“Jewelry can do that to a gal,” Harriet observed. “Do you want to see it?”
“Yes, but John should be here when I do. Is the watch ready?”
Harriet nodded. “Can I get you a cup of coffee while you wait?”
“No, thanks. John’s on his way. He won’t be long.”
John, however, was not “on his way,” and it was a full thirty minutes before the buzzer sounded again.
Maggie turned to the door with relief. She knew she should have returned to Town Hall and picked her ring up after work, but she also knew that she’d sit there all morning, waiting for John, if that’s what it took.
“I got snagged on the way out the door. Sorry, honey,” John said, giving her a quick kiss.
Harriet was right behind him, a beautiful purple velvet box in her hand. “I’m going to hand this to John and leave you two alone in here. If it doesn’t fit or there’s anything you don’t like, just let me know. We close at six. You can stay in here until then, or as long as you like, and we won’t disturb you,” she said, closing the door with a mischievous wink.
Maggie and John smiled into each other’s eyes. He took her hand and led her to the chair on the other side of the small table in the room. He moved the table aside and got down on one knee. “I know we’ve already had this conversation—and you’ve said yes. I’m not giving you the chance to change your mind,” he added hastily. “But a proper proposal should include a ring, and I didn’t have one last time. So I want to do this again—for the record books, as they say.” He took both of her hands in his. “Margaret Martin, will you make me the happiest man on earth and do me the great honor of marrying me? I will devote the rest of my life to believing in you, supporting your hopes and dreams, and loving you.”
Maggie looked into the face of this dear man that she loved so completely. “Yes. There’s nothing I want more.” They kissed long and hard.
When they finally drew apart, she said, “Now let’s get that ring on my finger!”
Harriet had sized it properly; everything was perfect. Under the bright overhead lighting, Maggie turned her hand this way and that, admiring the remarkable ring. John beamed.
“I hate to break this up, but I’ve got to get back to my patients,” John sighed.
“Not so fast. There’s one more thing we need to do while we’re here,” Maggie said.
John raised his eyebrows. “I have something for you.” She leapt from her chair. “Sit right here,” she said, moving him into the seat she had just vacated.
She picked up a square box, wrapped in gold paper and tied with a maroon ribbon. She got down on one knee and took both of his hands in her own. “I love you with every fiber of my being. You are the kindest person I’ve ever met. And the most honest. I trust you completely. I’ll devote myself to your happiness.” She picked up the box and handed it to him. “I wanted you to have something really special to mark our engagement, too.”
John looked at her, flabbergasted. “What in the world is this?”
“Open it and find out,” she said, wiggling like a five-year-old at a birthday party.
John tore open the paper to reveal a Rolex box containing the classic watch. He removed the watch from its holder and turned it over in his hands.
Maggie watched him anxiously. “I think it’s the one you liked; it was in that magazine ad you commented on. But if it’s not—if you don’t like it—Harriet can order you whatever you want. My feelings won’t be hurt or anything.”
John cleared his throat. “It’s not that. It’s perfect and I love it. I never in a million years thought I’d own a Rolex, and I certainly never thought I’d receive one as a gift from my fiancée.”
Maggie beamed. “There you are then. We’ve both received lovely gifts today. Put it on,” she encouraged. “I want to see how it looks. And Harriet can size it.” John slid the watch on his wrist and secured the clasp. He locked Maggie into a fierce embrace. “Thank you, darling. You are a most surprising woman, Maggie Martin. There’s no one else like you on the planet. I’m one lucky guy.”
Chapter 33
Glenn Vaughn rushed to answer the phone before it woke his sleeping wife. Gloria was fighting a cold, and he wanted her to get as much rest as possible. At their ages, these things could turn into pneumonia fast. He looked at the kitchen clock. If this were a phone solicitor calling before nine in the morning, they’d get a piece of his mind.
“Vaughn residence,” he answered sternly.
“Glenn, it’s Frank Haynes.”
