The silence came again. She could almost see the wheels turning. After a few more minutes, that seemed like hours, Aggie lost it. “And?” Hands on hips and eyes flashing, Aggie looked like Doris Day in Calamity Jane.
Poor Luke was confused. He looked at her, just before Aggie lost what was left of her patience, and asked, “Have I done something wrong?”
“Uh, no, I was just waiting for you to finish what you had to say.” The sarcasm in her tone was unmistakable.
Before Luke could respond, a piercing scream came from the backyard. They ran outside in time to watch a goose egg swell to immense proportions on Tavish’s head. Aggie’s eyes registered fear, and her mouth went dry. She didn’t know what to do. Vannie flew past her and into the house, only to dash back out with a bag of frozen peas and hand it to the boy. Tavish held the peas to his head very gingerly, as he sobbed in pain. Luke looked at the knot and turned to Kenzie. “Hey, Kenz, please go get us a dry washcloth.”
After examining Tavish’s eyes, and looking at the knot sticking out from the boy’s temple, he turned to Aggie and said, “I think he needs to rest on the couch for a moment. Oh, and I have a suggestion for you.”
Moments later, Aggie whizzed down the road with Tavish holding the peas against his head and moaning in pain. She was amazed. Luke had kept them calm and unaffected while he informed Aggie that he was concerned about a concussion. “I am sure you’re fine, but let’s have a doctor make that decision, ok, pal?” Tavish had smiled weakly at Luke and then climbed into his seat in the van.
Upon reaching the Urgent Care admittance desk, Aggie promptly passed out. All the stress and fear of the situation hit her hard, and down she went. The receptionist asked for Tavish’s home number and called the house.
“May I speak to someone regarding,” the woman glanced at the paper. “Um… Aggie Stuart.” She read the paper more closely and corrected herself. “Oh, no… Milliken. Aggie Milliken? I need someone to give authorization for,” She looked at the patient name slot and continued, “Tavish Stuart to be seen by a doctor.”
Luke was confused. “Isn’t Aggie there? How did Tavish get there if Aggie didn’t make it?”
“Oh, she’s here all right, but--”
Uncharacteristically, Luke interrupted. “May I speak to her please?”
“Just a moment; I’ll wheel her over to the phone.”
“What! Wait, what’s going on?” Luke was past the point of calm and nearing panic. “What happened?”
“Miss Milliken had a moment of light headedness and passed out, so we have her in a wheel chair. I’ll get her.”
“No. Never mind. I’ll send my uncle over. Just make sure that she doesn’t drive.”
A cheerful and helpful nurse followed them into the cubicle, once Aggie became fully alert. “Well, hon, what happened to you?” Without the sincere expression on the nurse’s face, her syrupy tone would have sounded contrived.
“I was walking past my brother, and he swung his bat and hit my head.” The nurse looked concerned, and Aggie realized that she didn’t know what happened.
“So, your brother hit you with his baseball bat? Was he mad at you?” The woman shot a disapproving look at Aggie.
“Oh, no! They were playing softball, and I was walking to the swing out back and didn’t see them. Laird’s probably pretty mad at himself.” Embarrassment in Tavish’s face and manner made him look dishonest.
“Didn’t you see them playing? How could you just walk into the middle of a ball game?” Doubt and suspicion laced the nurse’s words, and she surreptitiously pressed a buzzer on the wall. Aggie sighed. She knew they were in trouble now.
Tavish, unaware of the tension growing in the room, answered automatically. “Well, I wasn’t watching where I was going. I was reading and looked up just in time to see the bat coming at me. I ducked, but I think that just kept me from getting it in the neck.”
Aggie laughed. She couldn’t help it. This was the boy’s third accident stemming from walking while reading. “Tavish, I have to make it a rule now. You may not open your book if you are standing on your feet. Do you understand?”
Tavish sheepishly nodded. The nurse watched the exchange and then smiled. “Well, hon, I used to be real klutzy when I was your age, but it wasn’t because I was reading. I didn’t have a good excuse like that.” She gave Aggie a knowing look. “I have to go stop the nurse from calling someone about the accident. You understand.”
