by Pamela Tracy
“Not good. They have German shepherds.”
“No, not good. The tarp somehow got tangled in the dog’s feet and when he took off, the tarp came with him and the ladder didn’t have a chance.”
“Poor Suzette. Is she all right?”
“Broken wrist.”
“And the Shermans want us to pay for the chandelier,” Annie finished. That was it. The end of their business. Yes, they had insurance, but if they used it, their rates went up. The Schonbek chandelier was a twenty-thousand-plus piece, and was one of Mrs. Sherman’s favorite possessions. She’d tell her friends and they’d all find a new cleaning service. Soon, there’d not be enough money to pay the monthly insurance.
“Mr. Sherman had me on the phone while I was at the emergency room with Suzette.”
“That’s rude.”
“I think so, too. I hung up on him. I don’t have to listen to someone yell at me about something I had no control over.”
“What did you do?”
“I called your sister.”
“Beth helped you out.”
“She didn’t just help me out. She drove here from Phoenix, went to the Shermans’ house, spoke to his staff and kids—they all saw the accident—and called him on the phone to talk about workman’s comp.”
“So, he’s not asking for restitution?”
“Not anymore, and he’s going to pay Suzette’s hospital bills as well as her wages while she’s recovering. Plus, for now at least, we’re still their cleaning service.”
“Good job.”
“I also went through the applications we had on file again, and I sent out e-mails to ten women. Three have already gotten back to me and two of them sound like potential employees. I’ll need to replace Suzette, at least for a month or two. Plus, three people stopped by today and asked for rates.”
“Everything else okay?” Annie noticed that Rachel said “I’ll need to replace Suzette” instead of “we’ll need to replace Suzette…”
“No, nothing else. It was a good day except for Suzette’s accident. No one called in sick and I caught up on all the work I was behind on.”
“Because you’re doing my job as well as yours.”
“Because I’m learning to do your job as well as mine. This was a good experience for me. I should have been taking on more of a hands-on role long ago. I didn’t realize how many issues you dealt with day to day.”
Annie had no more than hung up from talking with Rachel than the phone sounded again. This time it was Beth.
“Thanks for helping,” Annie answered the phone, skipping the usual hello.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen your office. It’s not what I pictured. Better. You’ve got quite a little business going. I’m impressed.”
“We’ve doubled our clientele in just two years. If this keeps up, I won’t be cleaning houses part-time at all. I’ll work in the office with Rachel and—”
“And then you can devote more time to your jewelry.”
“Yes,” Annie agreed. “So why aren’t you at work today? I thought Fridays were your busy days.”
“Every day is my busy day. I had some things to do, very mental health, so I cleared my desk as best I could yesterday.”
Beth never took days off. “What did you do?”
“First I had breakfast with Dan.”
“Dan?”
Beth sighed, clearly exasperated that Annie didn’t know everything. “Dan O’Leery. He’s Mom’s criminal justice professor. I told you all about him already.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard his name. Did you find out anything new?”
“No, but I’m going rock climbing with him weekend after this.”
Annie sat down, cross-legged, amidst the sheets and pillows and old shoes that made up the mess in the middle of Max’s bedroom. He’d not had an old math book under his bed, but he had enough black shoes to keep Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith outfitted for a decade. Some of them even had old socks, black also, tucked inside. “You’re bouncing back quite nicely.”
This time, Beth’s silence wasn’t long lasting. “I went out for lunch, too.”
“With Dan?”
“No, with Charles.”
If Annie hadn’t already been sitting, she’d have fallen down. “Did he want to make up?”
“Yes, he did.”
“And what did you do?”
“I gave him back his ring.”
“Ohhh,” Annie said, suppressing the urge to shout with joy. “I wish I could have been there.”
“Stop. I still love Charles, just not enough to marry him. I even thanked him for breaking up with me. I mean, do you know the kind of life I would have had with him?”
