Bunny Elder Adventure Series: Four Complete Novels: Hollow, Vain Pursuits, Seadrift, ...and Something Blue

by J. B. Hawker

  Ellery turned to Max with a question in her eyes.

  “Bunny’s asleep right now. Only yesterday she was still in the hospital and the fifteen hours in the air today took a lot out of her. She’s still recuperating from brain surgery, you know,” Max offered, not able to completely hide his resentment at having their peaceful homecoming ruined.

  “Ohmigosh! I almost forgot,” Ellery blurted.

  “Of course. That’s why we are here. We came to help Bunny,” Linda chimed in.

  “How is Bunny?” Jean asked. “Is any of her brain damage permanent?”

  “You’ll have to figure that out for yourselves, I guess,” Bunny quipped while entering the living room.

  When the hubbub woke her, she’d donned a peach-colored quilted silk robe from her trousseau, left at the condo as not suitable for sailing, and padded out to greet her guests. Her close-cropped hair, offset by a bandage covering her stitches, gave her a rakish look.

  She was immediately bombarded with hugs and questions.

  “It’s wonderful to see you all…or I guess that’s all you-all,” she grinned at Max. “Let’s sit down and we can answer all your questions,” Bunny suggested.

  “Marki, do you mind moving over a bit, so we can sit together? It’s been ages since I’ve seen my sisters and niece.”

  Marki got up and pointedly moved to a chair in the farthest corner of the room. Max observed her with a frown, but said nothing.

  Marki sat and sulked as everyone else laughed and chatted, getting caught up on each other’s lives as quickly as possible.

  In spite of their raging curiosity, none of her visiting relatives asked about the presence of Max’s daughter. That would wait until they got Bunny alone.

  The Chinese food arrived and everyone fell on it like starving hyenas, even Marki.

  Linda and Jean were clearing away the mess when Max’s assistant, Eunice, arrived with the groceries. She had enlisted the help of her two teenaged sons and their friends and a stream of young men carrying bags and boxes of food soon filled the room.

  Max and Bunny thanked them and Max tipped each of the delivery boys generously before they left.

  “Eunice is wonderful, Max,” Bunny sighed. “Remember that awful office assistant you had in Clark’s Hallow? You told me such stories about her. What was her name? Tracy or Taffy?”

  “Tyffinee. I remember. She was awful. But if she hadn’t quit when she did, I never would have hired you. We wouldn’t be here today. I think I would give her a bonus, too, if I knew where to send it.”

  Max slipped his arm around his wife as he spoke, looking at her with undisguised love.

  “Hey, guys, let’s get the food put away so Bunny and Max can get some rest. It’s been a long day,” Ellery suggested.

  “I’ve had a long day too. I’m going to bed. Try not to make too much noise, will you? I’m sleeping in the tiny maid’s room, right here,” Marki announced and shut her door.

  Linda and Jean exchanged a speaking look, while Ellery raised her eyebrows to Bunny and whispered, “What’s the deal?”

  “We’ll try to explain later, Ellery,” Max said. “If you ladies don’t mind, I’m going to take advantage of your offer and sweep my bride off to bed while you clean up. It’s not best Texas manners, but it is doctor’s orders.”

  “Of course, Max. We’ll see you in the morning when you can give us all our assignments. We really are here to help, you know,” Jean spoke for all of them.

  In their room, Max turned to Bunny and held her in his arms. She sighed and snuggled against him.

  “I’ve missed you, Mrs. Banks,” he murmured into the top of her head.

  “Oh, I’ve missed you, too,” she replied as she dropped her robe, slipped into their bed and held out her hand to her husband.

  “Are you well enough?”

  “We will just have to find out, won’t we, my darling?”

  As Bunny’s sisters and Ellery put away the groceries, they carried on a whispered conversation about Max’s mysterious, and unpleasant, daughter.

  Jean and Linda continued to speculate as they prepared for bed in the guestroom.

  Ellery shared her impressions in a phone call to Gilles.

