“I believe you. Still, it’s good to hear you say it,” he admitted. “I just wonder if maybe you do want to jump back in and you don’t even realize it.” He paused, then finally said, “Is it all for the cause, or partly just to get back at Charlie? I know that’s not your nature, but anybody would be tempted, all things considered.”
Emily bristled and sat up straight in her chair. “If you can ask me that, then you obviously don’t believe me. You, of all people, should know that I’m not doing this for spite.”
Dan sighed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have put it like that. But you have to admit, from a distance, it does look like you’re trying to undermine Charlie. There are a lot of people in town who are going to think you’ve gotten involved in this issue to undermine him and set yourself up to be reelected.”
“I’ve asked myself that same question,” she admitted. “And I’m certain, down to my toes, that this isn’t about revenge. I know how it looks and what some people might think. But I learned a long time ago that you can’t control what people think or say about you. All you can do is hope that your actions speak louder than anyone’s gossip or mistaken judgments. This issue is important to me and to everyone—to Jane and our grandchildren. Even to Charlie’s grandchildren, though he certainly doesn’t see it that way.”
Dan stood by her desk chair and rested his hands on her shoulders. “That is true, Em. And it’s something I’ve always loved about you—you’re your own person. I’m sorry for sounding as if I doubted that. I just worry about what’s going to happen. You must see that everyone in town links you to the open-space group now. Many people even think you’re their leader. For better or worse, you’re going to end up looking responsible for whatever happens. I hope you’re ready for that.”
She couldn’t argue. She had practically been blamed for the melee at Village Hall—just by being there. There was definitely some truth to Dan’s words. She just didn’t know what to do about it.
CHAPTER NINE
You’re up early. And you look too pretty to be heading to the diner.” Zoey’s mother stood at the kitchen counter in her bathrobe, pouring herself a cup of coffee. “That’s a cute outfit, honey.”
“Thanks.” Zoey was wearing a tunic top she had found in a thrift shop, with big, colorful flowers on a black background. The bell sleeves and neckline were very retro, and it went perfectly with her leggings and boots.
She grabbed a yogurt from the fridge and a bag of frozen blueberries. “I’m working at the diner after church. Sophie’s truck wasn’t working perfectly Friday night. James had to try the ignition a few times before we could get it started to go home. So I’m giving Sophie a ride to the service.”
Lucy sat at the table across from her. “Just Sophie? Or is James going, too?”
“James, too.” Zoey had sprinkled the yogurt with granola, chia seeds, frozen blueberries, and cinnamon, then stirred it all up. Her brother C.J. called the mixture Blue Health Glop. But what could you expect from a guy whose favorite breakfast was sausage patties smashed between two Pop-Tarts?
“How was your date? Did you have fun?” Lucy had been up when Zoey came in, but they hadn’t talked much.
“It was great. James is really funny. And smart,” she added. “And he’s a really good writer. He showed me one of his articles the other day. It was published online. I’m going to read some of his fiction, too.”
“He sounds like an interesting person. You said he plans to travel—anyplace in particular?”
Zoey glanced up. Lucy was trying to play it cool, but Zoey still picked up a distinct Mom-anxiety-vibe.
“Probably South America, to start. He wants to work on a farm for a while, maybe in Peru or Chile.”
“How adventurous. Sounds like something a writer would do. When is he leaving, does he know?”
Zoey spooned up the last drop of her Blue Glop. “Mom, you are so obvious. I know what you’re trying to say.”
“What am I trying to say?”
“You’re worried because I like James and he’s not staying here very long.”
Lucy shifted, holding her mug with both hands. “I can’t say I didn’t think of that, honey. You do seem to like this young man, more than I’ve seen you like anyone lately. He seems very nice and charming. But he is older than you, and he definitely has his plans.”
Zoey rolled her eyes. “Two years. That’s no big deal. And we’ve only been on one date. I can’t believe you’re going off on me like this.”
