Moving On (12 page)

Chapter 10

A white limousine had stopped on the driveway. By the time Anna reached the porch, a uniformed driver was opening the passenger door. A woman with white dandelion-fluff hair stepped out. She wore a powder blue polyester pantsuit and strappy sandals. She was followed by a tanned, silver-haired man in khakis, beige tasseled loafers, and an open-collared blue pinstriped shirt. A thick-linked gold chain around his neck flashed in the sun.

Anna smoothed her slacks and tucked her top into her waistband.
Time for the temporary host’s assistant to begin work
. She moved forward to introduce herself just as Molly barreled past her and jumped up on the man, placing both paws against his chest.

Her mouth opening and closing in shock like a fish, Anna reached out to grab the door frame. Spotting streaks of mud on the man’s pants, she sank to the step and put her head between her legs. Instead of recriminations, she heard Molly’s barks of pure glee. When she looked up, the man was rubbing Molly’s head while she licked his face with abandon.

“Down, girl,” the man commanded. Molly stood beside the man’s leg, without enough space to insert a piece of paper.

Herman pushed past Anna. “What’s all the commotion?” Then he rushed forward with his hand extended. “Well, I’ll be. Welcome home.” Herman pumped the man’s hand like the handle on an old water pump.

The man gestured toward the woman, who smiled up into his face before turning to view the house, the land, the dog, the old friend.

“Sharon, I’d like you to meet Herman Lamb,” The man said. “Herman, this is my wife, Sharon Donnelly.”

Herman seemed stunned. Anna smiled as she imagined her imitation of a fish, but Herman was like a blow fish, cheeks puffed, eyes wide. Her giggle echoed in the silence.

Mr. Donnelly and Sharon glanced her way just before Herman began pounding the man on his back. “Well, I’ll be gob smacked.” He reached for the woman’s hand. “Welcome, Sharon.”

The driver unloaded the luggage. “Would you like these in the house?”

“Please. I see my son isn’t here to give us a hand, as usual,” Mr. Donnelly replied.

Anna stepped forward. “I’ll help. I’m taking Nick’s place because of an emergency.”

He shrugged. “There’s always an emergency.”

The uniformed driver extended the handles on the large suitcases and began to wheel them up the handicapped ramp. Herman did the same with a small case. Anna followed with a medium case, while Molly stayed glued to Mr. Donnelly’s leg.

Mr. Donnelly escorted Sharon to the veranda and helped her into a chair, then whistled for the dog, who trotted over. “Molly, this is Sharon.”

She extended her hand for Molly, who put her head down shyly. Sharon ran her hand through the thick coat. “You’re everything Jack said you were, girl. I hope we can live together.”

Molly whimpered as Anna jumped. “Oh, I forgot.” She ran into the house and returned with the collar.

“What happened to my baby?” Jack’s gray eyebrows were lost in the furrows of his forehead.

“Nick said she tangled with a porcupine. Needed a few stitches,” Herman interjected.

Anna shifted from foot to foot. “I’m Anna Jenkins.” She tucked the collar under her arm and extended her hand.

“Jack Donnelly.” He gave her a firm handshake.

“Would you like to put this on her? I probably shouldn’t have taken it off but . . .” Anna swallowed nervously.

Jack sank onto the step and ran his fingers over Molly’s body. “Let’s see, girl. Where do you hurt?”

Molly rolled onto her back and stuck her feet in the air. “This doesn’t look too bad,” he commented, taking the collar from Anna and placing it on Molly. “Just until we’re all unpacked, and then we’ll be able to watch you.”

Sharon made little sympathetic noises, then reached out and stroked Jack’s arm.

“We’ll leave you.” Anna felt like an intruder at an intimate dinner. A lump formed in her throat at the difference between her life and this man’s. She’d tried continuing to love Murray in absence, whereas Jack Donnelly was certainly in the presence of love.

“I guess Anna doesn’t have to show you around.” Herman chuckled. “Wait until Margaret hears about this.”

“Herman.” Jack was suddenly beside him. “Do me a favor and don’t tell her yet. Just come out for coffee after you’ve had your dinner so she can meet Sharon. Then she can tell whoever she likes. Who knows? Maybe Nick will have met her by then, too.”

