I’m glad. Herman’s having a nap.”
Margaret glanced at her watch. “I’ll put things into the refrigerator, then I’m crawling in beside him. I brought home a baked chicken so dinner will be ready in no time at all.”
What’s today, ‘Couples’ Day?’ Everywhere she turned, people were sharing intimate moments. Anna kicked down on the spade and flung the dirt over her shoulder.
As the sun dipped behind the hills, she assumed Nick would have headed straight out to the farm. He’d know Margaret would be home if there was any trouble with Molly. Perhaps he thought they’d still be waiting for the guests to arrive.
Anna examined the painted miniature house walls and the sculpted rug scraps she had found at a yard sale. Suddenly restless, she didn’t feel like continuing work on this project. What was the sense of building little houses no one would ever live in?
She brought her tea over to the table with the photographs, powered up her computer, and began another Google search.
She typed in ‘John Good’ and this time found a copy of his obituary stating he was a war child and had no living relatives. If that were true, then how did she end up at the cottage? How did Murray end up in his will?
The mystery deepened.
Through the open window, Herman’s strong voice interrupted Anna’s concentration. “Just keep your drawers on and do as you’re asked for a change. And drive out to Nick’s. Don’t worry about Molly, either. Everything is under control.”
“Are you sure this isn’t something to do with your meds again? I can’t imagine Nick wanting company after his day. I should have invited him for supper.”
“Will you stop worrying about everyone else and just drive, woman.”
A giggle from Margaret. “I can tell you’re getting stronger.”
Herman’s, “Yes, and I’ll be able to drive my sweetie around again soon,” drifted back to Anna on the spring breeze.
The sun’s afterglow disappeared as Anna searched the Internet. Thinking about the evening ahead, she made a decision. With quick actions, she showered, pulled on her jeans and T-shirt, shook out her hair, and dropped her leather-soled pumps in a shoe bag. If she was going to live in this town, she had to participate on her own. She was going to kick up her heels at the town hall. Anna would join the others at the singles table.
Anna walked down Center Street, already crowded with cars. The night didn’t scare her. There were street lights, and since she’d met Molly, she no longer assumed every dog was out to chew her leg. She had gnawed herself raw with that fear. One little bite so many years ago had hurt her more on the inside than the outside.
She scanned the parking spaces for the Regina Beach truck. Of course it won’t be here. He’s home meeting his stepmom. When a child became an adult, was the stepmother title still in effect, or was the woman just ‘Father’s wife?’ To be a stepmom, did the new wife have to adopt the child? All interesting questions.
As Anna entered the town hall building, she heard a line dance called. She was in luck. Must be country music tonight. I can do this. She hung up her coat, kicked off her sneakers and stepped into her pumps. Slipping into the middle of the back line, she lost herself in the tempo of the music, following the steps of those up front. Maybe in a different life, she could become a country and western singer rather than a miniature house builder. Suddenly, building full-time no longer held any appeal, but instead reminded her of the dark days after Murray’s death.
Somewhere through ‘Boot Scootin’ Booty,’ she decided this would be her last house project. She’d charge Mr. Kindle for the cost of the materials, if the model met with his expectations as a gift for his wife. With that decision made, Anna felt a load lift within her.
She danced a schottische with plaid-shirted Ted, who always waved at her in town. The postmistress, Margi, led her in a country waltz, and when she hummed a tune in the minister’s ear, he asked her to join the choir. Every time the door opened, Anna searched for a tall, dark man with a slight limp.
In the ladies’ room, two women speculated why Nick hadn’t come and wondered when the limp from his injury would go away. Anna wasn’t the only one keeping her eye out for the young, eligible bachelor. She knew he was at home being surprised by his father’s return with a new wife. She’d been sworn to secrecy. What is with these Donnelly men and their secrets?
At the end of the night, she swung her shoe bag above her head while she danced down the street to music only she heard. The clouds were building overhead. Though it wasn’t late, the Lambs’ house was in darkness.
After arriving home, Anna wrapped herself in her housecoat and watched the lightening flash across the lake, counting down from each roll of thunder. Life was full of possibilities. All she had to do was grab them by the throat and shake. She wasn’t tired. The cola and coffee she’d downed kept her eyelids stuck in the ‘open’ position.
She grabbed sandpaper and sanded. Since this was going to be her last project, she wanted it to be perfect—well not perfect, exactly, but wonderful.
Nick checked his watch every few minutes until the last man climbed out of the water line trench. He nodded permission for the backhoe operator to fill in the hole, and hoped he hadn’t tied up Anna’s entire day. She and Herman hadn’t reported back that the guests had arrived. He should have just left his cell phone number or the town office number on the B and B door.