Relief washed Aggie’s face, and she smiled. “I appreciate it. Sorry to be a bother.”
“I’ll be right back. Happy to stop this one!” The nurse walked out of the room, and Aggie overheard her telling the receptionist to cancel the Social Services call. “I was premature-- I remembered hearing about the house with all the kids and the 9-1-1 calls and jumped the gun. Tell Linda I am sorry for bothering her.”
The doctor examined Tavish and determined that, while there was a concussion, there wasn’t a reason to keep the boy overnight. With instructions to keep a close eye on the boy for the next couple of days, and a list of things to watch for, Zeke, a much stronger Aggie, and Tavish went home.
* * *
Deputy Markenson’s cruiser drove up the driveway, and the children all raced out of the house and surrounded William, chattering about the day’s excitement. Aggie’s, “Oh, nooooo,” sounded like a wail from a small child who found her favorite doll left out in the rain. “Who let the baby have the phone this time?”
Luke looked at Aggie and said, “Honestly, I had Ian with me the entire time you were gone. There is no way he could have called. The phone was in my tool belt.”
Aggie sighed and followed the children outside, after instructing Tavish to stay on the couch and rest. Luke watched the little group for a few moments and then turned back to his project of converting the dining room into a makeshift kitchen. Had he known what was coming, he would have either followed the family out or jumped in his truck and driven home. Instead, he overheard Aggie talking to the deputy.
“How did that child call you this time?” William’s face registered surprise, and Luke set his wrench back down and walked over to the window. “Ian was with Luke all afternoon, and Luke had the phone in his tool belt.” Irritation was bubbling into fury. “Tell me how this happened. Is this just some joke you guys play on the new people? Are you going to tell me that he really hasn’t been calling? I wouldn’t sug--”
William held up his hand, and her words stopped mid-sentence. Aggie wondered how policemen did that. She couldn’t stop a five year old for five seconds to hear herself think.
“No one called the station; I just heard about your accident when the clinic called--”
Aggie exploded. She wasn’t prone to fits of temper, but even Aggie had her limits. The last four months had been difficult and stressful, and the idea that half the town knew her business was more than she could handle. She was used to the anonymity of larger towns, but this town was so small it seemed that they called a local officer to chitchat about their patients! “What happened to HIPPA anyway?” William, watching the storm brewing on Aggie’s face, didn’t understand the problem.
“That’s it. This is an invasion of privacy. If you aren’t here on official business, I think it is time that you go home. I don’t need to offer you more fodder for your gossip mill, thank you very much!”
William held up his hand to silence her again, but Aggie erupted in a bigger ball of fury. “Your poor wife!” Confusion spread across William’s face, and he started to speak, but Aggie continued her tirade. “Will you do this to your wife when you finally marry some unfortunate soul? Treat her like an errant car that must be stopped at your bidding? Boy, you have some nerve!”
Turning to the children, she ordered them back into the house to get ready for supper. She followed, but at the screen door, Aggie turned back to the shocked officer and pointed to his car. “Go make someone else miserable, and don’t come back here, unless you have official business.”
&nbs
p; Luke was silent as Aggie ignored dinner and banged different things around trying to set up the pantry. Slowly, the thumps and bumps ceased, and Luke heard her humming softly. He wasn’t sure what song she was humming at first, but eventually she started singing the chorus softly. “Love one another, thus saith the Savior. Children obey the Father’s blest command…” Luke heard her sniff and wondered what to do about it.
Minutes later, Aggie said in a very small voice, “I lost it, didn’t I?”
Luke simply nodded. For once, his silence didn’t annoy her. Aggie briefly wondered if it was because she was “all angered out,” or if it was because she was grateful for not being lectured. They worked in companionable silence for a while, until Luke looked up at her and said, “Mibs, you need to apologize. I understand the strain you’ve been under, but it still doesn’t make it right.” Aggie’s silent nod seemed to spur him on. “I think you’ll feel better the sooner you take care of it. I was about to go home before this all happened, but if you need me to stay, I can.” Aggie shook her head and went upstairs.
