Leaving Oxford

by Janet W. Ferguson

  “Work?”

  “I got my new look so I could find a job. Gotta pay the rent, you know.” He rolled his eyes and sighed. “It’s for the best. I found a part-time position in the research lab with Dr. Rodriguez. I spent some time with him there tonight. This could even help me match up with a residency here. The bad news is I’ll be gone more.”

  “I understand.” She retrieved his meal from the refrigerator and sat on the edge of the couch. “At least read the note, even if you don’t want the food. It’s part of my surprise.”

  Sliding her hair away from her neck, he barraged her with light kisses. “I do like surprises.”

  “Not that kind of surprise.” She pulled the note off the box. “Here.”

  He read the note aloud. “Te quiero siempre. You love me always—in Spanish?”

  “No, silly. I’m learning Spanish. When it’s time, I’ll tell every bigwig I meet that they could, and should, be a part of supporting your research mission. And I want to go with you to Honduras...learn to help at your clinic. My career is based on sales and making money, and it seems so frivolous compared to what you’re planning. I want to use my talents to do something important. I want to be a part of changing the world, too—with you.”

  Adam kissed her neck once more. “Thanks for the surprise. Maybe I’ll eat the food. It is my favorite.”

  Chapter 12

  Morning sunlight streamed through a slit in the curtains dispersing light around the silent bedroom. Another lonely Friday night in Oxford had ended. Sarah Beth slid from under the covers, pulled on gym shorts and a T-shirt, and trudged toward the kitchen. After starting a pot of coffee, she stepped through the front door onto the wide, wooden porch that wrapped around three sides of the house. Melancholy thoughts dogged at her spirits, but she shoved her feet forward and scanned the sidewalk for the paper.

  A piercing squeal ripped the tranquil morning air. What in the world? She tiptoed down the stairs. From the left, in the bushes, emerged a rustling noise. Maybe she should find some kind of weapon.

  Another howl threatened to shatter her ear drums. Then she caught a glimpse of something out of place. A brown cardboard box lay partially hidden behind the bushes.

  “Oh my stars, that better not be what I think it is.” She bent down and touched the box. Holding her breath, she pulled open the lid. A pitiful baby animal looked up at her. “Yep, that’s what I was afraid of. But what are you?” She scooped up the tiny thing which was barely the size of her hand. “Really, Lord? I did tell you I was lonely, but...” The animal shivered despite the warm weather. “Let’s go find a vet.”

  Back in the house, she sank onto the couch with the animal on her lap, and sent a text to Chris.

  You up?

  Maybe there was a vet at church.

  He phoned back. “Little kids get up early on Saturday. They don’t know about sleeping in. I’m letting Camilla paint my toenails so Kim can get some rest.”

  Sarah Beth laughed at his monotone voice. “That’s sweet of you.”

  “Not really. It’s Kim’s turn.” Chris yawned in the phone. “What are you doing this morning?”

  “I need a vet.”

  “Why do you need a veteran?”

  “Not a veteran. A veterinarian.”

  “You got a pet?”

  “It was a gift, sort of.”

  Chris chuckled. “Drive-by cattin’?”

  “It was a drive-by, but I think it’s a weird-looking dog. I don’t know. It’s brown, gray, and some black around the eyes—with a squished face.”

  “So you’re keeping it?”

  “I think I have to.” If God sent her a companion, she couldn’t get rid of it.

