Susannah's Garden (25 page)

S
usannah paced the house, figuring out ways to come up with the money. She couldn’t go to an ATM—there was a thousand-dollar limit on withdrawals. She and Joe had a joint account, and she doubted she could take out that amount, anyway, without his permission. A credit card advance? She went over and over the possible solutions until Chrissie returned with the car. Her daughter, in high spirits, was full of chatter and good will.

“Grandma looked great,” Chrissie assured her. “She was almost like her old self, except…” She giggled. “She thought I was you. The nurse said that’s common and I shouldn’t worry about it. She’ll be herself in no time.”

“What did the doctor say?”

Chrissie stopped to think. “Not much, really, just that Grandma’s making progress.”

Susannah prayed her mother would make a full recovery. Otherwise, they’d be looking at a hip replacement.
From various friends she’d learned how serious that could be with the elderly.

Chrissie studied her. “Don’t worry about Grandma, Mom. She’s doing really well.”

Nodding seemed to require a monumental effort.

“Is something else bothering you?” Chrissie asked with a frown.

“Not really… It’s just that I’ve got an errand to run and I have to wait for the home security people.” She’d decided to see Carolyn—to at least discuss this with her.

“Go,” she urged. “I’ll stay here.”

Her daughter’s willingness to help added a sense of urgency to Susannah’s mission. Without a hint of regret, Troy would destroy Chrissie’s life. Paying him off might solve the problem, but she wasn’t convinced Troy could be trusted. She didn’t dare give him all the money up front, or she’d have no insurance. But even half of $5000 was hard to produce on such short notice.

Carolyn was busy with a buyer when Susannah arrived. Waiting in the small reception area, she gazed out the window over the massive yard, stacked with row upon row of timber. The noon whistle blew, and the work crews broke for a thirty-minute lunch. The saws went silent.

Susannah watched as the men poured out from various places and congregated together. In the distance they looked alike, some short, some tall, but all dressed in the same style coveralls. These men were the fathers, husbands, brothers of many people in Colville, and Susannah was visibly reminded of the mill’s importance to the community.

The door to Carolyn’s office opened then, and Susannah heard her friend exchanging farewells with the buyer.

“Susannah?” Carolyn said behind her. “You wanted to see me?”

Tearing her gaze away from the window, she turned to her. “Do you have a few minutes to talk privately?”

“Of course.” Carolyn led the way back into her office; Susannah followed and closed the door.

Carolyn’s eyebrows went up as she rounded her desk and reclaimed her chair. “Is something wrong?”

Sitting down opposite her, Susannah nodded. “I had a visitor this morning.” She swallowed hard, then continued. “Troy Nance came to see me.”

“I take it this wasn’t a social call?”

Susannah made a derisive sound. “Hardly. I took Chrissie out to the Roadside Inn last night, but it didn’t do any good. He knows I’m on to him, so he came to tell me that for a mere five thousand dollars he’d break off his relationship with Chrissie.”

“He’d what?” Carolyn yelped.

“That’s not even the worst of it. Troy claimed the reason he got involved with her is because his mother thought I was—and I quote—a stuck-up prig in high school.”

“What?” Carolyn sounded as shocked as Susannah had been. “We both know that Jake broke up with her because of you and she never got over it.”

Susannah agreed. Sharon had been caustic the evening they’d driven out to the tavern, claiming that Jake had gone back to her. She’d taken pleasure in informing Susannah that Troy was his son.

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m not sure. My gut tells me to pay him the money and be done with it.” It occurred to her then that she was doing almost the same thing her father had done. Another thought hit her and with it her stomach twisted.

“Are you okay?” Carolyn asked in alarm.

Susannah shook her head numbly. “What if…what if
Jake’s father approached
my
dad and demanded money?” she whispered. It had never entered her mind that Allan Presley might have done exactly that. Now she wondered. In her heart she knew it hadn’t been Jake’s idea, but she’d assumed her father was the one responsible.

Carolyn’s eyes were wide. “I never thought of that.”

The sinking sensation didn’t leave her. Her mind whirled with the possibility and she didn’t immediately realize Carolyn was speaking.

“What did Joe say?”

Susannah looked away. “I didn’t tell him.”

Carolyn frowned at that. “Why not?”

“Because I know my husband and he’d never agree to this. He’s probably right, but I have to do
something…
I’m desperate. My daughter’s future is at stake.”

Carolyn’s frown darkened. “Do you think keeping Joe out of this is a good idea?”

“I don’t know. I just don’t know.” Her voice shook with near hysteria. That wretched man was risking Chrissie’s future, without conscience, without regret and without a qualm. His threat hadn’t been subtle—he’d introduce her to his friends. Susannah could easily guess what that meant. His friends had to be big-time losers. Even more disturbing was the implication that Chrissie would be hanging around with…with drug addicts and given cocaine or who knew what.

Now Susannah had no choice but to broach the subject of money with Carolyn. Drawing in a deep breath, she leaned toward her friend’s desk. “There’s a problem. I don’t have five thousand dollars just lying around.” She didn’t wait for Carolyn to comment, fearing what she’d say. “I suppose I could get a cash advance on the credit card, but I’d rather not tell Joe about this if I can possibly keep it secret.”

