by Judith Keim
“Come here. Both of you,” said Rafe. Lulu and Cami rushed to his side.
“I’m so glad you’re going to be all right,” said Lulu, hugging him.
“Me too. You scared us to death, Rafe, I can’t get along without you,” said Cami. Her voice trembled.
“Ah, Cariño, someday you will have to get along without me, and you’ll be fine. But I’m not leaving you now.” He gave them each a steady look. “I saw Lettie. She told me my time on earth was not up.” Tears filled his eyes. “She said she’s waiting for me.”
Lulu glanced at Cami and then studied Rafe. He was a sweet, gentle man, but not one for fanciful ideas like this.
“It’s true,” he said, and Lulu believed him.
“What did Nonnee look like?” Cami said.
Rafe’s smile reached his eyes. “Like the young woman I fell in love with so many years ago.”
A nurse interrupted the emotional silence that followed. “Just checking your vitals. You should get some rest, Mr. Lopez.” She eyed Cami and Lulu meaningfully.
“Okay, we’ll go,” said Cami. “We’ll see you tomorrow. The doctor said if all continues to go well, you should be able to leave the hospital tomorrow afternoon.”
“I’m going to be fine,” Rafe said with such conviction Lulu knew he was referring to his meeting with Lettie. Such a strange story. She’d heard others like it before. Some people attributed these kinds of moments to simply the activity of the brain, but Lulu thought of them as spiritual.
That night she told Miguel everything, including Rafe’s vision. “Do you believe in such a thing?” she asked Miguel, aware of how important his answer would be to her.
Miguel answered. After quizzing her on more details of Rafe’s health, he wrote:
“If Rafe says he saw Lettie, then I say he did. He loved her so much, it’s possible.”
Though she didn’t completely understand it, when she read his words, tears came to her eyes.
###
The next afternoon Lulu accompanied Cami to Portland to pick up Rafe from the hospital. They’d waited all day to hear from the doctor and both were relieved when he gave the go-ahead for Rafe’s release.
“Rafe isn’t going to like it, but I’m going to insist he stay with me for a few days until we all feel better about his condition,” said Cami.
“Good idea,” Lulu said. “We can take turns checking on him throughout the day.” Lulu grinned at Cami. “He’ll hate knowing that, so we’ll have to be very subtle about it.”
Cami returned her smile. “I’m glad we can laugh about it now. I was really worried he’d die.”
“Me, too,” Lulu admitted. “I think of him as my grandfather, too.”
The conversation during the rest of the ride into Portland consisted of discussing business at Chandler Hill Inn.
“You’re okay covering the Welles wedding?” Cami asked her. “Bethany Welles is a friend of Justine Devon Dickinson, my favorite bride at the inn. She’s sent a lot of business our way, and I want everything to be perfect for Bethany and her groom, Jason Sands.”
“Yes,” said Lulu. “I’ve explained to them that I take only candid shots, nothing formal, and suggested they use our regular photographer too.”
“It’s nice that you provide your services for such a low fee. I know you could charge more. Why do you do it?”
Lulu’s smile was genuine. “For me, it’s a matter of keeping in touch with my inner self, the one who loves people, flaws and all. That feeling for individuals has been so tarnished by my experiences with the media that I need reminders of it. We can’t afford to lose love of humanity. That binds all of us together.”
Cami looked at her and slowly nodded. “You’re right. My mother felt that way, which is why she spent many years in Africa.”
“My father, too. Funny, isn’t it, how that love of humanity brought us together.”
“Yes, I’ve thought of that many times,” said Cami. She reached over and patted Lulu’s hand. “You’re a good person, someone others can trust to do the right thing.”
Lulu remained quiet as she thought of Miguel and their baby. She hadn’t considered his feelings. She was very relieved they were exchanging emails on an almost nightly basis. It was a chance for each of them to reach out to one another and heal from a loss that had hurt them both.
“Ah, here we are,” said Cami. “Let’s see if we can find a parking spot.”
