On Hummingbird Wings

by Lauraine Snelling

  This seemed too good to be true. She could go to lunch with Jennifer and be back in time to meet with the estimator.

  Gillian continued her list. The phone’s ringing interrupted her.

  “So, how is your morning going?” Adam’s deep voice sent an electric charge up her arm.

  “I just found a painter. I’m going to redo Mother’s bedroom as a wedding present.”

  “Good idea. Who?”

  “Able Painting?”

  “They have a good reputation. I met the owner, Madison Able, at a chamber meeting. She’s a dynamo.”

  “I wonder if that is who I spoke with.”

  “Could be.” He broke a brief silence. “I was serious last night about needing help out here.”

  “I thought you were. Did you mean full time or part time?”

  “Part time. About twenty hours a week. One of my best employees had to go out on maternity leave early.”

  “That sounds even better. Yes, I’d like to do that.” There, she’d committed herself, at least for a while.

  “Good. How about you start training on Monday?”

  “I could get the bedroom finished by then. Thank you.” And maybe a good section of the garden.

  “Thank you. Plan on working full days Monday through Wednesday and then we’ll put you on the schedule.”

  “You—you really think I can do this?”

  “I think you’ll be a natural.”

  Now the warmth of his voice curled in her stomach. “Thank you.”

  “Want to walk this evening?”

  “Sure.” She clicked off the phone and heaved a sigh. Life was moving forward, that was for sure.

  Lunch with Jennifer was as pleasant as she thought it would be. Jen told her more of the family history including about the death of her husband, Charles.

  “How did you get through that?”

  “God got me through is all I can say. I had to keep going for the children’s sake, and Mom, Charlie’s mother, in spite of her own grief, held on to me and loved me with all she had. Her faith built my faith, and while God seemed far away at times, I always knew He was there for me. You just never think these things can happen to your family, you know?”

  “I’ve never gone through anything like that really. I was so young when my father died that I hardly remember him. I guess losing my job like this has been about the worst thing that has happened.”

  “I never wish such grief on anyone, I tell you that. While the kids have seemed to respond well, I am sure there will still be repercussions.”

  “What is Lissa Marie majoring in?”

  “She’s not sure yet. Might be communications. She reminds me so much of Charles, the same sense of humor, sparkling eyes, and dedication to work.” Jen dug a tissue out of her purse and dabbed at her eyes. “Even now, I cry sometimes just at the memories. You never know what will bring it on.”

  “And then Alice died?”

  Jen nodded. “She fought that cancer so hard, but it took her anyway. The family has had hard times.”

  “I was afraid my mother was really going to die.”

  “I’m glad you came in time. Bill said you pulled her through. He really admires you, the way you pitched right in and didn’t let her buffalo you.”

  Gillian shifted her silverware around. How to bring up the subject?

  “Would you ladies care for dessert today?” the black-garbed waiter asked.

  Gillian shook her head as did Jen. “No, thanks. But the meal was delicious.” She waited while the young man cleared their plates. “I would like some more iced tea, though.”

  “I’ll be right back with it.”

  “Thanks.” She turned back to Jennifer. “Did Adam tell you he asked me to work at the Pittsburg store?”

  “No, we’ve not talked. That’s marvelous. I know they are shorthanded at both stores. Finding competent help is difficult at times.” She leaned forward. “Are you going to do it?”

  “I am. I start on Monday.” Gillian glanced at her watch. “I need to be home by three. I have a painter coming to give me an estimate on painting Mother’s bedroom. I’m redoing her room for a wedding present.”

  “What a great idea. I can’t get over that she and Enzio went on a cruise and got married. I wish Bill could find someone again. Did he seem all right when he was at your house the other night?”

  “I guess.” Until he dropped the bomb on me. “Do you know much about the nursery business?”

  “Not a lot. But Bentley’s has a great reputation. Bill has built a solid business and run it wisely.”

  Tell her. Don’t tell her.

  “I know he has mentioned selling it. I think he’s just tired. And this heart thing hasn’t helped.”

  “He said I should buy it.” There it was out. Relief slipped out like a sigh.

  Jennifer cocked her head slightly to the side. “Did he now? I’m surprised.”

  “I was shocked. Right after Adam asked if I’d like to come to work for him.”

  “Do you want a business of your own?”

  “I don’t know. I was at the top of the ladder until they jerked it out from under me. Do I want to climb it again with another company?” She nodded her thanks to the refilled iced tea. “I just wish I knew what I want to do with the rest of my life.”

  “Well, I know one special man who is glad you came to Martinez. Don’t count him out.”

  “Adam?” Even saying his name made her smile.

  “Adam. I’ve never seen him interested in a woman before, not in all the years I’ve known him. Ever since Charles died, Adam has done all he could to help us out. I cried on his shoulder many a time. He is the big brother I never had.”

  That statement put the thought of them as a couple to rest. “Sailing seems pretty important to him.”

  “Oh, it is. He has always loved to sail, says that is where he does his best thinking. He’s a good sailor, too. He was disappointed you didn’t come with us on Sunday.”