“Okay, one date. But you work together now, and you see him at Sophie’s house.” Lucy’s voice softened. “He’s graduated college and he’s out in the world. And you’re still in school. And he isn’t going to be here very long, from the sound of it.”
“He’s staying through the holidays. He thinks he’ll have enough money to leave right after New Year’s.”
“That’s less than a month,” her mother pointed out.
Zoey shrugged. She picked up her bowl and mug and set them in the sink. “I know when New Year’s is.”
Lucy took breakfast ingredients out of the refrigerator—eggs, bread, and orange juice. Jamie would be downstairs soon, hungry enough to eat the kitchen table. Zoey planned to be gone by then.
“I just don’t want to see you get involved and then feel bad when he leaves. That’s all.” Lucy set a frying pan on the stove. “I know I’m interfering. But I wouldn’t be a very good mother if I didn’t say it. I love you, sweetie. You’ve had a lot of difficult separations in your life. I don’t want to see you get your feelings hurt—if you can help it.”
Zoey knew that what Lucy said was true. Her life had been a series of painful separations and losses, until Lucy and Charlie had found her. Zoey sometimes wondered how she was still able to trust people and open up to new relationships. It certainly wasn’t as easy for her as it was for most people. But she also knew she had to try. She couldn’t hang back, afraid to make connections—or open her heart. What was life all about, anyway, if not that?
“I know what you’re trying to say. But it’s totally cool. I won’t get my feelings hurt. I promise.” She stood next to her mother and kissed her cheek. “Okay?”
Lucy slipped her arm around Zoey’s waist and gave her a quick squeeze. “Okay . . . but it’s not the sort of thing you can promise, sweetheart. I wish it was.” Her mother gazed at her with a wistful smile. “See you in church, I guess.”
“Sure, see you there.”
Zoey headed off for the orchard, relieved to be done with the little heart-to-heart. She knew Lucy meant well, but sometimes she just didn’t get it. James was different. He wasn’t like other guys.
Still, the warning got under her skin. Maybe I’m not that good with people moving in and out of my life. But I’ve worked on that. I’ve gotten a lot better with it. She should give me some credit.
And maybe James isn’t going to be around for very long. That’s fine. I’d regret it more if I don’t get to know him. And it seems too late to worry about any of this now.
Zoey pulled up to Sophie’s big house and then drove around to the side door. It was easier for Sophie to walk down a step or two there instead of the long flight at the front porch. No matter how strong Sophie claimed to be, Zoey knew that since her illness last winter, Sophie wasn’t that sure-footed; now she had to take more care on stairs, or even walking out in the orchard.
Zoey jumped out of the car and knocked on the door. She waited, but no one answered. She knocked again and waited, checking her watch. Maybe they were upstairs, still getting dressed.
Mac ran up to her, wagging his tail. He ambled up the steps and scratched the door, then stared at her as if to say, “We both want in, and you can reach the doorknob.”
“All right, if you say so,” Zoey said to the dog. She opened the door, calling out as she walked through the mudroom. “Sophie? James? I knocked but nobody heard me
.”
“We’re over here, Zoey. My grandma fell . . .”
Zoey ran toward the sound of his voice and found them in the foyer, at the foot of the stairs. Sophie was dressed for church but stretched out on the floor, James kneeling by her side.
“Oh my gosh . . . what happened?” Zoey knelt down on Sophie’s other side and caught the hand that was offered. Sophie looked pale and scared but forced a smile.
“I just got clumsy, dear. Lost my footing on that bottom step. I need to throw out these old house slippers . . .”
Mac had run to Sophie’s aid also, and now nosed his way into the group and licked Sophie’s face. She laughed and stroked his muzzle. “Now, now, don’t you get worried, too.”
James gently tugged the dog’s collar and pushed him aside. “Does it hurt anywhere, Grandma? I want to help you up, but I don’t think we should move you if you broke a hip or anything like that.”
“Did you call for an ambulance?” Zoey asked.
“Ambulance? I don’t need an ambulance,” Sophie insisted. “I’ve fallen out of plenty of trees and off ladders. Even off a roof once. This was nothing, just a step. Help me up, both of you. Grab under my arms and give me a boost.”