After parking, the two of them headed inside. Cami carried a bag holding the fresh clothes Rafe had requested.
At the sight of them, Rafe’s eyes lit. “My guardian angels,” he said, attempting humor.
Lulu chuckled with Cami and hid her shock at Rafe’s appearance. In a hospital gown, Rafe’s body seemed withered by age. She quickly blinked back tears. Life was so uncertain. She’d almost lost him.
They waited while Rafe went into the bathroom and changed into his fresh clothes. Cami read the discharge papers and gathered his personal items, which had been packaged in a bag to take home.
When Rafe appeared wearing jeans and one of his favorite, plaid flannel shirts, he looked ten years younger. Lulu whispered a soft prayer of thanks. Maybe, as Cami’s grandmother had told him, he had more years left on earth.
She snapped a photo of him to send to Miguel. He’d want to see Rafe like this.
###
As they had expected, Rafe fought Cami’s idea of his spending time at her house. But Cami remained firm. “Just for a few days, Rafe. I know you don’t want to wear one of those emergency buttons, so we’ll keep you close to make sure nothing goes wrong. Then you can go back to the cabin.”
“Okay, but for a few days only. And I’m not staying in bed or lying on the couch to make you feel better.”
“Deal,” said Cami.
“My mother is arriving for a visit tomorrow,” Lulu said. “Maybe the two of you can spend time together. She thinks the world of you, Rafe. You’re one of the few people she feels comfortable enough with to be herself.”
Rafe’s lips curved, smoothing out the worry lines that had creased his brow. “I admire her, too. Time together will be good. I understand she bought Abby and Lisa’s house.”
“Whaaat! I didn’t know that,” exclaimed Cami.
“I haven’t told anyone. She must have talked to you, Rafe,” said Lulu.
He gave them a knowing smile. “I thought it would be good for her and all of us if she knew she had a safe place to come to. And with you living here, Lulu, it means the world to her to be close by.”
Lulu nodded but wondered what other things her mother had discussed with Rafe. She wrote to Miguel to assure him Rafe was fine and that her mother was arriving for a few days:
“It’s always nice when they are together. It makes my heart sing.”
He wrote back:
“Two good people. Thanks for keeping me informed. I’ve come to count on hearing from you.”
Reading the words, she felt her lips curve. She counted on his emails too.
###
The next afternoon, Lulu picked up her mother at the airport, dropped her off at the house, and headed to the Inn, hoping she wouldn’t be late. Bethany and Jason were due to arrive any minute, and she wanted to capture their arrival.
She’d just grabbed her cameras and entered the reception area when two people she knew from Facebook photos were Bethany Welles and Jason Sands walked into the lobby. Lulu snapped a shot of them and then a couple more.
The bride was a tall, willowy, African-American woman. Her groom was a tall, broad-shouldered, robust white male sporting a buzz cut and a lot of muscle. She knew from their wedding information sheet that Jason was a former football player for the Seattle Seahawks. He was now acting as coach for a college program in Washington state.
When she’d taken enough shots, Lulu approached them. “Welcome to the Chandler Hill Inn,” she said, and turned as Cami and Becca approached. Greetings and handshakes were exchanged, and then Laurel entered the room.
Cami introduced the bride and groom to Laurel.
“I’m overseeing your wedding here at the Chandler Hill Inn,” Laurel said smoothly. “If you or any of your family members need anything done, please don’t hesitate to call me. I’m here to serve you.”
“Very nice,” said Bethany. “My mother and stepfather will be arriving soon. My father and his wife will come tomorrow.” Her smile was thin. “It’s best to keep them apart as much as possible.”
“My parents will arrive tomorrow too,” said Jason. “My football buddy, Stan Young and his wife, Caren, are serving as best man and matron of honor. They’ll arrive late tonight.”
“Am I correct then, that the only other members of the wedding party who will be here in time for dinner are your mother and stepfather?” Laurel said to Bethany.
“Yes. We’re going to keep it low-key by staying right here at the hotel for dinner, like we planned.”
