On Hummingbird Wings

by Lauraine Snelling

  “You won’t have any trouble,” he said as he exited the car. “Although you do know, his dad’s nursery is closer to your house?” He winked at her and touched the brim of his cap.

  “Thanks for your help.”

  “Any time.”

  She followed his directions to Highway 4 and headed east. The big old Buick seemed to float along the freeway. Now she could tell her mother the story without feeling badly. The car looked every bit as good as before. She took the exit Roger had suggested and turned into Bentley’s Garden Store just minutes later. When she didn’t see Adam’s SUV, she scolded herself for not calling him before she left. A surprise didn’t do much good if the surprisee wasn’t there.

  An older man, wearing the official green, collared T-shirt, smiled at her. “Can I help you with something?”

  She nodded and returned the smile. “Yes, I intend to plant some large pots for fall color.” She pulled an article she’d torn from one of her mother’s magazines from the outside pocket of her leather purse and handed it to him. “Sort of like these, but I need plants that can live through frosts like the one we had last Saturday night.”

  He glanced down at her article. “Do you have the sizes of your pots?”

  She shook her head. “I didn’t think of that, but I can show you. By the way, is Adam here?”

  “Nope, but he’ll be back soon. He went to pick up the printing.”

  “Thanks, I’ll watch for him then.”

  “Let’s get a cart and we’ll pick out what you like.” She showed him the sizes of the two tall pots and the two low ones she’d put by the front door. If she bought extra plants, she’d form groupings in the patch of dirt by the front door and along the rose bed. That’s what the article suggested. “I’m going to need some potting soil, too.”

  “Are the pots full or empty?”

  He showed her the different plants including some spiky grasses, round purple-colored decorative cabbages, several trailing-type plants, and some chrysanthemums. Although she nixed the ivy, her shopping cart filled up quickly. She added a couple of six-packs of pansies to please her mother.

  “Now, do you need anything else?”

  “Not that I can think of. Any suggestions?”

  “We have gourds like that article shows in a basket if that might interest you.”

  She studied the pictures and then shook her head. “I’ll try these to start with.”

  “Well, look who’s here.”

  The sound of Adam’s voice brought her around to face him.

  “I wanted to surprise you.”

  “You did that. I see John has found the things you needed?”

  “Yes, he did.” She turned to the man. “Thank you. You’ve been most helpful.”

  The clerk at the cash register waited patiently, but when Adam nodded, she took out her pricing wand and started ringing up the purchases.

  “You have time for lunch before you head home?”

  “I think I can manage that.” She smiled up at him, almost taking a step backward. She’d not had a man affect her like this for years. Not since Pierre, and she’d managed to forget him for most of the time. While she’d dated in college, none had been the man she was waiting for.

  “Good. Let me get a couple of things done and we’ll go in my car. You can leave yours parked here.”

  “Will my plants wilt in the trunk?”

  “I don’t think so, we won’t be gone that long.”

  By the time one of the clerks had loaded all of her plants into the car, Adam drove up in his SUV and jumped out to come around and open the passenger door for her. Climbing up into the truck made her glad she wasn’t wearing a straight skirt.

  He got in and slammed his door. “Okay, Mexican, seafood, Thai, or Chinese?”

  “Ah, what’s easiest?”

  “Seafood is the farthest away.”

  “Thai?” She’d not eaten a lot of Thai food, and besides it might be interesting to sample the variations between the East Coast and the West Coast.

  “Good, that’s the best around here.” They drove a couple of blocks before he pulled into a strip mall and parked in front of a narrow restaurant. “I know it doesn’t look like much, but the food is superb.”

  Once seated, they studied the menu on the wall that had pictures of all the entrées and brief descriptions of each.

  “You can order any dish and tell them how spicy you want it.”

  “What is good?”

  “Everything.”

  She glanced over to see him studying her and not the menu. She swallowed; suddenly her throat was dry and heat seemed to be creeping up her neck. “I—I can’t make up my mind.”