  “Jennifer, I get so seasick, boats are not a pleasure for me.”

  “Next time I come out, I’ll bring the patches the doctor prescribed for Lissa Marie. She has always been the same way, but now she can sail and loves it. You can try it out and see if it works for you, then get them from your doctor.”

  Which means I will need to get a doctor here. Guess I could go to Dr. Isaacs. She glanced at her watch. “We better be going.”

  “Please say you’ll try the sailing with the patch to help you. It means so much to Adam.”

  Gillian could not turn down the look of entreaty on Jen’s face. “I will try.” Once she had the patches in hand she had no further excuses. Not particularly liking boats was not acceptable. Another commitment made.

  Jen signed the credit slip and they both stood.

  “Thanks for lunch. My treat next time.”

  “I’m looking forward to lots of next times.” Jennifer’s smile made Gillian feel like they’d already been friends for years.

  She got home just before the paneled truck marked ABLE PAINTING parked behind Enzio’s car.

  By the time she and Madison had finished, she felt like she had another new friend. They examined several paint chips, decided on the color, and set an appointment for eight a.m. on Saturday morning to begin painting.

  She’d just seen Madison Able out the door when another idea clobbered her. She was supposed to spend Saturday with Allie and her family. Surely Allie would understand that she wanted to have the bedroom all finished before the newlyweds returned. And getting it done this quickly was as much a shock to her as to Allie.

  A huff puffed out her cheeks. Might as well get the dirty deed over with. Allie’s answering machine clicked on so she left a message. “Hi, Allie, I just hired a painter to paint Mother’s bedroom. I want to redo the bedroom as a wedding present and time is limited. She can do it on Saturday, so I will have to take a pass on the games. I should still be able to come for dinner. The painting will be done by three or four. L
et me know if this change works or if we should just get together another time.” She hung up and stared at the phone. Allie did not like changes being made in her schedule. But considering that the lovebirds had already been gone for almost a week, she didn’t have a lot of extra time. Gillian slapped her hand on the table. She hadn’t mentioned her new job. But she’d not had to listen to Allie either whine or be angry at her, either. That was a relief.

  What a shame, to dread talking to her baby sister.

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  What time would I have to call her to not get the answering machine? Gillian glared at her cell phone the next morning. Was Allie taking the kids to school already? Why couldn’t she return calls?

  Winnie left her watch-the-birds spot in front of the glass door and came over to stand in front of Gillian. Head cocked to the side, the dog appeared to be interested in whatever her new friend had to say. Gillian slapped her knees and Winnie jumped into her lap. Cuddling the dog had already become a relaxing habit. “So, what do you think I should do?” She imagined her New York coworkers’ surprise if they saw her. Winnie stretched up to give her a quick chin lick, then turned around and made herself comfortable.

  “You know, dogs have a mighty easy life.” One ear cocked, and then Winnie leaped to the floor toward the front door, a sure signal someone must be there. Winnie had quickly become Gillian’s early warning system.

  Gillian got up to follow her, immediately recognizing the outline of the visitor. She unlocked the door and tried to swallow the upbeat of her heart. “Good morning, Adam. Come on in.”

  “I was on my way to work, but I wanted to see you before I drove out there.”

  “What’s up?”

  “Dad and I got to talking and I just want to make sure that you want to come to work at the nursery, that you’re not doing it just to be nice or some such.”

  Gillian rolled her eyes. “Yes, I want to work at the nursery. I had no idea that I wanted to, but I do and I appreciate the offer.”

  “You didn’t even ask what the pay would be. I know it is nothing like you were getting, but…”

  “But it will help pay the bills.” And give me good experience. Not that I plan to run a cash register for the rest of my life, but this will be a welcome change.

  “Okay. How about dinner tomorrow night? Just us.”

  “I don’t know. I was supposed to spend the day and evening with Allie and her family, but now that the painter is coming I’ve had to change that. I’m not sure if she still wants me to come for dinner or not.”

  “And she hasn’t returned your phone call?” His eyes said what he thought of that.

  “Nope. Neither one.”

  “Well, let me know. Walking tonight?”

  “Of course.” She really had enjoyed their walks. Winnie chasing Thor around the school yard was always good for an uplift. The two dogs brought more laughter than a professional comedy act. While Thor could eat the little fluff ball with one bite, he played with her gently, as if knowing he could hurt her.

  “See you then.” Adam leaned forward and touched his lips to hers. “See you.” His eyes said more than his mouth conveyed.

  Gillian put her fingertips to her lips as he walked out the door. That was one way to become wide awake. She’d just finished making her bed when Winnie went tearing to the front door again.

  “Gillian?”

  “Back here.” Allie. Now this was some surprise. Gillian tossed the throw pillows in place and headed for the kitchen. “Coffee?”

  “Yes, please. Is it fresh perked?” Her grin said she was teasing.

  Gillian rolled her eyes. “No more perking here. I got the new coffeemaker up and running.” Gillian pushed the ON button and inhaled as the machine ground the beans before making the coffee.

  “Nothing but the latest?” Allie leaned over to pet Winnie, who had decided she knew this person and more barking was not necessary.

