by Anne Canadeo
Dana and Maggie followed Rose, but Dr. Riley remained at Holly’s bedside. As she stepped out the door, Maggie glanced his way just long enough to see him stroke Holly’s cheek with his fingertips. She heard him whisper something to Holly, but she couldn’t make out the words.
They headed back to Rose’s room on a lower floor, moving through the bustling hospital corridors without speaking. Dr. Riley soon appeared, and Maggie waited with Rose while he and Dana headed off to arrange for Rose’s discharge.
Visiting Holly had worn Rose out. She lay down on her bed and curled on her side. Maggie sat next to her bed and took out her knitting, prepared for the long wait of cutting through hospital red tape. Maggie thought she was asleep, but then she suddenly noticed small tears squeezing out from the corners of her eyes.
Maggie wasn’t sure how much time had passed before Dana returned. She did make good progress with Charles’s basket-stitch sweater.
Dana sat on the edge of Rose’s bed and gently called her name. “Wake up, Rose. Time to go home and see the dogs.”
Rose sat up and rubbed her eyes. She didn’t smile, but Maggie could see the relief in her expression. Dana had managed to find enough clothes in a workout bag stashed in her car to get Rose decently dressed.
“We can come back tonight to see Holly, if you want to,” Dana promised Rose as they left the hospital.
Maggie wondered if Rose would be so eager to return, even to see her sister. Hospital visits were disturbing to many people who didn’t even suffer from Rose’s stress condition. And she didn’t envy Dana, who would have to make the drive again, but Dana’s offer seemed sincere. It was clear she would go the limit and then some to make Rose feel safe and secure.
“I’m going to stay with you while Holly is here,” Dana added. “Uncle Jack will come at night, too. I’d bring you back to my house, but it would be hard to watch the dogs, and I think you’ll feel more comfortable in your own space.”
Maggie agreed that was the best solution to watching over Rose right now. Familiarity and routine were important considerations for her.
Rose nodded, accepting the arrangements, though she seemed deep in thought. She stared out the backseat window as they pulled out of the hospital parking lot, her gaze fixed on the building.
Trying to pick out Holly’s window? Maggie wondered.
Finally, she turned and faced forward, wringing her fingers together and pulling on the ties of the sweatshirt Dana had given her to wear.
What was she thinking and feeling? Was she worrying about Holly? And feeling scared and vulnerable, despite Dana’s comforting presence and promises?
“I can drop you off in town,” Dana offered.
“I’ll go back with you,” Maggie replied. “I’ll find a way to get home later,” she added. “You’ll have some company until Jack gets out there tonight.”
Dana glanced at her. Maggie didn’t doubt that Dana could handle Rose with love, compassion, and expert knowledge at this difficult time. But it had been a hard morning for Dana, too, having so little sleep last night and seeing Holly in such a state. Maggie thought she ought to stick around to help, if she could.
“Thanks, Maggie. Jack might not get out until late tonight. He’s so busy in the office right now and has a business trip coming this weekend. I would welcome your company.”
Dana glanced at her and smiled. She didn’t say more, and neither did Maggie. The afternoon light was quickly fading behind the thick woods on the road to the Pipers’ house. It would be dark before long, and Maggie wouldn’t feel right leaving Dana and Rose alone in such a desolate place.
When they arrived at the nursery, the first thing Maggie saw was the charred shell of the greenhouse, circled by yellow crime-scene tape. An area of about fifty feet in diameter was circled, as well.
Rose leaned forward and stared wide eyed through the windshield. “The whole thing burned down? It must have taken hours.”
Dana sighed. Maggie could see her searching for the right words. Would she tell Rose that someone had deliberately set the fire? Maggie wondered if that would be good for Rose to know right now.
“It took a while to put it out, but the firemen got it under control quickly. Thank goodness no one was hurt and it didn’t reach the house.”
That was a blessing, Maggie agreed. The scene looked apocalyptic, but it certainly could have been worse.
The house was dark and empty looking in the gathering dusk. Behind the closed door, the dogs barked wildly, but this time, Maggie found the sound welcoming. Rose certainly did; she lifted her head and smiled, eager for Dana to open the door.
