When Kohen got sick I quit my job to care for him and be available for all his doctor appointments and caregiving needs. I had hoped to one day go back and it just never worked out that way. Which is a surprise in itself because I still remember how I felt on graduation day. Getting handed my degree in Sociology. Refusing to be jaded by the Child Protective Services and being that fresh face in the room willing to help. I released a heavy breath. “I just saw things going so differently. I’ve been out of work for at least seven years.”
A knock came at the bathroom door. “Daughter, my show just went off so I’m going to go down there now. She’s on the first floor on the other side of the living room, okay?”
I cut off the shower and stepped out, yelling to her. “Alright. I’ll just meet you there. Is there anything you want me to bring?”
Moments later she could hear the shuffling of Naomi’s feet get further away. “No, just bring you.”
I buried my face into the soft cotton towels of the bed and breakfast, monogrammed with the hotel’s logo. I wished that I could disappear in a crack in the floorboards and go back to a time when Kohen was alive and Naomi was happier. “God, please don’t forget about me. I need you now more than ever. Naomi is taking this so lightly, but I know the problems that await us will be quite formidable. I’d just like for once to be ready for it.”
I got dress in a simple white sundress and the flats I had on from earlier and headed out the door. My purse swung over my shoulder. Making sure the door was locked before heading down the stairs. It was the first time I noticed that there was a cork board on the wall leading to the archway that hopefully led to Mrs. Tan’s corridors.
I ran my hand over some of the flyers and cards. Advertising various upcoming events in the area as well as paid services for DJs and bakeries. I thought that maybe after dinner I would come back and take the information down of anything that might be helpful to Naomi and I. Not that we were in any position to throw a homecoming party. That seemed to be the only thing on this board until I came across an employment ad. It was for dog walkers at Bark Village Dog Walkers.
I groaned inwardly, I don’t think I’ve shrunk that low yet. But I better grab it just the same. My job hunt has only just begun and I’ll use it as motivation to find anything else. Tearing off the phone number attached to the bottom of the flyer and stuffing it quickly into my pocket. Shivering at the gust of wind that came in through the front door.
The next thing I heard was a dog barking as it came running through the front door. A very energetic silky terrier who came lapping at my thigh. Ripping my stockings with her nails. I bent down and touched the small bow on top of her. “Where did you come from pretty?” Grabbing her leash and checking the tag. “I bet your mommy and daddy are worried sick.” Looking up at the door and hoping that someone would come running in at any moment.
I lifted the dog into my arms, “Harley, well Harley you ruined my stockings. Let’s see if we can find your owner.” I took her over to the front desk and picked up the office phone. Not sure if I would have to dial out or if it would work automatically. But the rumblings of what sounded like hundreds of dogs reached out to me through the dark, radiating from the open front door. I jetted to the other side of the desk not sure what to expect.
A woman came through the door giving the sum twenty leashes in her a hand a small tug. Her blond hair falling into her eyes as she blew it out of her way. Barely holding on to the rambunctious dogs of varying sizes on the other end of the leashes. “Whoa, there doggies—and Harley!”
She stumbled and was half-dragged over to the front desk where I held Harley in my arms. I don’t think I’d ever seen a woman with quite so many dogs. Then it occurred to me that she might be one of those dog walkers from the company on the board.
“I was so worried about her. I don’t know what would have happened if we hadn’t been a block away from this bed and breakfast. She got away from me and rushed out into the street and my heart nearly stopped. But I couldn’t completely be sure in which direction she had gone after that. So I’m happy to see her here and in perfect health.”
My gaze darted to the hallway behind her where I caught sight of the side of my grandmother’s head as she headed back to Jia’s place. Not sure how much of the conversation she had caught. “Its no problem, but I can’t help but say that you look a little overwhelmed.” Setting Harley on the floor and bringing her around to greet the other dogs, but still holding on to the leash. Talking over the barks of the dogs as they smelled my shoe and sniffed Harley’s butt. It must’ve been close to ten dogs.
She laughed and shook her head. “That’s because I am. It’s like every dog lover and German Village has decided that walking there dog is better left to the experts.”
I frowned and a part of Opal must’ve rubbed off on me because I found myself saying, “You’re not coming off as an expert right now.”
“And normally I am.” She beamed and extended an arm for me to slip the leash onto. “But demand has been really great since we opened and we’re still looking to hire more people. I promise that this little angel will not get away again. And this by no means is a regular incident.”
I waved her explanation away. “You’re fine. I probably wouldn’t do any better. In fact, I was thinking of applying if I couldn’t—”
“Get anything else. I get it. I settled for this job myself. But it turns out it was the best thing I’d ever done. The owner treats everyone like family and the manager’s pretty cool himself. Don’t let this discourage you.”
I shrugged. “Maybe.”
She extended her hand with over five leashes on one arm. “I’m Jenni Kaplan.”
“Ruthie Mirisch.” She smiled. “You’re new in town aren’t you?”
I nodded. “I am.”
“Well maybe will see each other around sometime,” she said more in control as she led the dogs out the door.
