Covered Bridge Charm (28 page)

Surely not,
Carly thought. She’d just had Martha’s room disinfected and cleaned, readied for her return. She hurried into the vacant room and saw the familiar lump in Martha’s bed again. Angry, she jerked back the covers and gasped at the stiff corpse. She stared a moment, then threw the covers back over Teacup and headed for the receptionist’s desk.

On the way, however, she heard Dot crying, so she stopped to see what was happening with her. “Dot?” The small woman sat at her table, her head in her arms. Gently, Carly approached. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” She spent several moments trying with no luck to make sense of Dot’s garbled response. She went to her kitchenette and got her a glass of water.

After that, Dot was able to express herself. “Everybody’s gone. I’m all alone.”

“No you aren’t. I’m here.”

“Martha’s gone.”

“Jah, but she’s just recuperating and will return to us.” She didn’t know that for a fact, but Dot wouldn’t remember what she’d said long enough to hold her to it. “I’m going to visit her later. Would you like me to say hello for you?”

Dot nodded. “I miss her. She’s my best friend. Besides Crusher.” Then she started to cry again. “And he forgot my orange juice this morning.”

Carly went to the sink where they always kept the dirty glass to prove that he’d brought it. “Look. See this glass. He was here.”

Dot took the glass and peered into it. Then she set it on the table with a clink. “Am I going crazy?”

“No. Of course not. Just a little forgetful, but otherwise good as ever.”

“I just don’t understand why Martha doesn’t come to see me.”

Then Carly remembered the cat. “Would you like me to turn on the Christian music station?” It had been one of the ways Martha was helping Dot remember her faith.

“Please.”

After getting her settled, Carly focused on her earlier purpose, hurrying to the front station to locate Sherie.

She whispered. “Nines’s cat died on Martha’s bed.”

It took a moment for Sherie to recover, but then she quickly responded. “Let the cat alone for now, since Martha’s not here. Call Adam and see if he’ll make a box. Then we’ll tell Nines and have a funeral for it in her room.” The sad thing was that Nines didn’t have any family in town to help her through times like this. With her son living out of town, they’d have to be her support.

Carly nodded. Except she wasn’t calling Adam. Not after she’d ignored six calls from him yesterday. Instead, she found Miranda and asked her to make the call. Just before quitting time, Adam arrived. When he walked into the lobby, Carly turned and headed for the staff room. Minutes ticked by, and finally the door creaked open. His dark eyes peered at her. “Let’s go outside and talk.”

“I’m busy.”

His wore a determined expression. “We can talk privately or here for the entire staff to hear.”

“Fine!” She threw the door open and barked at Miranda. “I’ll be back in a second.” She could feel the woman’s curious gaze peering into her back. Outside she crossed her arms. “Thanks for embarrassing me in front of Miranda.”

He smirked. “I think you did that to yourself. Did you really think you could hide from me?”

“I wasn’t hiding. I was cleaning out the refrigerator.” Thankfully, she spoke part of the truth.

“Well the last time I checked… on our last date… I was a little more interesting than a dirty refrigerator. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Nappanee, but that’s old news. The important thing is our relationship. I should’ve told you, but I didn’t think it mattered anymore. I’m sending back the plane ticket.”

“That’s nice. In the meantime, I’d like to take a break.”

“You mean until I send the ticket back?”

“Until after January 10.”

“So you don’t trust me. That hurts.”

“I’m sorry. This has been a really stressful day. I need to get back inside.”

“This isn’t over, you know.”

She turned away.

“Wait!”

She paused.

“Tell Sherie I’ll bring the box in about an hour. And heads up. I’m staying for the cat’s funeral.”

She nodded as Crusher approached them from assisted living. When he saw them, he hesitated.

“Want to help me make a cat coffin?” Adam asked him.

The older man’s eyes lit. “Sure.”

S
ince they were on a time crunch, the box was a simple, rather crude affair. Adam handed Crusher the sandpaper while he put away the woodworking tools. “I miss this place.”

“Me, too. I started doing kits.”

“What kind?”

“Miniature cars. Painting them, too.”

Knowing such a collection wouldn’t be church-approved, Adam replied. “No kidding? My lips are sealed.”

“Keeps me busy so I don’t have to think about Dot all the time.”

Putting the cover on the saw, Adam asked, “How’s she doing?”

“She had a rough day. Martha had to go to the hospital, and now she’s in the care center.”

With shock, Adam instantly realized the impact this would have had on Carly. “Is it serious with Martha?”

“Seems so. And Dot’s been crying half the day.”

