Annie's Rainbow - Fern Michaels [116]
“He is nice, Elmo. So is his dog. I’m going to let him take the Rover back and at some point Jane and I will drive up and get it. He used to play for the Lakers. His wife died three years ago. I don’t think he’s over it yet.”
“He’s over it. He just feels guilty about getting on with his life. Real nice fellow.”
“You said that already, Elmo,” Annie said tartly.
“Sometimes, Annie, you don’t see what’s right in front of your eyes. Sometimes you need a little nudge and even that doesn’t work and I have to give you a shove.”
“Elmo, are you trying to match us up?”
“Why would I be doing something like that? You’re mooning over that Hawaiian fellow. What would be the point?”
“I’m not mooning over anyone, Elmo. Parker and I are at opposite ends of the spectrum. I’ve had a lot of time to think, Elmo, and I came to realize Parker is not the man for me. We are too opposite in our thinking. Oh, it might work for a while, but eventually the marriage would erode. He wants me to give up too much, and I want him to give up too much. Neither party should have to give up anything. I care a great deal for him, but I’m not in love with him. I know that now.”
“Well, thank the Lord for small favors.”
“Are you telling me you never approved of Parker, Elmo?”
“I’m not saying that at all. I just plain out didn’t like the man.”
“Elmo, for God’s sake, you never met him.”
“What’s that got to do with anything? I talked to him hundreds of times. Tom told me things. You told me things. Jane told me things. I just didn’t like the man. And you know what else, Annie? The man didn’t like me. I had the sense that he has no patience with old people. I wouldn’t have said a word if you hadn’t said something first.”
“You should have said something earlier, Elmo.”
“I thought I did when I came back from Hawaii with the dogs. You were in love. At least you said you were.”
“I think I was in love with the word love. I wanted someone of my own. I thought Parker was that special person who would light up my life. Maybe he is that person, and I’m simply too dumb to see it. Any news from our friends in Boston?”
“Not a word. Tom, Jane, and I had this idea to go on the attack. It fell flat. We don’t have criminal minds. By the way, did you file a police report about last night?”
“No, Elmo, I didn’t. I didn’t see anyone. A car was behind me. There’s no law against that. I managed to scale the ditch. He didn’t. He, whoever he is, would say he lost his bearings in the heavy rain. You couldn’t see an inch in front of you. I depended on the lightning, and don’t think for one minute that I don’t know someone up there was watching over me. Clay said there were no license plates on the car and that it was locked. Yeah, my purse is gone. How do I prove he, whoever he is, took it? The police will tell me if I was stupid enough to leave it, I deserve whatever I get. That’s the way it is, Elmo. I don’t want you worrying about me.”
“Fine, I won’t worry about you,” the old man snapped. “What’s for dinner?”
“I have no clue. What’d you get Daisy for her birthday?”
“A big red wagon. She’ll be able to pull that dog you’re getting her around in it. Kids love doing that. Annie, I saw my lawyer last week. I didn’t say anything to Jane about this, but I want you to know. I’m leaving everything I have in trust for Daisy. I want her to have a fine start when she finishes college. You aren’t upset, are you?”
“Not one little bit. That’s so kind of you, Elmo. Jane won’t be upset either. She’ll be as grateful as I am. Daisy’s a sweet little girl.”
“She’s a whiz at checkers, I can tell you that. She’s starting to come around. She’s got a long way to go, but she’ll make it.”
“More tea, Annie?” Jane asked as she sailed into the room.
“Sure,” Annie said, holding out her glass.
“Nice guy, Annie. Real nice.”
“Don’t you start now. He drove me home is all. His dog is the one who found me. He helped me; that