  “Fish, beef, pork, or chicken?”

  “Chicken.”

  “Okay, look at three, seven, and fifteen. They’re all excellent.”

  “Fifteen.”

  He left her sitting at a table and went up to the counter to order. From the way the short man greeted him, it was obvious Adam came here often. He placed their orders and returned to the table. “I forgot to ask what you wanted to drink so I just ordered Tai tea for both of us. Is that all right?”

  “Fine.”

  “So how were things at your house this morning?”

  Gillian leaned forward. “I cannot believe the difference in my mother. She got out clothes to dress today but then decided on a nap first after breakfast. I said I’d help her, but I bet I find her dressed when I get back.”

  “That’s wonderful. And I see you have her car back.”

  “Yes, and in perfect condition. Roger drove the Buick over to the rental agency for me. He’s sure a nice guy.”

  “That he is. Did you hear from the insurance company?”

  “Not yet. How was the sailing?”

  “We had a great time. Jen had Dad laughing so hard, I thought he would collapse. We stopped for dinner near the marina.”

  “You look a bit sunburned.”

  “I know.”

  The man at the counter brought their orders, his smile rounding his cheeks. “Your first time here, eh?” He nudged Adam. “You introduce us, no? Bring pretty lady here, very good.”

  Adam grinned at him and introduced Gillian. “This is Mr. Ray Yang. He makes sure everyone gets the best food, the best service, and he never forgets a name.”

  “Gillian? New name I not heard before.” He set an extra plate of interesting looking food on the table. “You try this, tell me what you think.” He moved the plates around to make room for an extra plate. “You need anything else?”

  Adam shook his head. “As usual, excellent.”

  “You tell me that after you taste.” He smiled, nodding at the same time, and returned to his post.

  Gillian picked up her fork, but laid it down again when Adam bowed his head. “Thank You, Lord, for food, friends and this day, amen.”

  “Is he always friendly like that?”

  “Always, there are no strangers when he’s around.” Adam used chopsticks and lifted a prawn to his mouth. “Do you use chopsticks? I didn’t think to ask.”

  “No, I do better with a fork.” She took a bite of her chicken. “Um, you were right.” She watched him eat. “How did you get so dexterous with chopsticks?”

  “One of my tours of duty was to Japan. Over there you eat with chopsticks or go hungry, so I learned.”

  “How long were you in the military?”

  “I put in my full twenty years, mostly based on aircraft carriers. I hadn’t liked the idea of submarines so opted for the big ships. Moved my way up to commander, head of IT, which meant a lot of computer work. When I’d put in my twenty years, Charlie and I decided to start a business producing programs for the navy.”

  “What did you like about the navy?”

  “Seeing the world. And I’ve always loved boats and airplanes. I thought I’d go for thirty years, but Charlie had a really great idea so I opted out.”

  “Do you regret changing course?”

  “Not at a
ll. I’d have missed those years working with my brother, and then when he died, I couldn’t sustain any interest in the business. So I sold it.”

  “Losing him must have been terrible for all of you.” She watched his face, his quick blinking making her want to take his hand. Obviously the loss was still hard to bear.

  “It was. Life was going so well and then he was gone.” He laid his chopsticks down on the edge of his plate. “He wasn’t just my brother, he was my best friend. We did everything together. Boating, skiing, the business. He married Jen and then it was the three of us.”

  No woman in your life? But she decided not to ask that question. He’d not mentioned anyone.

  He checked his watch. “I better get back.” His smile made her heart trip. “Thanks for the surprise.”

  “You are welcome.” She’d only eaten half of her lunch and asked for a take-out box. As they left, Mr. Yang came around to escort them to the door.

  “You come back now, bring Gillian with you. I make her something special.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Yang. I will be back,” Gillian promised before they returned to the SUV. “I ate too much.” She leaned against the seat. “Those servings were huge.”

  “And cheap. The best food for your money anywhere around here. We should have bought an order for your mother.”

