by Garcia, Rita
Her eyes roved the shop once more. “Will you do me a favor? Leave everything as is—I want to redo it myself.”
Her excitement was contagious. “We had a fire and I’m still in the process of cleaning out the shop. But I won’t move a thing. By the way, there’s an apartment upstairs.”
“Great. Maybe it could be a reading room? Or a place book clubs or writing groups could meet.” Her lips stretched into a smile. “I’m getting ahead of myself.” She tossed her mane of chocolate-colored hair that matched her eyes and from the movement of her lips—I knew I liked her laugh. Laughter was the sound I missed the most—I imagined its melody.
“Enthusiasm is good. Are you from the Stone Valley area? I’m sure I’ve heard your name somewhere.”
“Near there. I’m from April Springs. My husband and I were attending a function in Stone Valley. Driving home, we were assaulted by carjackers and my husband was murdered. It was plastered on the news.”
“I live in Stone Valley. I remember reading about it. A horrific tragedy.” I shook my head in sympathy.
“Buying the bookshop is my attempt at a fresh start—no place better than Serenity Cove.”
“Definitely a unique town.” Nowhere better—I couldn’t have agreed more.
Jezz waved goodbye, and I was about to lock the door when I noticed Daniel Cunningham crossing from the opposite side of the street, coming toward the shop. It didn’t surprise me. “Hello, Dr. Cunningham,” I said as he approached.
“May I come in? And please, call me Daniel.” He raised a single eyebrow.
“I expected you might return.” I allowed him room to enter the shop.
He had changed into a polo shirt with the addition of a cap. “I wrote Anne a letter. I don’t know how much you know.”
We sat at a table in the rear of the shop. “I know you walked away and left her pregnant with your child. Left her to deal with the repercussions, alone.” I crossed my arms and pulled them tightly against my chest.
He sat his cap on the table, clasped his hands and rested them in front of him. Probably a pose he often used when conversing with patients. I found no comfort in his words or his mannerisms.
“My memory tells me it was much worse. I regret never seeing Anne—never asking her forgiveness in person. I didn’t intend to return to Serenity Cove, but Audra said she needed my help—here I am.”
Yeah, here you are. “And your wife?”
“We divorced before Audra’s first birthday.” His demeanor made me think his personal life had not been short on chaos.
“Reality is often stranger than the imagination can conjure up. Last night, by accident, unless you take into consideration God’s ways are higher than ours—and I do—I found the letter you wrote Anne. If it makes any difference, she forgave you. Evidently I’m not as good at forgiving as she was.”
“When I agreed to come here with Audra, I had no idea this had once been Anne’s bookshop.” He repositioned himself on the chair and leaned back. It looked like a child’s chair for a man his size. On the tall side, and he obviously saw the inside a gym often. “Audra isn’t aware of any of this.”
“She won’t hear it from me—that her father ran out on my mother.”
He stood, putting his cap back on. “I can’t ask for more. I’d like to see you again before I leave.”
I rose from my chair. “I never had the privilege of meeting Anne while she was alive. I’ve met her since arriving in Serenity Cove, by talking to people and studying her life, I’ve concluded she was a special, loving, and giving person. She grieved for me her whole life. I can’t get past the fact you were the cause of that grief.”
“Can’t fault you there. I’ve spent years wishing I could change the past. I don’t expect you to understand or pardon me—I haven’t forgiven myself.” He cast his eyes down briefly. “I don’t want to compound the mistakes. Audra is an only child. For a large chunk of her early years, she pretended one of her dolls was her sister. How can I deprive her of her real one?”
“That’s your call, Daniel.” I moved toward the front of the shop. I avoided looking at him—making conversation impossible.
He stepped past me out the door and paused. His Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed. “I hope you do find a way to accept me. I see much of myself in you. I’d be proud to call you my daughter.” He crossed the street, climbed into his Mercedes and was gone.
I was like him? Hardly. And I thought I’d felt fury earlier. Forgive him? Please, Lord don’t ask it of me. The problem was He already had.
