Kathy hesitated and then slowly came to stand near Rich. He stood, pulled Karen to her feet and engulfed both girls in a giant bear hug, kissing first one cotton-topped head, then the other. “Thank you,” he said. “Thank you.”
Rich left his address and phone numbers with the Campbells. Joanne thawed enough to exchange information about their families. Her parents lived on a farm in the Texas Hill Country. She expressed sympathy for Nancy’s death and Dick’s illness. Privately he told Brent his father had established trust funds for the girls. Rich added he would like to contribute to their college costs, regardless of whether or not they decided to stay in touch with him. “They wouldn’t have to know about it,” he added.
He saw a dark-haired adolescent boy run to the Campbell’s from a neighboring house as soon as the driveway was empty. That must be the little brother, he thought.
Rich longed to talk with Charlotte about meeting his daughters. He knew she would approve of his effort, if not his words. Maybe she could help all of them deal with the situation. Surely she had patients who had been through similar growing pains. He was aware that Charlotte’s opinion was becoming more important to him each day.
As he pulled into the familiar circle driveway, Rich realized how draining his short trip had been. Once inside the house, he kicked off his shoes, let Buster in, and went to the library to relax. A C.S. Lewis book looked interesting.
After an hour of reading, Rich set his book aside. He patted Buster absently, picked up the phone and dialed Sergeant Belinda Wilkes’ number.
“Hello?” the youthful voice said.
“Hi, this is Rich. How are you?”
“Great, Rich. How are you?”
“Fine, thanks. Belinda, I wonder if you would do me a favor?”
“Sure, Richie. Whatcha need?”
“I want you to call Rita for me.”
Belinda was suddenly wary. “Why can’t you call her yourself?”
“I don’t want to get her in trouble with her boyfriend,” he said. “I have an idea he’s the jealous type who wouldn’t take kindly to Rita getting a phone call from a man.”
“Why would you want to talk to Rita?”
“I want you to give her a message for me. Please. Tell her to call me if she wants out. She can come home to San Antonio or she could go to her cousin’s in Atlanta, wherever she wants. I’ll get her a prepaid ticket she can claim at the airport on the day of her flight.”
“Is this some kind of trick?” Belinda asked guardedly.
“No,” Rich replied. “Nothing more than a little Christian kindness. Will you do this for me, Belinda?”
“Yeah, sure. Why not?”
“Thanks. I owe you one, Belinda. Hey, by the way, do you want to go to church with me Sunday?”
“Church?” Belinda sounded shocked.
“Yeah, you know. Those places with the stained glass windows and the steeple on top. Only come to think of it, this one doesn’t have either of those things.”
“I never knew you to be all that churchy.”
“I wasn’t. Even old dogs like me can learn a new trick now and then.” Rich patted Buster conspiratorially. “What do you say? I’ll pick you up at seven-thirty.”
“Seven thirty,” Belinda wailed. “In the morning? On a Sunday? Are you for real?”
“All right, make it nine o’clock. We’ll go to Sunday school first and the late service.”
“Gee, I haven’t been to Sunday school since I was a little kid,” she said. “I guess I need to get dolled up.”
“You can if you like. Most people will be casual. Nobody will care what you wear,” Rich said. Remembering who he was dealing with he added, “Within reason. I’ll pick you up at nine Sunday morning.”
Rich hung up the phone and clasped his hands behind his head. What would he do if Rita decided to come home? Legally, their marriage ended last Thursday. Was it still in force in the eyes of the Lord? If so, the right thing would be to work out their problems, make a go of the marriage. He knew that was not what he wanted. Learning to trust Rita again would be hard work. He reminded himself he was through flaunting rules simply because they weren’t convenient. He would leave the matter in God’s hands. If Rita came back, he would do his best to be a good husband to her. Charlotte had been right. This wasn’t easy.
“Come on, Buster,” Rich said. “Let’s take a swim before dinner.”