This whole water thing had him baffled. He rubbed his thigh and stepped cautiously, the slick gumbo feeling as if it could suck his prosthesis right off. After a quick call to Janis and Mayor Reginald, he would drive straight to the farm, check on the guests; relieve Herman and Anna. He could always come back later to check on the finished job and turn on the valves for whoever needed water. Janis had been instructed to make sure people continued to boil water until the tests came back, but at least they could bathe and flush. He didn’t want an epidemic on his hands.
When he drove through the gap in the white fence, he was surprised Anna’s white hatchback wasn’t there. Lights were on in the house. Perhaps something had happened to Herman. He hated when he missed details. Perhaps he wasn’t as fit as he thought he was. He should have found a way to handle this situation a whole lot better.
Nick climbed the steps. Where was his dog with that stupid collar? She must be back in town with Anna, or Margaret and Herman. He needed a swim to loosen his tense muscles but that would have to wait for now.
His hand on the knob, he heard Molly’s toenails clicking on the ceramic tile. When he opened the door, she looked at him, gave him a quick nose nudge, and turned back to the great room. Nick heard music playing and subdued voices. “What’s going on, girl?”
While he untied his boots, he heard shuffling, slipper-clad feet approach. “Hello, son.”
“Dad?”
“Surprise! Obviously Herman kept his word by the look on your face. And so did that Anna woman.” Jack walked over and slapped Nick on the back. “Hurry up, there. I have someone I want you to meet.”
“Were you here to welcome the guests?” Nick picked at the knot on his left boot.
“I’m part of the guest package
,” Jack said.
“I’m pretty dirty. Can I clean up before I meet anyone, now I know you’ve got it handled? Or maybe I should go out and finish what I was doing before I rushed home like a fool.” Nick could feel his father’s eyes on him, and began to perspire. He remembered the walker at the pool door. Or had he walked it back to his bedroom?
Jack bent down and plucked the offending knot out of Nick’s fingers. “You’ll have to retie it anyway. Do what you like. Either come in and be courteous to my guest or go and finish your work and then come home. Your choice.”
Nick bristled at the old familiar tone of voice but it seemed to have lost its edge. He looked closely at his father in his khakis and striped shirt, a gold chain swirling around gray chest hair. “If your guest won’t mind a bit of mud, I’ll come now and then go out.”
“Great, son. I told her you’d be surprised.”
Her?
Nick stood his boots in the boot tray and followed his father down the hall. Molly hovered close to a fluffy-haired woman who was curled up in the chair-and-a-half. Nick lifted his foot and placed it carefully. His limp was more noticeable when he was tired.
Jack put his hand on the woman’s shoulder. “Nick, I’d like to introduce my wife, Sharon Donnelly. Sharon, my son, Nick.”
She held out her manicured hand, and Nick had a sudden flash that he should bend and kiss her fingertips, which was stupid in this day and age.
“Surprised?” Jack howled.
“As Herman would say, gobsmacked. Congratulations.” He shook her hand, then turned and put his arm around his father’s shoulders.
“I know there are a few blanks to fill in, but we’ll get into those after you come back from wherever you need to be. We left some dinner on low in the oven.”
“Wait till I get my hands on Herman.”
“You won’t have to wait long. If he convinced Margaret to drive out here, they’ll arrive any minute. I didn’t want the town discussing Sharon before I had the chance for one of the main newshounds to get the goods.”
“Smart move, Dad. I’ll feel better after I check on the trench, and then I’ll be right back.” Nick headed for his truck.
When he drove past the secured work area, all of the safety lights and barricades were in place. He’d have to work on trusting others to do their job if he wanted to be a team player in life outside of the army.
His father, married. That would change a few things around the place. A woman hadn’t lived in their house since his grandmother died. Nick liked the idea his father wouldn’t be alone.
The Lambs’ car was pulled up to the front door. Nick drove around to the back and went in to clean up before joining them. His stomach rumbled and his shoulders ached. He’d have to do with a hot shower rather than a swim. He didn’t relish the first time his father would see him in the pool.
When he rounded the corner, his hair still damp, Margaret was deep in conversation with Sharon, and Herman seemed to be telling Jack all about the water trouble. Molly gave a quick bark announcing his arrival.
“Here’s the man of the hour,” Jack said. “Come on in. I’ll bring in your plate.”
“Normally I’d argue with you, Dad, but I’m bushed.”
“I know, son. Just relax. We’re family.”
Sharon’s eyes followed Jack and Margaret didn’t miss a conversation beat. Nick thought he overheard Anna’s name. He turned to Herman.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Herman grumbled. “I couldn’t come and see you, or I’d have given it all away. I even had an afternoon nap so I wouldn’t tell Margaret.”
“And what about Anna? She could have told me the guests had arrived safe and sound.”