Chapter Forty-three
The fields behind the shops lay blackened and scarred. I’d heard there are pivotal days in each of our lives—days with the power to influence the course of our lives. One of my grandmother’s famous-isms claimed, we come out stronger on the other side of adversity. Was it a steadfast rule? Even when problems were stacked like bricks—mortared and layered?
I made an impulsive turn in to Maggie’s driveway. Sam’s SUV was there. I reversed gears, too late. Maggie flung her front door open and jogged down the drive to meet me.
“Logan, I’m glad you’re here.”
“I’ll drop by later.” I wasn’t ready for another face-to-face with Sam.
“Sam needs her friends around her.”
I never could say no to my sister. I went inside.
Sam sat on the sofa, looking distraught. “What’s going on?” Histrionics hadn’t been lacking since Sam’s arrival—although not by her doing.
“She met the elusive Daniel Cunningham.” Maggie’s voice held a touch of sarcasm.
With no intention of staying long, I leaned against the mantel. Sam turned to face me. “Anne forgave him—why can’t I?”
The sadness in her eyes stabbed my chest. “She had years to reconcile what Daniel had done.”
Maggie sat on the other side of Sam. “Forgiveness frees our soul of bitterness and hate. Maybe Anne found forgiving Daniel helped her to find a glimmer of hope.”
“I know you’re right, but I want to despise him. And I don’t want to forgive him.”
My phone beeped. “Hey, Alec.”
“Need back-up at Mick’s.”
“On my way.” I shoved the phone back into the case clipped on my belt. “Need to make a run out to Mick’s Bar. Drinking and fighting—don’t get the attraction.”
“Tell ole Mick hi for me.” Maggie’s amusement lifted the mood.
“Give the guy’s heart a rest.” I winked at my sister. I dusted my hand across Samantha’s hair. “You’ll work through this.”
“I’m fine. Goldie and I are tucking in here for the night.” She smiled, a bull’s eye smack in the center of my heart.
“Catch you later.” I left, steps heavier than when I arrived.
A few miles later, Alec let me know everything was already handled, and offered to buy the coffee at Rubi’s.
I’d grabbed a table and waited until he ambled in. “Mick needs to break down and hire security for his hot nights.” He eased into the booth.
“Send him a letter. Either he gets his own security or he’s going to be billed for our services.” Alec sat quietly ignoring my last comment. “What’s up?”
“Peggy and I stopped by Brandon and Rachel’s house this afternoon. The painters and landscapers are finishing up today. Carpets go in tomorrow.” He checked his cell. “Make that today.” He blew across the top of the mug before taking a swallow.
“Maggie and Sam just need to finish the inside.”
“Have any idea what the story is with Brandon?” Alec tapped out his annoying tune on the table.
“The profile follows the lines of substance abuse. Alcohol would be my first guess—may not be limited to that—I’d prefer to be wrong.”
“Seen it all too often in our line of work. I’m concerned how his injuries will affect his problem.” He suddenly stopped tapping. “Boss, there’s gossip going around. Some guy named Cunningham’s in town—I hear he’s Samantha’s father.�
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“Yeah, I talked to Samantha. He’s a doctor. Life seldom holds to any fairness standards.”
“One thing you can do. Like in the old Westerns—tell him to get out of Dodge and stay out.”
“Don’t want to cross professional boundaries. But I can drop a not so subtle hint. If Samantha sees him again, it should be her choice.” Sam definitely didn’t need the added stress of this Daniel hanging around.
Chapter Forty-four
Father, I need Your strength to forgive—the willingness to forgive. And please help me reach my grandparents—my connection to Anne. I felt confusion and bitterness creating a web around my insides—digging a chasm between God and me. How can I ask for His help and not follow His teachings? ~ Journal entry
With both dogs in tow, I rang the bell on Logan’s front door. Their tails swished and Goldie tapped the door with her paw as Wolf nudged her with his nose. They had romped and played on the bluff enough to realize where we were.
