Drawing Close: The Fourth Novel in the Rosemont Series

by Barbara Hinske

“They promised that they will.”

  “There you are. Everything is in the works,” he said, amazed at himself for being the voice of optimism.

  “Do you really think so, Frank?” she said in a small voice. “Susan has agreed to be the donor, and it’s all set up. What if they postpone it and she changes her mind? Or Nicole gets really bad and dies before she can get the new kidney?” Tears began to course down her cheeks. “I’m so afraid, Frank.”

  He came around his desk and took her hands in his. “We won’t let that happen, remember? You keep that November surgery date, and I’ll pay for anything that isn’t covered by insurance.”

  Loretta wiped at a tear that had fallen onto their joined hands. “That’s a very sweet offer, Frank, but a kidney transplant costs way more than you know.” She brought her face up to look at him. “It’ll cost more than a million dollars, Frank.”

  Frank Haynes was proud of himself for not flinching.

  “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it” was all he said.

  Chapter 45

  Frank Haynes looked up from his computer screen to see Nicole Nash staring at him silently from the door to his office. She was wearing the same long blue dress that he’d seen on a lot of little girls in his fast-food restaurants. She was holding a Styrofoam cup and spoon.

  He cleared his throat. “Good morning, young lady.”

  Nicole held out the items in her hands.

  “What have you got there?” he asked, getting out of his chair and coming to meet her.

  “Soup,” she said. “Like Mrs. Walters makes.”

  “Ah, I see,” he said, looking into the cup containing two sizes of paper clips and a handful of rubber bands. “Chicken noodle?”

  The little girl smiled and nodded vigorously.

  “Thought so. With extra noodles,” he said, pointing to the rubber bands. “Just the way I like it.”

  “It’s for you,” she replied.

  Frank Haynes smiled and took the proffered cup and spoon. “If I finish this, will you make more?”

  Nicole beamed.

  “Thank you, Nicole,” he said as Loretta Nash hung up the phone and called to Nicole.

  “We can’t bother Mr. Haynes,” she scolded. “I told you, Nicole.” She turned to her employer. “I’m so sorry about this, Frank. Mrs. Walters has a cold, and I can’t risk having Nicole catch anything. Not this close to the surgery. She has to be healthy, or they won’t do the transplant.”

  “I understand completely. She’s been no trouble whatsoever.” He looked down at the cup in his hands. “It’s been a very long time since anyone’s made me paper clip soup.” Had anyone—ever—made him paper clip soup?

  “I appreciate that, Frank.”

  Haynes waved away her thanks. He stood suddenly. “I’ve got to go out.”

  “Will you be back today?”

  Frank Haynes looked at his watch and an unfamiliar warmth spread from his heart to his head. He had a plan. “I don’t think so,” he said. “You can lock up when you make the bank deposit and go home. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  He whistled as he made his way to his car.

  ***

  Frank Haynes pulled into the parking lot of the big-box toy store. He’d never been inside one of these places and almost beat a hasty retreat when he stepped through the automatic doors. He stood, rooted to the spot, and surveyed the rows of floor-to-ceiling racks filled with every toy imaginable. Haynes was glad that the parking lot was nearly empty. Fighting through a crowd in this place would be intolerable. He vowed he’d never come here on Black Friday or Christmas Eve.

  A clerk at the customer service desk called, “Sir, may I help you find something?”

  Haynes tore his eyes away from the scene in front of him and approached the young man.

  “Mr. Haynes,” the man said. “I worked for you all through high school and college.”

  Haynes nodded. He didn’t recognize the man but knew he’d employed most of the town’s teenagers at one time or another. “And now you’re here,” he stated the obvious.

  “I’m the manager,” the man stated proudly. “I got promoted last week. I learned a lot when I worked for you.”

  Haynes looked at him closely. Was he being sarcastic? He didn’t think so. “I’m glad to hear it. Congratulations.”

  “Are you looking for something special?” the young man asked.

  “I am. I want to buy toys for a little girl. She’s four.”

  “What does she like?”