Dana walked in first and flipped the switch next to the door. The foyer was flooded with light.
Rose’s rescues filled the foyer and quickly surrounded them, barking and vying for attention. The coat-tree had been knocked down and trampled, and a vase of red roses on a side table had been tipped over, with water spilled on the tabletop and floor.
Rose shouted to shut the door as the three women had no choice but to wade deeper into the canine flash mob. “Quick! Before they get out!”
Maggie did as instructed and had to use her foot to gently block a small schnauzer from escaping. With her back against the wall, she surveyed the scene, confused about what had happened.
Dana pointed to the parlor. “The gate fell down. Look . . .”
Maggie saw that the baby gate that usually blocked the entrance to the dog parlor had fallen to the floor. The hinges that had secured the gate to the molding were now dangling. Either the dogs had broken down the gate or maybe the police investigators had dislodged it by mistake?
It hardly mattered now. The result was much like videos Maggie had seen of the running of the bulls in Spain.
But Rose was already herding the pack back into the parlor, shouting commands and tossing biscuits she had retrieved from the other room.
Just as quickly as they’d flooded the foyer, the dogs ran to follow her and claim their treats. Dana and Maggie ran over to the parlor and propped the gate up. Maggie noticed it had to be stretched and didn’t quite reach. She saw one section blocking the bottom of the staircase, and she wondered how it had gotten there.
And from behind the closed kitchen door, Maggie now heard more barking, along with whining and scratching at the woodwork.
Rose ran to the kitchen door and found it locked. “Someone locked my dogs up. Wolf, Oreo, and Queenie.”
She was very angry and pulled on the doorknob, shaking it with all her might. She turned to Dana, tears in her eyes.
“We’ll get them out, honey. Give me a minute . . .”
Rose didn’t wait for Dana to finish. She ran out the front door, and they watched her dash past the dining room window.
“She’s going to the back door,” Dana said. “I wonder who locked up the dogs? And how the other bunch got loose. I doubt it was Lucy’s doing.”
“Maybe the police, when they searched the house? The dogs may have been hard to control or overly protective.”
Dana was about to answer; then her gaze cut to the staircase. “Someone’s coming. Someone is in here.”
Maggie heard footsteps, too. Someone was slowly walking down the staircase.
“Who’s there?” Dana shouted.
No one answered. They backed up toward the front door, and Maggie scanned the foyer, looking for a possible weapon to defend herself, but didn’t spot a thing. Where were her knitting needles when she really needed them?
A figure emerged from the shadows, and Dana pulled out her phone and began to dial 911.
“Stop right there . . . I’m calling the police. Who are you?”
Chapter 6
The visitor laughed, a mocking sound. “Aunt Dana . . . after all these years, that’s the greeting I get?”
Dana looked shocked, but Maggie could tell she recognized the stranger. “Toby? What are you doing here?”
He came down to the bottom of the staircase, then stepped over the gate with a swing of
his long legs.
“Can’t I visit my little sisters? From what I hear, they could use my help.”
“Holly never mentioned you were coming.”
“She didn’t? That’s funny. I left a message a few days ago. I was in Portland on business. I told her I’d come by to say hello. Maybe she forgot to tell you.” His gaze challenged her. Dana didn’t answer right away.
“We didn’t see a car. You startled us,” Dana said.
“I left it around back. I knew I had to get the key from the shed.”
Maggie recalled that Ava Piper had a son from her first marriage and that he’d left the area when George Piper died, about ten years ago. Clearly, his appearance was an anomaly and not the casual visit he’d implied.
He took a step toward Maggie and extended his hand. “Toby Nash, the prodigal son. Stepson to George, to be precise.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Dana’s friend Maggie.”
His smooth smile and unnaturally white teeth reminded Maggie of a crocodile. He held her hand a little too long and gave her fingers an inappropriate squeeze. She sensed that the self-deprecating charm worked for him, usually.
