23. Chapter Twenty-Three
ANNA
Leaving Elsa and her friends to their lunch, Anna set off to run errands. She enjoyed these small pockets of time where she was free to explore. Mrs. Campbell was lovely, but it was nice to have a few moments to herself too. The day was overcast, and the forecast called for showers off and on throughout the afternoon.
The pharmacy was first. When the tech handed her the bag, Anna double-checked the contents, ensuring the prescriptions were what she expected.
Next stop was the jeweler to pick up the watch she’d left weeks before. Unfortunately, the man she’d dealt with before wasn’t around. A young woman was sitting behind the counter, doing something on her phone. Anna waited patiently, clearing her throat several times before the woman looked up with an irritated expression.
“I’m here to pick up a watch,” Anna said.
“Name?”
“Campbell. Elsa Campbell.”
The woman exhaled and got to her feet as if it was a great chore to do so and disappeared into the back. When she came out again, she was empty-handed. “It’s not back there.”
“But I received a call a few days ago that it was ready.” When the woman said nothing, Anna said as politely as she could, “Would you mind checking again, please?”
With a sigh, the woman did. She returned so quickly; she couldn’t have done more than walk into the next room, turn around, and walk back out. “Nope, nothing.” The young woman settled back on her stool.
Clearly, customer service wasn’t the girl’s passion. “Perhaps the owner is still working on it. Is he around?”
“No.”
“Do you know when he’ll be back?”
“Later.”
Anna took a notepad out of her purse and quickly scrawled her number. “When he gets back, would you have him call me, please? It’s very important.”
“Yeah. Sure.”
Anna left the jeweler, feeling both annoyed and anxious. When Mrs. Campbell had told her how it was her favorite watch but it didn’t work anymore, Anna had thought it would be a nice gesture to take it to the jeweler and see what he could do. It might be as simple as needing a cleaning and a new battery. She’d never considered the possibility that it might get lost in the process.
Anna had a few more items on her to-do list. She planned to stop in the jeweler again before she picked up Mrs. Campbell in the hopes that the owner had returned and the pink-haired girl was gone.
The strong scent of men’s cologne hit her nostrils a moment before a figure stepped into her path. She recognized him immediately. Eddie.
“Miss Black, what a pleasant surprise.”
His tone belied his words, which was just as well because pleasant wasn’t a word she’d use to describe any encounter with him.
“Mr. Campbell.”
“Did my grandmother give you another afternoon off?”
“She’s having lunch with her friends. I’m just running a few errands.”
“Is that wise?”
“I’m sorry?”
“My grandmother requires supervision, Miss Black. I know she’s painted me as the villain here, but I only want what’s best for her.”
Anna highly doubted that. “What about what she wants?”
He waved his hand dismissively. “She’s old. She gets confused.”
“She seems perfectly lucid to me.”
“Ah, she didn’t tell you. Yes, well, I’m not surprised. It’s not something she readily admits to, but you must be warned. My grandmother has … episodes.”
“What kind of episodes?”
“Paranoia mostly,” he said, looking sad. “She thinks people are out to get her. Are after her money.”
Like you? she wondered silently. Why else would he be so anxious to put his grandmother in a home? He certainly wasn’t giving off compassionate, caring vibes. No, whatever his motivation was, Anna bet it was for his benefit, not Elsa’s.
“Her doctor didn’t mention anything.”
He raised his eyebrows. “You saw Dr. Phillips?”
“No, Dr. Howard. Dr. Phillips retired.”
Eddie laughed softly. “Dr. Phillips didn’t retire. She’s no older than I am. My grandmother refused to see her again after she recommended assisted living.”
Anna said nothing.
Eddie leaned in closer and lowered his voice. “You still don’t believe me. Ask yourself this, Miss Black. Why did none of the dozens of caregivers who preceded you stick around if my grandmother was such a joy to be around?” He straightened and adjusted his tie, flashing a Vacheron Constantin watch and a heavy gold ring in the process. “You’re her ally now, but that will change. She’ll start accusing you of things, and eventually, you’ll become the villain.”
Anna had heard more than enough. “Your concerns are duly noted, Mr. Campbell. Now, if you don’t mind …”
She started to walk around him, but he sidestepped and blocked her path once again.
“Actually, I do mind,” he said, his facade beginning to slip. He grabbed her arm, his fingers pressing into the soft flesh below her wrist in a viselike grip.