“Okay, we’ll make sure you’re seated at a private table in the dining room,” said Laurel.
“And I’ll make sure I’m there for photographs,” Lulu added. “Do you want photos of either set of parents arriving at the hotel?”
“No, thanks,” Bethany said with such firmness, Lulu couldn’t help wondering about them. “I appreciate all you’re doing for us. It’s such a small wedding.”
Jason clasped Bethany’s hand. “But important to the two of us.”
“Yes,” she replied, beaming at him with such love that Lulu’s breath caught. “It’s been a struggle, but we finally convinced all the parents we truly love one another.”
“And we didn’t want a big wedding and were actually planning to elope. Being here with them is the compromise we made,” said Jason.
“We’re very pleased we can hold the wedding here,” Bethany quickly added. “Justine told me all about her wedding, and though ours won’t be anything like it, she assured me that everything would be perfect for what we want.”
“It’s a wonderful time of year for an outdoor wedding in the woods,” said Laurel. “I know you’ll be pleased.”
After saying goodbye, Lulu went home to her mother. She wouldn’t be needed until that evening.
As she approached her rental house, Lulu saw her mother holding Dolly while standing outside talking to Rafe. Such an interesting pair, she thought, feeling a rush of tenderness for these two adults. In the last year, her life had been turned upside down by her father’s unsavory actions. But it had given her a chance to know her mother and meet the man who headed the Chandler Hill family. Both, priceless opportunities.
She pulled the car up to the house, got out, and went over to them.
“Hi, Mom! Hi, Rafe! How are you feeling today?”
He grimaced. “If one more person asks me that, I don’t know what I’ll do. But, thank you, I’m fine.”
“We were just discussing the landscaping,” said her mother. “I may take out some of the bushes that are becoming overgrown here in front and replace them with something different. What do you think?”
Lulu shrugged. “It’s your house. I say do whatever you want.”
“You aren’t angry I bought the house, instead of you?” Her mother sent her a worried look.
“Not at all. When the time comes, I’ll find a place of my own. But, don’t worry, I’ll be a very good renter until then.”
Her mother’s face brightened. “If Rafe hadn’t encouraged me, I might never have bought here. I’m so glad I did. I feel much more at ease here than in California.”
“Me, too,” said Lulu. “See you later. I’m going to work on a couple of projects for the inn here in my office, have an early dinner, then go back to the inn to take some pictures for a new wedding in the house.”
“She has such a talent,” said Rafe to Rosalie.
“I know. I’d like to think Lulu gets her artistic side from me. I never had the chance to do anything with my painting, but I might try to dabble with some projects here.”
“That would be wonderful,” Lulu said, surprised as usual by all she hadn’t known about her mother.
Inside, sitting in front of her computer, Lulu worked on ideas for a Christmas catalog. In the catalog game, you had to be working at least six months in advance in order to promote it and have the merchandise on hand.
Her mother knocked on the door and entered. “Rafe’s gone home to take a nap. I think I will too. I’m tired.”
“Okay,” Lulu said, wondering if her mother was headed for a low period.
She called to Dolly and went outside. Tossing a ball to the puppy, Lulu felt herself relax. She decided not to worry about her mother or other things that might never happen, and after playing with the puppy, sat in the sun reveling in its warmth.
When she went inside, her mother was up and wandering around the kitchen.
“Awake so early?” Lulu asked.
“Too excited to stay still. This place invigorates me.”
Lulu let out a happy sigh, relieved to see her mother so happy.
###
As she walked into the inn’s library, Lulu observed Bethany’s stiff posture and the way Jason’s feet were firmly planted on the ground, and had the impression a verbal battle was taking place between them and Bethany’s parents.
Bethany’s mother, Jarinda Baxter-Welles, was an attractive, heavy-set, African-American woman who enjoyed some notoriety in her home state of California by serving as a very vocal mayor of a high-profile resort town in the mountains. She sought publicity whenever she could to get people to support her cause of paying all workers a livable wage and giving them the same benefits higher-paid employees automatically received. A shiver traveled down Lulu’s spine. She’d met so many political people like her.