“Sure, and you would have asked questions about Molly. What was she supposed to say? Do you think Molly would have followed her command with Jack here? Not on your life. You know Annie, she wanted to, but I convinced her otherwise.”
Just then, Jack brought him a plate heaped with mashed potatoes, roast beef, vegetables and a cold cola. Nick was spared from answering.
The evening unfolded with a simple love story in the day of cyberspace. It began in a cribbage game room, progressed to instant messaging, then telephone conversations, and finally a commitment to meet on a cruise. When it came time to separate, Jack and Sharon hadn’t wanted to part, so they had the captain of the ship marry them and they came home together. Coincidentally, Sharon was from Moose Jaw. The conversation progressed to having a wedding party in July at the B&B.
Nick swallowed a lump in his throat. If he was back at the front line, he wouldn’t be home for yet another celebration of life. He hoped his father would understand. Sharon had a large family. Dad might have what he always wanted; more children.
As the evening progressed, Nick discovered two of Sharon’s sons farmed large land holdings of pulse crops.
“We’d like to go to Sharon’s on the weekend and meet her family as well as pick up some of her personal things. Could you stay on and look after things here?” Jack asked. “I don’t have anyone booked, but I hate to have people drive out on the spur of the moment and be disappointed.”
The weekend. What did that mean? Were they expecting him to move away?
“Feel free to stay as long as you need to,” Sharon added.
He watched them reach for each other. Oh yeah, I’m going to stay here and watch these two lovebirds. I don’t think so.
The foreman competition was set to close later this week. His physical was booked, too. He could do with a holiday. Sure, he could be gone in no time at all. Why wasn’t he happy about this?
The cola in his glass tasted stale.
If he were a sailor, maybe he’d have a woman in every port, but being a soldier didn’t have the same prestige.
Margaret and Herman hugged Jack and Sharon goodnight, as if they had been longtime friends. Margaret promised to set the facts straight about their relationship. His father was a strategic planner. He couldn’t have had a better ally for Sharon.
Nick felt antsy, wanting to swim and limber up his muscles. “Dad, I know the pool is off the master suite, but would it disturb you if I swam for a while?”
“Sure. How long do you need? Sharon and I love having a swim before bed as well. I think that’s what sold her on the whole idea—my pool.” He rubbed her arm. Sharon tipped her head and smiled.
“I’ll clean this up and change. An hour?”
“We’ll tidy up. You go now. You’ve had a rough day from what Herman has been telling me.”
“Thanks. I’ll let you know when I’m out.”
“That’s all right. We’ll sit on the deck and watch. There’s a full moon tonight.”
He should have told his father about his prosthesis. They’d certainly find out when he hopped out on his walker. There was nothing Nick could change about it now.
Ten minutes later, Nick slipped into the water before Jack and Sharon brought their tea to the deck. They were so engrossed in each other, they didn’t seem to notice the walker in the dark corner.
Finally it was time for Nick to emerge. He swam to the edge and hoisted his body onto the side of the pool. He stretched his arm and snagged the walker, positioning it so he could stand.
“What the hell is that for, son?”
Nick simply said, “They didn’t save the leg, Dad.”
“And this is something you never thought of telling me before?”
“There wasn’t much I could do about it. Then you left as soon as I got home.”
“So I guess your career is over?”
“Well, I’m having my physical on Friday. If I’m as strong as I think I am, I’m hoping to go back to the front lines. If not, maybe I can teach.”
“This changes everything.”
“It changes noth
ing. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to bed.”
Molly came over and nudged him before she returned to Sharon.
Fickle dog.
Chapter 11
The next morning, the clock flipped to ten before Anna opened one eye. The clouds had kept the room darker than usual and when she came fully awake she heard rain on the roof. No gardening today, but the plants and earth would soak up the water like sponges.
She filled her coffee mug, lit a candle, and lowered herself into the tub. She had made progress last night; received an invitation to join the choir, the dance steps were easier, and her little pieces of furniture were smooth and stained. Today was her day off, her first since moving to Regina Beach. In fact, she might not even see Margaret or Herman today. She relaxed in the tub.
When Murray’s face floated into her mind, her heart didn’t break. She thought about the golf game where they met, finding themselves in the same bush, reaching for the same ball. His blue eyes and quick smile had made her feel special when he had searched her out at the awards dinner and had asked her on a date. They’d had three years together. The memory didn’t hurt.
Anna dressed and jumped into her car. After she checked her mail at the post office and talked about the community dance with postmistress Margi, she decided to drive into the city of Regina. Heading to a mall for some new clothes, perhaps even cowboy boots and a hat, would be a great way to spend a rainy afternoon. She might even drop by the hospital and obtain an application form.
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