“Let go of me!”
“I know my grandmother. I know what’s best for her. You do not. You might think you’re helping, but you’re only making things more difficult by delaying the inevitable.”
Anna curled her other hand into a fist and was about to stomp on his foot and throat-punch him when he released her and gave her a shove. Then, he turned and walked away.
Once he was out of sight, Anna rubbed her wrist and tried to calm her breathing. “Asshole,” she murmured under her breath as she turned and walked in the other direction.
By the time Anna finished her errands and made it back to the jeweler, there was a closed sign on the door. She’d try again tomorrow, but she had to tell Mrs. Campbell about it today.
“How was lunch?” Anna asked as they dropped off the last of Elsa’s friends.
“Wonderful!” Elsa said, in high spirits. “Prom night preparations are coming together nicely.”
“Prom night?”
Elsa laughed. “That’s what we call the annual senior citizens’ shindig. This year’s theme is ageless enchantment. We’re turning the fire hall into a mystical forest. Faith said she’d do the design for us.”
“Sounds wonderful,” Anna said, attempting to summon some enthusiasm.
“I have the perfect dress. It’s a deep midnight blue. Gene loved me in that dress. Said it brought out my eyes. It will require dry cleaning, so perhaps we can drop it off next week when we’re in town. I’ll wear my sapphires too. Oh, and my good watch. I haven’t worn that in ages. I’m sure it will need a new battery.”
Anna’s stomach clenched painfully.
“Gene got it for me for our anniversary one year,” Elsa continued. “Oh, he was so proud! We didn’t have a lot of money back in those days, so it was a big deal.”
Anna didn’t think it was possible, but she felt even worse. “About that,” she began. “I took your watch to the jeweler to have it cleaned and get a new battery a few weeks ago.”
“Did you now? How very kind of you. One less thing to do before the big event. When will it be ready?”
“I was supposed to pick it up today.”
“Well, don’t worry about it, dear. Plenty of time.”
Anna cleared her throat. “The thing is, the young woman working there said they didn’t have it.”
“Young woman?” Elsa pursed her lips. “Wasn’t Otto there?”
“If he’s the owner, then no.”
“Ah, well, Otto can be a bit scatterbrained sometimes. His wife used to say he’d lose his head if it wasn’t attached. She used to keep the place organized, but she’s been gone a while now.”
“She passed?”
“No, dear, she left Otto for someone richer and better-looking. Last I heard, she was sunning her wrinkled backside on a yacht in Greece somewhere.” Elsa shook her head and patted Anna’s arm. “Don’t fret. I’m sure it’ll turn up.”
Anna sure hoped so.
The next day, she called the jeweler and spoke to the owner. He confirmed that he had completed work on the watch, but that it had already been picked up. He couldn’t say by whom because he’d been out sick the last few days and had someone else manning the store.
He was very upset when Anna explained the situation, as he was quite fond of Elsa and said she’d been a good customer for a long time. He promised to talk to the part-time help he’d hired to work the counter in his absence to see if they recalled who had picked up the watch. Anna almost told him not to bother with the pink-haired girl with the lip rings but refrained.
Things went from bad to worse when Eddie showed up at Mrs. Campbell’s door shortly afterward, looking grim and demanding to speak to his grandmother—alone. Anna didn’t like that idea at all. She didn’t trust him, but Elsa assured her that she’d been handling Eddie for years and would be fine.
Despite the niggling feeling in her gut, Anna gave them their privacy. While they were in the living room, discussing whatever it was they were discussing, Anna took the opportunity to change the sheets on her bed and give the carpet a good vacuuming.
Anna put the sweeper away. Hearing no murmur of voices, she peeked into the living room and saw Mrs. Campbell sitting alone in the living room, staring at something in her hand.
“Is Eddie gone?”
“Yes, he’s gone.”
The tone of her voice was off.
“Mrs. Campbell, is everything okay?”
Elsa’s face turned toward hers, her eyes lacking their usual sparkle. “I don’t know.”
Anna approached, anger heating her blood. What fresh hell had Eddie dumped on Elsa this time? The guy was such an asshole, coming in here and upsetting his grandmother like that. Not that he hadn’t done so before, but Elsa had stood her ground then. This time, she looked as if she’d been sucker-punched.
“What is it? Can I help?”