He was not bad looking, but he was a man who had hit his prime early on, she’d guess, and was now working off depleted capital. His straight brown hair, carefully combed, was thin on top, obviously dyed His blue eyes were bright and his tanned face deeply lined; the cut of his jaw, soft and sagging. His wrinkled gray suit and dark red tie were designer discount quality, and it looked as if he’d slept in the outfit.
“Terrible about this fire. What a nightmare for those girls. I was driving when I heard the story on the radio. I nearly lost control of the car when I realized it was poor Holly and Rose. Who the heck would do such a thing? Do the police have any clues?”
“Not yet. They have a lead or two.”
“What sort of business are you in, Mr. Nash?” Maggie asked.
“I’m in sales. Call me Toby. Everybody does.” He looked around, checking out the dogs, who were secure again behind the gate in the parlor and were watching him warily. One or two growled low in their throat. “Where are those other dogs? The wild ones? They don’t seem to like me.”
“Is that why you locked them in the kitchen?” Dana asked.
He shrugged. “They wanted to tear my throat out. Especially that big white one. I was lucky to outrun them. I guess the girls need watchdogs, but that one is plain vicious.”
Maggie had never been the least bit afraid of Rose’s big dog, and she wondered what Toby had done to set Wolf off.
“You’re lucky they let you inside,” Dana said.
“Just barely . . . Hey, you forget, I’m family, too. What was I supposed to do? Wait out in the car? I called the hospital. They said Holly was still in ICU, so I figured it was best to wait here and visit her tomorrow.”
Maggie had a strong feeling Dana would have preferred to have found Toby waiting in a car, if she had to find him here at all. But, of course, she didn’t say that.
“Holly is under sedation. She’s not able to breathe on her own yet. The doctors want to give her more tests, but her condition isn’t stable enough.”
“Poor kid. I sure hope she rallies.” His gaze was downcast; he shook his head. “In the meantime, at least I’m here to hold down the fort. Keep my eye on Rose and the business.”
Maggie doubted his plans sat well with Dana, but she didn’t show any reaction. “Rose is very fragile right now, Toby. She’s had a huge shock, and she is upset about Holly. She doesn’t remember anything that happened last night, either.”
“Really? I bet the police weren’t happy to hear that.”
“No, they weren’t. She might remember something, in time. But please try not to talk about it. Please don’t say or do anything that might cause her more distress. And—”
“I know how to handle Rose,” he said, cutting in. “I know all about her condition.”
“She may not remember you,” Dana concluded in a blunt tone.
“Of course she will. I’m her big brother. I taught her how to ride a bike and climb a tree. She looked up to me. Seems to me you’re the one with the faulty memory, Aunt Dana.” The endearing title sounded sarcastic on his tongue.
“She hasn’t seen in you in a long time. That’s all I’m trying to say. Ten years maybe? It may take her a while to feel comfortable around you. Please be patient.”
He drew in a sharp breath. “I bet she does remember me. I’m her brother, for goodness’ sake. I’m here to help her.”
Maggie suddenly saw Toby as a little boy with an affectionate attachment to a younger sister and also as a child who felt the anguish of never quite fitting in with his family. She did feel some sympathy for him in that way.
But even though she hated to rush to judgment, she didn’t like the grown-up Toby very much. Shouldn’t he be worrying more about Rose than his own wounded ego? According to Dana, he’d chosen to cut all ties with his half sisters. Yet here he was, proclaiming his noble intentions.
Dana left to find Rose at the back of the house, and Maggie sent Charles a text, asking him to pick her up. She hoped he wouldn’t come all that soon. She knew she was being silly, but she felt uncomfortable leaving Dana with long-lost Toby.
He strolled toward the parlor, hands in his pockets, nervously jangling his change. His approach caused the dogs to growl again, and he scowled at them.
“Shut up, you stupid mutts.” He glanced over at Maggie. “This house used to be a showcase. My mother kept it like a picture in a magazine, but my sisters have turned it into a stinking dog kennel. My mother must be turning over in her grave.”
There were a lot of dogs, but Maggie disagreed with his assessment of Holly and Rose’s housekeeping. Repurposing the front parlor for the needs of the rescue project would not be found in any decorating books. That was true. But overall, it was a very tidy and clean home, even in the dogs’ lair.