  “I’ll text you the number of a vet who goes to our church, but if you call this early on a Saturday, don’t tell her who gave you her cell number.”

  ~~~

  Dr. Ross turned the animal over. “She looks like maybe a Basset Hound-Chow mix, probably one of the most bizarre looking puppies I’ve seen.”

  Sarah Beth bobbed her head. “The Basset Hound part explains the horrendous sound it made. How something so small could make a noise like that is beyond belief. I literally had chills running down my spine.”

  “They do have a distinctive howl. This one looks to be about five weeks old, so you’ll need to bottle-feed her about every four or five hours. In another few days, you can give her canned food mixed with water.”

  Sarah Beth tapped her fingernails on the counter. “Every four hours?”

  “I’ll show you what to do.” Dr. Ross handed Sarah Beth the animal. “We’ll give her a feeding now. Let me get the formula from the other room. I’ll be right back.”

  “Oh, my stars.” Sarah Beth nuzzled the puppy’s head. “Every four or five hours? A bottle?” Would she have to take it to work?

  The puppy let out a little squeak.

  “I’ll do my best.”

  With both hands full of supplies, Doctor Ross returned to Sarah Beth’s side. She showed Sarah Beth how to mix the formula with water, then held out the bottle. “Here.” She guided Sarah Beth’s arm. “Hold the bottle like this and let her get used to it. It’s a shame someone dumped her so early, but luckily a kind-hearted person found her.”

  “Lucky me.” The perkiness she’d intended didn’t quite make it to her voice. Her words sounded bleak in her own ears.

  “You’re doing fine. But feedings can be a little messy. Here’s a towel.”

  “Thanks.” Sarah Beth wiped the milky substance from her shirt and arm. “When do I need to come back to make sure she doesn’t reproduce?”

  “Not for about six months, but we’ll need to do deworming and shots in a few weeks.”

  Sarah Beth’s eyes popped open wide. “Deworming? Does it have worms?”

  Dr. Ross patted Sarah Beth’s arm and smiled. “Just a precaution. If you see any, let me know, and we’ll get you some medicine.”

  “For me?” This could be way more than she’d bargained for.

  “No. If you see any when the puppy goes to the bathroom.”

  “Whew. Got it. I’ll be right back down here if I see anything looking like a worm.”

  Dr. Ross gave Sarah Beth a sideways glance. “I’m sure you will. I’ll loan you one of my crates until you get your own.”

  “Um, I kind of have plans today to go water skiing.”

  “That sounds fun.”

  “Should I cancel?” It would be a good excuse.

  “She’ll be fine in the crate for several hours.”

  “Thanks again for seeing me on a Saturday.” She shot the vet a mischievous smile. “Chris said not to tell you he gave me your cell number.”

  “Oh, he did?” With a chuckle, Dr. Ross followed her to the door. “I didn’t mind coming in. I appreciate your charity, caring for this little animal. Would you mind if I take a couple of pictures? I’ve never seen a puppy that looked quite like this one.”

  “Sure.” Holding up the dog, Sarah Beth shook her head. “I should probably put a video on the Internet next time she makes that noise.”

  Dr. Ross pulled out her phone and snapped a few times. “That would go viral, no doubt.” Dr. Ross gave her a little wave. “It was nice meeting you, Sarah Beth.”

  “You, too.” But what adventure had she stepped into now that God had answered her prayers.

  ~~~

  With the puppy fed and tucked into the crate, Sarah Beth put on her bathing suit and scrambled around gathering ski equipment. What had she forgotten? She glanced at her bag. A towel. That could be important. She grabbed one from the bathroom, checked the puppy again, and then loaded the gear into her SUV. Now where was her phone?

  Good grief. If she was having difficulty managing with a puppy, maybe it was best that she’d probably never have children.

  Death and loss seemed to follow her. Why would it be any different with a child? Not to mention the fact that she didn’t plan on dating anyone. And her mind was a mess.

  She sh
ould cancel skiing today. Or at least make sure she’d get back on time. She tracked down her phone by the coffee pot and dialed Jess. His voicemail picked up. “Hi, Jess. I have to be back in four hours. Make that three and a half? I should take a separate vehicle. Or I can just skip out this time.”

  The doorbell rang. No way. It was too early to be him. She peeked out the window and blinked at the sight of Jess’s strong profile as he leaned against one of the white columns of her front porch.

  His gaze shifted toward the window, a grin spreading across his face.

  Caught. So embarrassing. Her pulse throbbed in her throat as she disconnected the call and opened the door. “Jess, I just left you a message. I was going to meet you.”

  “I only live four blocks from here. It seemed silly to take three vehicles when we all live so close.” He tried to take a step around her into the house.

  Nudging him back, Sarah Beth slipped out the door and closed it behind her. “We’ll have to get the gear out of my SUV, and I have to be back early. Are Nick and Sam with you?”

  “Sam’s in the penalty box, remember?”

