Moving On (10 page)

“Wow.” She stared, open-mouthed. “Did he know about these children?”

Herman looked away.

“And you know, too?” Anna probed.

“I know some details but John swore me to silence.” Herman cast his eyes toward the tablecloth.

“I understand about keeping confidence, I won’t ask any more questions.” Anna stood. “I need to get to work. Today, I’m going to make my first cuts into that beautiful piece of wood George brought over.”

“Did you make any decisions about the estimates he gave you?”

“No, but I will.” She touched him on the shoulder on her way past him to the gate. “Come over later and see what I’m doing.”

Could this be her attraction to Nick?
At least I haven’t baked for him yet.

Later, Anna looked at the plans and knew she had to make the first and hardest cut. Her client, Mr. Kindle had mailed her a copy of the original blueprints which Anna had reduced to a one-twelfth scale. He included digital photographs of the present décor and sent video clips of home movies. They’d chosen to decorate the house in Eighties’ style, when both of their children still were at home. Mrs. Kindle seemed most reluctant to leave this specific part of their family history.

Anna unfolded two sawhorses on the deck. She wrestled the large piece of wood and laid it flat for her measurements. With her straight edge and right angle ruler, she drew precise pencil marks to guide her. She donned her safety glasses, turned on her electric saw and made the first cut.

“What’s all that racket interrupting a man’s nap?”

Anna released the saw’s trigger. “I’m sorry, Herman. Is it too noisy? I never thought. The last time I did this, I worked indoors.”

“Nah, not really. I wondered why George brought this kind of wood.” He crossed over and stood scratching his whiskers.

“One of my mysteries is about to be revealed.”

“Let me guess. You’re building a new wardrobe for your Sunday clothes.”

“No.”

“A stool to reach into small enclosed spaces you might find.”

“No.”

“A lounge for the backyard to watch your garden grow.”

“No, but a good idea. However, the hardware store would deliver a ready-made faster than I could make it.”

“Okay, I give up.”

“I build miniature houses. Today is the first cut.”

“I’m impressed. I would not have guessed sawdust ran in your veins.” He ran his palm over the wood. “I used to do a fair bit of model building in my day. Maybe I can help you.”

“I’d love that. Let’s look at my plans.”

They walked past the dining room table, where the treasure stash of photographs was displayed, directly to the large country-style kitchen table she had placed in front of the window overlooking the lake. He examined the shelves with her imported dollhouse furniture, different grades of sand paper, samples of stain, and material. He was like a kid in a candy store, picking up and examining the tiny, unfinished cabinets and chairs.

He reached for photographs of the houses she’d completed to date. “You did these? I’m impressed.”

“Me, too. I started building to keep my mind occupied and it just grew. The one I am building now is my first commission. I’m a little nervous.”

Her work table looked like a mismatched lumber yard. Working with tiny things was a frustrating hobby. “While some hobbyists build fanciful houses, I create miniatures that reconnect with the past. This first house,” she tapped the first page in the album, “is a replica of my grandparents’ farmhouse where I spent all my early childhood Christmases. Working on the house gave Mom and me opportunities to recall memories, like the accidental bullet hole above the kitchen door her grandfather kept hidden for years.”

Anna’s fondest memories had happened in the dining room, where all of the chairs in the house were often filled with relatives crammed around a huge table for boisterous holiday meals.

“This one looks modern.” Herman held up the page with pictures of her dream home.

“It was a dream house, but that dream was just a dream. Here is where I live now.” She straightened. “I need to finish cutting. Do you want to wait in here or come out?”

“I’ll wait here.”

“There’s iced tea in the fridge.”

She needed a few minutes alone. Closing the summer door behind her, she pulled her safety glasses back into place and flipped the switch for the saw.

She came back in to check on Herman. “Everything okay?”

He was sitting at the dining room table surrounded by the photographs she’d found. “Sure, I was just thinking. I’d suggest you go to the library and get a copy of the history book. I’d lend you our copy but the last time I lent it out we didn’t get it back without a lot of pestering. Margaret made me promise never to lend it again.”

“Not a problem. I’ll check out the library copy when I go downtown again.”

“Don’t forget it isn’t open all the time, like those big city places.”