In Laird’s room, she heard Luke’s truck start up and pull away from the house. She spent the next thirty minutes getting herself right with her Lord. After calling her mother and getting advice on how to apologize, Aggie picked up the phone, and for the first time since Geraldine Stuart threatened her, Aggie called the sheriff’s station and requested that Deputy William Markenson stop by her home. Having a few moments to herself, Aggie booted the computer and smiled as it logged into her messenger service.
Aggie says: You there? I really did it this time!
Tina says: Uh oh… what’d you do?
Aggie says: Well… You see… There was an accident and Tavish had to go to Urgent Care…
Tina says: What happened?
Aggie says: Well, the kid was reading and walking again…
Tina says: Hee hee… kid after my own heart.
Aggie says: Soooooo anyway, William heard about it from the clinic. Someone told him.
Tina says: And…
Aggie says: He came out here to see if everyone was ok.
Tina says: How kind of him! Makes you wonder who he really came to see!
Aggie says: Oh, PLEASE.
Tina says: So, why the histrionics?
Aggie says: I blew up at him. Badly.
Tina says: YOU?
Aggie says: We all have our limits.
Tina says: What I would have given to see that.
Aggie says: Hmmm. Well… it wasn’t pretty.
Tina says: So… what happened.
Aggie says: Well, after I let him have it…
Tina says: For showing concern for you and your family…
Aggie says: More for my privacy being invaded and him playing traffic cop.
Tina says: Traffic cop?
Aggie says: He kept holding his hand in my face and trying to shut me up! I lost it.
Tina says: Uh oh…
Aggie says: You got it!
Tina says: You apologize?
Aggie says: I’ve got a call in now. Hopefully, he’ll check his messages when he gets home. The girl at the desk was very helpful. :P
Aggie says: Whatever possessed me!?
Tina says: Hee hee… we all knew it’d happen someday. You never let anything ruffle you.
Aggie says: Yeah, well kids have unearthed many ruffled feathers in my house!
Tina says: Well, smooth them down, wash your face and put on your brightest smile and apologize. ASAP.
Aggie says: That’s basically what Luke said.
Tina says: He’s helping William? I’ve been picturing two testosterone-laden men fighting each other off like in that old Jane Wyman movie we liked about the three guys… remember?
Aggie says: Nope, far from it. I’m no Jane Wyman, that’s for sure.
Tina says: Well, it’s not a good time in your life for masculine interruptions.
Aggie says: AMEN to that one. I like having the support though. I can tell you that just knowing another pair of eyes is around helps.
Tina says: Well, I can understand that… Uh, oh!
Aggie says: What?
Tina says: Someone at the door, it’s late, going to go. Love you, girl. Keep that upper lip nice and stiff! Hee hee.
Aggie says: Like it’s coated in Julie’s hairspray.
Tina says: Hee hee… nighters!
Aggie says: Nighters.
Chapter 16
Getting the Point
Wednesday, June 26th
William, still in a state of semi-shock, ducked back into his cruiser, and drove cautiously down the driveway, watching for darting children as he did. Mrs. Dyke was in clear view on her porch, and William sighed. He knew the grandmotherly woman could have overheard enough to provide a feast at whatever event the local gossips had planned. Should he assume “least said, soonest mended” or do damage control now? Slamming his fist on the steering wheel, he turned into her driveway. Damage control was necessary for Mrs. Dyke and her cronies.
The crunch of his tires on the gravel reminded him of his childhood. How many times had he run across the same gravel driveway as a boy? How often had his feet scattered the tiny rocks into the grass on his way to Mrs. Dyke’s cookie jar and Mr. Dyke’s stories from WWII? The memories were bittersweet, but William wouldn’t trade them for anything.
“Hello, Mrs. Dyke. I thought I should stop in and say hi while I was in the vicinity.” William’s gaze always softened a tad when he saw the deepening lines on the woman’s face. Winnie Dyke had seemed old when William was ten.