  “I’ll give this to her. There’s more than enough there.” She held up the little white take-out container.

  “If you want, I’ll lift those bags of potting soil out of the trunk for you when I get home this evening.”

  “Thanks, I can manage. Me and the wheelbarrow. Maybe I can get Mother outside to supervise my planting.”

  He parked beside the newly repaired Buick. “I’ll see you when I get home.”

  “All right.” She caught herself on the intensity of his gaze. “Th-thank you for lunch.”

  His voice deepened, just slightly, but her suddenly sensitive hearing picked up on it. “You’re welcome.”

  He got around and opened the SUV’s door for her before she had her seat belt unsnapped and had picked up her purse.

  She unlocked the Buick door, her hand shaking slightly. “See you.” He was still standing there watching when she glanced into the rearview mirror as she drove away. She heaved a sigh, of what she wasn’t sure. “My word but he packs a punch,” she muttered to herself. How did I not notice that before?

  The clock on the dash showed nearly one thirty when she turned into the driveway. Enzio’s car sat at the curb. She unlocked her mother’s car trunk, lifted it to give the plants fresh air, and without opening the garage door, walked to the front door.

  Two suitcases waited just inside the door. Was Enzio moving in? The thought shocked her. “Mother?”

  “Back here.”

  Was that a dog bark she heard? Gillian headed to the backyard where the voices had come from. Enzio and her mother were seated at the patio table. A dog, fluffy and white with a couple of black spots, ran around the yard, sniffing everywhere.

  “Why the suitcases?” she asked, stopping beside her mother.

  “Because we are going on a cruise.” Enzio answered her question.

  “You are what?” Surely her hearing had taken a vacation.

  “Your mother and I are going on a cruise. We have to be at the pier at four thirty. The car will be here for us in about half an hour. Oh, and I have a special favor to ask you. My dog sitter had an emergency and obviously I can’t take Winnie with me. Would you please dog-sit while we’re gone?”

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Gillian? You here?”

  A dog started barking. A dog here? It sounded like a little yapper.

  “I’m in the kitchen, Adam. Come on in.”

  Adam strolled into the kitchen to find Gillian sitting at the table, staring at the wall. “What’s the matter?”

  “They’re gone.”

  “Who’s gone?”

  “Enzio and my mother.” She shifted her stare from the wall to him.

  Adam pulled out the chair next to her and sat down, ignoring the fluffy dog who sniffed his pant leg and darted back to hide behind Gillian’s leg. “Gone where?”

  “On a cruise.”

  “What?” Adam’s eyebrows drew together. “As in cruise on a ship?”

  “Uh-huh. A big black car picked them up and away they went.” She stroked the head of the dog who had jumped onto her lap and now kept a careful watch on the visitor. “I still can’t believe it.”

  “Maybe you better start at the beginning. After all, it wasn’t that long ago that you and I had lunch.”

  “I walked in through the front door and saw two suitcases sitting there.” Gillian pointed toward the front door. “Enzio’s car was parked exactly where it is right now. I asked who owned the suitcases, and they dropped the bomb on me.”

  “Was this planned?”

  She shook her head. “Enzio saw an ad for a remarkably inexpensive cruise, leaving today. He called, bought two tickets, came here, convinced Mother to go along, packed her suitcases, told her whatever else she needed they would buy on the trip, asked if I would please watch the dog, and said a car would pick them up. It did and away they went.”

  Adam tried not to, but the snort made it past his resolve. He rolled his lips to keep from laughing. The look on her face didn’t even hint at humor. But all he could think was this was the funniest thing he’d heard or seen in a long, long time. “I…” Choke, cough. “I…” He couldn’t hold it any longer. A deep belly laugh broke out that brought the dog to her feet.

  “Well, I fail to see the humor in this. After all…” The dimple in her right cheek deepened. “Adam Bentley, this is a serious matter.”

  “Why? Two people took off on a cruise. It’s wonderful. I hope they have the time of their lives.”