  Haynes rubbed his hand over his chin. “She’s got a doll—about this big,” he said, indicating a two foot stretch with his hands. “That doll goes everywhere with her.” He wracked his brain. “She likes to pretend to cook. And she wears that long blue dress the little girls love,” he concluded, looking at the man hopefully.

  “How much do you want to spend?”

  Frank Haynes shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. I’m not on a budget.”

  “I’ve got just the things,” the delighted man replied. Today’s sales would look good for his first week as a store manager.

  ***

  After he and the store manager had somehow managed to wrangle all of his purchases into his Mercedes Sedan, Frank Haynes drove over to Pete’s Bistro for a cup of coffee and a sandwich. Even the front passenger seat was loaded with toys. He had books, puzzles, art supplies, and doll clothes, but the pièce de résistance was the wooden kitchen set and play food. Haynes was certain Nicole would love that. The manager assured him the kitchen set’s “some assembly required” would pose no problem; he’d easily be able to put it together in under an hour. The set came with all the hardware and tools he needed. Haynes hoped so.

  He finished his sandwich, refilled his coffee, and got back into his car. Loretta and Nicole should have left by now. He’d bring in all of his purchases, set up a play area for Nicole, and be home in time to walk Sally.

  Haynes pulled to the curb at the entrance to Haynes Enterprises and quickly unloaded his car. He eyed the waiting area and decided that there would be just enough room between the filing cabinet and the front wall to install the play kitchen. It would even add a “child friendly” air to his business. Why hadn’t he thought of this before?

  He unboxed the kitchen set and inventoried the parts and tools against the packing list. He cursed under his breath and checked his watch. He’d have just enough time for a trip to Westbury Hardware before it closed. He grabbed the parts list, circled the items he was missing, and set out. He was back, half an hour later, with eighty dollars’ worth of nuts, bolts, and tools. The clerk smiled when Haynes had handed him his list; they were very familiar with this play set and had supplied missing parts and tools on numerous occasions in the past. “The last hour before closing on Christmas Eve? Busiest hour of the whole year, selling parts for bikes and toys.”

  Haynes secured the last bolt at ten o’clock. He cleared away the trash and began to move the toy kitchen into place. When he’d put the first two pieces into position, he knew he’d misjudged the space. There wasn’t enough room. He stepped to the front door and surveyed the scene in front of him and shook his head slowly. He’d have to move the filing cabinet into his office.

  It was fully loaded and weighed a ton. Haynes managed to remove the top drawer of the cabinet and was able to drag and push it into its new location in his office. He put the remainder of the kitchen set into place and mopped his brow with his handkerchief. He retraced his steps to the entrance to view his handiwork and nodded.

  He checked his watch. Sally would be frantic without him; he needed to get home. He stacked the puzzles and art supplies on the coffee table and placed the stiff, plastic clam-shell packages of pots and pans, dishes and food on the floor next to the kitchen. I should let Loretta deal with opening these, he thought. He reached for his pocket knife and slit open the package of pots and pans. He placed the Dutch oven and a frying pan on the pretend burners and stowed the remaining pans in the drawer below the play
oven. He picked up the next package and was soon arranging fake apples, bananas, and oranges in a bowl that he placed on top of the refrigerator. He’d need to stop by the toy store tomorrow and buy the toaster and mixer he’d seen. He gave the room one last glance and pushed through the front entrance, locking the door behind him.

  It was almost midnight when he pulled into his garage. “Sorry, old girl,” he said, greeting Sally who had been anxiously awaiting his return. She shot out the kitchen door and into her favorite corner of the yard to take care of her business. Haynes leaned against the door frame and rubbed the left side of his back. He’d be sore tomorrow, no question about it. Haynes smiled. He’d had the time of his life.

  This must be what it feels like to be a father on Christmas Eve. Haynes sighed deeply, stepped into the yard, and whistled for Sally. “Come on, girl,” he said as she raced to her master. “We’ve got to get to bed. I need to be there to see Nicole’s face when she walks through the door tomorrow morning.”