Annie nodded, glad that Beth couldn’t see her. She knew exactly the kind of life. Beth would have had expensive chandeliers and a staff and a husband more concerned with keeping up appearances than keeping promises.
“Anyway, I just wanted to check base, tell you that the Shermans have no intention of taking any further action. Plus, I’m going to work with Cathy this weekend at the Fountain Hills Bazaar.”
“You’re kidding.” Beth had never expressed an interest in Annie’s business.
“She needs help in Spanish. Now that I’m not at Charles’s beck and call, I have some downtime. I’m tired of having to pencil my sisters in between commitments. I figured I could do flashcards or something with her when the booth isn’t busy.”
When Annie finally ended the call, she stood and started putting Max’s bed to rights. A funny feeling accompanied her. It wasn’t until she finished going through every single drawer that she realized what it was: a vague sense of discomfort.
She didn’t feel needed.
It was a strange and oddly exhilarating feeling.
* * * * *
“I can’t believe you sent my car so far away. What were you thinking?”
Friday nights at the Bonner Springs Café were hustling. Joe didn’t answer as he followed his dad through the crowded restaurant and made sure he didn’t bump into anything with his crutch as he shook hands with or greeted practically everyone in the room. Even little Katie, who’d been sitting at a booth coloring, stopped working on her princess picture and stood up to give his dad a hug. Behind them, both Willa and Annie were talking to Marlee, probably exchanging stories about the girls.
When the ladies finally joined them, Joe slid into the bench next to Annie while his father settled in next to her mother.
“Now’s probably a good time to tell you,” Joe said. “Kyle’s back. He was the tow truck driver.”
His father’s mouth opened and closed. He bowed his head for a moment, and Joe knew he was talking to God. When he looked up, Joe continued, “He hadn’t let his parents know he was back yet. He was trying to get up the courage. I didn’t want to interfere, so I had him tow it to Kansas City instead of here.”
“I understand. I’d have done the same thing.”
“He went to see his parents this morning,” Joe continued. “He’s moving back. He came by my practice. We had a long talk.”
“He came by the house, too,” Annie said. “He’d tried your cell phone and had been unable to reach you.”
Joe’s dad nodded. “They gave me an upgrade, and I’ve still got to learn how to use it.”
“He told me everything,” Joe said.
His dad nodded again and quickly looked around the restaurant. “Missy working tonight?”
“I don’t know.”
His dad leaned forward, concern etched across his features. “Does Kyle know she’s back in town?”
Joe suddenly got it. “I didn’t tell him, not directly. I told him she always looks sad. Surely he knows—”
His dad stopped nodding and shook his head.
“Oh man.”
“Are you gentlemen going to fill us in on the other half of the story we’re hearing?” Willa asked.
Joe’s dad put his hand on Willa’s. “Sorry, I can’t believe I’m ta
lking shop.” He looked at Annie and changed the subject. “I’m glad you’re willing to eat here twice in one day. Their Friday night fish fry is the best in town.”
“The only one in town,” Joe added.
“I’m definitely going to miss this place,” Annie said. “But Casa Grande has some decent restaurants, especially Mexican. You’ll have to come visit. You can meet my friend Rachel, and we’ll show you around.”
“I’ll do that,” Joe said.
In some ways, he found it hard to believe she’d be leaving day after tomorrow. Aunt Margaret had said it best, although Joe couldn’t exactly remember the words. Something along the lines of Annie being like a wildflower, blooming in strange soil but only for a short while.
Someone else’s words echoed in Joe’s thoughts. Kyle’s. “Somewhere along the way, during that whole mess, I fell in love with her.”
Missy came to the table then. Joe resisted the urge to stand up and hug her. His dad wasn’t so restrained. “How’s my girl?”
“I’m doing okay. It’s busy tonight.”
Missy wasn’t one for small talk, hadn’t been in years, and now Joe knew why.