  “I sent her this two years ago. Wonder what else is stuffed in that closet?”

  “Everything that couldn’t be used immediately or saved easily.” Allie straightened.

  “I’m going to work for Adam. On Monday.”

  “On Monday? Well, good for you.”

  Gillian’s mouth opened but no sound emerged.

  “And tomorrow the painter is coming?”

  “Do you think she’ll be pleased?” Gillian got two mugs out of the cupboard.

  “I don’t know. Mother really doesn’t like change, especially these last couple of years. She’s almost paranoid about it. What color did you choose?”

  “A nice cream. You want to go shopping with me for new bedding and lamps? Is your morning all booked up?”

  “No, that’s why I came up here. I don’t have to be back until I pick up the kids after school.”

  “You have the entire day off?”

  “Well, not quite. I was hoping you could do lunch.”

  Gillian filled their cups. “I most certainly can. The garden can wait and I can strip the bedroom tonight.” Together they moved to the table.

  “So, you think you’ll stay here?”

  “At least for now. But I can’t live with Mother forever. She and Enzio will need the place to themselves.”

  “They’ll probably decide to live at Enzio’s. His house is really nice.”

  “He said he has a big garden.” Gillian sat down and propped her elbows on the table. “So what will she do with this one, put it on the market?”

  “I doubt it. I’ll bet she’s planning on you living here.”

  Gillian stared at her sister. Where was all the contention they’d had every time they talked? “Are you serious?”

  “What? It’s not good enough?”

  Now, that sounds more like my sister. “No, that’s not it at all. Mother’ll need the money. What if they need to go into a retirement center?”

  Allie shrugged. “The house is to go to us when she dies, that’s what her will says. She made me read it a couple of months ago.”

  Gillian sipped her coffee, wishing she had a doughnut to go along with it.

  “Those flowers look good by the front door.”

  “Thanks.” Ask her, an inner voice prompted. “Allie, are you happy?”

  Allie straightened, her eyes hooded. “What do you mean?” The sharp edge had returned to her voice.

  Gillian sighed. Might as well keep on going. “Well, the other times we’ve talked, you’ve been so touchy. As if you might go off like a rocket any moment.”

  “I don’t think so!”

  “Well, that’s just my observation. I know Mother’s attitude frightened you.”

  “Easy for you to say. You hadn’t been watching her decline for the last months. Doing less and less and then not getting out of bed. I was sure she was going to die before you got here.”

  “I can understand that. But I wondered if it was more than that.” She rimmed the mug with the tip of her finger, wishing she’d not started this. When she looked up again, Allie was wiping a tear away with a tissue, then blew her nose.

  “Good old Gillian, problem solver, mighty brain come home to help her poor dumb sister.” A mean glint flashed in Allie’s eyes.

  “Allison Miller, whatever has come over you?”

  Winnie jumped up on Gillian’s lap, shivering.

  “You always did everything perfectly. Honor roll, a job, college, a career, a big, fat huge success. And you did it all on your own. No help from your mother.”

  Gillian stared at her sister, at the same time trying to swallow the words boiling in her mind. Keep it soft. Use your conflict resolution training. “Allie.”

  “Don’t patronize me.” Slapping her hand on the table, Allie leaned back in her chair, arms locked over her chest. “All I’ve heard for years is ‘why can’t you be like your sister?’”

  “Wait a minute!” Gillian’s voice ratcheted up a notch. “Just wait a minute. You have always been Mother’s darling. Allie, who could never do anything wrong,
the sweet girl, so pretty and cute and obedient, my yes, sweet little Allie. You did everything Mother wanted you to do, including getting married to a good man who was going places and having the perfect family. Two children, right on schedule.”

  Allie shook her head, her jaw clenched. “You have it all. A condo in New York City, an executive…”

  “Did you want that?”

  “Taking care of Mother was the straw that broke this camel’s back. I have to take care of everybody!” She nearly shouted the last word.

  She didn’t answer my question. Gillian moved her head around to release the tension and bit back a sarcastic reply. “So, answer me. What do you want?”

  Allie tipped her head back and stared at the ceiling. “Sometimes I want to run away.”

  “I think everyone feels that way at some time or another.”

  “Did you?”

  Gillian tried to think how to answer that. If she said no, Allie would feel worse, if she said yes, it would be a lie. “I made sure I took vacations.”

  “I have never had a vacation alone.”

  “So, take one. Jefferson could handle the kids for a weekend. Or he could take vacation time to stay home with the kids while you left.”

  “What kind of mother and wife wants to run away from her family?” She shook her head. “Besides, I might not want to come back.”

  “Allie, wait a minute.” Gillian held up her hands, traffic cop–style. “Think back. You heard how wonderful I was doing. I thought you were Mother’s darling. What is going on here?”

  “Two sisters, who aren’t the best of friends?”

  “No. Two sisters who were being manipulated by a mother trying to make them do better, be perfect. Be everything she was not, have everything she never had.”

  “Gillian, you are out of your mind.” Allie rose to pour herself more coffee.

  “No, I think I’m onto something.”