“I’m sorry to hear it.”

Crusher put aside the sandpaper. “You and Carly having a spat?”

Adam held up a finger while he used the noisy air compressor to blow dust off the box. Then as Crusher swept, he poured out the entire story about how he’d fallen for Carly when they worked together to hook up Martha with an old boyfriend, mentioning how that part was confidential. He hadn’t even got to the part about Nappanee, when Crusher interrupted.

“You’ve been looking at the wrong bridge.”

“What do you mean?”

“That was the summer that Martha’s house burned down. Her family moved up toward Scio while they rebuilt. I’ll bet it was the Larwood bridge.”

Adam realized that Dale hadn’t done any research in that area.

“Anyway what caused the spat between you and Carly?”

With a grin, Adam explained, “That’s a long story. But the information you just gave me will make a great peace offering.”

Crusher chuckled. “Glad to help.”

“Now, let’s get this box over to assisted living. Sherie gave me the key to the emergency exit so I can sneak it into the hall and into Martha’s apartment.”

“I doubt you’ll get past Patty. She monitors the hall, you know.”

“Let’s try. The fewer residents who know about it, the less grief it’ll cause.”

“Hope Sherie knows what she’s doing. I’d better go with you. Make sure Dot’s okay.”

Carly sat with Nines, who’d been given the news. The older woman took it better than Carly had predicted, but then Nines was a private woman and thought it was unseemly to show her emotions in public.

“I couldn’t figure out why he kept running away from me. Now I know he was just trying to find a secluded place to rest and go to heaven. And Martha’s bed really is a soft setup.”

“Jah. I’m sure he went peacefully.”

“He won’t have to suffer anymore. I think it was pretty painful for him to get around.”

It was an issue upon which Carly remained undecided. Could she ever be satisfied to lose a loved one even though their suffering was great? Thankfully, they hadn’t needed to make that decision for Teacup. “Do you have his bed or something to put in the box with him?”

Nines stood, and her helpless gaze scoped the room. “No. He slept on my bed. But let’s give him that sofa pillow.”

Carly widened her eyes. “The one with the pretty needlework?”

“Yep.”

“Are you sure?”

“He’s the only family I have.”

Patricia Smith knew that wasn’t the entire truth. She had a son, but he’d moved to California straight from college. At the time, she’d wondered if she’d been too strict on him, always complaining about the dirt he dragged into the house and the way he dressed. She remembered teaching him to iron before he went to college.

He’d hugged her. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll be back.”

It was the same thing he’d said when he moved to California. Oh, Patricia knew her memory was slipping, but he was the only family she had left. That’s why she always dressed ready to go. When he finally showed up, as he did about once a year, she’d be looking her best. But after her husband died, it was Teacup who kept her company. Poor old, faithful Teacup.

Carly understood Nines’s feelings. “You’re right. It’ll be perfect for him.”

Miss Hall Patroller stuck her head inside the apartment. “Adam’s here with the box.”

“Thanks,” Carly replied.

Nines busied herself, gathering up Teacup’s toys. A few minutes later, Sherie entered the room. Behind her was Adam with Teacup.

Carly helped Nines back into her chair, and Adam placed the little coffin by her feet.

“How about we step outside for a moment and give you some time alone,” Sherie suggested.

Nines didn’t reply, and they all left the apartment. In the hall, Sherie said, “Let’s give her about fifteen minutes, then go back in and hold the service.”

When Sherie left them, Carly’s head throbbed from the stress of Adam’s gaze. “Thanks for doing that for us.”

He nodded, “It’s not much.”

“It’s special to Nines. She’s…” Her voice trailed off. She wasn’t ready to face Adam, especially under stressful circumstances. But he was always a rock when anyone needed him. He could be a godsend—she’d give him that.

As if he was reading her mind, he asked, “Can I take you home later?”

“No.” She answered too quickly.

“It’ll be too dark for you to ride your bike. I’m good for a ride, right?”

And he claimed she read him like a dog-eared book. She guessed it was mutual. Narrowing her eyes in distrust, she replied, “All right, but don’t expect any decent conversation.”

Adam was thankful for small victories. It was another hour until Teacup’s service was over. Then he loaded the small coffin in the bed of his truck, having offered to bury her at the farm. He’d described an idyllic spot where they’d buried all their family pets. Nines had liked the idea, and he’d even seen appreciation in Carly’s eyes.

Next he hoisted her bike into his truck and secured it. She was already inside the truck, shivering. Adjusting the heat control, he started down Long Street. The drive would be short. He needed to make the most of his time with the woman whose mind was set against him.