* * *
Who would’ve ever thought that would be the very next day. Dressed for the summer in jean capri pants and a white see-through top with pink flowers on it. A white tank top underneath. Her shoes were pink converse, and exactly like the ones that Kohen had purchased for my birthday, almost too long ago. I cringed but tried to put it out of my mind. Her smile was infectious the way it lit up her entire face.
Apparently, her particular dog walking route was right past the bed and breakfast. I finished breakfast early, but I was quickly learning that nothing was quick when Jia and Naomi were involved. Jia had apparently made it her mission to tell Naomi everything she had missed while she was gone. Of course, this was the unabridged version.
So I thought I might go for a walk and wait for her call but ran smack into Jenni Kaplan. I looked up and curved my lips into a smile. “Doesn’t look like the workload has gotten any lighter.”
“But they’re nicer in the mornings.” She smiled. “At least that’s what I tell myself and it works sometimes.”
I laughed and threw up my hands. “What do you say? Maybe I could help after all. I’ll take five off your hands and walk them with you.”
“Oh, no I couldn’t let you do that. I’m not sure its allowed because of insurance purposes.”
I placed my index finger on my chin. “Well, we’re just going to pretend like you grew a third arm and you indeed are walking the three that you hand to me. Lighten your load just a little.” Holding out my hand, “I could use this chance. What’s the likely hood of German Village needing a social worker?”
Jenni smiled sympathetically. “Nill. You do better commuting to downtown Columbus or Cincinnati.”
“And I don’t have transportation.”
“There’s a shuttle, but it can get pretty pricey.”
I poked out my bottom lip and tried to give her the best puppy dog eyes.
“Alright, alright. But you can only walk Harley, Jay, and Pugsley.” Jenni nodded.
A slight smile pulled on one side of my mouth. “And I won’t even complain that th
ese are the smaller dogs. Just let me call my mother-in-law and let her know I’m going to be busy for the next hour.”
She answered on the first ring sounding a bit relieved for the call.
“Hey, I’m going to go walk some dogs with a woman I ran into on the street. Maybe someone will take pity on me and give me a job. I know it’s not lucrative—”
“Go ahead, my daughter.”
“It’s only going to be an hour or two. So we can still go out sightseeing later.” I hung up feeling a tad guilty that I was even doing, but actually excited to get to know Jenni.
The walk wasn’t as long as I thought and we found ourselves back at the Bark Village before too long. Each wondering if we would get in trouble if we walked them one more time. Just so that we could have more time together getting to know each other. Jenni seemed really interested in my experiences as a social worker and it was good relieving the good days and the not so good ones.
Judging by the frantic expression the receptionist gave us when we entered, it was a good thing we came straight back. Although, my first thought was that she had somehow gotten wind of my actions and was angry at one or both of us.
She stood up, slamming her hands down on the desk. “Chris has chicken pox. I have to go,” she said collecting, her things before yelling for someone in the back. “Jerry, there here. Watch the desk.” Rushing past the dogs to get out of the door.
The man named Jerry came out of the back dressed casually in jeans in a button down. I wondered if he was the owner or the manager. “We’ve got three babysitting cases in the back room. It’s just for today though.” He flashed me a smile. “I’m sorry I don’t believe we met.”
I switched the leashes to my other hand and shook his hand. “I’m Ruthie Mirisch, Naomi’s daughter-in-law.”
“Yeah, I know Naomi. My mom’s Jia Tan,” he looked down at the leashes in my hand. “What’s going on here?”
“I begged Jenni to let me help and considering that you’re short staffed. Please let me help and you can put me wherever I’m needed.”
He looked unsure. “We can’t pay you for today?”
“That’s fine.” I grinned, clutching the leather straps in my hand.
He placed his hands on either side of his waist. “Alright, but listen to Jenni.”
That was all my heart needed to hear. I would do whatever I had to in order to get this job at the very least it will bring some money into the house so we aren’t solely relying on Jia to eat and such. At least until the sale from the house goes through.
This was just a test.
I followed Jenni to the back room where they were indeed three other dogs waiting. Announcing their presence before I even unhooked the door and walked through. Doggie toys scattered intermittently across the faux grass. This place reminded me of daycare for infants instead of dogs. I followed Jenni’s lead and unhooked all the dogs from there leashes and hung it on a hook my the dutch doors that allowed us to see into the front room.
Three hours or so later the first owners stopped by to pick up their pets, and Jenni was the one to lead them out. While I waited in the back room supervising the remaining dogs. Curiosity got the best of me however and I found myself peeking through the door to the front.
A gorgeous, tall man with dark, wavy hair and a muscular frame that was carved out of pure steel stood talking to Jerry. A pepper grey beard that only served to make him look even more distinguished and desirable. Our eyes connected for an instant, and my heart fluttered. When he smiled, I looked away and went back to playing fetch with three different dogs. His dark eyes hypnotic. What kind of dog did he own?
9
Boaz
I smiled. “Who is that in the back room?”
“Ruthie Mirisch, Naomi’s daughter-in-law. She came back with Jenni and practically pleaded to work here. But I told her we couldn’t pay her for today since she’s not on our insurance, and she still wanted to stay. She seems pretty good with them.”
“Ah, so that is the infamous Ruthie.”