Dorthea opened the door. She looked to not miss a word as she sang along with the iPod clipped to her bib apron. I bit my lip to keep a giggle from escaping as she waved us on inside. Logan had told me about Dorthea’s love of singing. He adored Dorthea, and said her singing made her all the more endearing. She was one of the sweetest people I’d ever met. We tromped through the house and out the sliding glass doors, onto the deck.
Dorthea brought out a tray of sandwiches and cold drinks and placed them on the round glass table. “You want dog treats or should I feed them?”
“Treats are good, thanks.” On impulse, I reached over and gave her a hug. She threw her ample arms around me and delivered a squeeze—almost knocking me off balance. By the time I recovered, she’d already gone inside.
Dorthea returned with dog treats for the vagabonds, already off and running. “When are you going to be the new mistress of Villa del Sueños?” With a mischievous smile, she scurried away without waiting for a reply. I tried to deflect the impact of her words. With the bookshop sold, I would soon be returning to Stone Valley.
Logan came outside, hair still damp from a shower, dressed in jeans with a shirt from the station’s baseball team. “When’s the big game?” I tilted my head toward his chest.
“We canceled this year because of Brandon—it didn’t feel right to play without him. The police department plays against the fire department.” His eyes roved across the grounds. “Where are the dogs?”
“They don’t usually go too far.” I strolled with him across the grassy meadow to investigate. Goldie looked our way and sprinted to where we were, with Wolf at her heels.
“They are so great together.”
He stopped a minute. “How about Woody’s tonight?”
“I’m helping Maggie this afternoon. Wait until you see the designs Maggie came up with. If I ever have a house—she’s decorating it.” Dorthea’s earlier comment still boomeranged in my head—what I wouldn’t give? I was in love with this man who made my pulse race and lifted my spirits by simply walking into the room. But was it meant to be? I took a deep breath and looked up, searching for a stray daytime star to make a wish on. Against all odds, I hoped for love to win. But for now, things were better the way they were.
Not wanting to be rude to Dorthea, I ate half a sandwich. I noticed Logan’s appetite held strong—no emotional lack of hunger on his part. Wolf stayed with Logan, and Goldie and I set out to meet Maggie. She wasn’t wearing her vest, so she plastered her nose to the car window, the pout on her face saying she wasn’t happy to be leaving her friend behind. I had barely driven a mile when I noticed a patrol car behind me with its lights flashing. I eased over to the shoulder of the road. Alec came up to the driver’s side.
He leaned down, his face filling the open space where I’d lowered the window. “Thelma called. Your grandmother is in ICU.”
“I’ll head there right away.” I took a deep breath and tried to hold back the tears. “Will you call Maggie and let her know what happened?”
“Logan’s en route. He’s going to the hospital with you.” He briefly glanced away. “That’s him now.” He motioned behind us.
Logan arrived faster than the speed limit dictated. He had Wolf with him and we left both dogs and the SUV with Alec. I seldom went anywhere without Goldie, but I had no idea how long we would be at the hospital.
I wanted Logan to drive faster and slow down at the same time. “What if she dies? I should’ve tried harder to reach out to John.”
We were moving so fast I couldn’t read Logan’s response—if he made one. He handed me his phone with a text from Thelma. “They’ve stabilized her. Betsy called the medics right away.”
Thelma rushed to meet us as we entered the double glass doors. “Elizabeth is resting comfortably. John’s with her—he refuses to leave her side. She’s in our ICU room at the end of the hall.” She pointed the way to the familiar room—the room where I had visited Logan.
Reluctant, not knowing what I would find, I peered through the observation window. She looked frail and feeble. John sat by her bed, holding her hand. His shoulders slumped forward, and the creases on his face had deepened and the skin around his eyes had darkened. He looked as though life had delivered more than he could endure. I brought my hands to my face and prayed for God to give him strength. “I want to go to her. But I won’t upset John.” We waited in the private intensive care waiting room.
Logan sat next to me. He touched my arm and motioned toward the door. Betsy came in, looking tired as she dropped into a chair. “She’s doing better than expected when we brought her in. I called Pastor Jim.”
