Ruthie nodded and sat on one of the benches. “I could see doing this every night.”
“German Village just lives at a different pace that grabs at you. Its almost freeing.”
Ruthie sat on the bench, tapping her feet against the grass. Her elbows resting on the wooden table. “I didn’t want to come here. I was terrified of losing one more person that I cared about; it was the only thought that consumed me. Now I’m glad it did because it allowed me to make a choice that I probably wouldn’t have otherwise.”
I straddled the bench and stared at her. Hoping that this wouldn’t cross the line somehow. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Go for it.”
I bit into the top of my cone, considering my next words carefully. “When my wife died It was sudden, and I remember wishing that I had more time to say goodbye. What was that time like for you?”
Tears began to fall from her eyes and I kicked myself for ruining such a beautiful moment. Reaching out with my fingers and brushing a tear from her face. Her smooth skin underneath my fingertips made me realize how much I had missed the warmth of another woman. “Ruthie, we can talk about the color of the grass if it means you’ll stop crying. I’m sorry. I’m an idiot.”
She wiped her eyes with her napkin. “Forget it. If I keep going on like this I’m going to scare the kids away.” She bit into her cone for the first time before speaking. “Besides, there are pressing matters in the present that we have to deal with.”
“Like what?”
“Don’t be mad at Jerry, but he mentioned that you got some mail that indicated that you were being sued by a client from your dog walking service.”
I nodded. “I’ve had that yellow manila envelope on my desk a few days now. Afraid to open. Mostly just out of shock that it was happening. But it is a fact that I cannot ignore after I was served today at my house with papers.”
It really upset my mother. The one thing I didn’t want was her worrying about me physically and now mentally with everything going on with the business. Firing her seemed like the best option. “When you walked in, that was what my mother was upset about. At least partly. She started this business with my father. And now she has to trust me to keep it thriving.”
“I’m sure she does. I just want you to know that I am here for you with whatever you need. A character witness or just moral support. I’m here.”
“I’m pleasantly surprised.”
Ruthie finished her cone, turned around, and grabbed some more napkins from the dispenser on the table. “Don’t be. I’m sure if you asked everyone that loves you. You’d have a line around the block.”
“Yes, but you’re in front.”
“Yeah—-” She looked away, but I just knew that she was blushing even under the evening sky. The only light coming from the ice cream shack.
“You can report back to the others that I’ll be returning to work part-time. Starting on Wednesday, in the mornings only. Chelsea will be there in the evenings. The same woman who covered my appointments all day today.”
“Your moms not going to like that,” she frowned.
“Yeah, but its what I need. I’m not a stare at the walls at home kind of guy.”
She nodded as if she understood.
“We should head back?” I stood and extended my hand to help her up. Our eyes connecting to the point where I did not want to let her go.
“I can’t say that I had this back in Chicago.” She said looking back at me as we made our way back down the street. “The stars are as beautiful as the night.”
I shrugged my shoulders. “Well, I can’t take credit for the stars. That was all God, but we can make this a regular thing. Dinner and then desert, until I recover at least.”
“That’s a great idea.”
18
Boaz
Late Tuesday afternoon, I watched the clock on the wall as time seemed to tick by slowly. I had gotten most of the calls done to my lawyer. Went through my files at home to find my insurance information and alert them to the potential problem. Called my mom to give her an update on my health and the health of the business. Only to realize that it was summer, and the only thing I was looking forward to was going back to work.
I grabbed the keys to my car and headed straight for Bark Village Veterinary Hospital. I spied Ruthie at the reception desk talking to Chelsea, completely unaware of how beautiful she looked right now. Even in blue scrubs.
I pulled out my phone and texted her to come outside. Moving the car from in front of the door so no one would know it was me. I honked the car horn when I saw her come out in my rear view mirror.
She smiled as she got into the car. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to see you.”
She laughed and squinted at me. “For an update right. Let’s see Felicity has been really amazing during your absence. You actually missed Jerry by a few minutes. He’s been coming by to check on this location in your absence. None of your clients have given us any major grief about your absence. But I think that’s just because most people have heard about what happened. I passed on the messaged that you wanted me to. Felicity sent out a notice to all your employees this morning. We were going to wait to hear back from you before notifying the clients.”
I nodded listening intently before replying, “I guess I’ll care about all of that tomorrow.”
A smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “You know you care.”
I reached over and pulled out a brochure and handed it to her. “Actually, today is my off day and the only thing I care about is not wasting it. Play hooky with your boss for a couple of hours.”
She frowned and put the brochure back into the glove box. “Its all hands on deck in there.” She shoved the glove box closed. “Besides shouldn’t you be at home resting?”
“That’s why you’re coming. I need to show you everything that German Village has to offer. You can tell my mother that you went to make sure that I don’t over do it.” My heart hammered. It was good to get excited over an idea that wasn’t about work. But more than that I wanted to spend more time with Ruthie. “If you’re worried about your boss I’m sure he won’t care.” I was long overdue for a day of fun.