“Thanks for the suggestion. If any of these faces start to ring a bell, will you let me know?”

“Of course, but one of the reasons I was coming over is that you and I are going to have a lot to occupy our minds, just like poor Nick.”

“Why? What happened?” She panicked. “Is it Molly? He told me about her porcupine attack.”

“No Molly’s just embarrassed. Something seems to be wrong with the water supply. People are complaining about an odor as well as getting stomach cramps.”

She looked at Herman with concern. He couldn’t afford any compromises to his health at this stage of his recuperation. “How are you?”

“Oh, I’m good.”

“We’d better boil our water though, until the problem is under control.”

“You had something to do with health care, didn’t you? A nurse?”

“You got it, just not working in the field right now.”

“How come? They’re crying for nurses.”

“I needed a break from shift work at the hospital.” She pulled at her hair. “I wasn’t ready to go back when the opportunity to move here came up, so here I am.”

“You didn’t kill anyone?”

“No.” She could feel the blood drain from her face.
I just couldn’t save one particular person.

Something like a beam of hope flashed across his face when he said, “Wait until Margaret hears I have my own professional right next door. She’ll be so happy. She might even go back to her weekly shopping days to the city with her girlfriends.”

Anna’s heart banged against her chest until she thought about the relief she could offer to Margaret and Herman. A sense of well-being swept over her. “I hate to ask, but would you tell Margaret to keep it under her hat until after I’ve finished this commission? I’m trying to decide if I’ll go back to that particular field of work. Remember, I haven’t worked for awhile.”

“Don’t worry. I’m sure it’s like riding a bike. I’ll ask Margaret, but I can’t guarantee anything. You know how small towns are and she does like to help her friends.”

“I’m beginning to find out.”

“Do you need a hand carrying the foundation of your house?”

“No thanks. I’m going to tip it against the wall. I’ll paint outside. Hauling rocks has made me strong.”

“Nick asked where you’ve been getting your rocks,” Herman said, his blue-veined hands gripping the door.

“Did you tell him?”

“No way! It’s too good a secret.” He ran his hand across the wood leaning against the wall. “I envy you, working with wood.”

“Wood, bones, skin, heart. It’s all a puzzle.” She felt lighter. Someone knew a little more about her.

“I suppose. But make a wrong cut with a piece of wood and nobody dies.”

“You’re right.”

They heard Margaret’s trill across the hedge. “Herman, where are you?”

“Oh, for a few hours of peace.” He rolled his eyes. “Coming.” He turned back to Anna. “Can I tell her this afternoon? Tuesdays they go to the city. A day away will do us both some good.”

“Just ask her to keep it close to her chest for a month or so.”

“I’ll try.”

Anna stood back and admired the treasured wood George had delivered days ago. She had cut the exact measurement for the walls and roof. She would paint them before putting them together.

Margaret’s fragmented conversation wafted over. “You poor girl. I’ll take care of you.”

Anna’s head jerked up when she heard a woof. She crept to the hedge and peered over to see Molly with the upside-down lamp shade on her head. The strange thing was, Molly didn’t look like a beast at all but like a dog needing a little sympathy. The poor thing. Anna went back to her work. The day was warm. She primed all the sections of wood.

While she rinsed out brushes, the aroma of cinnamon awakened her senses. It had been a long time since breakfast. “Margaret, something smells delicious,” she called to her neighbor. “What are you baking?”

“This is for you, Anna.” She held out a tray of cinnamon buns as large as dinner plates. “Herman told me about your past.”

After she put the tray on the picnic table, she wagged her finger at Anna. “You should have told me sooner. I would have slept at night.”

“Did he also tell you not to tell the world?”

“He did, and he also told me to go to the city on Tuesday.” She reached up to wipe a tear from her eye. “I’ve needed a new bra for so long. I’ll be happy to go if you’re sure it won’t be any trouble.”

“It’ll be fun. He’ll help with the furniture.”

“Remember, no heavy lifting.”

“He’ll manage this furniture. Don’t worry. Come on in. I’ll show you.” Once inside, Anna placed a chair in Margaret’s palm.

With a smile, she nodded. “Yes, he’ll manage.”