He looked at Anna. “I’ll ask you not to tell anyone, if you don’t mind.”

“Not even Nick?”

“Especially not Nick!” He shot a pointed look between Anna and Herman. “Got it?”

“Sure. Okay. Whatever you say. You’re killing me. I’ve got the best news since the tornado took off the curling rink’s roof and you won’t let me be the first to tell it. You’re a hard man, Jack.” Herman glanced toward Mrs. Donnelly. “I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into, Sharon.”

Herman chuckled all the way home. Every now and again, he’d explode.

“What?” Anna demanded, curious.

“Don’t know what got into him. But I tell you, another new woman in town is going to put you down on the list, sorry to say.”

“Can’t pretend I’m upset to hear it. But what’s this all about?”

“Margaret will do a much better job of telling you the story, but there hasn’t been a woman in the Donnelly house for many years, and all of a sudden, there’s a wife.” He laughed so hard, he gulped and sputtered.

“Take it easy. That kind of laughing is as hard on your heart as strenuous exercise.”

“I’m going to have to nap, not because I’m tired, but because I’ll let the cat out of the bag if I’m around Margaret’s interrogation too long.”

Anna parked the car. “How are you going to get her out to Jack’s without raising suspicion?”

Herman got out and crossed through the hedge to his home. “I’m going to sleep on it right now,” he said over his shoulder.

Anna followed him inside. “What’re we going to tell Nick about Molly when he comes to get her?”

“I’ll leave that up to you. I’ve got my own worries.” He eyed her. “Where are you going?”

“I’m coming in to check on you. Margaret left you in my care. I’ve already lost a dog and have to keep a secret from my two friends in town.”

Herman smirked. “Life can be cruel.”

Anna waited for him to settle in before she headed home. Thinking about the little intimate smiles and touches passing between Jack and Sharon, her eyes filled with tears. Instead of letting the emotion turn her into a red-faced, runny nosed wreck, she went outside and tugged at weeds in her garden. She’d be able to hear if Herman ran into difficulties.

You’re just using Herman as an excuse,
she scolded herself. Although his cheeks did look pinker and his stride appeared stronger. He’d also put on a little weight because his dentures barely clattered anymore.

After the weeds were cleared, Anna got out the spade and the wheelbarrow, loaded three rocks from her pile and started leveling the area around her garden, careful not to disturb the young plants establishing roots into the earth.

Margaret staggered through the gate an hour later, loaded down with bags. “What a day.”

“Do you have more parcels?”

“Just a few.”

“I’ll get them.” Anna sprinted to the car and retrieved bags so the other women could leave. When she returned, she found Margaret sitting in a deck chair.

“Thank you,” she sighed. “I’ve forgotten how much work going shopping can be, but we had such a good time.”

“I’m glad. Herman’s having a nap.”

Margaret glanced at her watch. “I’ll put things into the refrigerator, then I’m crawling in beside him. I brought home a baked chicken so dinner will be ready in no time at all.”

What’s today, ‘Couples’ Day?’
Everywhere she turned, people were sharing intimate moments. Anna kicked down on the spade and flung the dirt over her shoulder.

As the sun dipped behind the hills, she assumed Nick would have headed straight out to the farm. He’d know Margaret would be home if there was any trouble with Molly. Perhaps he thought they’d still be waiting for the guests to arrive.

Anna examined the painted miniature house walls and the sculpted rug scraps she had found at a yard sale. Suddenly restless, she didn’t feel like continuing work on this project. What was the sense of building little houses no one would ever live in?

She brought her tea over to the table with the photographs, powered up her computer, and began another Google search.

She typed in ‘John Good’ and this time found a copy of his obituary stating he was a war child and had no living relatives. If that were true, then how did she end up at the cottage? How did Murray end up in his will?

The mystery deepened.

Through the open window, Herman’s strong voice interrupted Anna’s concentration. “Just keep your drawers on and do as you’re asked for a change. And drive out to Nick’s. Don’t worry about Molly, either. Everything is under control.”

“Are you sure this isn’t something to do with your meds again? I can’t imagine Nick wanting company after his day. I should have invited him for supper.”

“Will you stop worrying about everyone else and just drive, woman.”