  Although each was genuinely concerned for Bunny’s physical health, Marki’s presence was occupying most of their thoughts and not one of them was of the opinion her presence would be good for Bunny, either for her health or her new marriage.

  Marki had heard them whispering in the kitchen.

  Although she couldn’t make out the words, she was certain they were talking about her, the old cats! Well, let them talk. She would get what Max owed her and no one was going to stop her.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you ─ Genesis 31:3

  “No! I don’t believe it!” Naidenne muttered. “Unbelievable, just unbelievable....Shirley, stop doing what you’re doing and come see this. You won’t believe it!”

  “Well, I certainly won’t if you don’t explain. What is so unbelievable?”

  Shirley Griffith put down the hand-carved chipmunk she was pricing to sell on consignment in the local crafts display section of Naidenne’s property management office.

  Naidenne gestured at the monitor on her desk.

  “I finally heard from Bunny, and you won’t believe what’s been happening. Just read her email.”

  Shirley leaned over Naidenne’s shoulder to see the screen.

  “I don’t believe it!” she blurted.

  “I know, right? Unbelievable. Even for Bunny.”

  “It’s a blessing that she’s okay, but who could ever imagine that Max and Bunny might be on that hijacked cruise ship we’ve been hearing about? I thought they were on a sailboat.”

  “She says here she was knocked out during an escape attempt, but she’s okay. Her sisters and niece are in Houston helping out,” Naidenne shared after reading more of the email message.

  “That’s nice...” Shirley began.

  “Omigosh!” Naidenne interrupted. “Unbelievable!”

  “What now?”

  “Sorry, Shirley. I just read this part where she says that Max’s daughter...did you ever hear about him having kids?”

  Shirley shook her head.

  “Anyway, Max’s daughter was also on the cruise ship and she’s come back to Houston to stay with them.”

  Shirley sat down with a look of total bewilderment.

  “I’d better call Rosamund and see if she’s heard any of this. Maybe she can meet us for lunch today at the Crab Shack,” Naidenne said.

  Shirley nodded, still trying to take in the stunning news.

  

  “Hey, Max!” Marki called from her room.

  “Hold your voice down a little, please. Bunny is still sleeping. Yesterday wore her out. What do you need?”

  “I checked around and the best cosmetic dentist in Houston is this guy,” she held up her phone displaying a directory page. “I just made an appointment for this afternoon. It costs extra for the rush visit, but I knew you wouldn’t mind. So can you take me there, or shall I borrow your car?”

  “What time is the appointment?”

  “It’s at two, but I need to get there early to fill out all the new patient forms.”

  Max looked closely at the phone’s screen.

  “The office is clear across town; we’d need to leave right after lunch. Look, Marki, I’d like to take you, but I have to be at a meeting at my office at the same time. Here’s my credit card. Just take a cab, okay?”

  Marki quickly took the card and agreed to take a cab. This was even better than she’d hoped.

  Linda entered the kitchen with Jean close behind. Ellery was in their room, taking her turn showering in the guestroom bath.

  “What would you like for breakfast, Max? We thought we’d do the cooking while we are here, if you don’t mind,” Jean offered.

  “I’d like a spinach omelet, who
le wheat toast and fresh fruit,” Marki piped up. “I’m a dancer, so I always eat a big breakfast.”

  “I’m just having coffee, I’ve got to go in to the office this morning, but if you don’t mind taking care of Bunny, that would be a big help,” Max responded. “The doctor doesn’t want her to overdo it for at least a week. She should rest as much as possible until her physical therapy starts.”

  Looking at Marki, he continued, “You girls fix whatever you feel like. I’m sure everyone will be happy with whatever you cook.”

  “Never mind, then, I’ll just grab an apple and go for a walk,” Marki responded, and did as she proposed, taking a piece of fruit from the bowl on the counter and leaving with Max’s credit card tucked into her pocket.

  When she was out of the room, Linda turned to Max.

  “Okay, brother-in-law, what’s the story?”

