by Geeta Kakade
“You’ve seen the lists of prices Bridget’s been mailing us for the dolls she can value and put on the Internet? She’d got a long list of buyers waiting for us to go back and make a decision.”
“And…”
“I’ve been thinking. We’ve got Cupid Lodge and Dad’s paintings. The ten we sold last year brought in as much as I’ve made in a year with the B and B. They are a great nest egg and the fifty dolls we’re keeping are worth over two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. I’d really like Bridget to have the other hundred dolls. They will set her up in her own business and I’ll feel we’ve really helped her. We can’t change the past but we can make sure she has a financially secure future.”
“Think she’ll agree?”
“She will if we both tell her that’s what we want and it will give her a great start.”
“What’s Mrs. Kemp and Moira’s take on the situation with Andrew and Bridget?” asked Mark thinking of another great start for his friend and Bridget.
“They don’t know. Mrs. Kemp says they’re all doing their part to leave them both alone as much as possible but she says they catch an occasional glimpse of emotion but it’s as if Andrew doesn’t want to take it any further. He’s shutting himself away again and Bridget avoids being alone with him.”
“They spent a night together in that motel,” her husband pointed out.
“I’d trust you to spend a night with Bridget and come out untouched,” retorted Christy. “She’s that kind of person. Andrew has to tell her how he feels before she’ll say anything to him about her feelings.”
“We’ll I’ll see if I can’t light a torch under him when I get back,” said Mark with a so-help-me God-look.
“And there’s one other thing,” said his wife.
“Yes ma’am?”
“There’s an email from a Cupid cousin who says she’s on her last tour of duty in Afghanistan and will be home next year. She asked if she could come to Cupid Lodge for a visit.”
“What’s her name?”
“Laurel. Laurel Cupid. She’s 28 and says her folk are from upstate New York. Her parents died in an accident when she was in high school and she stays with her mother’s sister now when she’s home. She’s a widow but she’s kept her maiden name. She would love to know more about her father’s side of the family. Says she can provide references and work as payment for board and lodge. She’ll be home by May next year.”
“What’s she doing there?”
“Says she’s a combat cameraman.”
“Impressive,” said Mark. “Combat cameramen are on the frontlines taking pictures.”
“So how do you feel about coming to Cupid Lodge for a visit?”
“If you want to have her that’s fine with me,” said Mark.
“I’ve been thinking about something else…”
“Yes?”
“If we are doing as well as this by next year or even better do you think we could have Cupid Lodge just for family for a week or ten days over the holidays?”
“That sounds like a great plan. I’ll ask Mr. Kemp to blank out those dates so guests making an online reservation can see we’re not available. Given the projections and estimates Mr. Kemp’s been doing on the computer, it seems we are going to exceed expectations. He says we are booked through till June already. You my dearest wife are a very successful businesswoman.”
Christy stretched and put her arms around her husband’s neck to drag his head down for a kiss.
“That part I like,” she said. “But there’s another part I like even more…”
“Which is?” The glint in his eye told her that he knew the answer but wanted to hear her say the words.
“The part I like best is being a very successful married woman.”
“Prove it,” said her husband.
“On your three,” she said laughing, racing him into the bedroom.
“At least Bridget knows she’s not going to be a nun now,” Phillip said. “That’s a big step forward.”
“Things aren’t easy for either of them.”
“Not with this dance step they’re doing,” Phillip retorted. “One step forward then think think think and three steps back. That’s like no courtship I’ve ever heard of. At this rate we’ll still be here on doomsday.”
“Hush!” Agnes ordered.
“I won’t hush!” Phillip replied. “If you’d only leave it to me like you’re supposed to Ma, things would move along much quicker.”
Bridget had spoken to Mother Superior and Sister Winifred who both said they were happy with her decision. They reiterated the Convent would always be her home, and they were looking forward to having her back after Thanksgiving.
It was a relief and yet their acceptance of her decision made her feel like she was suddenly adrift and on her own. What did she really know about starting a business? Living alone was going to be a far cry from living at Cupid Lodge. She was going to miss them all.
Staying busy was the only way to stamp out worry.
Once the cabinet was set up and she was satisfied with the display, Bridget spent all her time cataloguing the other dolls. Toby was very deft at repairs; his hands amazingly nimble with redoing joints. Andrew seemed to be really interested in helping repair the dolls. She would never have thought it. He’d suggested they make a composite body of paper mache for a doll whose body was battered beyond recognition. The change in him was amazing from the withdrawn man who had first come here to…
To what? The man of your dreams?
When he wasn’t on his laptop, or at therapy, he was in the garage watching a game, helping with the doll repair project or training the dogs.
Bridget’s heart had plunged when she heard him tell Mrs. Kemp when he returned very late from a trip to town that he’d been looking at apartments.
She’d been right about him wanting to leave soon. After all he’d had a life of his own before he’d come here and he must want to get back to it.
Bridget knew she’d better focus on finishing up her work with the dolls too.
