by Ruth Hay
Andy went to hospital where his burns were treated. Eventually he was released, but the damage to his mind was unseen and untreated. He could have applied for post traumatic stress leave, but that would have required going over again the very matter that he was attempting to erase from his brain.
He left the job with a pension and avoided any contact with his fellow officers.
In the end he changed everything about his old life and started again, but some things cannot be eliminated so easily.
Normally he was able to put the trauma to the back of his mind for longer and longer periods. He hoped one day to be cured. Somehow, with the advent of Vilma and her dogs in his life, he was noticing how bereft of comfort his life had become. He was like a hermit without the religious benefits. He had stripped his life of all comforts as if he no longer deserved to be warm or happy. He was doing penance for King, a dog who had loved him, who loved life and play and fun and loved the old Andy Patterson.
Could that Andy restore love and hope and joy to his life?
A step in that direction had been made without his volition. Vilma Smith was the key. Her dogs made him think the unthinkable. He could one day find a dog of his own again. No animal could ever take the place of King but it was time to look forward. Time to forgive the past.
Chapter 29
A heavy snowfall blanketed London on the day Vilma and the women were due to arrive back at London Airport. Hilary called Andy and asked him to take his truck, with the snowplough on the front, to the airport in case the plane from Toronto managed to get through. The bigger city, two hours away, was not so badly affected by the storm.
He completed his morning rounds and then made straight for the airport, clearing snow several times to help stranded motorists on his way. One runway had been declared safe at London and after an hour or so of delay, the Toronto shuttle arrived with a full load of passengers but none of their luggage.
Vilma and her travel companions were only too pleased to get back on home ground and they were not at all concerned about late luggage. When they saw the mounds of snow, however, they wondered if any cabs would make it through to the airport.
“Would Hilary take the risk of driving so far?” asked Mavis, as she huddled in her winter overcoat against the chill air.
“I hope not,” replied Vilma. “London will shut down until the road clearing services can get to work. I think we are stuck here without luggage for some time, ladies.”
Eve was staring out at the deserted parking lot almost invisible under mounds of snow, some which concealed the owners’ cars. She was trying to recall the warmth and delights of their beach sojourn.
The stark contrast was almost too much to absorb.
She shielded her eyes against the dazzle of sun on snow, then noticed a darker object in the distance.
“Wait a minute! Isn’t that Andy Patterson’s truck coming towards us?”
“Hey! We’ve been rescued!”
The women ran outside the terminal and waved furiously to attract Andy’s attention. Other travellers who were not so fortunate, watched disconsolately from inside while the truck cleared a path toward the women. Andy finally jumped down from the truck with a smile of welcome and was enveloped in hugs and shouts of joy.
“Never so glad to see anyone in my life!”
“You’re a godsend, Andy!”
“Let’s get home! The darn luggage will follow us later.”
Vilma stood back. She was amazed to see Andy come forging through the snow like a knight on a white- spattered charger. It was like he knew what she had been thinking lately. All at once she felt shy, as if her thoughts might show on her face if she got too close.
He helped Mavis, Jannice and Eve up into the back seat of the truck’s passenger cabin then turned to Vilma.
“Hello there! I know two lovely dogs that are waiting to see you.”
“Thank you for taking them, and for everything, Andy.”
“How was the holiday?”
“It was like a wonderful fantasy but it’s time to get back to reality.”
“Come sit beside me, Vilma. We have a lot to talk about later.”
There was great celebration when the travellers arrived safely at Harmony House. Hilary pulled all of them inside the front door after Andy had cleared the driveway and the paths.
“No excuses, Andy. I have a hot meal and coffee waiting for all of you.
The house has felt so empty! Honor and I have rattled around on our own most of the time. Marble has looked everywhere for the dogs and has settled on your bed, Mavis.
Welcome home! Faith has a day off school because of the snow so at last we are all here. Get something to eat and tell us all about your adventures in the sunshine.”
Eve produced three bottles of Bailey’s flavoured cream liqueur from her hand luggage. The beach ladies had decided on this gift after enjoying the addition to their morning coffee on the island.
“Choose your flavour, Honor. This is delicious stuff. I mean to indulge in it regularly.”
Hilary’s eyebrows rose in surprise and she glanced over at Mavis for confirmation. Something good must have happened to Eve on the holiday, other than a taste for cream liqueur.
Andy sat down beside Vilma without needing to be persuaded. He helped himself to hot food which Faith produced in quantity from the warming oven. Hilary thought he and Vilma seemed more comfortable together.
Another change?
“Well, now! Let me break the big news!” announced Mavis, with a nod to Jannice for approval.
“Our Jannice has an admirer and he wants her to visit him in Quebec to record her family history for a future book.”
“What? Jannice, what have you been up to now?”
“Nothing at all. I only talked to the man. It was a sensible way to avoid too much sun. He seemed lonely, I thought, but he was surely a good listener.”
Everyone laughed at her expression of innocence. Most knew it was not feigned. Vilma had checked out Mitchell Delaney and he was genuine. He had several well-respected books to his name.
“I’m afraid to ask anything more after that surprise,” said Hilary.
“My, we have missed you all and I include you Andy, our rescuer. You must come by more often for a good meal, at least.”
He did not object. This warm and welcoming home with bright colour and cheerful people was something he had deprived himself of without realizing it. He hoped an honest conversation would happen when Vilma came to claim her dogs again. He believed he was finally ready for changes, on several levels, at long last.
Hilary looked around the table. She felt like a mother hen whose chicks had come home safely.
Their house had been well named. There was harmony here despite all the vicissitudes of life that brought them all together.
This was a good moment. No telling what the future would hold. Now, this moment, at this table, was better than good enough.
In many ways the co-housing idea was an impossible fantasy come true.
If we ever want a change we could rename it Fantasy House and no one could ever challenge our reasons.
Afterword
Ruth Hay’s fourth series, Home Sweet Home, follows the ups and downs of six women attempting to live together for mutual support and safety.
The third book, titled, Remedy House, will be published in 2018.
Read Ruth’s other series, Prime Time, Seafarers, and Seven Days on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and iBooks.
Also read Borderlines a stand-alone thriller.
www.ruthhay.com
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Also by Ruth Hay
Visit www.ruthhay.com for links to all of Ruth’s stories: the Prime Time series, the Seafarers series, and the Seven Days series!
Prime Time Series
Auld Acquaintance
Time Out of Mind
Now or Never
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br /> Sand in the Wind
With This Ring
The Seas Between Us
Return to Oban: Anna’s Next Chapter
Seafarers Series
Sea Changes
Sea Tides
Gwen’s Gentleman
Gwen’s Choice
Seven Days Series
Seven Days There
Seven Days Back
Seven Days Beyond
Seven Days Away
Seven Days Horizons
Seven Days Destinations
Borderlines (Standalone)
Borderlines