She took their orders and headed toward another table. Joe met his father’s gaze. They shared a look. Lately, all the Scriptures that Dad had quoted through the years were coming in handy. All Joe could think of at the moment was Galatians 6:2: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
“So.” Joe’s dad turned his attention to Annie. “I see I have the cleanest bedroom in three states. You found a pair of shoes I’d forgotten I owned. Where were they?”
“Way under the bed.”
“But no coins were under there.”
“I’ve looked through all the rooms Mom said she’d not gotten to, although I need to spend a bit more time in the basement. Margaret searched down there today. If the coins are in your house, they’re not in a place I—we—can find.”
“That’s okay. I’ve got another twenty years to look for them.”
“Decided not to move, Dad?”
His father looked straight at Willa when he answered. “Exactly.”
Missy came with their salads and drinks. Joe wished he’d seated himself so he could see the door, but his dad appeared to be keeping a constant vigil. Still, Joe turned in his seat often enough that Annie must have noticed.
“Are you expecting someone else?”
“I hope not.”
“Kyle?” she guessed.
“I really hope not.”
Missy returned again to fill their iced teas, and Joe’s dad changed the subject. “What did you think about the old homestead over in Sunflower, Annie?”
“I thought it was great. I could just picture what it must have looked like in its prime.”
“Think you could live there, in the middle of nowhere?”
“I think it would inspire me to make a completely new line of jewelry. I’ve always been a garnet, peridot, turquoise kind of girl, but yesterday got me thinking about all I could do with pressed flowers. My fingers are itching to go home and experiment.”
“I could live out there,” Joe said. “Last night I sat down and really looked at my practice and future. My small animal clientele are mostly people from church or friends. I’m competing with two other vets. My large animal clientele is just about everyone in a forty-mile radius, friends and strangers. And it’s growing because I’m not competing with anyone. Last night, I started surfing the ’net and looking at clinics that focus just on farm animals.”
“No more dogs, cats, or squirrels?” his dad asked.
“Oh, I’d still do them, just not on scheduled days. I think what I want is a fully equipped mobile veterinary unit. Right now, that would cost more than I could afford.”
“I doubt pet people would drive all the way out to Sunflower just to have their cats spayed.” Willa finished her salad. She started gathering everyone’s plates so Missy could remove them easily.
“No, but people who own cows and horses also own cats and dogs. They wouldn’t need to come to town or even come to me. I’d already be on their property and prepared.”
“I like the way you’re thinking,” his dad said.
The moment their meal arrived, his father’s cell phone rang. Checking the number, he said, “I have to take this.” He carefully stood, positioned his crutch, and slowly headed toward the back of the restaurant where it was a little less noisy.
“This always happens at mealtime,” Joe warned Willa.
She looked him squarely in the eye, not hesitating. “I’ve already figured that out. It doesn’t bother me a bit.”
He noticed she wasn’t eating but was waiting for his dad to return. “I guess that means you’re staying?”
Willa looked at the back of the restaurant. Joe followed her gaze and saw that his dad was sitting on a stool by an old pay phone. He was talking and nodding and then talking some more.
“I shouldn’t say anything until Max is here,” Willa said.
“Oh, go ahead,” Joe encouraged. “I think Annie and I know what you’re going to tell us.”
Willa looked back at his dad again. He smiled and waved.
“Mom,” Annie said. “I think it’s great and so do Beth and Cathy.”
“Beth thinks it’s great?” Willa sounded doubtful.
“Charles broke up with her.”
“Yes, I know, but I don’t think Charles breaking up with her would suddenly cause her to tell me it’s all right if I marry again.”
“You’re right. I think it was having breakfast with Dan O’Leery this morning.”
“She had breakfast with Professor O’Leery? Now this I didn’t know.”
“She’s going rock climbing with him next weekend.”
“I guess,” Willa said, “this means she won’t be flushing Charles’s ring down the toilet.”
“She’s already given it back.”
“You’re kidding,” Joe said. “That happened fast. She was going to flush the engagement ring?”