“I’m worried about John. He looks awfully tired.” I watched her lips, waiting for a reply.
“She’s his whole life. He can be ornery but he loves Elizabeth. On our way in, following the ambulance, he soaked a handkerchief, wiping his tears. He didn’t want to live without her—those were his words.” Betsy’s watery eyes glistened.
Pastor Jim came in and sat next to Betsy. “How’s she doing?”
Betsy repeated the same information she’d shared with us.
Logan nodded toward the door. There stood John. My stomach clenched in anticipation of his harsh words—I prepared to leave.
He dabbed his eyes with his handkerchief, shuffling his feet as he moved toward me. “Go see your grandmother.” John walked with me down the hall. We stopped outside the door to the ICU. “When you came to see us, she wanted to talk to you. She’d sit and rock for hours after you left. When she became ill tonight and asked for you, I realized it was time. Time for Liz and me to both get to know our granddaughter.”
He led me to her and stood by her bed. John gently smoothed her hair away from her brow. She opened her eyes and focused on my face. “I’ll leave you two alone.” He walked a little unsteady as he left the room.
I laid my head on the bed next to hers. I felt her reach for me and turned her face toward me. “My grandbaby—I’ve waited nearly thirty years to hold you. I loved your mom so much and she loved you.”
I tugged a tissue from the box by her bed and wiped the tears from her wrinkled cheeks. “Grandmother, save your strength.” Calling her Grandmother filled a crevasse inside I’d never known it existed.
“I need to tell you.” She closed her eyes a moment. “When my Anne gave you away, it broke her. For weeks, I helped her get dressed and spoon-fed her like a child. I told her she’d see you again someday—she clung to that hope.”
I brushed her hair with my fingers. “I’m sorry I didn’t get here before—”
“Some things are in God’s hands, child.”
Her lips slowed. Concerned she was using too much of her strength, I motioned for John, watching through the window. He returned to her bedside. “I think she needs you now.” He embraced me. I pulled back and looked into his face. “Thank you.”
“I’m sorry for being such an old coot.” Was he the same man that had hurt Anne? I’d prayed and hoped for this day, for John to accept me. And
one thing I knew for sure, I could never confirm his fear by walking away.
Chapter Forty-five
We ran into Evelyn, Doc, and Thelma congregated in the lobby. I placed my hand on the small of Sam’s back as we approached the group.
“Honey, God answered our prayers. Your grandmother is going to be fine.” Thelma put her arms around Sam.
“Oh, I hope you’re right. I can’t bear the thought of losing her now.” Sam returned her embrace.
“We’ll check back later for an update.” I nodded at Doc and the others as Sam and I left through the double doors.
We stood outside and I placed my hand on Sam’s arm. “Never thought I’d see John crumble. Under his gruffness lurks a real human being.” Unresponsive, Sam gave off the vibe she didn’t want to talk about it. “When’s the furniture being delivered for Rachel’s house?”
“About an hour ago—if everything went according to schedule. We should check in with Maggie.”
“You got it.” As we turned onto Rose Drive, the house was no longer a disgraceful eyesore. It now presented a polished exterior with black shutters against off-white on the wood siding. And a walkway, newly lined with brick, invited us to the entry.
I was astonished at how Maggie had transformed the inside. “Great job.” I gave her a two-thumbs-up signal.
Sam ran her hand down the drapes. “These willowy sheers under the champagne-colored drapes are fabulous.”
“How’s Elizabeth?” Maggie bent over the sofa, fussing with the pillows.
“Weak, but I talked to her for a few minutes.” Sam picked up one of the pillows and hugged it against her middle.
“You spoke with her—John allowed you to see her?” Maggie threw her arms around Sam. “That’s wonderful.” She tugged the pillow from Sam and returned it to its assigned place.
Maggie made an exaggerated sigh. “I want everything to be perfect.” She pulled her phone from her pocket and glanced at it. “Rachel should be here soon.”