  “You could’ve invited him.” Not that she enjoyed his company. A yelp echoed from inside the house.

  Jess cocked his head. “Did you hear something?”

  “Nothing out of the ordinary.” Not since this morning, anyway.

  “Nick’s here, plus another rider taking Sam’s place.” Sunlight filtered through the lofty oaks that shaded her yard, and she slipped on her sunglasses. Memories surfaced of Mark pushing her in an old tire swing that used to hang from one of the big limbs. She helped Jess swap the ski equipment into the blue and white ski boat hitched to his truck. Too bad her brother wasn’t here. He and Jess would probably get along well.

  Jess opened the back truck door for her. “We have another pretty lady hanging with us today.” Leaning in, he tickled a giggling little girl in the back seat. “Got your sunscreen on, missy?” A teasing quality seasoned his words as he mussed her hair, and the child beamed back at him.

  “Yes, sir, Uncle Jess.”

  “Good girl.” He gave her a massive smile and let Sarah Beth in. “This is my friend Sarah Beth.”

  “Hi, Ms. Sarah Beth. My name is Katherine Marie Russo, and it’s nice to meet you.” Hazel eyes that matched Nick’s looked out from under a flock of strawberry blond curls. Katherine extended her small hand to Sarah Beth.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Katherine Marie Russo. That’s a pretty name.”

  “Katherine Marie is a family name, and Russo is Italian, but you can call me Katie.”

  As they took off, Nick waved and shook his head, smiling. “That’s my princess.”

  As they passed rows of newly planted soybean fields alternating with forests of green trees on the way to the lake, Katie gave a dissertation of all she’d absorbed the past week at preschool and then threw out random facts about Nick.

  How cute. It was clear no baby talk was spoken in the Russo home.

  And obviously, Nick adored his daughter. He glowed as he glanced back at them. “Now you know everything about me. Katie, maybe you can ask Sarah Beth a few personal questions.”

  “I can do that, Daddy.”

  They parked near the dock. Katie unlatched her seatbelt, tucked her head, and hopped out of the truck clutching her bright red purse and matching flip-flops. “I love your pink ski vest, Ms. Sarah Beth. You could get some flip-flops like these to match it.”

  Maybe she should. The sandals were cute. “Katie, how old are you?”

  With four fingers held up, Katie grinned. “I’m four. And a half.”

  “You’re smart for your age. You should meet my friend, Camilla. She’s four, like you.”

  Katie clapped her hands in front of her. “When can I?”

  “I’ll work something out with your dad and get back to you.”

  A hundred shades of blue reflected off the still lake, and a smattering of puffy white clouds dotted the natural canvas. Cypress trees straddled the sandy bank with long knees jutting into the water. Two of the stubborn plants grew in the lake near the dock and stood proudly with scrawny branches reaching toward the sun. How she loved this place. The slight breeze cooled the beads of perspiration already forming on her nose in the typical Mississippi humidity.

  They loaded the boat and took off. Katie giggled with the acceleration, finally seeming like the four-year-old she was. Sarah Beth let the guys ski first. She was in no hurry. The water couldn’t be much warmer than it had been last week. And that was chilly.

  The scars on Jess’s shoulder brought back thoughts of their unexpected conversation the week before. How much did Jess actually want to know? A better question might be how much did she want to tell? Was she ready to reopen those wounds? She shouldn’t keep staring at him. Her eyes closed, and she filled her lungs with the warm spring air.

  A little voice broke into her deliberations. “I want Sarah Beth to take me on the tube this time, Daddy.”

  Shaking herself back to the present, Sarah Beth opened her eyes. “I’d love to. Tubing is a favorite of mine.”

  Nick laughed, smile lines crinkling his temples. “You’ve made a friend.”

  After a final check of Katie’s life vest, Sarah Beth jumped in. Katie followed her into the cool water, and they swam to the tube. The lake was a tad warmer than before, but not much. A tiny ladylike hand wrapped around Sarah Beth’s once they’d pulled themselves onto the huge inflated ring. What an adorable little girl.

  The boat yanked the slack from the line, and they sailed across the glittering surface, Sarah Beth giggling as much as Katie. Their laughter opened up something she’d locked away a year ago. Something earnest and settling. Something she’d missed.