  “I really don’t have time to explain this morning, Linda. Maybe Bunny can fill you in when she gets up. I’m going to check on her, and then I’ve got to go. I’ll be back in mid-afternoon.”

  “Good morning, Sweetie. How’s your head?”

  “I think my headache is better, thanks. Where are you off to, all dressed up like a businessman?” Bunny asked.

  “I’m needed at the office this morning, but I’ll be back before dinner. Your sisters promised to take good care of you while I’m gone.”

  After Max kissed her good-bye, Bunny got up. Everything took so much more effort since her injury. By the time she was dressed, she felt tired enough to go back to bed. She resisted that temptation and followed the cooking smells and sounds into the kitchen, instead.

  “Well, good morning, sleepyhead,” Jean greeted her.

  Ellery gave her aunt a hug.

  “How does scrambled eggs and an English muffin sound?” Linda asked.

  “Wonderful, thanks. Can I help?”

  “Nope. We have strict instructions from your husband not to let you lift a finger.”

  “Where’s Marki this morning? Did she leave?”

  “No such luck, she just went for a walk” Linda replied.

  “Now, Linda,” Jean admonished her younger sister.

  “Oh, that’s all right. Marki does take a little getting used to,” Bunny said.

  “Okay, now. Tell all…if you feel up to it, that is,” Linda responded.

  “Did you even know Max had a daughter?” Jean asked.

  “No. She was as much of a surprise to me as she is to you, maybe more. When she first told me she was Max’s daughter, I thought she was delusional.”

  “Why hadn’t Max told you?”

  “How did she turn up on the cruise ship?”

  Both sisters asked questions at the same time.

  “At least pour me a cup of coffee, first, and I will try to tell you the whole story,” Bunny promised.

  She was taking the first sip from her coffee mug when Marki burst into the kitchen.

  “Having a coffee klatch? I could use a cup, too,” she said, sitting down beside Bunny at the breakfast bar.

  Linda poured coffee and said, “I’m scrambling eggs, if you’ve changed your mind about breakfast.”

  “Oh, I already ate at a nice restaurant downtown. Got just what I wanted.”

  “How did you get downtown, Marki?” Ellery asked.

  “Took a cab, of course. I’m going to change into my workout gear and go down to the gym. This building has tons of amenities, I’ve discovered. I think I’m going to like it here.”

  Marki went into her room, but her close proximity prevented the sisters from continuing their earlier conversation so they chatted about other topics while eating their breakfast.

  Later, with Marki at the gym and her sisters in their room attending to their après breakfast occupations, Bunny and Ellery sat out on the balcony enjoying the mild day.

  “What was Max thinking, not to tell you he had a grown daughter?” Ellery asked.

  “I’m afraid he was a little ashamed of himself for neglecting her and didn’t want me to know about it. I was pretty surprised, but he was lots younger when all that happened. I’m willing to move forward.”

  “That’s awfully understanding of you.”

  “Oh, I don’t know about that, but I’m not willing for past mistakes to destroy my present happiness.”

  “So, is Marki here for good? How will that affect your present happiness?” Ellery asked.

  “Max assured me that she will stay only long enough to get her teeth repaired. I know he’s hoping they will have time to get reacquainted, too. I’ll admit I hope it doesn’t take too long. She wears me out a bit.”

  “You are looking a little pale, Bunny. I think you’d better get back to bed for a nap.”

  “Maybe I will have a little lie down, if you won’t think I’m being a terrible hostess. Maybe you and my sisters can do a little sight-seeing or something fun while I rest.”

  As Bunny was making her way to her room, Marki burst in and nearly knocked the older woman over in her haste.

  “Sorry! I’ve got to hurry and shower or I’ll be late for my dental appointment. I can’t wait to get my mouth fixed up,” she spoke in a rush and disappeared into her room.

  “Are you okay, Bunny?” Ellery asked.

  “Sure. I almost lost my footing, but I’m fine. Since I got shot in the head my balance isn’t what it used to be.”

