Moving On

by Bower, Annette

  The light changed the view of the hills which clung to the shore. This was a morning in the sun where nothing manmade moved. Everything was in place, as it had been for all eternity. Life and death, the two dichotomies in this picture, did not exist.

  Near the center of town, the fisher’s motor boats thrummed at piers next to their boathouses. Further down, boats lined up at the main dock awaiting their turn to get into the water. “Is this a good day to fish, when it’s calm?” she asked.

  “Because this lake is long and narrow, they can round a point and a breeze will come up. The experienced fishers have fish-finding gadgets, but it’s still up to the individual fish to take the bait.”

  “I’d like to learn how to paddle. Is there somewhere I can take a course?”

  “The recreation board offers classes in the summer. You might be in with a bunch of kids.”

  “I’ll check around,” she said, disappointed he hadn’t offered to teach her.

  “I’m going to be lifting the boil water advisory this morning,” he commented.

  “That’s great. What did you find out?”

  “The water tests came back within normal ranges, for everything. So the problem in the system has been filtered out.”

  “It’s a good thing you moved quickly.”

  “The symptoms might not have been caused by the water. It could have been something at a community gathering. The winter population is so small that most of the residents attend the same events.”

  “I noticed.” She thought of yesterday at the health clinic. Residents whose blood pressure was well within normal range and who were not on any medication came on the auspices of physical health, but it was a visit for their emotional well-being.

  “When I glide up to the pier, grab the rope, and hold us steady until I can tie up and help you out,” Nick instructed.

  “Absolutely.”

  He docked the canoe with the grace of a Canada goose. She leaned over the gunwale and grabbed the rope, realizing how difficult and heavy the whole job had been.

  She watched as he leaned over, pulled the other rope and tied it to the stern. Then he stepped out, walked along the pier to her end, and tied up the bow.

  She smiled up at him as he extended his hand and gripped her palm. Hers was chilled and wet. “The water’s cold. This lake is deep and it takes a long time to warm up, even along the shore line.”

  “I know.” Anna gave a nod. “I dipped my hand in and now my fingers are blue. Do you remember the movies where the beautiful woman dips her fingers into the water, while her lover paddles the canoe?”

  He helped her stand in the canoe, his hand lingering while he brushed her hair away from her face. “It isn’t as easy as it looks,” she added. “I’d have tipped out of the canoe and really added drag to your paddling experience.” She liked how he cradled her hands while she rocked in the boat and he was safe on the pier.

  “These hands couldn’t possibly add any sort of drag that I couldn’t overcome,” he replied.

  Anna watched, mesmerized, when he bent as if to put his lips on her fingers. Her image of a beautiful woman and her lover captivated her. As she balanced precariously before stepping onto the solid old pier, Nick wrapped his arm around her and pulled her to safety.

  She leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Thank you so much. I’ll never forget this. When I have the photos printed, I’ll give you copies.”

  He cleared his throat. Then waved to a couple of fishermen unloading their boat. “I have to load this baby in the back of the truck and get to the town office to make the announcement. There are going to be some very happy town people and cottage owners.”

  They walked the length of the pier. “How can I help?” She flexed her muscles. “Remember, I’m the rock moving queen.”

  Nick reached the truck first. “I’ll pull closer, then we’ll just lift it out and slide it into the bed.”

  She blinked at the two rocks in the truck bed. ”You chose these for me?”

  “Yeah. You helping or what?” His gruff voice sounded embarrassed.

  “Helping.”

  He shouldered the front and she took the rear. When his end was on the tailgate, he moved closer to her and helped her heave. She stood by him as he tied the canoe into place, then reached in and felt the warmth of the sun on the rocks. “These are great rocks. I haven’t seen anything quite like them.”

  “I rescued them from being buried back into the waterline hole. Don’t tell anyone about how I, a farmer’s son, saved rocks for you.” His words trailed to a whisper.

  She chucked him on the shoulder. “You’re kidding, right?”

  “No.”

  Seniors were walking on the path, other canoes were being lifted from vehicles, and a mother was pushing a stroller toward the play structure.

  “When were you going to bring them by?” A bee buzzed past her face.

  “Sometime.” He checked that the ropes were secure.

  “How about at noon? I’ll make lunch and you can deliver the rocks.”

  “Deal.” He put his hand on the door. “Do you need a ride home?”

  “No thanks. I’ll walk along the path.”

  “You seem to have lost your fear of encountering strange dogs,” he noted, as a truck honked its horn and a dog chased seagulls on the beach.

  “I’m trying.” She shrugged.

  “And I’m trying to have people keep their pets either on a leash or in their yards.” He tugged on the bill of his baseball cap to tighten it.

  He was a good man. ”For me?”

  “You reminded me not all people feel the same way about animals.”

  “Nick Donnelly, you’re a good man. The town is lucky to have you and so is our country.”