Glenn brightened. He’d be forever grateful to the councilman for his help in obtaining the zoning variance that allowed Fairview Terraces to conduct profit-making ventures on their campus—activities that provided the income to bring the mortgage on the senior center current and stop the foreclosure on their community. “How are you, Frank?”
“Sorry to call so early. I hope you were up.”
“Already on my second cup of coffee. What can I do for you?”
“I need your help, Glenn. Are you still working with David Wheeler? You’re his court-appointed mentor, aren’t you?”
“I was. David finished his program months ago. The court expunged the theft from his record. I’ve talked to him a couple of times since, and he seems fine. Very busy with school and that dog of his. Why? Is he in trouble again?”
“He’s fine,” Haynes quickly replied. “Great kid. It’s his dog I’m calling about.”
“I heard you two were taking agility classes together. And that David and Dodger were at the head of the class.”
“They were, until Dodger tore up his shoulder. It was so bad that John Allen couldn’t perform the necessary surgery. We had to take him to a canine orthopedic surgeon in Chicago. The operation was last week and went very well. Dodger will recover, but he may never be able to run an agility track again.”
“I’m assuming David has you to thank for that expensive surgeon, Frank.” Haynes remained silent. “I’m glad to hear he’ll recover. I’m sure David is disappointed to give up agility training for a while. The last time we spoke, that was all he talked about.”
“That’s why I’m calling, Glenn. David has gone into a tailspin over this. I’ve been checking on him and Dodger every few days, but I think it’d help if you called him. He likes you, and I think he’d listen to you. He needs to understand that healing takes time before things can return to normal. I guess he just needs some hope,” Haynes concluded.
“I’d be delighted to help. He was doing a good job of getting back to normal at school and recovering from his dad’s suicide. Thanks for letting me know, Frank. I’ll see him after school today.”
***
Glenn Vaughn waited for David Wheeler outside the entrance to the high school, much as he had the first time he met the boy after being appointed his mentor. This time, David came through the doors with a group of boys, jostling and joking. David wasn’t contributing, but at least he wasn’t a loner anymore.
David spotted the older man as Glenn raised his hand and waved to him. “Mr. Vaughn,” he called, running over to him. “Is something wrong with the courts?”
“No. Everything’s fine. I’ve missed seeing you and thought I’d pull in to find out how you’re doing.”
David shrugged. “Okay, I guess.”
“How’s school?” Glenn asked, turning to walk to his car along the curb, drawing David with him.
“It’s school. Fine”
“Are you doing well in your classes?”
“All A’s and one B.”
“That’s terrific, David. You’re a smart kid. Those are the marks you should be getting.”
David shrugged again.
“You don’t seem too pleased with them.”
“It’s not that, Mr. Vaughn.”
“Why don’t we go get something to eat?” Glenn asked when they reached his car. “Spoil my dinner and make Gloria mad at me. What do you say?”
“Yeah. Okay.”
They got
in Glenn’s sleek old Cadillac, and he headed to Tomascino’s. “Pizza sound good?”
“Sure.”
Glenn let the boy recede into silence until they were tucked in a booth near the kitchen and had placed their order. He looked at the boy steadily until he returned his gaze. “So—what’s got you so down in the dumps?”
“I dunno. It’s Dodger, I guess.”
Glenn nodded. “I understand he had surgery. How’s he doing?”
“Okay. Healing well. But it’ll be a long time before he’s fully recovered—if ever.”
“I hear that you’re doing a great job taking care of him.”
David replied with his characteristic shrug.
“If he’s recovering, why are you upset?”
“It’s just that we were doing that agility stuff together and it was really fun. We were good at it. He may never be the same. I just miss it, that’s all.”
“I understand how disappointing it is to be forced to give up things that you love. At my age, it happens all the time.” Glenn silently contemplated the situation. “There are other activities you can do together, as a team. I think that’s what you’re really missing.”
“Like what?” David asked.
“You could train him to be a therapy dog.”
“Like for blind people? And give him up?” David asked. “I’m not doing that.”