When I was younger Naomi’s voice had always brought a smile to my face. My mother was an only child, and she’d been like an auntie to me. My father and her husband were cousin’s and had grown up together, but my father opened up a veterinary practice while her husband struggled to find his footing. When Eli chose to move away after only a year of the practice being open it came as no surprise to anyone. Over the years, I had heard the rumors about the horrors that had reached the Mirisch family, even donating to Kohen’s GoFundMe when the medical bills got too overwhelming. Staying anonymous even though it was my donation that allowed for them to be able to afford the funeral.
Jenni turned to walk back to the room when I stopped her. “Can you tell Ruthie to meet me in my office?”
I sat behind my desk and began the painstaking process of going through my mail. Quickly reading the address and pulling out the ones I knew were urgent.
“Hi, you wanted to see me?” she asked, knocking on the open door in front of her, quite timidly. Her eyes wide and as blue as the ocean.
“Yes, I’m Boaz owner of this fine establishment,” I said coming around the desk to close the door behind her and show her to a seat. “And I’ve got to say sis you really surprised me.”
“What?” she laughed and looked around the room as if this were a prank.
“Listen—” Coming to sit on the edge of my desk. “Don’t leave here and go work somewhere else or end up at home defeated. Stay here with Jenni and the rest and work for me. You can have the same schedule as Jenni if you like; she could use the help. If you accept I can tell Jerry right now that you’re an official member of the family now. And if you want you can even fill in for Miss Dobson while she’s at home taking care of her son.”
She looked down at her hands folded in her lap. “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you would give me the receptionist position—a practical foreigner in town.”
I squirmed, not wanting to upset her. “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—and how you left the only home you’ve ever known to come to live in a town where you barely know anyone. May the Lord repay you for what you have done.”
She seemed to be genuinely considering what I had said. And didn’t to seem to balk at the idea that people in town had been talking about her.
Although she was just a stranger, there was something about Ruthie. I wanted to protect her. I wasn’t sure where these feelings were coming from. Maybe it was just because of her relationship with Naomi.
“Well I hope that I don’t let you down,” she said. “You have certainly put me at ease by speaking so kindly as if I’m one of your employees- though I do not have the standing of one.”
“I’ll have Jerry work on fixing that. You just return to work.”
“Is it okay if I call Naomi first and let her know.”
I shrugged. “I don’t see why not.” I stood up and shook her hand goodbye for going back around my desk to start on the mountain of work waiting on me. It occurred to me that I should begin to delegate some of this to Jerry. So that I’m not quite as overwhelmed when I come here.
My computer beeped to life. I moved the mouse to click on my email. But what I wanted was to jump for joy. She hadn’t come here to just play with the animals. She just wanted a job that she could help support her mother-in-law. Eli and Naomi Mirisch are family. How could I turn a blind eye to there plight? I stood up and went over to my mini-fridge and pulled out a bottle of water.
Ruthie was really good around the dogs and that Jerry could attest to. I trusted the man’s opinions. Of course, I’d keep an eye on her, what boss wouldn’t, but something was telling me that she wouldn’t need it. I wasn’t a psychiatrist by any means. I don’t know what its like to lose a significant other, but I’d seen the Christmas photo cards that they used to put out before Eli died. A happy smiling family. Perhaps, this meager job could be the catalyst to something bett
er for them both. I tried to focus on my work my thoughts steadily drifting back to Ruthie.
* * *
As I waited outside Bark Village Dog Walker’s, my heart pounded. I couldn’t wait to see the looks of surprises on there faces. While I glanced down at my watch for the hundredth time since I had made an excuse to step outside, wondering if I had enough time to make a quick store run. It was only a half-mile to the nearest store and I drove like the wind. My phone up loud so that I could hear the delivery driver. It was obvious that Naomi and Ruthie both were women embarking on a journey with heavy hearts. Some flowers just might do them good.
I pulled out in front of our local grocery store and ran in. The bright fluorescent lights illuminating the way as I made my way over to the cash register where they kept the bouquets. Smiling as I remembered that Naomi’s favorite flower was red roses and picking out some pink ones for Ruthie. It wasn’t meant to cure what ails them, but bring a smile to there faces if only for a moment. I swiped my card and rushed back to the car as if my very life depended on it. Pulling up in front of my building at the same time as the Pizza delivery guy. My phone went off.
“I’m parking now. I’ll take the pizza’s in.” I got out and waved to the teenager. Tipping him $10.
“Thanks, Mr. Traugott.”
“Boaz,” I called back over my shoulder. Balancing a pizza box in one hand and flowers in the other as I approached the door. I kicked it with my foot catching the attention of Jerry. He rushed over to open it. “You’d think after all this time that boy would learn to call me Boaz,” I commented to Jerry.
Jerry smiled. “Please tell me that pizza is for us.” Taking it out of my hands and placing it on top of the counter. “It smells so good.”
“It actually is, but don’t touch a slice of it until I’ve had my say.” Calling for Jenni and Ruthie out of the back room. There was only one dog back there and we should be expecting its owner in the next thirty minutes.
Miracle Walk (The Designed Love Series Book 2) Page 6