She smirked and pulled out her phone. “At least let me cc Felicity and Jerry in an email and let them know I’m leaving, but I’m sure my boss will have my back when they’re angry that I’m not telling them where I’m going.”
“Oh, I’m positive.” I put the car in drive and squealed off. Heading straight for the best bookstore in town. I turned to her and flashed her a playful grin. “A little birdy told me that you had quite the library back home. So we might as well get your new bookshelf started on.”
She quickly threw on her seat belt. “I was a connoisseur of all things good books, but I can’t possibly go dressed like this.”
I gave her a quick once over once we stopped at the stop sign. “Last I checked, the bookstore didn’t have a black tie dress code. You look fine.”
“What’s so special about this bookstore?” She said twisting her bracelet around her wrist.
“It’s magical. Plus there’s a restaurant nearby that makes the best crab cakes. I know you haven’t eaten lunch yet.”
“How do you know that?”
I gave her a knowing smile and said nothing as I found a parking spot. Even though she wanted me to think that she was doing this on my mother’s behalf I knew she was just down for having a little fun. We approached the building from the west side. Walking up the red bricks, the building lined with red and white chrysanthemums. A small wooden bench off to the side.
“You probably think its stupid, but wandering around bookstores is actually one of my favorite pastimes.” Bending down to run her hands over the soft petals of the flowers.
“You’re talking to the guy who brought you to the bookstore. I’m not exactly allergic to them. In fact, I read a really good one called, The Repairer of the Breach. Maybe they’ll have it here. You can check
it out.” I looked towards the store and made sure no one was watching before picking one of the flowers and tucking it into her hair. “But I’ll take a stab in the dark and say that your husband wasn’t into it.”
She looked pale as she looked away and took a seat on the bench. “No, he was, sometimes,” her voice nearly a whisper. “But only the newspaper and sometimes I——”
“Ruthie, I know you were married. Just like I was once. Naomi sent my mom photos of your wedding. It’s okay to talk about him sometimes.” I sat beside her and placed my hand on her arm that was shaking. “When you’re ready I’m here. But I’m going to try not to push you.”
“The hospital had a horrible cable package,” she laughed. Running her hands through her hair. “So I started buying sci-fi books and reading them to him.” She gazed at the bookstore probably marveling at its size.
I leaned in. “A man after my own heart. Was he a Trekkie or a star wars fan?”
She smiled. “He was a trekkie. You know that question if you could live anywhere in time where would you live? He never said the past he always wanted to know what the future held. The umpteenth movies he dragged me to see actually grew on me. I still love the roaring 20s, but yeah.”
“The ‘70s,” I replied, turning my face to the sun and letting its rays warm me.
“The ‘70s?”
“Yeah, Saturday Night Fever. I wanted to be John Travolta, who didn’t.” I laughed as I stood up and swung my hips like he did in the movie. I looked back at her, happy to see her holding her side in fits of laughter. “Hey let’s go, maybe we can find some ‘70s themed books.”
“Why am I imagining you dressing up as John Travolta for Halloween?”
I gave her my arm. Her soft touch working its own magic on my heart. We locked eyes, but only a second before she released another laugh. “You joke, but I looked great in bell bottoms.”
19
Ruthie
The next morning, after my glorious afternoon with Boaz, I couldn’t help but feel like I was floating. I wanted to bottle this feeling up and spray it every so often when I needed it like perfume.
I pulled my car into the parking lot noticing that Boaz was already here. Eager to get back to work I assumed. Felicity wouldn’t be arriving for another 30 minutes. But still why so early? Yesterday he hadn’t mentioned anything about work. I grabbed my phone and hopped out of the car. Momma Traugott was not going to be happy that he was back at work early while I was at home trying to drag myself out of Boaz dreamland.
The moment I stepped inside the Veterinary hospital, the solitude of the place greeted me. But I knew he had to be here because he had turned on the lights.
I threw my phone on the reception desk and took the office phone off forwarding calls. “Boaz I’m here. Do you need any help.” I heard a noise coming from somewhere in the back.
“I’ll be right there.”
It sounded like he was yelling from the storage room and I decided to go and check on him.
I paused in front of his office just to make sure that he wasn’t tucked away in there. Checking the exam rooms as I went.
I finally spotted him in the storage room like I thought, trying to reach for an item on the top shelf. Dressed in jeans and a plain V-neck tee, it was hard not to notice the fact that he hadn’t changed into his scrubs just yet. Judging by how he was straining to reach the item at hand, it was his mother’s and I worse nightmare about him returning to work so soon. I approached him, my hands brushing against the taut muscles in his back.
“Just what do you think you’re doing?”
He leaned back on his heels startled that I had even been watching. Those dark eyes that settled on me made my heart skip a bit. “Hey, I said that I would be right there. I thought you heard me.”
My gaze squinted at him. “I did hear you, but I figured you might need some help and low and behold.”
He frowned and turned back to the metal shelving. “Its nothing to get your panties in a bunch over.” Picking up some items from the shelves that were eye level. He threw the items into an empty box at his feet. “The women’s bathroom is just out of tissue and I thought I might change it. “
“Let me get it for you.”
