Annie's Rainbow - Fern Michaels [127]
Jane hooted with laughter. “That dog’s feet haven’t touched the floor in a week. He sleeps right next to her on her pillow. He perches on the edge of the tub while she’s taking a bath. He cries all day while she’s in school. I carry him in a knapsack. He knows the minute her feet touch the sidewalk out front. You did good, Annie. I need to thank you for that. The change in Daisy is so wonderful. She’s a happy little girl again.”
“When I was that age I would have killed for a pet like Charlie. I had goldfish.”
Jane’s voice dropped to a low whisper. “Are we doing the right thing by taking Elmo, Annie? He’s so frail.”
“I hope so. I asked him last night if he was sure he wanted to make the trip, and his response was, ‘Try going without me.’ Then he got real feisty and wanted to know if we were objecting to pushing his wheelchair. He said he wanted a motorized one. I said okay. You know when he gets testy like that it doesn’t pay to argue. He doesn’t have long, Jane. We have to prepare ourselves.”
“You can’t prepare for something like that. You think you can, but it doesn’t work. When it happens, it slams right into you. Either you deal with it, or you don’t. I fall apart in a crisis, you know that.”
“I’m no better.”
“Tell me, how do you really feel about Clay Mitchell? Isn’t it time we talked about Parker?”
“I like Clay’s dog. I think Clay’s a nice person. I offered him a job. He said he would let me know. He said yes at first, but he didn’t mean it. He’s got a lot of personal baggage he has to deal with. I told him I didn’t want him or his old FBI friends helping us with our problems. I think he got kind of miffed about that. When we get back from Boston we’ll drive to North Carolina to pick up my truck if that’s okay with you. I might even take Rosie and Harry and let them run to their heart’s content. I bet Jake can show them all kinds of rabbit warrens. They’re city dogs, though.”
“Parker?”
“Parker is someone I used to know. I was one of many who thought they fell in love in the islands. I understand it’s a common occurrence. Sometimes reality has to slap you in the face. It was a mistake, and I’ll live with it.”
“Kind of like the one I made.”
“You were in love back then, Jane.”
“No, I wasn’t, Annie. I was afraid. I wanted to get away from you and Elmo. I have no guts. You know that. It’s all in the past. From where I’m standing, the future looks pretty damn good. By the way, I found a little house yesterday in Summerville. It’s close to the school, and Daisy can walk. It’s got a fenced yard and everything. It’s just twenty minutes from Charleston. I think I’m going to take it. I want your opinion first, though.”
Annie leaned across the table. “Jane, don’t rush into anything. Listen, I don’t know if I should be telling you this or not, so keep it to yourself, okay?”
“Sure.”
“Elmo is leaving his entire estate in trust for Daisy. That means this house, too. It’s perfect for you and Daisy. It’s got a pool, the grounds are fenced, and the gardens are great. Daisy loves it here. Don’t do anything rash just yet.”
Jane burst into tears.
“Shhh, here comes Elmo. Right on time. The car service should be arriving any minute now. You better get Daisy and Charlie. With you and Daisy on each side of him, he can handle the ramp. I can handle the bags.”
In the car, sitting next to Elmo, Annie felt her heart start to flutter. She risked a glance at the old man. His color was bad, and he seemed to be having difficulty breathing. “We don’t have to go to this reunion. If you aren’t feeling well, Elmo . . .”
“I’m feeling just fine, and, yes, we do have to go to this reunion. I don’t like it when plans switch up. I have myself psyched to see the old store. I’m going. I’m a little winded, that’s all. I have all my medication. That’s the end of it, ladies.”
“Do you want to hold Charlie, Uncle Elmo?” Daisy asked.
“I’d love to hold the little guy. He isn’t going to poop on my new suit, is he?”
“Oh, Uncle Elmo, you are so funny. Charlie only poops