Elsa opened her palm. In it was the watch Anna had taken to the jeweler.
Relief flooded her. “Your watch! Oh, thank goodness! How did you get it?”
“Eddie brought it with him.”
“Oh?” Anna wondered how he’d gotten it. Was he the one who’d picked it up? How had he known it was there?
Elsa’s eyes dropped back to the watch. “He said he found it in a pawnshop.”
What? “A pawnshop! How did that happen?”
Elsa didn’t answer at first. She closed her hand around the watch. “The important thing is, it is back in my possession.”
“I’m so relieved. I felt horrible about the mix-up. Would you like me to put it back in your jewelry box?”
“No, thank you, dear. I’ll take care of it. I think I’m going to lie down for a while. My arthritis is making me feel every one of my years today, I’m afraid.”
“Might be the front that’s moving in,” Anna said. “Changes in barometric pressure can exacerbate flare-ups.”
“Yes, I’m sure that’s it.”
“Would you like one of your pain pills?”
“You know I don’t like to take them, but, yes, I think I could use one today.”
Anna helped Mrs. Campbell into bed, then brought her a pill with a glass of water, a small cup of yogurt, and half a banana. Once the older woman was settled, Anna asked, “Can I get you anything else?”
“No, thank you. I just need to rest.”
“Of course. If it’s all right with you, I’ll start planting some of the flowers we picked up at the farmers market in the planters. Ring the bell if you need anything. I’ll be right outside.”
With the weight of the missing watch off her shoulders, it felt good to be out in the fresh air. The clouds had given way to clear skies, and it was pleasantly warm in the sun, cool in the shade. Anna spent the afternoon with her hands in the dirt, planting the hardy annuals in big ceramic pots on the back patio for a pop of color. She went inside to check on Mrs. Campbell and found her sleeping peacefully.
She was glad for it. She didn’t care for the way her grandson treated her and wondered why Elsa tolerated him. But, she supposed, one could put up with a lot when it came to family. Especially if he was the only one around. Anna didn’t know if Elsa had any other relatives. For as much as Mrs. Campbell liked to talk about everyone else, she didn’t have much to say about her own family.
That was something they had in common.
Anna turned her thoughts to something less depressing. She was looking forward to summer in Pine Ridge. Sleeping with the windows open at night, letting in the crisp, cool mountain air. Listening to the crickets and frogs that were already beginning to make their appearance. Sitting on the patio with a good book and a glass of iced tea, watching the fireflies come out with the darkness. Maybe taking a dip in the pool when the temperature and humidity soared near triple digits.
It sounded like heaven. Her last few jobs hadn’t been anywhere near as nice as this, and her clients, had been in much worse shape than Mrs. Campbell. The woman was pretty independent and just needed someone to look after her. In truth, Anna felt more like a companion than a caregiver, and she was fine with that.
Once the flowers were planted and watered, Anna swept away the dirt and leaves that had fallen onto the stone pavers, discarded the empty flat containers, and went into the mudroom to wash up. She thought vaguely about the hoodie she had yet to return to Matt. She hadn’t seen him since that day and wondered when—if—she’d see him again.
Mrs. Campbell’s door was still closed when she walked by. Anna knocked softly. It had been several hours, and Elsa didn’t like to nap that long. She’d said it made it harder for her to sleep through the night.
“Mrs. Campbell? Are you feeling up to afternoon tea?”
No response.
Anna turned the knob and opened the door slowly and quietly. The older woman was in bed, in exactly the same position she’d been in the last time Anna checked.
Anna moved closer. “Mrs. Campbell?”
Warning bells began to toll in the back of her head. Mrs. Campbell was too still. Too pale.
Anna’s medical training kicked in, pushing that momentary panic to the side. Pressing her index and middle fingers to the older woman’s carotid artery, she felt a wash of relief. Elsa’s pulse was weak and slow, but it was there.
Anna placed her hands on the older woman’s shoulders and shook gently. “Mrs. Campbell? Can you hear me? It’s Anna. Time to wake up. Come on now. Open your eyes and look at me.”
Receiving no response, she placed her hand on the woman’s forehead and gently tilted her head back, lifting her chin with the fingers on her other hand to ensure the airway was open. She stared at the covers, assessing the barely perceptible rising and falling of Elsa’s chest.
“Okay, Elsa, stay with me. I’m calling an ambulance. You’re going to be fine. We’ve got this.”