Zoey looked at James. “Should we get her up or call somebody?”
He sighed, looking as confused as she felt. “She insists that nothing hurts. I guess it will be okay.”
“Of course it will be okay. Wouldn’t I know by now if my leg or my hip or my big toe was busted? Now come on. I’ve seen enough of the ceiling. We could use a splash of paint up there, too, by the way.”
Reluctantly, and very gently, Zoey and James helped Sophie to a sitting position. “Saints be praised. I thought you were going to leave me there like a giant turtle on her back.”
“You’re sure nothing hurts, Grandma?” James asked again.
“Give me a minute. Let me get my bearings.”
Her upswept hairdo had shifted to one side, quite a few pins and strands dangling. She still looked pale and shaky, Zoey thought, no matter how she tried to hide it.
“I think you need to go to a doctor or a hospital and get checked out,” Zoey said. “I know you don’t want to, but just to be safe. It’s the smart thing to do.”
“Why did you go upstairs again? I thought you were ready to leave for church.” James sat on the step next to his grandmother and took her pulse, looking grim as he timed it against his watch.
“I forgot my reading glasses. I like to follow along in the Bible when the Scripture is read aloud.”
“You should have told me. I would have gotten them,” he said.
“I should have a large-print Bible. That would have solved it completely. I wish someone would get me that for Christmas, instead of more sweaters or knickknacks.”
“Oh, so that’s the problem. We’ll have to tell the doctor you fell because you don’t have a large-print Bible?” His tone was half serious and half teasing. “Seriously, Grandma, your pulse is fast. I want to take you to the hospital or an urgent care clinic somewhere. And don’t argue about it. We don’t have to call an ambulance, but you need to be checked out. If anything is wrong with you, I won’t forgive myself. I’m supposed to be taking care of you, not letting you fall down the stairs.”
Zoey’s heart went out to him. He looked very upset, as if Sophie’s fall had been his fault.
“Now, now . . . what are you supposed to do? Follow me around like Mac and watch my every step? It’s my own fault. I should have been holding tighter to the banister. And I need to give up these old slippers, as comfortable as they are . . .” Sophie’s voice trailed off and she sighed. Finally, she nodded. “All right. If you feel that way, we’ll go. But it will be a big waste of time. I’d rather go to church.”
“I think we have to miss church today,” James replied. “And I’m happy to waste my time to make sure you’re fine.”
“I can take you to a clinic,” Zoey offered.
James looked relieved. “That would be great. I was just thinking I should call my aunt Evelyn.”
“Evelyn? Don’t you dare.” Sophie’s tone was as sharp as Zoey had ever heard it. “Let’s not call Miss Bossy Pants just yet. Then my pulse really will jump the chart.”
Sharing a smile, James and Zoey hoisted Sophie up and helped her into the kitchen. Zoey put boots on her feet, and James found her coat. She winced a bit when Zoey slipped her coat on, and Zoey found an ice pack for her left wrist, which seemed to be a little swollen.
A few minutes later they were in Zoey’s car, headed for an urgent care clinic that was near the highway. Sophie was in the backseat, her wrist propped up on a pillow.
When they reached the clinic, Zoey pulled up to the front door. James jumped out and came back with a wheelchair. He looked even more worried as they helped Sophie into the chair and wheeled her inside.
“I hope Aunt Evelyn isn’t mad at me for not calling her. I’m sure she would want to know that you fell and I took you here, Grandma.”
“We’ll let her know in due time. No need to make a drama of this,” Sophie replied. “I bet I’ll be home trimming our tree tonight.”
Zoey followed them inside and waited while Sophie told a nurse about her fall and handed over her insurance cards. It was almost eleven, and Zoey was due at the diner at noon. She considered calling Charlie, but decided to call Lucy instead.
“I didn’t make it to church after all. Sophie fell and we had to take her to the urgent care clinic. We just got here, and she’s talking to a nurse.”