A giggle from Margaret. “I can tell you’re getting stronger.”

Herman’s, “Yes, and I’ll be able to drive my sweetie around again soon,” drifted back to Anna on the spring breeze.

The sun’s afterglow disappeared as Anna searched the Internet. Thinking about the evening ahead, she made a decision. With quick actions, she showered, pulled on her jeans and T-shirt, shook out her hair, and dropped her leather-soled pumps in a shoe bag. If she was going to live in this town, she had to participate on her own. She was going to kick up her heels at the town hall. Anna would join the others at the singles table.

Anna walked down Center Street, already crowded with cars. The night didn’t scare her. There were street lights, and since she’d met Molly, she no longer assumed every dog was out to chew her leg. She had gnawed herself raw with that fear. One little bite so many years ago had hurt her more on the inside than the outside.

She scanned the parking spaces for the Regina Beach truck.
Of course it won’t be here. He’s home meeting his stepmom.
When a child became an adult, was the stepmother title still in effect, or was the woman just ‘Father’s wife?’ To be a stepmom, did the new wife have to adopt the child? All interesting questions.

As Anna entered the town hall building, she heard a line dance called. She was in luck.
Must be country music tonight. I can do this.
She hung up her coat, kicked off her sneakers and stepped into her pumps. Slipping into the middle of the back line, she lost herself in the tempo of the music, following the steps of those up front. Maybe in a different life, she could become a country and western singer rather than a miniature house builder. Suddenly, building full-time no longer held any appeal, but instead reminded her of the dark days after Murray’s death.

Somewhere through ‘Boot Scootin’ Booty,’ she decided this would be her last house project. She’d charge Mr. Kindle for the cost of the materials, if the model met with his expectations as a gift for his wife. With that decision made, Anna felt a load lift within her.

She danced a schottische with plaid-shirted Ted, who always waved at her in town. The postmistress, Margi, led her in a country waltz, and when she hummed a tune in the minister’s ear, he asked her to join the choir. Every time the door opened, Anna searched for a tall, dark man with a slight limp.

In the ladies’ room, two women speculated why Nick hadn’t come and wondered when the limp from his injury would go away. Anna wasn’t the only one keeping her eye out for the young, eligible bachelor. She knew he was at home being surprised by his father’s return with a new wife. She’d been sworn to secrecy.
What is with these Donnelly men and their secrets?

At the end of the night, she swung her shoe bag above her head while she danced down the street to music only she heard. The clouds were building overhead. Though it wasn’t late, the Lambs’ house was in darkness.

After arriving home, Anna wrapped herself in her housecoat and watched the lightening flash across the lake, counting down from each roll of thunder. Life was full of possibilities. All she had to do was grab them by the throat and shake. She wasn’t tired. The cola and coffee she’d downed kept her eyelids stuck in the ‘open’ position.

She grabbed sandpaper and sanded. Since this was going to be her last project, she wanted it to be perfect—well not perfect, exactly, but wonderful.

Nick checked his watch every few minutes until the last man climbed out of the water line trench. He nodded permission for the backhoe operator to fill in the hole, and hoped he hadn’t tied up Anna’s entire day. She and Herman hadn’t reported back that the guests had arrived. He should have just left his cell phone number or the town office number on the B and B door.

This whole water thing had him baffled. He rubbed his thigh and stepped cautiously, the slick gumbo feeling as if it could suck his prosthesis right off. After a quick call to Janis and Mayor Reginald, he would drive straight to the farm, check on the guests; relieve Herman and Anna. He could always come back later to check on the finished job and turn on the valves for whoever needed water. Janis had been instructed to make sure people continued to boil water until the tests came back, but at least they could bathe and flush. He didn’t want an epidemic on his hands.

When he drove through the gap in the white fence, he was surprised Anna’s white hatchback wasn’t there. Lights were on in the house. Perhaps something had happened to Herman. He hated when he missed details. Perhaps he wasn’t as fit as he thought he was. He should have found a way to handle this situation a whole lot better.

Nick climbed the steps. Where was his dog with that stupid collar? She must be back in town with Anna, or Margaret and Herman. He needed a swim to loosen his tense muscles but that would have to wait for now.