Carolyn’s chest rose with a harsh sigh. “Troy is blackmailing you.”

“I know.”

“I think you should talk this over with your husband.”

Susannah wanted Joe at her side more than ever, and yet she knew beyond a doubt that he wouldn’t agree to this. She couldn’t risk it, even at the cost of her marriage. When everything was settled, when Chrissie was safe, she’d tell him, but not before—otherwise they might lose their daughter.

“Going behind Joe’s back
isn’t
right,” she agreed, “but for now and for Chrissie’s sake, it’s my only option.” Opening her purse, Susannah set out the emerald ring Joe had given her on their twentieth anniversary. He’d paid twenty-five hundred dollars for it. In addition, she had her mother’s pearls, which Vivian had given her for safekeeping. Taken together, she believed their value would total at least the amount she needed to borrow.

“I was hoping,” she said, the words barely making it past the constriction in her throat, “that it would be possible to get a loan from you.” Asking to borrow money was even harder than she’d imagined. Her face burned with mortification. “These are worth more but—”

“You want me to write you a personal check for the five thousand,” Carolyn said.

Susannah hung her head. “The jewelry’s the collateral.”

After a short pause, Carolyn slowly straightened and opened a drawer, pulling out her checkbook. “I don’t think you’re doing the right thing in keeping this from Joe, but you’re the one who has to make that decision.”

Weak with relief, Susannah nodded. “Thank you.”

“But I’d rest easier if at some point you told your husband.”

“I will, I promise, just not yet.”

Carolyn wrote the check and handed it to Susannah. Then she turned to her computer and typed up a simple IOU. “I don’t want to take the jewelry. You keep it. The note is enough.”

Susannah thanked her, signed the note and took back the ring and pearls. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this,” she said, on the verge of tears.

“I just hope Chrissie appreciates what you’re doing.”

God willing, she’d never find out. “I don’t want her to know.”

“You aren’t going to tell her?”

Susannah shook her head emphatically. “No way! She’d never forgive me. Sure as anything, she’d blame me for this. I can’t take that chance.”

“What if Troy comes back for more money later on?”

Susannah had considered this. “I don’t think he will. He said Chrissie’s become a drag. He’s bored with her.”

The look on Carolyn’s face was one of disgust. Susannah shared her opinion.

Before she left, she thanked her friend profusely.

Chrissie was busy packing up the hallway linen closet when Susannah got back to the house. “The alarm guy was here,” she said, still on her knees, a stack of pillowcases in her arms. “It’s the same alarm system we have at home. I gave him your birthdate, month and day, for the code.”

“Good idea,” Susannah mumbled. Now that the problem of finding the money had been solved, she should feel good. She didn’t; if anything, she felt worse. Carolyn disapproved of the risk Susannah was taking, but she hadn’t offered any alternatives, either.

“Mom? Are you okay?”

It was the second time that day her daughter had asked that question. Susannah forced a smile. “Of course I am.”

Chrissie set the pillowcases neatly inside a carton. “This is about Troy, isn’t it?”

The mention of his name startled Susannah, until she reminded herself that Chrissie couldn’t possibly know what it was about Troy that had upset her.

“You’re really trying, and Mom, I want to tell you how grateful I am.”

“I’m doing my best.”

Her daughter impulsively scrambled to her feet and hugged her. “You won’t be sorry, Mom. I promise you.”

Except that she already was.

V
ivian was so tired. She knew she was in the hospital and she knew she was in pain. She couldn’t tell what time it was. Afternoon, she assumed. She vaguely remembered a lunch tray, which she hadn’t touched. It was all she could do to keep her eyes open. She thought George might come; that was why she had to stay awake. She felt certain her husband would know how badly she needed to see him.

Closing her eyes, she fought the waves of fatigue.

“Vivian?” a gruff male voice called to her.

Vivian opened her eyes to find George Wakefield from Altamira standing next to her hospital bed. He leaned heavily on his crutches and stared down at her, a look of worry creasing his face.

“George.” He wasn’t the George she’d been longing to see, but this George was good, too.

“How are you feeling?”

She gave a weak smile. Seeing him, she remembered
she’d been with George playing pool when she’d fallen. It must’ve been quite a shock for him.

“I broke my hip.”

“That’s what they said. I
told
you not to take that shot with your cane. It’s dangerous.”

“You used your crutch. Fair is fair.”

He nearly grinned, which would’ve been a first. This George was as stingy with smiles as her husband had been.

“How’d you get here?” Vivian asked. The assisted-living place kept close tabs on everyone. Getting away without one of the staff noticing couldn’t have been easy.

“I signed myself out.”

Vivian hadn’t known she could do that. Anytime she’d left, it’d been with Susannah. “But how’d you get
here?
”

“Curious, aren’t you?”

Vivian laughed softly. “I should find out, in case I decide to make a break for it.”

This time he did smile and it cheered her immeasurably.