  More cars driving to the end of Center Street seemed to be U-turning at the lake, and other drivers honked their horns and waved.

  “I’d better get to work, or they’ll be talking at the coffee shop about how I’m wooing a beautiful woman on the town ticket.” He laughed.

  “And they’ll know I’m up and probably come by for some health advice.”

  He raised his eyebrow. “People know?”

  “I’ll tell you about it at lunch if someone doesn’t tell you all about it sooner.” She smiled. “Is there anything you don’t particularly like?”

  “No. Today everything will taste good.”

  She watched him drive away and shuddered. Her life was a soap opera, filled with men from the same tree. John dead, Murray dead and Nick nearly killed. He thought of her a few days ago and picked some rocks just for her. He knew how to be a good friend. He bought me flowers.

  She returned morning greetings from backyards and jumped to the side of the path when a bicycle bell rang. Her mind kept singing, he found rocks for me and paddled for me.

  When she got home, she sat with a cup of coffee and compared the details of the miniature house to the client’s photographs, finding herself pleased. She’d be forever thankful to Mr. Kindle. Building to his specifications helped her to realize this period in her life was over. No more miniatures. Instead Anna longed to build a big life again, one that included her first passion, health care.

  Tomorrow she would visit the town office and ask Janis for demographics of Regina Beach and area, including home care facilities, health clinics and available health care classes. She might be able to find a role for her health care skills right here in this town.

  Margaret knocked on the door. “I’ve brought some butter tarts for your lunch. They’re Nick’s favorite.”

  “Does anything happen in this town without everybody knowing about it the moment it transpires?” Anna threw up her hands.

  “Don’t get yourself all tied up. Herman invited Nick for lunch, but he said he was busy.
” Margaret giggled. “You know Herman. He can tease a nut away from a squirrel.”

  “Margaret, I haven’t been home more than thirty minutes.”

  “We all look after each other,” Margaret said with her hands on her hips.

  “Thank you. I didn’t have anything for dessert. He says he isn’t fussy.”

  “No, he isn’t. The time he spent in Afghanistan taught him to appreciate food. I’d sure like a few other privileged young people to experience a little deprivation. It might teach them a thing or two. I’ve noticed you put on a few pounds yourself. Looks nice.”

  “I’m surprised, especially since I’ve been moving rocks, washing windows, planting and weeding a garden.”

  Margaret walked over to the miniature house. “You’ve done a wonderful job. Are you going to take on more commissions?”

  Anna hesitated before she burned one bridge. “No.”

  Margaret beamed. “Does this mean you’re going to return to health care?”

  Anna twirled her cup. “We’ll see. I’m not sure in what capacity I want to work.”

  It seemed Margaret now had a mission. “I’ll do some scouting around. Lots of women commute to the city hospitals. They do their shifts and then are real happy to come home to a slower pace.”

  Anna thought about mentioning a drop-in-clinic. If anyone knew what would be possible around here, it’d certainly be Margaret. Then, caution prevailed. Dreams had a way of dissipating when they were spoken about too early. “I have enough funds to live for a while longer without earning a salary. I have a comfortable home and I’m becoming part of the community. I’m sure something will come to mind.”

  “Yes, you think about it and I’ll ask Herman. He does have some good ideas even if sometimes he speaks a lot of nonsense.” Margaret’s nose twitched. “My bread’s almost done.”

  “Will you teach me to bake bread one day?”

  “I’d be happy to. If you’re going to be idle, you may as well learn things.”

  “My feelings exactly! I’m astounded at everything I’ve learned in the short time I’ve been here.” Anna returned Margaret’s wave and went into her house to search her provisions in the cupboard. She was hungry.

  She’d make omelets, toast, salad, and serve Margaret’s tarts. That should be enough for a working man.

  Nick did his reports, helped Janis with the cancellation of the boil water press release, and he drove the backhoe for Frank to stand in the bucket and change the town sign. He hung notices in the usual spots, the coffee shop and the post office. He and Janis were sure the news would reach everyone by five this afternoon.

  A local radio station phoned to interview him. They didn’t mention the compost pile laden with pesticide, and for that he had to feel thankful.

  He kept checking his watch. Even though he was busy, the time crawled along. At last, at noon, he turned his truck onto Green Avenue. His palms tingled recalling her taut waist when he lifted her out of the canoe, her arched back when they spun in dance. Her eyes sparkling with excitement when she accompanied him on new adventures. Her soft lips when she brushed them against his freshly shaved cheek. Her face when sadness fled and her entire being seemed to break into gladness.

  Nick longed to hold her body against his and be one.

  He’d spent all morning doing his best not to think about her, and had managed to attend to his temporary town foreman chores. And now he actually made it through the morning without hearing any news about her. He wanted Anna to tell him first before whatever she had to reveal was tainted with barbs and innuendo.

  He cradled the first rock in his arms as he walked to her door, and called, “Smells good.”

