Annie's Rainbow - Fern Michaels [15]
“I love you, Elmo Richardson,” Jane said, wrapping her arms around the old man.
“Me too,” Annie said.
Everything was going to be just fine now. Or was it just wishful thinking on her part? A chill ran up Annie’s spine when she recalled Elmo’s words about all the people who had questioned him. Would those same people think it suspicious that he sold out right after the robbery and moved here to be with Jane and her? Probably. Elmo would put them in their place lickety-split. Thank you, God, for sending Elmo. I wish I knew why You’re being so good to me after what I did.
“Lock the door, Annie.”
“Okay. It does look pretty, doesn’t it?”
“Just like my postcards,” Jane laughed.
“And I have the two prettiest girls in town going out to dinner with me. Who could want more?” Elmo said.
Who indeed? Annie thought.
CHAPTER THREE
“Dr. Mitchum, are you sure Mom is up to the trip?”
“Annie, your mother is right as rain. The bites have healed nicely. She had no adverse effects from the drugs. The raccoon was tested, and it wasn’t rabid. She was lucky. Tall Pines is a wonderful nursing home. I don’t think your mother will be taking any more naps in a woodshed anytime soon. It was a freak accident.”
“That’s just the point. Mom shouldn’t have been allowed to wander off. However, I understand what you’re saying. She used to do a lot of gardening, and we did have a toolshed where she kept all her potting tools and such. Maybe she thought she was back home. This is just a guess on my part, but she might have thought the raccoon was our old cat Flossie.”
“Sometimes there’s a little spark, Annie. Not often. Your mother can be quite vibrant at times. I’ve taken care of everything with Tall Pines. Norma is free to go whenever you’re ready. I’m truly sorry this happened.”
“Me too, Dr. Mitchum. In a way it is probably a good thing. I’ll be able to visit more often and take her on outings. Guess I’ll say good-bye. Thanks for taking such good care of Mom.”
Annie was almost to the door when the kindly doctor called her name. “Annie, always be kind to your mother. Even though she’s in her own little world, she has feelings and anxiousness. Lately she’s been crying a lot. We don’t know why. I just wanted you to know that.” Annie nodded.
Annie pasted a tired smile on her face when she rounded the corner to enter the visitor’s lounge. Her mother was pacing, a nurse’s aide alongside her.
“Ready, Mom?”
Norma Clark looked around, a confused look on her face. “Are you speaking to me, child?”
“Yes. I’m Annie. We’re going to go for a ride.”
“I don’t think so. Not today. I’d just like to go home.”
“Okay, then let’s go home.”
“That’s very kind of you. What did you say your name was?”
“Anna Daisy Clark,” Annie said with a catch in her voice.
“That’s a very pretty name. Were you named after a flower? I used to have daisies in my garden. I planted them myself.”
“I know. I used to pick them for you.”
“My goodness, I don’t remember that.”
“Careful now. The car is right over there. Do you want to sit in the front or the back?”
“It’s a short ride, so it doesn’t matter.”
“Mom, it’s a long ride. Six hours or so. Front or back? There’s a pillow in the back.”
“That’s just like your father. He always thought I needed a pillow. How did you get here, Annie?”
“Mom, you know me?” Annie asked incredulously.
“Of course I know you. Anna Daisy Clark. Sometimes I used to call you Lazy Daisy when you didn’t clean your room.”
“Oh, Mom,” Annie said tearfully. “This is the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time. Tom is going to be so happy when I tell him.”
“Who’s Tom?” Norma asked as she climbed into the backseat.
Annie’s clenched fist hit the side of the door with such force, pain ricocheted up and down her arm. This must be one of the little sparks Dr. Mitchum was talking about, she thought as she settled herself behind the wheel. A spark is good. I’ll settle for a spark once in a while. Thank you, God, for that one. I promise not to be greedy.
Annie chattered nonstop for the first half of the trip. It wasn’t until they stopped for coffee