Rich wished he had asked Belinda to let him know when she had made the phone call and what Rita said. After a few laps, he lay on his back and floated. Would Rita want to go to church with him? Doubtful. Would it be right to insist? Perhaps he should set an example and hope she would eventually follow. Would she be nice to Karen and Kathy if they came to visit? He stared at the fluffy white clouds placidly drifting across the sky. “It’s me again, Lord. It looks like I’m going to need a lot more help.”
Rich heard the telephone ringing. He leapt out of the pool and grabbed the extension in the pool house. A youngish voice wanted a pepperoni pizza, no anchovies, extra cheese. The caller was most irritated with Rich for not taking his order. After all, he had a coupon for a free extra topping.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Charlotte liked Amy immediately. She was a very sweet, shy young woman who looked closer to fourteen than twenty-seven. What Charlotte liked best was how Amy couldn’t quit talking about her fiancé, Scott Anselmo. It was clear Chris had no chance to get involved with Amy, even if he wanted to. Charlotte had arranged for Scott to speak to her study group this morning. Chris and Amy went to pick him up.
Extra chairs were added to the classroom to handle a surprising number of visitors. As Charlotte waited for a slow-moving group to clear the doorway, she glanced inside. Chris, Scott and Amy were already in place, chatting with the dentist and his wife. Scott was dark, good-looking, and a full head shorter than Amy.
Charlotte saw Rich standing in a group that included a stunningly beautiful young blonde in a clingy red dress. Rich was predicting a Redskins march to the Super Bowl. The girl beside him had on thick makeup. Her face and height could be those of a fashion model, but her figure was far too voluptuous. Charlotte chided herself for a staring critically at the brash, brittle yellow of the young woman’s over-bleached hair.
The traffic jam unclogged. Charlotte went to welcome Scott. Rich guided Blondie toward Charlotte and Chris. Could she be Rich’s guest? That’s none of my business, Charlotte told herself. It was too late to escape.
“Charlotte, Chris, good morning.” Rich smiled. “I want you to meet Belinda. This is my friend Charlotte I’ve told you so much about and her son Chris.”
Belinda Wilkes. Rita’s best friend. Or was she now Rita’s ex-best friend? No doubt anxious to comfort the newly-divorced Rich. Shape up, Charlotte!
“Good morning, it’s nice to meet you, Belinda,” Charlotte heard herself saying. Chris introduced Belinda and Rich to Amy and Scott. Charlotte found a chair in the back row as far from the table as possible. It was the best hiding place she could muster. Rich and Belinda sat on the opposite side of the room. Rich’s swearing off women hadn’t lasted long, Charlotte fretted. It was absurd how beauty could demolish an otherwise intelligent man’s ability to reason. Chris and Army sat at the table with Scott.
Scott addressed the group with quiet authority. “Good morning. Thank you for inviting me to talk to you. My name is Scott Anselmo and I’m not from around here.” The group tittered. Scott had a very pronounced New England accent. “I can’t imagine why, but the beautiful and charming Miss Amy Smith has agreed to become my wife.” He gestured toward Amy.
Charlotte smiled. Young love. Most people would not call Amy beautiful, but she obviously was to Scott. Amy blushed crimson. “Amy is an obstetrical nurse,” Scott continued. “I’m a medical doctor. My residency requirements will be completed next month. Amy and I will go to missionary boot camp—in separate places, unfortunately—through early December. We plan to be married at Christmas time. Shortly after that we’ll le
ave the country for an overseas mission. We’ve learned our first assignment will be in a village between Bontoc and Baguio City, on the island of Luzon, Republic of the Philippines. Amy and I will be the medical staff at a small, established mission where we will serve the community as best we can. In return, the family that administers the mission will train us on how to build and run such a facility. After three years we hope to be prepared to move on and found new mission bases in other places, probably in another country. Needless to say, we need your prayers.”
Charlotte hoped Rich and his guest would clear out with the rest of the crowd, but they hung back. Rich buttonholed Scott. “Do you have a packed schedule this week?” he asked. “If not, I’d love to fix a Philippine feast for all of us at my house. You can get a head start learning about the food and culture of the islands.”
Scott smiled. “A resident’s schedule is always packed. But I’ll happily carve out some time if you’re serious.”