  Five good runs, and Jess slowed the boat for them to take a rest. Sarah Beth gave Katie a hug before slipping back into the water. “I feel like a kid again. Thanks, Katie.”

  “You’re welcome, Ms. Sarah Beth.”

  Nick helped them into the boat while Jess dropped the anchor. Sarah Beth and Katie kicked back on the benches of the open bow, facing the guys as they floated under the cerulean spring sky.

  “Katie, do you like to look up and imagine animals in the clouds?” Sarah Beth pointed above them.

  “That’s me and Uncle Jess’s favorite.”

  Sarah Beth cast a glance at Jess. He smiled without looking her way.

  “Ms. Sarah Beth, where were you born?”

  “I was born on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in a pretty little town called Pass Christian.”

  “I was born in Florida by Disney World. Is that near where you were born?”

  “Not so near, but the weather is sunny and hot, like Florida.”

  “I moved to Oxford because my mommy went to heaven, and Uncle Jess got Daddy a job here. Why did you move to Oxford?”

  How to explain that one? She swallowed back the lump forming in her throat. “My parents went to heaven, too, so I came to Oxford to live with my grandmother.”

  Jess turned his head toward her, his brown eyes searching hers.

  Katie pushed up on one elbow. “Maybe your parents are playing with my mommy, and they’re riding a boat and looking at clouds, too.”

  The lump dissolved at the vision Katie created. “That could be. My mom and dad loved to ride boats.”

  A peaceful lull found them as they rocked with the breeze.

  Minutes later, Katie broke the hush with a squeal. “It’s Minnie Mouse in the cloud, just like we saw at Disney World. Can you see it, Daddy?”

  “I see it, baby. Just like Disney World.” Nick gazed at his little girl.

  Sarah Beth’s defenses fell away like water droplets, and she savored the blissful afternoon. If only this feeling could last.

  ~~~

  Jess studied Sarah Beth with Katie. For the first time since he met this curious woman, she looked relaxed, unguarded. She’d lost both of her parents. That had to be tough. Maybe that explained why she became a prodigal. His heart
wrenched. What would it be like to lose his parents?

  He tried not to stare at the way her tan skin glistened with the water dripping from it. Or at her lips and how she bit the lower one when she concentrated. It took every ounce of self-discipline he could muster to force his eyes away. He held his arm up and glanced at his waterproof watch. “Uh-oh. Sarah Beth’s gonna turn into a pumpkin. We better go.”

  Sarah Beth jerked up, her elbow smacking the side of the boat. “Oh my stars, I already forgot the puppy and singing tonight. What a terrible mother I’ll make.”

  “Singing?” Jess and Nick spoke in unison.

  “Puppy? I want to see it.” Katie squealed and jumped up. “And you’ll make a great mother.”

  Did she want to be a mother? Jess let the question bounce around his mind as he hauled the anchor into the boat. “We’ll get you back, Sarah Beth, but only if you tell me when and where.”

  “When and where for what?”

  The motor roared to life, and he set a course toward the dock. “Singing tonight.”

  She blew out a long puff of air. “That’s what I was afraid of.”

  Back at the dock, they hitched the boat, then took off in the truck. She explained a mysterious animal drop and a case of forced public singing.

  Turning to face Katie in the back seat, Nick gave his daughter a serious look. “We can see the puppy, but the singing is past bedtime.”

  “I know.” Sarah Beth gasped. “You can come to family night at Chris and Kim’s on Tuesday. Katie and Camilla could meet then.”

  “That might work,” Nick said. “I’ll check my schedule. Then you can perform an encore for Katie and me.”

  Jess couldn’t stop the smirk from forming on his lips as he glanced in the rearview mirror. “I’m going to the concert tonight. I’ll give you the critique tomorrow.”

  A groan came from Sarah Beth’s side of the back seat. “It’s not a concert.”

  Once they reached her house, Jess and Nick unloaded the equipment while Sarah Beth and Katie went inside to get the puppy and its bottle. A horrendous howl came from the open front door.

  “What is that hideous screeching?” Nick asked, holding his ears.

  Sarah Beth stepped out and sighed. “That would be my new dog.”