She was learning so much about the history of dolls as she did research on the ones she found. There were dolls with metal limbs and hands from 1861 when Rene Poulin had got his first patent for them. There were a few of the first bisque dolls, made in Germany, with porcelain faces and first leather and then cloth bodies. There were two exquisite porcelain dolls from France still in their boxes.
Finding another loose part in one of the dolls, Bridget went into the garage to see if Toby was there. She found Andrew sitting there working on a doll’s hand.
“Hi,” he said looking up. “Another patient?”
“This one’s neck has come loose.”
“Are you in a hurry or can you sit for a while?”
Bridget hesitated and then sat down. Sheba immediately came to her feet and Bridget picked her up and put her on her lap. The puppy decided to kiss her face and Bridget laughed, stroked her head and put her down again.
“Sheba likes staying with you,” she said.
Andrew put the tool he was using down and leaned back in his chair. “Yes. She goes out once in a while to look for Coco and play with her but she’s always back here when I’m here.”
Sheba was the puppy they had rescued from the bullies. Bridget wondered if she sensed Andrew’s loneliness and need for company and was responding to it.
“Can I get you some coffee?” she asked.
“Moira just refilled the thermos a while back, thanks. How’s the work with the dolls going?”
“It’s great. The history of dolls is so fascinating. Did you know there have been dolls found as far back as 2000 BC in Egyptian tombs? They were made of wood first then pottery dolls came in.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“I’m writing a history of dolls up for the website so people who are interested in it can find all the facts in one place.”
The lilt in her voice when she talked about the dolls told him Bridget had really found an inter
est that absorbed her. Would it be strong enough to direct her on a new path in life and away from thoughts of becoming a nun?
Bridget looked at Andrew as he went back to work. She almost wanted to tell him about her phone call to Mother Superior and Sister Winfred but she held the words back. It didn’t seem the right time to do so.
The next day began with bright sunshine and a fresh layer of snow on the ground. Toby had the drive ploughed and the paths cleared before breakfast and they were all sitting around the kitchen table with a second cup of coffee when the doorbell rang at nine.
Wondering if the last guest had forgotten some piece of ski equipment Bridget went to the door.
“Christy! Mark!” Her yell had everyone rushing to the door and for a while there pandemonium ensued.
“We just had to come back…”
“Why didn’t you call me for a ride?”
“Bless my heart, it’s so good to have you home…”
“We got the red eye and then a shuttle to South Lake and a cab from there.”
“Welcome back…”
“Knew when the ravens were cawing this morning they were telling me someone important was coming,” said Toby.
Hugs and kisses and then they were all sitting around the kitchen table looking at Christy and Mark while Moira got busy at the stove, Mrs. Kemp made fresh coffee and Bridget set the table.
“We’ll wash up and be right down.” They were gone for a few minutes and then on the way down Christy caught sight of the doll cabinet.
“Mark!” Her squeal of delight was the signal for more explanations and comments.
Bridget hung back till they came to the table.
Christy gave her a big hug, “Thanks so much. It’s gorgeous…the dolls, the signs, everything.”
She turned to Andrew and said, “Thanks for the lovely cabinet. You didn’t have to get us anything but it's a lovely gift.”
Conversation turned general and after Mark had eaten he and Andrew slipped away to the garage leaving the women to continue talking. His yell of Christy! had all of them out there as he and Christy commented on the transformation.
Mark shook Andrews hand and said, “Thanks. I knew you’d made some changes but never expected anything this grand. You didn’t have to spend so much on us.”
“You didn’t have to give me a place to stay when I needed it most,” retorted Andrew. He looked at Bridget and went on, “Cupid Lodge and all of you have helped me get back on my feet in more ways than one. I haven’t said it before but thank you all so much for putting up with me. I’m sorry I wasn’t the easiest person to get along with when I first came here. Your help has changed my life.”
Christy hugged him, Mrs. Kemp wiped away a tear and Moira cleared her throat. Toby went off to his greenhouse and Mr. Kemp went with him. Bridget turned away quickly hoping no one would notice the way the color had rushed to her face. Mark stared at the new television set as if he didn’t know what to say.
Back in the kitchen, she listened to Christy talk about Chicago with her mind on something else.
Christy had loved Mark’s uncle’s flat on Lakeshore Drive. They had visited all the relatives, had a great reunion, spent a great deal of time with Mark’s Mom but once all that was over she’d started missing being here and all of them. She had jumped on Mark’s offer to return two days early, especially as his mother was leaving for a vacation in the south of France.
Bridget was so tense that her nails were digging into the palms of her hands. Andrew and Mark had stayed behind in the garage. Was Andrew telling Mark about all that gone on in his absence? Would Mark be furious?
Suddenly she realized that everyone was silent. They were all looking at her.
“Sorry,” she said, “I was just wondering where I’d put the cabinet key.”
“I was asking how your work on the rest of the collection was coming along?” said Christy.
“It’s done.”
“She’s been at it night and day since that cabinet got here,” Moira said.
“What’s the hurry to get it done is what I want to know?” demanded Mrs. Kemp.