  ***

  Haynes arrived at his office at six forty-five. His body was, indeed, rebelling from the unaccustomed activity of the day before. Despite his aches and pains and lack of sleep, Haynes was in a jubilant mood.

  He spotted Loretta and Nicole as they got out of Loretta’s car and made their way to the entrance of Haynes Enterprises. He positioned himself by the door to his office, pretending to look for something in the filing cabinet that he’d moved there less than twelve hours earlier. He held his breath as Loretta pushed through the door and held it open for Nicole.

  “Mommy. Look!” she squealed, dropping her beloved doll and racing across the room to the play kitchen.

  Loretta stood, speechless, and watched her daughter. She turned to Haynes’ office and their eyes locked. He smiled and shrugged. Loretta burst out laughing.

  “Is this what you hurried off to do yesterday?” she asked as they both approached the scene where Nicole was excitedly opening doors and drawers and pulling out their contents. He nodded. “Oh, Frank,” she said, grasping his hand and squeezing it.

  He squatted down and spoke to Nicole. “Since you’re such a good cook, I decided you need a kitchen of your own.”

  Nicole spread her arms and flung them around his neck. He rocked back on his heels, bringing his arms up to hug the little girl nestled in his arms and drinking in the joy of holding a child. She reached up and took his hand, pointing to his thumbnail. ‘Scratchy” was all she said.

  Haynes nodded. “I gouged it when I was putting your kitchen together. Building things isn’t my strong suit.” He gave Loretta a sheepish smile.

  Nicole brought it to her lips and gave the injured thumb a wet kiss. “Mommy says you don’t have anyone at home. I’ll kiss your boo-boo.”

  Haynes turned his face to the floor and coughed. “Will you make us lunch today?” he asked.

  She nodded.

  “And if you get tired of working in the kitchen, I’ve got some things for you over there.” He pointed to the toys he’d stacked on the coffee table.

  Loretta gasped. “Have you lost your mind? This must have cost a fortune.”

  Frank Haynes got slowly to his feet. “Can’t remember when I’ve ever enjoyed spending my money more than I did on this.”

  Chapter 46

  Frank Haynes sat in his Mercedes sedan in the familiar opening in the road that ran below Rosemont. He’d intended to drive to clear his head. But Rosemont asserted her pull on him, as she so frequently did, and here he was.

  He leaned back in his seat and looked up at Rosemont’s rear facade, the bright afternoon sun shimmering off her mullioned windows. The warm stone walls seemed to glow from within. He knew every detail of her sweeping roofline and elaborate chimneys, every corbel and elaborately carved stone ornament. How he loved her.

  He’d wanted to live there his entire life. He’d been coming to this spot to look at her—lust after her—for decades. The desire to accumulate enough money to buy Rosemont was the principal reason he’d been so successful in his business. And now, after all of these years, he had the legal right to buy out Maggie Martin’s share and own Rosemont himself. Not only that, but he had enough cash on hand to buy her out. He felt certain that his planned bid of two million eight hundred fifty thousand dollars would carry the day. He doubted that Maggie would be able to scrape together the cash to offer the minimum bid of two million four hundred seventy thousand.

  Haynes got out of his car and began to pace. By Christmas he should be living in Rosemont. Maybe he’d put up a big tree and invite Loretta and her children—have lavish gifts for all of them. He smiled. He’d enjoyed buying the kitchen set for Nicole. He could imagine the fun he’d have buying gifts for Marissa and Sean. Especially Sean—he’d give the boy toys he’d dreamed about in his own childhood but never received.

  He’d have a twelve-foot spruce brought in, and he’d hire a florist to decorate it. And he’d buy Loretta the nicest piece of jewelry she’d ever owned. Maybe a diamond-and-sapphire bracelet. He’d make her forget all about that creep Paul Martin. Maybe this year he wouldn’t treat Christmas like a normal work day. He would celebrate.

  He grabbed a dry thistle and ripped it from the ground. His fantasy of Christmas at Rosemont could only become a reality if he didn’t dip into his “war chest.” If he took out the million dollars necessary to pay for Nicole’s surgery, he wouldn’t have enough left to buy the thing he’d spent his whole life working toward. But without the little girl who had stolen his heart, owning Rosemont would be meaningless.

