Chapter 22
When they arrived at the hospital, they found Jack in the waiting room, still in his dress clothes.
For a man who lived in jeans and T-shirts, it was a shocker to see him without them.
No ND Manufacturing ball cap either. The current visual didn’t fit, but what was most unsettling was the man’s demeanor; subdued, jittery, desperate.
The Jack Finnegan the whole town knew, never backed down from a problem, a challenge, or a tricky situation.
But then, his wife had never been involved.
Mimi rushed toward him, gave him a big hug. “What’s the latest news?”
For a man who preferred silence over talking, Jack managed to tell them Dolly had suffered a broken wrist and a mild concussion. “Doc said it don’t look like she needs surgery, but he’s putting her in a cast. After that, she’ll need the physical therapy part.”
“Goodness, thank the Lord for that.” Mimi gentled her voice. “What did he say about the concussion?”
“Said we was lucky.” His voice shook, turned hoarse. “Said that dang puffy hat she loves helped shield the blow. They’ll keep an eye on her tonight, and if all goes well, she can come home tomorrow.”
“Good.” Mimi sounded more like her old self. “You’ll be staying?”
Those blue eyes shifted to liquid silver.
“Where else would I go? I can’t leave her here.
I’m gonna watch everything they do, so there’s no mistakes.
” He dragged a hand over his face, let out a loud sigh.
“Nah, that ain’t why I’m staying. These people know what they’re doing.
” His voice cracked, split open with pain.
“I can’t go home without her. What would I do?
Dolly’s my girl, and she’s been my girl since the first time I saw her.
” He swallowed hard, let out another ragged sigh.
“I should have kept my mouth shut and let her buy that floral couch she fancied. But no, can’t have flowers in my living room.
Gotta be leather or plaid…no dang flowers… ”
A clearing of his throat as more regret spilled. “Why didn’t I buy her one of those eternity rings like a few of her friends at the garden club have? Oh, she said it didn’t matter, that she didn’t care, but I should’ve cared. Dang it all, I should have cared.”
He looked at Ian and Katie, brows pinched together, a frown covering his lips.
“You two? You got love in your hearts. Don’t you dare let that go.
Everybody has pain and heartache and everybody hurts the one they love.
” His voice turned hoarse as he pushed out more truths.
“Me and Dolly been married most of our adult lives, and when I thought I was gonna lose her today? I could hardly breathe. I made a pact with the Man Upstairs, and I told Him if He could just save my Dolly, I’d buy her those dang flowers she favors.
I’d paint the living room pink and let her get that flowered couch.
I even vowed to clean out the garage so she wouldn’t have to worry about stepping on ice.
I made a lot of promises, and if she pulls through, I got a lot to keep, but it’s gonna be worth it. ”
He swiped at his eyes, continued, “Everybody’s afraid, and nobody wants to take the big risk and state their true feelings.
But as I stand here now, thinking about my Dolly, and the regrets I have?
If God sees fit to keep her with me, I ain’t gonna hide my feelings or be afraid to show my heart.
That woman’s the best thing that ever happened to me, and I am not gonna forget it.
Don’t you two forget it either, because just like tonight, there’s no guarantee.
You can pull in your driveway like you’ve done a thousand times, and you’re already thinking about what you’re gonna eat, what you’re gonna watch on TV, and you don’t pay no attention to the person beside you.
” His blue eyes glistened with tears. “And in a second, they can be gone. Just like that.”
Just like that. Katie slid a glance at Ian, caught him watching her. What if something happened to him? What if he walked out the door tonight and a car didn’t see him, or slid into him as he was walking across the parking lot?
What if he never had a chance to hold his child?
What if…?
They’d already lost so many years. Did she really want to risk losing more because she was afraid?
That’s what her hesitancy was really about—risk and fear.
Jack said he wasn’t going to be afraid to show his feelings any longer because Dolly was worth it.
She sucked in deep breaths, tried to shut down visions of Ian and a car and…
“Katie?”
She blinked through her tears as Ian came into focus. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“Thank you.” His smile covered her. “I don’t want anything to happen to you either.” He swiped a tear away. “Don’t cry.”
Another tear fell, and she could say it had to do with pregnancy hormones, but that wasn’t true.
This was about what happened to Dolly tonight and what could happen to Ian.
“I can’t help it. Dolly’s accident was random and unpredictable.
The woman rarely travels a five-mile radius, and look what happened?
In her own driveway. You’re in and out of cars and planes, and don’t even tell me you drive the speed limit in those fancy cars and–”
“Stop.” Ian placed his hands on her shoulders, his voice gentle.
“I love that you care, and I wish I could tell you nothing will ever happen to me. But nobody gets a guarantee, no matter how much we want it. The second we care about something—a dog, a cat, a person—we risk getting hurt. There’s no perfect life, Katie.
Only perfect moments.” He trailed a finger along her jaw.
“We can’t spend our lives waiting for the pain to happen, and risk missing those moments.
” He clasped her hands, pressed them against his chest. “Because those moments are as close to heaven on earth as you can get. That’s what I want with you. ”
She bit her bottom lip, thought about what he’d said. “Perfect moments. I love that.”
“Good.”