“Okay. I took the Altamira Shuttle. All you have to do is order it at the desk.”

“Hmm.” Vivian wondered if it was time for another pain pill.

“Any more visits from your dead husband?” George asked. Resting his crutches against the wall, he sank down onto the lone chair in the room and made himself comfortable.

Vivian shook her head sadly. “I thought for sure he’d come and see me, but he hasn’t.”

“It might be more difficult these days. They have restrictions on the other side, you know?”

Vivian had guessed as much. All she knew of heaven was in the pages of her Bible, and the descriptions there were somewhat limited. George hadn’t told her anything,
but then he’d never spoken. That apparently went against the rules.

“Did anyone ask about me?” Vivian inquired. “At Altamira?”

“Several folks. Your friend Sally. None of the nurses knew how you were doing, so I decided to find out for myself.”

Vivian blushed; his attention flustered her. “I’m glad you did.”

“Me, too.” He gently patted her hand, and she felt herself grow warm. Oh, my. This George was a handsome man and she—

“Mom?” Susannah stood in the doorway holding a vase of roses. She wore the oddest look, as if she wasn’t quite sure she should trust her eyes.

“Susannah!”

George struggled to his feet.

“George, this is my daughter, Susannah,” Vivian said, rushing the words in her embarrassment. That look of her daughter’s made her feel guilty, although she hadn’t done anything wrong.

“Hello, George,” Susannah said. “Have we met?”

“No, but your mother’s mentioned you many times.”

“I see.” Susannah set the flowers down on the bedside stand and leaned close to kiss Vivian on the cheek.

“George isn’t my boyfriend or anything,” Vivian said firmly. She wanted that understood right away.
Boyfriend
was such a silly word. In her day it would’ve been suitor. Or maybe gentleman caller.

“I’m not?” George said, and to her delight he sounded downright disappointed.

“We’re
friends.
”

“Right,” George concurred. “Friends.”

Susannah seemed to be in a good mood if that smile on her face was any indication.

“I suppose I’d best be getting back to Altamira,” George muttered, reaching for his crutches.

“Please don’t leave on my account,” Susannah said.

“The shuttle driver’s waiting. I told him I wouldn’t be staying long.” He patted Vivian’s hand one last time. “You take care, you hear.”

“I will,” she promised and then because she wanted to be sure he wouldn’t disappear the way her George sometimes did, she stretched out one hand and touched his face.

Surprise filled George’s eyes. “Hurry back home,” he whispered. “I miss you.” Then, expertly wielding his crutches, he swung out the door.

“Mother,” Susannah said. “You
do
have a boyfriend.”

“I most certainly don’t,” Vivian denied hotly. She rolled her head to the side to examine the flowers. “It’s very thoughtful of you to bring me roses.”

“You’re avoiding the subject.”

Vivian sighed. “I don’t want you to be upset with me.”

Susannah stepped closer to the bed. “Why would I be upset?”

Lowering her lashes, Vivian felt it was time she told the truth. “You were so angry with your father not long ago, although I don’t remember what it was about….”

“I’m beginning to think I might have misjudged Daddy,” Susannah said in a low voice.

It gladdened Vivian’s heart to hear that. “I told you I’d ask your father, but he didn’t come. I waited up half the night, and then I was afraid he didn’t know I’d moved.” She spoke quickly in her eagerness to confess what she’d done. “I wanted to talk to him so badly and he didn’t come.” She dared to glance up and to her astonishment, Susannah had
tears in her eyes. This was what she’d feared most, that Susannah would be upset with her again.

“I’m so sorry,” Vivian murmured.

“Sorry about what, Mom?”

“I told George—the George you just met—that you were angry with your father and that I was waiting for him to visit. When your father didn’t show up, he suggested I tell you I’d spoken to George, which I had, of course, only it was a different George, and that anything your father did was because he loved you.”

“He did love me, Mom.” The tears in her daughter’s eyes glistened. “I don’t know why it took me so long to understand that.”

“Do you understand now?”

Susannah nodded. “I’ve learned a lot in the last few days….”

“It wasn’t a real lie. I did talk to George,” she said, returning to the subject of her small deception. “It wasn’t George, your father, but George my friend.”

Susannah offered her a gentle smile. “It’s all right, Mom. I’m not angry.”

“Good.” Vivian was tired then, really tired. After waiting most of the day, she had to assume her husband wasn’t coming. Maybe tonight, but she wasn’t holding out much hope.

“I think I’ll close my eyes,” she whispered.

“You go right ahead, Mom.”

“Will you be here when I wake up?”

“Maybe,” Susannah said. “But if I’m not, it’s because I have an errand to run.”

“That’s fine, dear. Go ahead and do your errand.”

“I love you, Mom.”

Vivian smiled, glad she’d told the truth. She felt so much better now that Susannah knew.

She must have drifted off then, because when she woke, the room was dark and silent. The night-light shone from the bathroom.

She sensed she wasn’t alone and turning her head, she realized she was right. George stood beside the bed.

Her George. Defying death, he’d come when she needed him most.