  “Shot in the head? Is that how you were hurt? I thought you must’ve fallen and hit your head on something while running away. Max never said anything about your being shot,” Linda remarked, coming from the guest room.

  “Why didn’t you tell us how badly you were hurt, Bunny?” Jean asked.

  “It’s not as bad as I made it sound, just then. Actually, it was shrapnel from a ricocheting bullet that hit me, and it only creased my skull. I shouldn’t have said I was shot. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  Bunny felt a little dizzy and sank down onto the sofa.

  “Let’s get you into bed, now, Aunt Bunny. We can talk about this later,” Ellery advised.

  “What will you all do while I’m sleeping? I want you to have some fun on this trip.”

  “We saw a huge mall on the way here from the airport. It’s only a few blocks. We can walk it easy,” Jean suggested.

  “Yes, dear. You get some rest and Ellery and I will try to keep Jean from buying everything in the mall,” Linda responded.

  Marki, her hair still damp, dashed through the room with a brief wave to the others, and was gone with a slam of the door.

  “You might get more rest when that one leaves,” Linda muttered as Bunny went into her room.

  Bunny eased her aching head onto the pillow and closed her eyes. She heard her sisters and niece gathering their handbags and leaving the condo. When the door latched shut, silence filled the empty spaces.

  Lying in the darkness Bunny allowed her thoughts to drift. Memories flitted in and out of her consciousness in random order. Images from the wedding, episodes from their Italian adventure, days and nights on the sloop, even childhood memories swirled in the kaleidoscope of her mind, everything meshing seamlessly until she considered Marki.

  How was Max’s daughter going to fit into her life?

  “Hello, Sweetheart. Did you have a nice nap?” Max asked Bunny when he came into their room. He walked over and opened the drapes.

  “It’s still daylight. I thought I must’ve slept until later…unless this is already tomorrow morning?” Bunny asked, rubbing sleep from her eyes.

  Max chuckled, “No, Sweetie. It’s only a little after three. I got home a while ago, but wanted to let you sleep. Then I decided to bring you these.”

  He held out a bouquet of peach-colored roses in a terra-cotta container.

  “How beautiful! Where did you get them?” Bunny asked, sitting up.

  “They aren’t from me. A florist delivered them shortly after I returned. Here’s the card.”

  Bunny took the card out of the envelope and read it.


  “The Ambroses! What a thoughtful couple. Here,” she handed the card to Max, “isn’t that precious?”

  Max read the card and smiled at Bunny, then read it aloud, “Here’s wishing you a speedy recovery and good health until we meet again, either here of hereafter, Virginia and Strother.”

  “I don’t suppose we ever will meet again in this life. They live in Maine, now, I think she said, but I don’t remember the town. Was there a return address?”

  “No, just the florist shop. I can see if the shop will give me their address. I know you want to send them a thank you note.”

  “Yes, I do. Thanks. I wonder how they found us?” Bunny said.

  “Probably looked you up in some spiritual directory listing all of you true believers, don’t you imagine?” Max teased.

  “I thought you were on that list, too, Max.”

  “Oh, I am, but probably way down at the bottom.”

  “Silly. I’m going to have a shower, put on the pretty velour lounging outfit you bought me and see what I can rustle up for dinner. I slept right through lunch and I seem to have worked up an appetite from just lying here asleep.”

  “No, you will not do any cooking, at least for the rest of the week. Your sisters and I will see to dinner. Doctor’s orders.”

  The front door slammed and Marki poked her head into their room.

  “I’m back. That dentist is great. He did all the necessary prep work and when I told him money is no object, he scheduled the finish work for next week. Isn’t that great? Well, see you at dinner!”

  Bunny escaped to the bathroom and left Max to ponder Marki’s comment.

  “Money is no object?” he muttered.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”─ Luke 11:13

  The doorbell interrupted Max as he was cutting up fruit and cheese for Bunny to snack on before dinner. He wiped his hands on the dish towel he had tucked into his belt and went to the door.

  “Hey, Max, catch!” Linda called from behind an armful of shopping bags.