A Flicker of Doubt - Tim Myers [62]
Then prove it and call me by my given name.”
“Harrison it is,” she said.
“Ruth? Where are you?” her brother called out
“Tm coming, Cyrus.”
After they were gone, Morton and I stood outside by the limousine. “I guess I owe you an apology,” he said reluctantly.
That’s not important right now,” I said. “I just hope there’s a prayer of a chance he’ll walk someday.”
Morton nodded. “I owe you one,” he said.
I turned to the driver and said, “I need to get back to the candleshop, John. Do you mind giving me a lift?”
“You heard the lady. I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”
He held the door open for me, but I shook my head. If it’s all the same to you, I’ll ride up front.”
John smiled softly. “You’re one of kind, Harrison. Most folks love being chauffeured around.”
I had an idea. “Do you ever get to ride yourself? Give me your cap and I’ll let you travel in style. You can even shut the interior window if you want to.”
He laughed. “I’d get fired if I did that but thanks for offering.”
Back at the candleshop, I raised a few eyebrows getting out of a limo, but I just waved to Millie as she came out of her shop to see what the fuss was about John and I shook hands, then he headed off to the hospital.
“Now I’ve seen it all: Harrison Black riding around town in a limousine.”
“I thought it might be fun,” I said, keeping my expression level.
“Harrison, you’re pulling my leg. Ruth Nash’s back In town, isn’t she?”
I nodded. “I finally got in to see Cyrus.”
“How is he?”
“He was in a wheelchair” I said. ‘It doesn’t look good.”
“Then I’ll say an extra prayer for him tonight,” Millie said.
“It couldn’t hurt.”
Millie wasn’t the only one the limo had attracted. Sanora came out of her shop, too. “Harrison, I need to talk to you.”
From the expression on her face, I knew it wasn’t going to be a pleasant conversation. “I’ll be right there.”
She ducked back into her shop, and Millie asked, “What have you done now?”
“I’m not sure, but I’ve got a feeling I’m about to find out.”
Chapter 17
“Harrison, I hate to be another complication for you, so I’ve decided to make the decision myself and leave River’s Edge.”
I stared at Sanora, not sure what the best way to react would be. In a heartbeat, I decided to go with full, flat-out honesty, just as Pearly had suggested. “Blast it all, I don’t want you to leave.”
She looked at me carefully and asked, “Does that mean Heather is going?”
“How many times am I going to have to say this? Sanora, I want you both here. You’re an important part of River’s Edge, and I’m not talking about the rent you pay, either. You bring us all a classier level of clientele, and more importantly, I like you being a part of the place.”
“Why, Harrison, I didn’t realize you cared.”
I ran my fingers through my hair. “Listen, I know I’ve been kind of distracted lately, but I haven’t been playing favorites, I swear it. I’ve been so tied up with everything that’s been happening I haven’t had a chance to be the landlord I should be.”
She touched my arm lightly. “I know we all make demands on time you don’t have.”
“I mean it, Sanora, I don’t want you to go. It’s as simple as that.”
She took it in, then nodded firmly. “Then I won’t leave. If Heather has a problem with me, she’s going to have to just deal with it”
“Good, I’m glad you’re staying. I’ll run your new lease right over.”
She smiled slightly. “Before I can change my mind, is that it?”
“I didn’t say that. I want you to be happy here.”
She gestured to the river outside. “Why do you think I fought so hard to get back? River’s Edge gets in your blood, you know?”
“I do,” I said.
I ran upstairs and grabbed Sanora’s lease, then almost as an afterthought I grabbed Heather’s as well. Maybe I’d be two-for-two today.
Sanora laughed when I barged back into her pottery shop. “You weren’t kidding, were you?”
“I even brought you a pen.”
She took it, started to sign, then stopped.
“What