“William, you even talk like a policeman when you are off duty.” Smiling, she patted the swing beside her. “Ok, son, its time you learned a few facts; you like facts. Not everyone appreciates being on the receiving end of your lawman stance.” At William’s bewildered look, she grinned and continued. “Son, being a policeman is so much a part of you, that you don’t realize how often you treat people like they are wayward children caught toilet papering someone’s house. It’s time to learn to be an average Joe when you are off duty.”
For what seemed like minutes, William stood in front of her and thought about her words. Understanding eventually dawned, and he sank wearily onto the swing’s bench. They rocked in silence for a time, before William stood, gave the elderly woman a kiss on the forehead, and drove off into the night. He had much to think about and add to his prayer list.
Walking into his townhome, William began his nightly routine. He changed his clothes, fed his fish, gathered and sorted his mail, and then sat down at his computer. He paid the bills, checked his email, read the one blog he enjoyed, and shut off his laptop again.
That task done, William picked up his phone and activated his voice mail. He deleted three phone calls, making notes to return one from the station regarding Aggie and ignoring the other two. The last call startled him. The voice of Luke Sullivan filled his ear. “Uhh, William? This is Luke Sullivan. I’ve been working on Aggie’s house--I’d-- well, I’d like to talk to you for a few minutes if you have the time. Maybe coffee at Espresso Yourself? I’ll be there at seven tomorrow morning, and-- well-- hope to see you, if you can make it. Well, thanks. Bye.”
With the call to the station regarding Aggie forgotten, William sat in thought before flipping his phone shut. He turned out all the lights, crawled beneath the sheets of his perfectly made bed, and laying in the darkness, he prayed.
William’s prayers were more formal and adult versions of his childhood, “Now I lay me down to sleep.” With the blessings on everyone included, William ended his prayer and switched on his alarm. Remembering the coffee shop, he reset it for an hour earlier. Just before drifting off to sleep, William whispered his first spontaneous prayer in years. “Lord, help me know how to deal with Aggie. I am so lost.”
* * *
Luke held the phone in hand a moment before hanging up. He’d considered making the call from the moment he heard the screen door slam shut and saw the pained look on William Markens
on’s face, but the decision hadn’t been easy. He rarely interfered in other people’s relationships; however, Markenson had asked that Luke tell him if the deputy could do anything to help make things easier for Aggie. He knew that William would not appreciate any interference, but it appeared to Luke that William was becoming more personally interested in Aggie. After an evening in deep prayer, he made the call.
Thursday, June 27th
Luke was at Espresso Yourself early the next morning, his worn Bible open to the book of James. He kept pondering the verse “he who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin.” By the time William arrived, Luke thought he knew what he wanted to say.
“Have a seat, Markenson. Can I order you anything? Juice, coffee?” William just looked over at the teenager behind the counter and nodded before turning to Luke.
“She’ll take care of it, but thanks. I’d like you to tell me why we are here.” William was not sure he wanted to hear what this handyman had to say, but the officer in him couldn’t ignore the relational equivalent of a tip.
Luke was silent. With a steady gaze, he examined William’s face and then sighed. “Well, you aren’t going to like what I have to say.” The look on William’s face almost stopped Luke before he could continue.
One of Luke’s characteristic pauses drove William finally to say, “Spit it out, Sullivan,” in a low but firm tone.
Luke smiled, and William decided to wait for Luke to get out whatever he had on his mind. “William, I am going to step out and tell you something. Aggie needs your friendship. She enjoys your friendship.” Silence followed again, and William felt like shaking it out of him. “But, I have to tell you-- well, I guess what I’m trying to say is, Aggie isn’t a child. She doesn’t appreciate being treated like one.”
William started to speak, but Luke held up his hand. Shocked and indignant, he started to protest, but Luke continued. “Aggie felt exactly the same way, William. She didn’t like being treated like a child any more than you did just now. And-- well, you being filled in on her life probably didn’t help. She’s not used to a small town.”
Ready or Not (Aggie's Inheritance) Page 22