You got love in your hearts. Don’t you dare let that go.
Jack’s words settled in her brain, stretched to her heart.
For a man who didn’t talk much, he’d certainly said a lot tonight.
Katie’s heart opened wider, filled with hope and joy.
She looked up at her new husband, smiled through the tears, and shared her heart. “I love you, Ian Finnegan.”
“And I love you, Katie Finnegan.” He swiped a tear away, murmured, “I can’t wait to make a lifetime of perfect moments with you.”
“This is a perfect moment.” She eased her hands around his neck, leaned on tiptoe and whispered in his ear. “When we get back to the Heart Sent, we’ll create a few more perfect moments in the honeymoon suite.”
And that’s exactly what they did.
6 days later
Did you hear about Katie Layton and Ian Finnegan?
You mean Katie Finnegan, don’t you?
I do! Actually, that’s what I’m talking about… the “I do’s” they exchanged at Mimi’s the night of the snowstorm.
Who would have ever thought…?
Not I, but I saw them the other day at Sal’s market in the produce aisle. She was picking out some sort of greens, and he was pushing the cart, chatting away, big smile on that handsome face.
No kidding? So, they looked happy?
Happy? They looked in love. It almost made me smile and you know I’m not one prone to smiles or fancifulness. But I have to say, they looked like the perfect couple.
I wonder if she’ll move to California with him or wherever he is…
I heard they’re staying in her cabin.
Why would they do that?
No idea. Stranger things…
Who told you that?
Hearsay. Maybe I didn’t hear it right… Maybe they plan to stay in the cabin but build onto it, or build on the land near the cabin. I’m not sure, and I didn’t want to appear too obvious by leaning closer.
I see. You were in Lina’s Café, weren’t you? And I’ll bet you were nosing around in someone else’s conversation.
That’s sometimes where you get the best information.
But you didn’t get all the information, and what you did get could be wrong.
True, but I did get the important information. They’re in love. I witnessed it myself.
Do tell? How did you know?
Well, it was obvious when they started feeding each other pancakes…and sat on the same side of the booth, thigh to thigh. Besides, there was a lot of touching and smiling, even kisses.
Hmm.
And they’re married. I saw the rings myself. Hers is huge! So, you see, I did gather quite a bit of information, mostly through observation. I just didn’t get the living arrangements figured out.
You could just ask her, or you could ask Harry Blacksworth when you stop in to pick up your takeout. I’m sure that man will be happy to tell you since he’s all about meant-to-be and happily-ever-after.
I could, but I don’t want to appear nosy.
You are nosy.
A huff and then, I call it curious.
Other residents were equally curious, but there were those who insisted they saw this match coming a long time ago.
I spotted them at O’Reilly’s one day, talking all secretive. And the way he looked at her? There was no doubt he was smitten.
You don’t say?
I do say. Smitten and wanting to get closer. She seemed interested in him as well. Lots of smiles and laughs, and I didn’t miss when they leaned in close, hands almost touching. You have to watch for the signs…
Well, I’ll be… I thought Katie was more interested in the suit-and-tie type.
You know what they say about opposites attracting. She never lit up with that short-term fiancé the way she does with Ian Finnegan.
I say good for them. She must have been able to look past the hair and the tattoos and saw something special.
I talked to him a few times, and he said he’d take a look at my dryer if I wanted him to.
That dang thing has been giving me fits for months.
I might take him up on it, especially since he’s staying in Magdalena.
We can use somebody like that around here.
Big laugh. He might know how to fix appliances, but that’s not all he does. He’s some sort of engineer and he knows Max Ruhland, and you know what that means.
You think he works on those high-performance cars like Max?
Why do you think the guy was staying at Max and Grace Ruhland’s house? That wasn’t just coincidence.
Hmm.
Of course, there were those who knew the real story, and if people asked, they would share. But if they didn’t…
So, how’s Dolly Finnegan doing?
Oh, now that’s a story. Word has it she fell in the driveway coming home from who knows where. Broke her wrist, hit her head, and landed in a cast and with a mild concussion.
Wow. That must’ve spun Jack around five times.
He was beside himself. I saw him at the flower shop the other day, and when did you ever know Jack Finnegan to buy flowers? Red roses, too. A dozen, long-stemmed. Cha-ching.
Are you sure it was Jack?
I had to look twice because the scruffy hair and whiskers were gone and the ND Manufacturing ball cap seemed new. The man looked ten years younger. Same frown but he did say hello, and he didn’t call me a busybody.
That’s progress.
Something’s going on at Harry’s Folly this Saturday because the place is closed. I have no idea what’s happening. Do you?
No. Maybe Harry’s adding some fancy Christmas display. You never know about that man…
Maybe, but I think he would have done it by now. And it’s too early for New Year’s decorations.
Then it could be a big company Christmas party. You know, where they rent the whole place out.
What company?
Don’t know, but with Harry, you can never tell.
Well, keep your ears open because I want to know, and I’m half tempted to park outside the restaurant and see who goes in.
Not me, especially when it’s freezing outside. Anyway, we’ll find out soon enough. We can have breakfast at Lina’s Sunday morning after church and hear the whole story…
Good idea. See you then.