“Oh, dear, that isn’t good. Is she all right? Did she break anything?”
“I don’t think so. She keeps saying nothing hurts. But her wrist might be sprained.”
“I hope it’s nothing more than that. Poor thing. She must be shaken up. It’s hard to take a fall when you’re that age.”
Zoey had to smile. “She doesn’t seem too shaken. We had to talk her into coming here. She can’t wait to get home and work on her Christmas tree.”
Her mother laughed. “That’s Sophie. I hope she goes easy on those doctors. Don’t worry about the diner. I’ll talk to your father. If he can’t get Trudy, I’ll go in for a while.”
Zoey felt bad that Lucy was covering for her again, especially since Lucy had planned to go shopping today. There were only two weeks left before Christmas.
“Thanks, Mom. I really don’t want to just leave Sophie and James here before I know how she is.”
“I understand. You stay. And give Sophie a hug from me. I hope it’s nothing. Tell her I’ll say a prayer, and I’ll tell Reverend Ben, too, okay?”
“I will.” By the time Zoey ended the call, Sophie was being wheeled out of the admitting area by an orderly. James walked into the waiting area and sat down in the chair next to Zoey.
“They’re going to take X-rays and check for a concussion, though I don’t think she hit her head. But better safe than sorry,” he added.
“Absolutely.”
“I nearly freaked when I heard her shout and found her on the floor, right before you came. It was scary,” he admitted.
“I know. I got scared when I saw her, too. But I think she’ll be fine.”
“I hope so.” He reached out and took hold of her hand. “Thanks for bringing us, Zoey. I’m just grateful that out of everybody, you’re the one here.”
His warm look seemed to say much more, and Zoey returned the gentle pressure of his touch. “You don’t have to thank me. I’m glad I could help. It was a lucky thing that we were planning to go to church together. You would have had to call an ambulance. Or Evelyn. And Sophie didn’t seem to like either of those ideas.”
He smiled. “I feel like you were meant to be there this morning, to help us.” He shrugged. “I don’t know why. I just do.”
Zoey didn’t know what to say. She met his glance a moment and loo
ked away. They sat quietly for a while, holding hands.
After a bit, James said, “But I did tell my aunt Evelyn. She texted me while Grandma was getting the X-ray. She wanted to know why we weren’t in church yet, so I told her what was going on. She should be here any minute. I hope Grandma isn’t mad at me, but it was the right thing to do.”
“It was,” Zoey agreed. “And you can use your aunt’s help. Sophie doesn’t like to admit it, but she listens to Evelyn.”
A nurse came by holding a clipboard. “James Potter?”
James jumped up. “That’s me.”
“We just examined your grandmother and gave her an EKG. Her blood pressure and heart rate seem fine. We also X-rayed her left wrist, and there are no broken bones, just a mild sprain. But we still need an MRI of her head. So it will be a while longer.”
“All right. Thanks for the update. Can I go inside and wait with her?”
“Sure. Just through those doors, you’ll see some patient beds, separated by curtains. You can both go back. It’s all right,” the nurse added, glancing at Zoey.
Zoey followed James and they quickly found Sophie. She was still wearing her dress and sweater, but her feet were bare, her body covered by a thin blanket. The back of the bed was raised so that she could sit up. Her left wrist was wrapped in an elastic bandage and covered with an ice pack.
“There you are. I told the nurse to go and get you,” she greeted them. “Can I go home now? Maybe you can ask somebody.”
“Not yet, Grandma. They need to give you a few more tests.”
“Fiddlesticks. They just like to use all this machinery. How many pictures of my skeleton does the doctor need to see?”
“They want an MRI of your head. To make sure there’s no concussion,” James explained.
“To make sure I have some brains left. That’s the real reason.” Sophie sighed and smoothed down the blanket. “I had so much to do today. I’ve missed the Christmas Fair committee meeting, too. I wanted to start on my crafts. And decorate the tree. I think we can still do the tree later . . . don’t you?”
Thomas Kinkade's Cape Light Page 17