“He deserved it,” Annie and Willa said together.
Joe held up his hands. “Okay, okay. Boy, you Jamison women stick together. I’d better warn my dad.”
“Pshaw, you don’t need to warn him. He already knows and appreciates it. I told him I wouldn’t marry him until all my girls gave their blessing.” Willa looked down at her left hand. “The best thing about love at fifty is you’re mature enough to appreciate it.”
Joe noted the ring. He also heard the gasp Annie gave. Surely she wasn’t surprised.
“Apparently, he went to Annie’s website and ordered it. He had it shipped first class, and it just arrived this morning.” Willa held out her hand so Joe could see. “White fossilized coral has always been my favorite of all the rings Annie designs.”
“Okay,” Annie said. “You can keep him.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that. Because we went to the county clerk and got the marriage license today. Come Monday, we’ll have fulfilled the three-day waiting period. The only thing I was worried about was you girls.” She looked at Joe. “And you. Are you okay with this?”
Joe nodded, amazed by how okay he was.
“That’s one of your designs?” Joe looked at Annie. “You make wedding rings?”
“Well, what Mom’s wearing is not exactly a wedding ring, but yes, I design rings.”
Joe looked at the back of the restaurant. His dad relaxed against the wall, nodding at something the person on the other end of the phone was saying, and looking more content than Joe had seen him in years. Then Joe’s dad stood up, his expression worried. His crutch fell to the ground. The crash Joe heard, however, was not from his father’s direction. It was from near the entrance of the restaurant. Joe turned and saw Kyle standing in the doorway.
Missy was frozen in place, a tray with four teas and a salad balanced just over her shoulder—her pale face looking lost and guilty at the same time.
Marle
e, however, wasn’t frozen in place. She was bent over, hands reaching to pick up shards of broken plates while she said, “Katie, don’t move. Stay there.”
Katie didn’t listen. In a heartbeat, the third-grader was next to her mother saying, “I can help.”
Joe took one more look at both Missy and Marlee’s faces and did the math. In that moment, he figured out something he doubted even Kyle knew.
Joe knew who was raising Kyle and Missy’s little girl.
Chapter Twenty-One
Joe was out of his seat and to the front of the restaurant in record time. “Kyle, good to see you. Come on outside. Let’s talk.”
Eager didn’t begin to describe how quickly Kyle moved. “Mom said Missy worked here. I thought I’d drop in, say hi, all very low-key. What just happened in there? Why did Marlee freak out?”
“How long has it been since you’ve seen Marlee?” Joe asked when they made it to his truck. Jacko, elated at the presence of his owner and an extra person who might pay attention to him, jumped at the window and barked. Joe made a motion, and Jacko sat on his haunches, silent and waiting.
“Not since I left here. When did she dye her hair black?”
“About five years ago.” Joe had to remind himself that Kyle had no clue what chaos he’d just caused. For a moment, Joe allowed himself to think that maybe he was wrong. Maybe Katie wasn’t Missy and Kyle’s daughter.
“I guess she wanted to look more like her mom,” Kyle mused.
More like she wanted to look like Katie because Katie had black hair, just like Kyle.
His dad would know, right? Joe had been gone around the time Katie was born, and being in vet school—for a boy who’d always had a hard time cracking the books—was time consuming.
And Joe couldn’t recall Marlee looking pregnant.
“Look,” Joe said. “Tonight’s probably not the perfect time for you to be talking to Missy. It’s a busy Friday and she’s working. How about I talk to her and try to set something up?”
“I have no intention of bothering her. I just want to find out how she’s doing. I had no idea her sister would freak out. Missy looks great. Is she married or something?”
This was Joe’s dad territory, not Joe’s. Joe didn’t have a clue if what he was doing was helping or hurting matters. He glanced at the restaurant entrance. Through the window he could see Missy still waiting on tables. Joe couldn’t see Marlee, but that didn’t mean anything. She could be in the kitchen or simply beyond Joe’s view.