“I forgot to have lunch. Do you mind?” Anna brought out butter and cheese.

“No, dear. You go ahead. I have a patient I have to attend to at my house.”

“Is Herman all right?”

“No, not Herman. I have . . . Well, Nick asked. I couldn’t say no.”

“Oh, you mean Molly.” There, Anna did it. She called the dog by its innocent name.

“The poor dear. She’s trying to hide, but it’s hard with her big body and that collar, too.”

Anna felt her medical questions kick in.
No
. She had one patient—more than enough.

Chapter 8

Nick paced along the indoor-outdoor carpet in the town office, then turned to Janis. “You have to tell the mayor we need the boil water advisory. I don’t know what’s going on.”

“Reginald hates to do anything that might spoil our tourism reputation, Nick,” she protested. “You know that.”

“I care about the town’s visitors, too. There has been a steady stream of cars down the highway to Regina’s ER, and Mrs. Lawson just went into the hospital by ambulance.”

“I’ll dial his number. You talk to him. I’m not getting yelled at again.”

“Never mind, I’ll drive over. He’s home?”

“That’s where he answered the phone when I called a few minutes ago to advise him on the latest events.”

“Call the senior home. Tell them now. I’ll be back for some notices to post and I’ll tell anyone I know. Would you call Herman and Margaret? We’ll need to get the word out as fast as possible and they have a strong network of friends and acquaintances.” Nick pushed open the heavy glass door. “Post it on our web page.”

“Yes, boss. You know the job posting is still open for a permanent position.”

“Dad’s supposed to be home in a few days and then I’m back to my other job.” He hesitated.

Janis jumped in with, “Saving a foreign country. What about saving our town?”

“That’s what I do. Protect someone, save something.” Nick took long strides to the municipal truck, climbed into the cab and put it in reverse. During his drive to Mayor Reginald’s house he inched over the speed limit.

The mayor opened the door on the first knock, full of bluff and bluster. “This isn’t Afghanistan, Nick. This is the middle of Saskatchewan, Canada. Nobody’s threatening our water supply. I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation.”

“I know where I am, Reginald. There isn’t a logical explanation for the odor or the cloudiness. You have to issue the boil water advisory until the health department can get its results. I’ve put a call into them.”

“Listen here, Nick. You’ve overstepped your job description. That’s a council decision.”

“No, it isn’t. It’s my responsibility. I’m in charge. If you don’t like it, fire me right now. Even if you fired me, I’d still fight you on this. What do you think a death would do to your precious tourist destination?”

He looked around Reginald’s home. Alice, the peacekeeper in this family, paced in the background.

“We’ve got that new development’s open house this weekend. How do you think this will look to potential residents?” Reginald asked.

“Like their council cares and isn’t afraid to do something about it. I mean it, Reginald. If I leave here without your permission, I will go ahead without you on this. I will not be responsible if anyone else becomes ill. Have you seen the steady stream of cars going into the city? My phone has been ringing off the hook since early this morning when the first commuters were up and getting ready for work. And then Margie was on the phone, with her new twins who were crying in the background needing a bath, and she wasn’t sure she should even put them in the water.”

Alice moved forward and put her hand on Reginald’s sleeve. “You know you have to do this. Don’t make Nick leave yet. He’ll be gone soon as Jack returns. Then you can hire a ‘yes’ man if you like.”

Nick knew about good women behind men in power, but he hadn’t seen one in action before. “Thank you, Alice.”

Reginald spoke in his mayoralty voice. “I’ll confirm with the health department and call the radio stations. You put the notice on the Center Street sign. Tell Janis to print up the notices for the usual spots.”

“I’ll phone the post office.” Nick glanced at his watch. “People should be checking for their mail now. We can catch a lot of them and they’ll spread the word.”

Nick was relieved Molly was with Margaret. He hated to think of her home alone trying to get around with the collar in the way. He mentally counted off the days until his father returned and then to his physical endurance appointment. Life was a lot less complicated in the army. There, he understood the chain of command.

The lapping waves of Last Mountain Lake broke his concentration for a moment. Lately, thoughts of a life other than full time army, seemed to belly crawl into his imagination. As he shifted the truck into gear, his focus returned to his present problems and his future plans of returning to his troop, away from his family heritage.