“Absolutely serious,” Rich said expansively. “Pick a night. You’re all invited.”
“Me, too?” Belinda asked hopefully.
Rich hesitated only slightly. “Of course you too.”
Dinner at Rich’s house. The last one had been so pleasant, but Charlotte wondered if she could duck out of this one. No, of course not. How could she even consider disappointing Chris and snubbing his friends? It was exceptionally generous of Rich to invite everyone to his home. It was time to quit thinking like a moonstruck teenager, she told herself. Belinda’s perfect for him—young, beautiful, flashy.
Charlotte mingled with the worship service crowd until Rich and Belinda could be seated. That way she could locate a place somewhere else. Then Lottie motioned to her from a seat directly behind those two. Leave it to Mom. Chris was in the front row with Amy and Scott, who were to be introduced during the service. No help there. She slipped into the seat next to Lottie and forced a smile.
Charlotte settled in to focus on worship and self-examination. She had made many extra trips to the well of forgiveness since Rich Martino came to town and here she was again. Jealousy, unkind thoughts, passing judgment—and in the house of God, no less. As she prayed, trivia such as who sat where and which couples paired off ceased to matter. She was aware only of the spiritual presence of her Savior. By the time visitors were recognized, Charlotte was entirely sincere in her warm words of welcome to Belinda.
When church was over, Lottie invited Charlotte to have lunch with her at a nearby Italian restaurant. Chris and Amy would have to grab a bite later because Scott had to get back to the hospital right away for emergency room duty. “Don’t worry about us.” Chris kissed Charlotte on the forehead. “Scott asked me to show Amy the River Walk this afternoon, since he’ll probably never get a chance to take her there.”
As their food was served Lottie asked Charlotte casually, “Who was the young lady with Rich this morning?”
“I’m surprised you waited so long to ask.” Charlotte smiled. “Her name is Belinda Wilkes. She’s Rich’s ex-wife Rita’s best friend.”
“How old would you say she is?” Lottie asked, neatly cutting a bite of cheese ravioli.
“Early twenties. Why?” Charlotte asked.
“Rather young to be a friend of Rita Martino,” Lottie said thoughtfully. “Either she runs with an older crowd or maybe Rita hangs around with kids.”
“We don’t know. Rita and Belinda may be about the same age,” Charlotte observed.
“Oh, no,” Lottie said, waving a hand in a “stop” motion. “Rita’s a couple of years older than you, dear.”
Charlotte stared at her mother. “You don’t say. And exactly how did you come by that tidbit of information, Mom?”
“It must have come up in conversation the other night,” Lottie said airily. “At my birthday dinner at Rich’s place. Don’t you remember? Or maybe that was before you got there.”
“It just came up,” Charlotte said skeptically. “No one asked.”
“Well, I don’t know, dear. Someone may have asked. What difference does that make? Anyway, wasn’t that Italian beef scrumptious? I wonder if that’s authentic Italian or something Rich made up.”
“Forget it, Mother.” Charlotte wanted to put an end to the cat and mouse game. “Men love beautiful women. I’m not. Belinda is. End of discussion.”
Lottie pushed aside her last ravioli. “Daddy used to say smart play can win a lot of games the experts claim you were supposed to lose.”
“He also said you play in your own league unless you want to get your fanny whipped,” Charlotte countered.
Lottie plainly wasn’t ready to give up. “Maybe Rich felt he had a responsibility to bring that young woman to church. Maybe she doesn’t belong to a church. She may not even be a Christian.”
Charlotte put down her fork and looked directly at her mother. “Rich Martino is not interested in me. If it’s not Belinda Wilkes, some other sweet young thing will come along and catch his eye. Give it up, Mom. This is one man who doesn’t need a matchmaker. On his own he’s convinced four women to marry him. I have no doubt he can and will land number five without your assistance.”
“Whatever you say, dear.” Lottie headed in a different direction. “By the way, you don’t need to look at my computer. Chris found out why I couldn’t do anything. My keyboard was unplugged from something or another. Did you see on the news some investors are trying to buy the old Alamo Street Theater? They want to tear it down and build a motel on that spot. I’m appalled. We must do something.”