She didn’t bother to argue the point with him, just watched as he gazed into the large room after venturing as close to the gate as he dared.
“George used to keep his whiskey in there. In crystal decanters, like a real gentleman,” he said, recalling his stepfather. “I could use a drink right now, but I’d rather walk out of here on two legs.” He glanced at the unhappy dogs and back at Maggie.
“Probably not worth it,” she agreed.
“I bet Holly got rid of all that fancy stuff anyway. She never appreciated it. There’s still some nice furniture. Real antiques,” he noted, continuing his inventory. “My mother had good taste for a woman who came from nothing. And George Piper had the money.”
An interesting way to sum up the relationship of your parents, Maggie thought. Maggie wondered if he’d ever called George Piper “Dad” while he was growing up. He didn’t seem attached to the affectionate title now.
Dana returned with Rose, her hand on the young woman’s shoulder. Rose’s special dogs were not at her heels, as they usually were. Rose and Dana must have thought it best to leave them in the kitchen.
Just as well, Maggie reflected.
Toby’s face strained with a wide smile. He walked over to Rose and leaned down, then talked into her face, as if she was hard of hearing or had difficulty understanding what people said. “Hey, Rosie-posie . . . It’s me, your big brother, Toby. You remember me, right?” He glanced at Dana, eager to prove his point.
Rose looked confused but finally nodded. “I guess so. We haven’t seen you in a long time, Toby. Where have you been?”
He laughed. “Good question, kiddo. You always got right to the point. Your brother has been around the track a few times, let’s just say. But I’m home now. How about a hug?”
He opened his arms, and Rose stared at him. She glanced back at Dana for some cue. Dana crossed her arms over her chest. Finally, Rose stepped forward, gave her half-brother a brief, loose embrace, and quickly stepped back to a safe space.
Toby looked a little frustrated by the cool greeting but
forced his face into a smile again. “That fire was just awful, wasn’t it? Poor Holly. But you don’t have to worry. I’m here to take care of you now. Everything is going to be just fine. What do you think of that?”
Rose’s expression closed, like certain flowers that fold their petals to the cool night air. She moved even closer to Dana.
“Aunt Dana and Uncle Jack are staying here until Holly comes home. Why would you need to stay, too? We hardly know each other anymore.” Her tone was both puzzled and matter of fact.
He laughed quietly and shook his head. Maggie still had a feeling that he was angry. “That’s my Rosie. Never pulls a punch. I know that I haven’t been around much, honey. But when there’s trouble, family sticks together. Real family.” He glanced at Dana. “That’s why I’m here. To protect you. If I ever catch the guy who set that fire and hurt our Holly, he’ll be one sorry dude. Believe me.” He made a fist and punched his hand.
Rose jumped at the gesture and the sound of flesh striking flesh. She glanced at Dana and then looked down at the floor.
Dana lightly rubbed her shoulder. “He won’t come back, honey. The police will make sure of that.”
Behind Rose’s back, Dana glared at Toby. He’d promised not to upset Rose, but it hadn’t taken very long for him to forget, Maggie noticed.
“Hey, let’s not even talk about it. If no one objects, I’ll make some dinner. I’m pretty good at making a tasty meal from whatever I find in the fridge.” He finally caught Rose’s eye. “Just keep those dogs away from me. Leash them up or something, all right?”
Maggie had not seen one of the dogs on a leash so far. She was sure Rose didn’t like the idea.
“Why? Are you allergic?” Rose asked.
“Let’s put it this way. If the dogs don’t bother me, I won’t bother them. Understand?” His tone was harsher this time. Rose read it clearly.
“I’ll put them outside. They can use some air.” Rose turned toward the kitchen, and Toby followed.
Maggie was left with Dana in the foyer. She kept her voice low, wary of being overheard, though the door to the kitchen was closed and she could already hear the clatter of pots and pans. “You told us that Ava had a son from her first marriage. It sounded to me like he’d more or less disappeared.”