Nick didn’t have time to dwell on what might, could, should be. The community and their drinking water were his concern. He just wanted everyone to be safe and informed about the boil water advisory until he found the problem.

Working quietly, almost meditatively, Anna thought empathy wasn’t a bad thing. She just had to learn how to handle it differently. When she became wrapped up in others’ lives, she forgot her own, which was when she ran into difficulties. Her kettle whistled again, and she pulled it off the stove to transfer the boiled water to a sterilized container. When officials ordered a ‘boil water advisory,’ they often forgot to talk about how to store the water. As she refilled the kettle and set it to boil, her mantra of ‘self-care’ played.

She heard Molly’s joyous squeals. Anna turned the stereo louder. She didn’t want to hear someone enjoying welcome kisses.

A knock sounded at her door. “Anna.” Nick’s voice.

She swiped her sleeve across her forehead. Steam was rolling across the kitchen. “Coming.”

She opened the door. Nick and Molly both stood there. “Sorry, I had to bring her with me,” he apologized. “She’s too excited to let me out of her sight. She couldn’t hurt a flea.”

Anna swallowed her chuckle and bit the inside of her cheek. “Poor thing.” She placed her hand on Molly’s back. When she stared at Nick, she felt a sense of security in the depths of his brown eyes.

“You seem to take pity on invalids. Margaret said you might be able to help the town out in this crisis,” he said.

Anna groaned.

“Don’t be mad at her. She’s concerned for the old folks.” He shifted from one foot to the other.

“I asked her not to tell anyone I used to work as a nurse.”

“I didn’t ask her,” he pointed out. “She volunteered, and Herman was there shushing her, if that helps. You’ve got that man tied around your finger.”

Anna sank down into the nearest chair. “What would you like me to do?”

“Look, I know you have secrets. I have some, too.” He tapped his left leg. “Only Margaret and Herman and a handful of neighbors know about this one.”

“Don’t forget me.”

“Yes, and Magdalena, too.”

Anna’s heart raced.
Another woman.
Why was she surprised? Of course he’d have a special woman.

“So, it’s not such a secret. Probably most of the town knows. They just haven’t mentioned it to you. It’s like the fable of the king’s barber I read as a kid. He promised her everything. All she had to do was keep his secret that he had two horns. Finally, she had to tell someone, so she went on a long trip. She dug a hole and whispered it, then covered it up. The roots told the grass and the grass told the wind, the wind told the trees. No secrets.”

He stepped into the kitchen. “Looks like you’ve already heard the news.”

“News?”

“If you didn’t hear about the boil water advisory, then are you making soup?” he asked.

“I haven’t heard anything official, but Herman mentioned you suspected differences in the water. I’ve learned to take precautions.”

“Planning to bathe in this?” He pointed to all of the filled jugs.

“Do we have to? Is it that bad?” Her mind raced with probable consequences of contaminated water.

“We don’t know. We’re waiting for the test results, so we’re saying drinking and cooking. Do you have any suggestions?”

“I’d suggest seniors remember to soak their teeth in boiled water and that everyone keep hand sanitizers available.” She took a deep breath. “I’m doing this for Herman and Margaret. I don’t want him compromised.” She looked down at Molly. “You’re going to give her boiled water, too?”

A shy look came across his face. She almost laughed again. “I’m glad. She wouldn’t do well being sick in that contraption.”

“There’s something else I have to ask you.” He reached into the medical collar and scratched between Molly’s ears.

“Go on.”

“I understand Herman is spending the day with you tomorrow while Margaret goes to the city. I’d hoped Margaret would be able to keep . . .” He nodded toward Molly who looked up at him with adoring eyes. “I’ll be busy all day, and I can’t stand to think of her being alone in this condition.”

What about Magdalena?
The words were solid and tangible in her mind but she bit her lip. A whimper from Molly sounding like a canine, ‘Please,’ caught her attention, and Anna glanced down.

I can’t refuse that face
. “We’ll make a pact,” she said to Nick. “If she promises to stay in my yard so Herman and I don’t have to chase her, she can spend the day with us.”