“No thank you.”
“You’re wearing your back brace today at least that’s a start. But you’re not allowing it to work if you’re putting pressure on yourself. You know if your mother had come in here and caught you like this she’d be giving you a harder time.”
“But she isn’t.” He said lifting the box. “And you’re not her substitute. So drop it.”
“I didn’t mean—” My jaw tensed.
“Lifting is a part of my job, boxes or animals. I’m not in the grave yet and I don’t want to be treated like I am. My health is my first priority. That you can report, but in the meantime try not to treat me like I’m old.”
“I hear you loud and clear.” My heart softened. I didn’t want to be this problem for him and I had obviously hit a nerve somewhere. He left me in the closet alone and I moved the stepping stool I sometimes used to help myself up. Moving the box from the top shelf to one below. He could do it himself, but I saw nothing wrong in giving him a little boost.
I went back to the reception desk feeling Boaz’s hands on my shoulder. I bit my lip. “I didn’t mean to come off as if I were being your nagging mother.”
With his hands still on my shoulders, he leaned down to my ear and said, “I’m the one who should be apologizing to you. You just care, and maybe I’m not as used to that as I thought I was. The roles being reversed. But its what people in German Village do. Its what God would want from us.” He came around and sat on the desk on the side of me. “I guess what I’m saying is I’m sorry.”
“Well, I’ll accept yours if you accept mine. I’m used to being the caretaker and sometimes I can take my role a little too seriously.”
“Done.”
* * *
By the time we were ready to open, the place was in tip-top shape and everyone seemed genuinely happy to see Boaz again. I stood in the waiting room, helping a new client fill out the paperwork. Boaz’s laughter was hearty and could be heard despite the fact that he was in an exam room with a cat and its owner. It was crazy, but I couldn’t help, but wish that I was the reason for that laughter.
The door opened, letting in a cool breeze and it appeared to be Jerry from the other location. I excused myself and approached him.
With a wide smile on my face, I glided across the floor. “What brings you to our neck of the woods?”
A few of the females began staring and whispering about him and I was suddenly reminded that Jerry was single.
“A meeting with the man himself.”
“Yeah, I think he told us something about that, but he’s still in there with a client,” I said. “How are things going in the dog walking arena?”
He crossed his arms in front of him. “It’s going. I don’t know what I would do without Jenni.”
Admittedly I hadn’t been in love for a long time, but it looked to me like Jerry’s eyes sparkled when he said, Jenni. I couldn’t help, but wonder how close they had gotten since I was moved to the other location. One thing I knew for sure was that love looked great on him.
Felicity called to him. “You’re more than welcome to wait for him in his office.”
He nodded and moved from in front of the door. “I think I will.”
I watched him and looked up as Boaz came out of the room and marched towards me.
“You have a weird smile on your face. What were you guys talking about?”
I touched my lips in surprise and then smirked. “What’s it to you? Were you jealous.”
“Jealous! No way. Jerry’s a great guy. You two would be great together.”
“Except you look like you just finished sucking on a sour lemon when you said that.” I turned and went back over to the client who had just finished the paperwork and brought it over to Felicity.
&n
bsp; Jealousy was the last emotion I would ever expect to see coming from Boaz. The very handsome Boaz Traugott was jealous. Unless I was reading him wrong. The little muscle jumping in his jaw would seem to insinuate that I wasn’t. My heart did somersaults at the idea. It didn’t even seem to matter that Jerry was his friend. I just felt lucky that I was important enough to get jealous over.
“Are you ready to take lunch?” I asked Felicity, hovering next to her chair.
“Why not. Now is as good a time as any,” she replied, reaching for her denim jacket and purse before heading out into the parking lot.
The squeak of designer leather shoes across the floor surprised me. I looked up from my computer to see an equally impressive suit. It was the kind of style I was used to seeing in Chicago, but not casual German Village.
“I’m Jason Carver, I have an appointment with Boaz Traugott here right about now,” he said looking down at his watch that looked just as expensive as his suit.
I searched through Boaz’s calendar, and read the note that Felicity left stating that it was his lawyer. “I’ll give him a call and let him know you’re here.” I picked up the receiver and alerted Boaz that his guest was here before hanging up. “It will be ten minutes.”
“That’s fine.”
I watched as he looked over to the waiting room not to keen on squeezing in between a woman with a Pitbull and a man with a snake in a cage.
A chuckle rumbled from his throat. “On second thought, maybe I’ll just wait over here. You know what, in the meantime let me give you my card.”
I took his business card and read the information aloud. “Jason Carver, Attorney At Law.” I knew instantly what his meeting with Boaz was about.
“Would you be willing to be a character witness if needed?”
I twirled the business card around in my hand. “Of course, I would be willing to help Boaz in any way I could.”
“Not this way.”
My shoulders tensed at the sound of his voice coming from behind me. “I’ve already got a list of names of people we could use, and she’s not one of them. I don’t want her to be drawn into this chaos. She has a lot going on already.”
Miracle Walk (The Designed Love Series Book 2) Page 12