“No. Not a companion animal. I’m talking about dogs that go into hospitals and nursing homes to see sick people. Visits from dogs can reduce blood pressure and help healing. I’ve seen it. These dogs bring people lots of joy. They even go to children’s hospitals. Is Dodger good with people? Do you think he’d like that?”
“He’s the friendliest dog in the world. He loves to get petted.”
“Does he sit and stay? He can’t jump on anyone.”
“You should see him,” David replied. “He’s really well trained, because of the agility courses.” David drew in a breath. “How do we start?”
“You need to be certified to go into hospitals. You’ll have to take a training class and pass a test.”
“Is it expensive?”
“Nope. Free. I’ll pick up the paperwork tomorrow and leave it in your mailbox at home.”
“Awesome,” David replied as their server placed an extra-large, extra-cheese, five-meat pizza on their table. David dug in with gusto.
“In the meantime, why don’t you bring him over to Fairview Terraces this weekend? You can check out how he behaves and see if it’s something you’d like to do. We have lots of residents in wheelchairs. It would make their day to see him.”
David brightened. “We can do that. How about Saturday morning? That’s when we had agility class, but we can’t do that anymore.”
“Perfect. Here’s the address,” he said, writing it on a scrap of paper and sliding it across the table. “Come over at nine thirty, and I’ll take you to the nursing wing.”
“Thanks, Mr. Vaughn. I’ll see you Saturday.”
***
David was anxious to get going again and was certain Dodger, cooped up inside the house since he came home from Chicago, was suffering from cabin fever. An outing to Fairview Terraces would be just the thing for Dodger.
“Come on, boy,” he called as he clipped the leash on his collar. It was cold this Saturday morning but at least it was dry, and they would only be outside for the walk from the parking lot to the entrance. “We get to park in employee parking because of you.” He gently lifted Dodger into his mother’s car. “How ’bout that? And your job is to walk around and let people pet you if they want to. No licking anybody,” he admonished. “Does that sound good?”
Dodger thumped his tail.
***
Glenn Vaughn was waiting inside the nursing wing of Fairview Terraces when David Wheeler pulled into the employee parking space near the entrance. He opened the door and hurried down the steps in case David needed help, but he and Dodger were out of the car and turning toward him before Glenn reached the parking lot.
“You made it,” Glenn said, reaching for David’s hand and grasping it firmly. David smiled and shook the older man’s hand. “How’s Dodger today? He looks good. Is he up for this?”
“He’s great. I think he doesn’t know he’s still recovering. I’ll bet he’d try to run an agility course if he had the chance.”
“I guess dogs don’t have any better sense than people,” Glenn observed. “Let’s get you inside.”
“So, we just walk up and down the halls and see if anyone wants to pet him?” David asked. “What if no one’s interested? Do we leave?”
“They’ll be interested, all right. The nursing staff posted a notice and they’ve been telling the residents. There’s already a dozen people in the lounge waiting for him, and the nurses on duty made me promise that you’d go see them. The head nurse told me that studies show animals reduce the stress that nurses experience and allow them to be better caregivers. There are hospitals back east that make rescue animals available in the staff lounge. The staff loves it and a lot of the animals get adopted, so everybody wins.”
Glenn held the door open for David and Dodger to pass through. “Dodger’s still recovering, so don’t get carried away. Let him stay as long as you’re both having fun. If he gets tired or bored, take him home. This is just a trial to see if the two of you enjoy it.”
David nodded. “Thanks, Mr. Vaughn.”
Glenn pointed to a line of six wheelchairs along the wall. The woman in the wheelchair at the end smiled broadly and beckoned to them. “Looks like you’ve got your first customer.”
Dodger greeted the woman with polite restraint, sitting patiently by her chair and allowing her to pat his head and rub his ears. When she was done, Dodger didn’t try to paw at her hand or nudge her with his head for more attention. He waited patiently for his master’s direction.