  Haynes Enterprises was leveraged to the hilt and he had the balloon payment on Forever Friends coming due in January. He couldn’t let the no-kill shelter that he founded be foreclosed on. Haynes wouldn’t be able to replenish any of his Rosemont money before the end of the year. Every penny was needed to buy out Maggie.

  The toe of his Italian leather shoe caught on a tangle of roots and Haynes stumbled, catching himself with his hands. He picked stones and twigs out of his palms, smiling as he remembered how Nicole had kissed his “boo-boo” when she’d seen the gash in his thumbnail.

  He turned and studied Rosemont. It looked dark and cold, a large stone house baking in the hot sun. What good will it be if I don’t have someone with me who will kiss the boo-boos of my life? He was an idiot. He was going to pay for that transplant—Rosemont be damned. How could he ever have his fantasy life with Loretta if he didn’t do everything in his power to save her child? And he had the power to make that transplant happen in November. A later transplant might be fine, but he couldn’t risk it.

  He got into his car and headed back to Haynes Enterprises. He needed Loretta to know, now, that she could count on him. She and her children could count on him.

  Chapter 47

  Maggie Martin checked the clock on the hospital waiting room wall for the hundredth time. They’d expected the doctors to be out long before now with news about the transplant surgery. She closed her laptop and stowed it in the satchel she brought with her. She’d been well-prepared to use this time productively, but had been unable to concentrate. John put his hand on her back and rubbed her shoulders.

  “This is torture,” she said.

  “Sitting in a hospital waiting room is like eight hours on the rock pile,” he agreed. “These straight-backed chairs couldn’t be any more uncomfortable if they tried.”

  Maggie stood. “I can’t just sit here. I’ve got to move.”

  “Would you like me to come with you?”

  Maggie shook her head. “They should be done by now. The doctor may be out any minute. I’m going to the ladies’ room. Call me if he comes.” Maggie nodded at Frank Haynes as he looked up from his newspaper when she passed by.

  Maggie made her way down the busy hospital corridor and entered the cavernous restroom. She was washing her hands and checking her reflection in the mirror when she thought she heard someone crying. She turned off the water and listened. She was right—someone in the last stall was in distress.
r />   “Are you all right?” Maggie said softly, approaching the stall. “Can I call someone for you?”

  “No … oo … oo,” came the halting reply. “I’m fine.”

  “Loretta? Have you had news?” she asked in alarm.

  “No,” Loretta quickly replied. The latch clicked as she slid it back and emerged. “Nothing like that. I’m still waiting for word.”

  “You scared me.”

  “I’m sorry. I guess the waiting is getting to me,” she said, wiping at her eyes with a wad of toilet paper.

  “Here,” Maggie said, handing her a pack of tissues from her purse. “I’m on my last nerve, too.”

  Loretta nodded. “We’re both waiting on news of our daughters. Only yours didn’t have to be here. I’m still so grateful to Susan.”

  “There was never any doubt in her mind,” Maggie said. “She wanted to do this.” Maggie’s cell phone chirped. She snatched it out of her purse and read the text message.

  “Aaron’s back.” She put her arm around Loretta’s shoulders as they made their way to the waiting room.

  ***

  Maggie knew the moment she saw Aaron that the surgery had gone well. His back was to them, but his shoulders were relaxed. John pointed to the door, and Aaron turned to them as they approached. His tired smile told them all they needed to know.

  “They’re both doing great,” he said. Loretta sagged against Maggie. “No complications. Everything went as planned. A textbook procedure.”

  Maggie felt tears prick the back of her eyes. “We were getting so worried. They told us the surgery would take four hours, and it’s been six. We figured there must be complications.”

  “The only hitch was that the anesthesiologist was called away for a family emergency, and we had to wait for another doctor before we could get started. The surgery only took three and a half hours.” He glanced between Maggie and Loretta. “I should have sent word to you. I’m sorry.”

  “As long as they’re both all right, you’re forgiven,” Loretta said. “When can we see them?”