Lulu studied Bethany’s stepfather. As tall as his wife, he seemed smaller as he stood by and quietly listened to Jarinda talk about her disappointment that this wedding wasn’t the lavish event she’d envisioned. As she spoke, she directed her words to Bethany, ignoring Jason.
“Hello,” Lulu said, noting Bethany’s relief at her arrival. “I’ll be taking some candid photographs throughout your stay.”
Jarinda narrowed her eyes at Lulu. “Did anyone ever tell you that you look like Edward Kingsley’s daughter?”
“I’ve heard that,” Lulu said, trying to be as casual as possible, while her heart thumped with alarm. She did not want to tangle with Jarinda, who was a shrewd politician and had a way of cutting other people down when necessary. Her father had always respected Jarinda, thought she had an impressive political future, and admired her savvy.
Bethany came to her rescue. “Meet my mother Jarinda Baxter-Welles and my stepfather, William Howland.” Bethany hesitated. “And this is ...”
“Just call me Weezie,” Lulu interceded, hoping Bethany and Jason understood.
Bethany’s stepfather held out his hand. “Hello, Weezie. We appreciate your help in making this a memorable occasion.” His fingers wrapped around her hand in a reassuring way.
“Glad to meet you. I understand you’re a doctor, a G.P.”
His broad smile transformed his brown features from ordinary to something special. His eyes shone with intelligence and a kindness not often seen. It touched Lulu, and she knew how much his patients must love him.
“Go ahead and enjoy yourselves,” said Lulu. “Drinks are on the house, and we have appetizers set out for our guests. Ignore me as I go about my business.”
“Get a picture of Bethany, William, and me over by the fireplace,” said Jarinda. “I want it for PR purposes.”
Bethany held onto Jason’s arm. “Include Jason too, Mama.”
Jarinda’s narrowed lips told a tale of their own.
“I’ll do different groupings,” said Lulu, hoping to diffuse the tense moment.
“Of course,” said William pleasantly, cocking an eyebrow at Jarinda.
“Oh, yes,” Jarinda said, giving her a sheepish look.
“It isn’t that Jason is white,” said B
ethany angrily. “It’s just that my mother thinks I should marry someone she picked out. The son of a political friend—someone I would never even choose to date.”
“Well, well,” said William. “Let’s get the party started. Right, Jason?”
Jason gave him a grateful smile. “Sounds good to me.”
The two men wandered off, leaving Lulu with Bethany and Jarinda. Lulu stepped away and held onto her camera waiting for the moment she could put a positive spin on the tenseness between them. She was ready when Jarinda’s arms came around her daughter and they hugged.
The men joined them with drinks, and as the four of them lifted their glasses, Lulu took several photos.
Having lived with a strong-willed politician herself, Lulu understood what Bethany must have been going through and was relieved to see that things between the four of them seemed better.
When they went into dinner, Lulu snapped a couple of discreet shots of them and quietly left.
She went into the kitchen to see what was going on and then, because it was a busy night in the kitchen with no opportunity to grab something for herself, she left to go home.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
The next morning the sun shone brightly as Lulu lay in bed mentally reviewing her plans for the day. One of the benefits of being involved with the inn was meeting a whole variety of people. Her father had given her a love of doing that. She couldn’t wait to meet Bethany’s father and his wife, and better yet, Stan and Caren Young, the couple who were to be best man and matron of honor—the two official witnesses to the wedding.
Another weekend wedding at the inn was taking a lot of Laurel’s attention. Lulu was happy to fill in by helping to make certain everyone in Bethany and Jason’s small wedding group was happy.
She got up and took Dolly outside. While her mother was staying in the house, Lulu didn’t have to worry about feeding the dog or leaving her behind when she went to work. Later, Cami would drop Sophie off so the two dachshunds could play together.
Lulu hurried into the shower, then dressed for the day in a black skirt and white blouse in an attempt to be as unobtrusive as possible as she went about her work.