  “Come on in, it’s ready.”

  He shook his head to clear his thoughts. He wished she had said, ‘I’m ready.’ “I’ll just leave this guy on the step, should I?” He was reluctant to leave the stone. While holding the warmth of the rock between his arms, somewhere thoughts of a baby skipped across his mind.

  “Thanks. I’ll place it later. I want to make sure I position it where the light reflects the glints of silver.”

  “I’ll bring the other one off the truck after lunch,” he said.

  “In my twenty-eight years, I can honestly say no one has given me such an elemental gift.”

  When he walked in, it felt different from being at Margaret’s, different from his place, but it seemed like home. He liked seeing her bare legs showing under the edge of her apron. He liked her flushed cheeks. He really liked the way she licked her lips when she said, “I’m starved.”

  “I am, too.” His mind shifted from food, hungry for other things, things he’d denied himself in the army. Suddenly it seemed silly to bring this woman rocks. She deserved diamonds, rubies and sapphires.

  He delved into the omelet and added honey to his toast. He scraped the last lettuce leaves from the bowl and ate them. Then sat back and sighed, “That was great. Thanks.”

  “Wait, we’re not done. Margaret brought over fresh tarts.” She cleared the dishes and brought them out along with coffee.

  “You were going to tell me about your community experience,” he prodded.

  “Don’t tell me you haven’t heard about it?” Her eyebrows rose in disbelief.

  He shook his head solemnly. “I was busy and purposely stayed away from the tale spreaders.”

  She opened and closed her mouth. “I’m absolutely amazed. I thought the way everything makes its rounds within twenty-four hours, you’d have heard. Actually, I’m pleased. It’s nice to share my adventures with my own spin on things rather than untangle the rumors.”

  “I’m all ears.”

  “Yesterday I filled in for the community nurse at the seniors’ health clinic.”

  “No kidding. I thought you didn’t want people to know about your profession.”

  “It’s strange. I didn’t get nearly the satisfaction I thought I would reproducing a miniature house for a stranger. I enjoy being a nurse. But a lot of things happened that contributed to my leaving work.” She looked down at her lap.

  “Sometimes, it takes being away from a situation for a person to realize where they want to be in their life,” he said softly.

  “Like you. How long until you hear?” She wouldn’t look at him.

  “Hopefully, about a week, maybe two. Dad and Sharon need their space.”

  “Then what?”

  “I’ll see what they have to offer me. I want to go back to the Kandahar base.” He put his mug down. “I have my concerns about keeping the prosthesis sand-free, but I’d like to try. I don’t want the bomber to have won and forced me to make a decision.”

  “And if they offer you a desk job somewhere or a teaching position?”

  “I’ll consider it.” His voice held some doubts even he could hear.

  They listened to a lawn mower in the neighborhood, the crunch of gravel under tires, and a motorboat roar down the lake. “I like it that you don’t have to fill all the silence with words,” he said.

  “Thank you.”

  Nick rose. “As much as I hate to eat and run, I’ll grab that other rock for you and get back to work. I don’t like to give the guys at the coffee shop a reason to cluck about what I do on the town payroll.”

  She walked with him to the truck. “Let me take it. It’ll give you a minute to reach the town office. Let them click their tongues because you’re early.”

  “No matter when I return now, I’ll be late. I left the office to post notices. They probably think I left for an early lunch, but I’ll know.”

  He laid the stone in her arms and they smiled at each other.

  Chapter 15

  Anna was pulling weeds when Nick rounded the corner. He called to her, “Come on, it’s too nice a day to work in the dirt.” />
  She sat back on her heels and looked up at him. “I’m getting good at identifying weeds from flowers,” she said. “Coffee? I’d like to talk with you.”

  “Today’s not a day for talking. It’s a day for action.” He pulled her up. “Get a move on. Just a hat and jacket, we’re going fishing. I’m going to show you how it’s done in a boat. None of this ‘standing on the shore.’”

  She shook her head and gave him a little shove. “Go and visit Herman and give me ten minutes, fifteen tops.” With a smile, Anna hurried into the house.

  While he visited with Herman, he made suggestions about which word to use in the crossword puzzle. Nick accepted gentle ribbing about his fishing abilities, until exactly twelve minutes and forty-five seconds later, he heard Anna. “I’m ready.”

  He saw a soft-sided cooler hanging from her arm. “Did you bring lunch? We’re catching fish, remember.”

  “I’m a detailed woman. Just in case the fish don’t like our bait. I’ve also added some sunscreen and a first-aid kit.”

  He extended his hand for the cooler. “Let’s go before the sun sets.”

  “Nick, it isn’t even lunch time.” She followed him and as soon as her legs were safely in the jeep, he slammed the door and rushed to the other side.

  “You’d make a good emergency response person in this town too, you know.” He watched her buckle her seatbelt.