“What a nice doggy you are. So well behaved. Thank you so much for bringing him, young man,” she said to David. “I don’t think we’ve ever had a young person bring their pet to see us. In fact, we don’t get animals in here very often. I always had dogs and cats of my own. One of the things I miss most living in this wing of Fairview Terraces is that we can’t have pets.”
David looked at the woman. “I’d hate that. It must be really hard.”
“It is,” she agreed. “Maybe you can come back on a regular basis. We’d all love it, and by the looks of Dodger, he’d love it, too.”
David nodded. “We’re just trying it out today. We want to be sure Dodger behaves himself.”
The woman laughed. “I’d say he’s passing with flying colors. You ought to see about going to the children’s wing at the hospital as well.”
David looked at the gentle, noble animal sitting so peacefully at his side. If it weren’t for Dodger’s warm body in the bed next to him every night, snoring lightly, David was certain he wouldn’t be able to put aside his sorrow and fall asleep. And now Dodger was spreading his magic to others. David’s heart swelled with pride.
“I’ll look into it,” David said, moving to the man in the next wheelchair, patiently waiting his turn.
The scene was repeated over and over, and by the time David and Dodger were ready to leave Fairview Terraces an hour and a half later, David’s mind was made up. He found Glenn Vaughn reading the newspaper in one of the reception chairs at the entrance.
“Mr. Vaughn,” he stated solemnly. “We’d like to come back here. Next week, if that’s okay. And we’d like to get tested so Dodger can go to the hospital.”
Glenn folded his paper and set it on an end table. “I was hoping you’d say that. I was watching the two of you for a while. Then I talked to some of the staff and the residents. Everyone enjoyed your visit immensely.”
“Dodger’s a wonder. He makes people feel better.”
Glenn stood. “It’s not just Dodger, son. You have an easy, genuine way of interacting with people. You put them at ease. You may not know this, David, but that’s
a rare and helpful quality to have.”
David blushed and turned his head to stare out the door.
“People will be talking about this visit all week. I’m proud of Dodger, but I’m more proud of you. Let’s get the two of you certified as soon as possible. You may not want to go back to agility after this.”
Chapter 34
Forest Smith turned up the collar on his coat against the icy wind as he headed to his car in the deserted parking lot of Stetson & Graham. He hadn’t left work earlier than eleven o’clock any night since he’d been assigned to assist Special Counsel Scanlon with the town’s fraud investigation. Tonight was no exception. He was unlocking his SUV when he saw headlights approaching in the window’s reflection. Turning, Smith shielded his eyes noticing the car was headed straight toward him.
A black sedan pulled up next to him. The darkly tinted front-passenger window came down and the driver leaned toward him. “Forest Smith,” came a gravelly voice. “I’m Chuck Delgado. Get in. We gotta get to know each other.”
Smith hesitated. He knew who Chuck Delgado was, of course, and had heard the rumors of his ties to organized crime.
“I’m not gonna do nuthin’ to you,” Delgado said. “I just wanna talk.”
Smith bent and spoke through the open window. “Then we can talk in my car.”
“Have it your way, kid,” he said, putting his car in park. Delgado climbed out from behind the steering wheel, leaving the engine running.
Smith unlocked his SUV, and both men settled themselves in the front seats.
“See?” Delgado said. “No trouble. And there won’t be any trouble if you take care of your friends.”
“You’re not a friend,” Smith stated firmly.
“Maybe not, but your dealer is.”
Smith’s eyebrows shot up.
“We know about your fondness for painkillers. Our boy supplies you. And any customer of his is a friend of ours. Particularly if he’s a hotshot young attorney trying to make a name for himself.”
Smith stared at Delgado in stony silence.
“I thought you’d warm up to me.” Delgado smiled, pleased with himself. “Here’s what we need you to do. Simple, really. Just keep us informed of what’s going on with the investigation. Hell—I’m a councilmember—I’m entitled to be informed.”
Uncovering Secrets: The Third Novel in the Rosemont Series Page 13