“Did you hear that, girl? You’re going to have another adventure tomorrow.” He indicated the gallon jugs. “Do you want me to carry some of this next door?”

“Sure. I’m out of containers anyway.”

He looked around and spotted her work bench with its tiny pieces of furniture.

She held up her hand. “You’ve learned enough for now.”

He hooked his fingers through the handles of four jugs and whistled for Molly. They trudged through the hedge.

Anna’s heartbeat remained steady, not even kicking into overdrive at the thought of Molly being in her space tomorrow. “Poor baby, how does she eat and drink with that thing on?” she murmured to herself.

After Nick left, Anna picked up her guitar and went out onto the deck. She loved watching the prairie sunsets, and enjoyed the view while strumming notes. Bits of lyrics from songs skipped across her memory.
‘It’s wonderful, it’s marvelous that you should care for me.’

Except there wasn’t anyone left to care for her
.
Anna’s bottom lip trembled.
Of course there is. My parents are always there for me.
She changed her tempo and strummed her favorite Dixie Chicks’ song.
‘I’m going to be ready this time. Ready, ready to run, ready to have some fun! What’s all this thought of love?’

She sang loud. She didn’t care who heard. She wanted to have fun. She almost believed it.

Yes, Murray left her, but he didn’t choose to. It was an accident.
She had the legacy of love and knew the boundaries of pain. The image of Nick’s flushed complexion and dilated pupils showed he was interested. She had to change her tactics. She’d be ready when he returned to pick up Molly and her lampshade tomorrow. She’d put on her push-up bra and open the top buttons on her blouse. She’d shop for high heels.

Tomorrow night was dancing at the hall again.
Magdalena, watch out
. Anna packed up her guitar and went to bed.

Nick removed Molly’s collar so she could eat. She lay on the floor with the bowl between her paws and downed her food, then stood to drink her water. “I’m afraid, girl, I wasn’t honest with Anna,” he told the dog. “She doesn’t know this device has to come off so you can drink. Don’t worry, Herman will know. You won’t starve or get dehydrated.”

He scratched Molly’s ears and rubbed her neck where her collar had been, and ran his fingers through her fur to check the wounds. They were healing. With the collar back around Molly’s neck, man and dog walked to his bedroom where he stripped off the day’s clothes, changed into his swim suit, and hopped along behind the walker.

He swung the door open to the pool area and slid into the water. Here, he was as whole as he’d ever be. His right leg and strong arms propelled him from edge to edge. Just a few more days until he knew his future options and he could make concrete decisions.

With the sliding doors open to the night, he watched Molly prancing along the fence line, nose in the air, seeking the changes that had happened in her neighborhood while she was gone. Nick had seen changes, too. This town was no longer the small community where he attended school, played baseball, tossed curling rocks in the local community rink and cruised up and down Center Street seeking adventures.

Something troubling was going on.

Nick swam and allowed his mind to free-float. He thought about his course material, about what could be causing the turbidity of the water, the odor. He wondered about new development upstream from the town’s wells, but the filtration system would remove any dangers. That meant the trouble was after the filtration system. He’d be on the phone by eight in the morning obtaining the results of the tests. Then he’d know what he was dealing with. In the army he liked the idea of being part of a team rather than alone as he was here, where all the responsibilities seemed to be on his shoulders.

Before going to bed, Nick checked his father’s calendar. Tomorrow, guests were arriving from out-of-province.
I want my life back
. He was tired of being the stand-in B&B host and town foreman. His army life with the camaraderie of the men in his unit was where he belonged. But as he patted his stump dry, the wrinkled skin was testament nothing would be normal again.

He rubbed Molly’s head; two crippled—no,
physically challenged
—individuals living together, man and dog. Before he fell asleep, his dusk dream included Anna’s face in camouflage. Would she be there if he needed her? Could she forget her problems for the greater good? Someone who could put others ahead of themselves, that’s what he wanted, needed. Did they make women like that anymore?

Could Anna be part of his team, once he made changes in his life? She appeared to be genuine, but they both had a past.

Nick let the perfect dream of possibility fill his heart’s need. It nudged against the rock he had settled there since his mother left. His hand reached out and patted Molly’s back.