On her way home from the restaurant, Charlotte went by Altoville where Dick had since been moved. Soothing classical music filled the room, interrupted by the regular beeps and blips of monitors.
Dick had restless days, but this was not one of them. This afternoon he was perfectly still, eyes closed. Hoping her friend could understand her words, she leaned close and spoke. “I believe Jerry is right when he calls you one tough hombre. Despite the doctor’s dire predictions, you came through an angioplasty with flying colors. I pray for you every day, Dick, and I look forward to the day you open your eyes and talk to me.” A radio had replaced the talk-a-thon, based on Dr. Stephens’ recommendation. Charlotte still wondered if that had been a signal of surrender.
Dick’s instructions had been explicit that no extraordinary measures were to be taken to keep him alive. Charlotte wondered if a feeding tube was ‘extraordinary.’ She still wasn’t sure. Regardless of anyone’s instructions, she could never starve another human being. Rich was willing to discuss every medical decision she made, but he never second-guessed her. They had agreed Rich would take over Charlotte’s responsibilities for Dick as soon as possible. All that remained was convincing Jerry to do the legal maneuvering.
Dick looked more frail and drawn each day. He hardly resembled the man Charlotte once knew. Dr. Stephens’ periodic reports had shifted subtly. He no longer discussed any remote possibility of Dick’s return to a normal state. The sadness of the situation overwhelmed her. At least she would see to it that Dick received compassionate care. There was little else she could do for him. After a prayer, she patted Dick’s arm and left.
Charlotte saw Rich’s car entering the Altoville parking lot as she pulled out. She did not stop. What was there for the two of them to say to each other? Very soon Rich would not need her to sign checks or forms. Women would stand in line for a chance to audition to be wife number five. Rich would select the winner and go on with his life. She would go on with hers. She had to admit she would miss his booming laugh, the reassurance of his presence. How often did she meet a man who was more than her match intellectually and could make her laugh out loud with his wit and mimicry?
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Charlotte sat across from Anita and watched as she spread notes across her desk. “You have scheduled appointments and regular office hours Monday and Tuesday.” Anita leafed forward in the appointment book. “Paperwork all morning Wednesday. One o’clock on Wednesday afternoon is blocked for
you and Rich Martino to meet with Jerry McClain.” She took a sip of coffee. “I thought I’d never get the three of you together for that meeting. With any luck, we won’t have to work Saturday. First appointment in thirty minutes. The files are on your desk.” Anita leaned back in her chair. “Things are almost back to normal around here.”
“Dick getting through the angioplasty and moving to Altoville helped,” Charlotte said. “I was afraid he wasn’t strong enough for either one.”
“He’s part of a tough generation,” Anita commented. “Just look at your mother and Martha.”
“Yes.” Charlotte smiled. “Look at Martha. She hardly has time to roam the streets with Mom since you engineered the big romance.”
“Romance?” Anita asked innocently.
Charlotte smiled. “You know perfectly well what I mean. Martha and Jerry. You and Mom are slick rascals, but I’ve seen you in operation before. It was no coincidence Jerry and Martha were always at Dick’s bedside together.”
Anita gave her total attention to tidying her desk. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Give me some credit, Anita.” Charlotte headed for her office. “I’m just relieved you’re on Martha’s case instead of mine.”
Monday and Tuesday were busy days that passed quickly. Charlotte awoke before her alarm went off on Wednesday morning. She decided the green pant suit she had chosen to wear had no pizzazz. She changed into a turquoise and teal paisley dress with a full skirt. Not that it would matter to anyone what she wore. The morning crept by. It was difficult to concentrate on paperwork.
Rich was in the waiting room of Jerry’s law firm when Charlotte arrived. The dark wood, tasteful furnishing, and exotic flower arrangements proclaimed the prosperity of McClain, Woods, and Harbison, Attorneys at Law. A perfectly-coiffed receptionist greeted Charlotte. Mr. McClain would be with her and Mr. Martino shortly.
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