“I just wanted to finish up everything before I go back to the Convent.”
Like a stone dropped in the lake, her words were met with ever widening pools of silence.
Finally Christy said, “You’ve made up your mind to go back then?”
Bridget nodded not meeting anyone’s gaze. “I thought I’d go back the Wednesday after Thanksgiving.”
Mrs. Kemp stood up and turned away saying something about needing something from her room. Moira said she’d be right back and disappeared in the direction of her apartment. Christy got to her feet and said she needed a shower.
Bridget was left alone in the kitchen. ‘So this is what a skunk must feel like.’
Their reactions had told her no one wanted her to leave but her compass was saying it was time to start on her journey towards independence.
She would explain later that she wanted to get started on her own business soon and stand on her own two feet. Being here was so comfortable that she would never learn to fend for herself if she stayed on. She sighed. Thanksgiving was ten days away and that was time enough to make everyone understand her reasons for leaving.
CHAPTER NINE
Mark looked at Andrew and said, “So Phil’s at the Convent now?”
He’d been incredulous at first then a little annoyed but overall he had to admit Andrew and Bridget had done the best they possibly could have. Bridget’s part in it amazed him.
“Yes. That’s the perfect place for him as no one goes there.”
“You and Bridget saved your friend’s life. Who’d have thought Bridget would rise to the occasion like a pro?”
“She’s amazing,” Andrew said. “The reason Phil is safe is all due to her but that’s just the first part of the plan. He still needs a new identity and a successful relocation package through the Government protection program.”
“What’s the hold up?”
“First he wouldn’t let us pick him up till he knew his family was safe in Turkey. Now that they are, he says he’s not going anywhere till they get here.”
“And?”
“Before the family can get on a flight to Los Angeles, I need to have their new identities in order. It’s best they leave immediately upon arrival to wherever they’re going to live.”
“But?”
“There’s still a big hitch. After Harry’s murder, I don’t know whom to trust. He and his family have to defect officially and then will need help establishing their new identities. Phil wants none of the old people on the case to have anything to do with it. He thinks someone on our side was responsible for Harry’s death.”
“I know someone who I can trust implicitly,” said Mark.
“Who?" asked Andrew.
“My uncle Paul at the Pentagon. He’s as straight as they come and he will find out who the mole is at HQ and he will also arrange for Phil's new identity. He told me he’s set up something like Internal Affairs to look into wrongdoings in the Government Task Force. I’m sure they will find out if there was a leak on our side that caused Harry’s death.”
“If he can do all that it would be a big relief. Phil deserves a new life. He’s risked his neck and done a lot to help us.” Andrew said.
“Leave it to me.” Mark looked around the garage. “Thanks for what you’ve done here. We are really going to enjoy this space. I know you texted me you’re going back to work full time Jan 1st. If you want to base yourself in Silver Lake, Christy and I would like to offer you a home with us here at Cupid Lodge.”
“I appreciate the offer,” said Andrew. “I’ll give it some thought.”
Mark was silent. He knew Andrew’s mind was on helping Phil. This might not be the best time to bring up the subject of Bridget and ask Andrew about his feelings for her.
Andrew looked at him and said, “I take all the blame for whatever we did to help Phil. None of it was Bridget’s
fault. I’m sorry I brought Phil here but at the time there was no other way of getting him to the Convent that night. The two days he’d told his team he was taking off were over. If I’d delayed making contact with him he’d have gone back to his group. I’m positive whoever fixed the bindings on his skis so they would give way had realized by then they’d killed the wrong man and gone after Phil. I couldn’t turn my back on him.”
“I understand,” said Mark. “A few hours indecision can make all the difference between life and death. You did great under the circumstances. If we can’t protect those we offer to take care of we’re sending a message to everyone else of weakness and inability to keep our word. No one else is going to be willing to help us in the future.”
Andrew was glad they were in complete understanding. “I can talk to Christy,” he said. “It is my fault and I take full responsibility for whatever we did.”
“I’ll tell her,” Mark said. “On the other matter, give me a day and I’ll let you know what the plan is.”
“Thanks,” Andrew was relieved that Mark was going to help but he still didn’t want to be cause of any trouble. “I can leave immediately if that’s what Christy wants.”
“Just stay put.” Mark sighed. “Let’s not tell Christy about it for a while.”
The matter was taken out of his hands. When Mark went up in search of his wife he found her and Bridget sitting on the bed and talking.
They both looked guilty when he walked in and Christy immediately said, “Bridget wants to tell you something about a friend of Andrew’s.”
Mark shut the door and said softly “If it’s about Phil, I know. Andrew and I were just talking.”
Bridget said, “It’s all my fault he was here for those few hours.”
He looked at both of them as Christy said, “Wasn’t that very brave of both of them to save his life?”
“Special Investigative Forces never allow civilians to be used in their work so Andrew’s going to have to explain what happened to his superiors eventually but yes they did the right thing under the circumstances.”
“Will he get into trouble?” Bridget looked worried. “It was all my idea and he had no choice at the time.”