  “But Mother is so weak…”

  “He can get her a wheelchair. This is the best thing to get her off her dying kick. If I’d thought of it, I’d have bought them the tickets.” His grin pleaded for her to laugh, too.

  She chewed on her lower lip. “But what if…”

  “What if what? If she needs a doctor they have a good doctor on board. I take it they are heading south?”

  “Yes, it’s the last cruise from here heading south. They are going through the Panama Canal and into the Caribbean.” Her lips twitched.

  “Good for old Enzio. He’s got more life in him than…”

  “Mother couldn’t get hold of Allie, so she left a message on both the answering machine and Allie’s cell phone. Allie’s going to be fit to…” A giggle escaped.

  “I love it!” Adam threw back his head and laughed again, slapping his hand on his knee. “Wait until Dad hears this.”

  “You don’t have to tell the world, you know.” Gillian heaved a sigh along with another chuckle. “I still can’t believe it. My dying mother is already aboard a cruise ship bound for Florida or Texas or I don’t know where. They left the itinerary here somewhere.” She shook her head again. “They were going to leave me a note. Can you believe that? A note!”

  The little dog jumped down and went to stand by the door, looking over her shoulder at the two laughing lunatics.

  “Your dog wants out.”

  “She’s not my dog.” She wiped the laughter leaking mascara away with her fingertips. “So I am a dog-sitter until they get back.” She let the dog out. “Good thing we have a solid fence in the backyard. My mother has never owned a dog.”

  He swallowed and drew in a deep breath. “Did you have any clue?”

  “Nope. I figured he cares about her a great deal.” She narrowed her eyes. “He told me once that he had a secret. No, but that couldn’t be this because he said he only knew of the cruise this morning. But perhaps…” She nodded, tongue digging at her inner cheek, “maybe he was trying to tell me that he loves, or is in love with, my mother.”

  “Sure could fit. They’ve been friends for a long time, and he certainly has been here to help her and you every momen
t you needed him.”

  “Maybe that’s what got her turned around? I keep thinking on that. What made the difference that she finally responded?”

  “You say finally, but when you think of it, it wasn’t really that long.”

  The phone rang. Gillian glanced at it then back to Adam. “You want to bet?”

  “Allie?”

  Nodding, Gillian answered the phone and then held it away from her ear.

  Adam could hear Allie literally screaming. “…on a cruise? Why didn’t you stop her? What is the matter with her? With him? I can’t believe this. Gillian! Are you there?”

  “I am, but you about broke my eardrum.” She flinched and held the phone out again.

  “…can’t believe you let them go!”

  “Allie, calm down. Now!” Had she been in the same room, Gillian might have resorted to slapping her little sister to stop the hysteria. After all, that’s what they did in the movies. Worked every time. She glanced over at Adam who was fighting not to laugh again.

  “How could she do this to me?” Shouts faded to a plaintive whimper.

  “Allie, she didn’t do anything to you. If we’re going to play that game, you can take the dog, too.”

  “The dog?”

  “Enzio’s dog is here. I am the designated sitter since his usual one bugged out.”

  “And you let him impose on you like that?”

  Gillian rolled her eyes. Adam sputtered.

  “Who’s there?”

  “Adam.”

  A silence hummed over the wires. “How long will they be gone?” Her voice finally sounded normal although a bit weepy.

  Gillian wanted to say until they got back, but she opted for, “Two weeks, I think.”

  “What will you do?”

  “Take care of the dog, plant the pots, clean up the garden. There’s plenty here for me to do.”

  “Go out to dinner with me.” Adam spoke loud enough for Allie to hear him.

  “How will you do that? I mean the dog?”

  “I will put the dog, whose name is Winnie, in her crate with a couple of toys and lock the door on my way out.”

  “You don’t have to get sarcastic.”

  “Well, in case you haven’t figured it out, this was as big or a bigger shock to me. I almost came back to an empty house and a note.”