Chapter 17
Scarlett decided to stop by the grocery store before returning to her room. She went down the aisles, and this time, Candy described the layout to her.
“If you come in alone. Go to the cashier, and they’ll have a bagger help you shop. You can put your cane in the seat and push the cart or ask the bagger, whichever feels comfortable. Most stores are happy to assist you.”
They went down the third aisle when she smelled Jeremy Stewart's distinctive cologne.
“This place has gone to hell,” he muttered. “Now we’re letting mutts in the store where people shop for food.”
Scarlett felt her face flush from embarrassment and proceeded to ignore him as she walked by.
“He’s not even a real service dog. You didn’t have him at the community center,” he yelled down the aisle. She heard his cart rolling her way and Candy’s hand touched her shoulder. “Remember your rights.”
“You may be a patient from the hospital, but you’re not welcome in our store,” Jeremy said loud enough for everyone to hear.
Scarlett stopped. Sure, this wouldn’t be her only test. “Do you own the store, Mr. Stewart?”
“No. But I’ve shopped here for twenty years, and a dog has no place inside a business,” he argued.
“He has every right. It’s the law,” she said firmly. “Please move out of my way and let me finish my shopping.”
“Law my foot. You think because you came from the fancy hospital on the mountain, you can rule over the rest of us and make your own. We don’t want you here,” he said vehemently. “If you need help, I’ll boot you and your dog right out of here.”
“Mr. Stewart, if you harm my dog, it’s considered a federal offense. I will not hesitate to press charges.” Scarlett held her ground.
“Hi, Scarlett,” a man greeted her. “You haven’t met me yet.
I’m Saint, Bryanna’s husband. Kassie told us you and Ice were gallivanting around town.
He’s a beauty and smart too. I met him when Allie brought him for training.
It’s nice to see you, Candy. Mr. Stewart.
I hope I didn’t interrupt your conversation.
Nugget, my daughter, needed some construction paper for her art project, so I thought to introduce myself. ”
Jeremy mumbled under his breath and pushed his cart down the aisle.
“Thank you, Saint,” Candy said. “Scarlett, you handled it well. I saw Saint coming around the corner before I interceded. Mr. Stewart embodies the rude people in this world who make stupid comments. You got your first taste of it.”
“I can’t imagine how people with invisible disabilities handle it when they have service dogs. It must be rough,” Scarlett said. “It’s nice to meet you, Saint.”
“Same. I’ll see you ladies tonight. I need to get these supplies back to my daughter,” he said.
Scarlett rubbed Ice, reassuring him before she moved the cart along. The man seemed aggrieved about everything, which felt contradictory to the rest of the town.
When they returned to the hospital, Scarlett went to her room to get dressed for her evening out. When they neared, Ice again, stopped and whined by her neighbor, Hannah’s, room.
“Sorry, buddy. We can’t do anything for her. I promise if she comes out, we’ll invite her to join us on a walk,” she whispered. Seeming content, Ice continued.
Picking out her warmer clothing, Scarlett chose a cream-colored sweater, jeans, boots, and a jean jacket with a scarf. She dressed and entered her bathroom, wondering how blind people put on makeup. Knowing Ty planned to come, she wanted to appear at her best.
A knock on her door caught her attention, and she peeked around the door. “I’m here.”
“Hi, Scarlett. I’m leaving to get ready for the evening. One of the teens ran into a slight problem and I’m running late. You’re still planning on coming, right?” Kassie asked.
“Yes. May I ask you a favor? I haven’t dressed up in forever. I wanted to put on makeup. You don’t by chance hold a class for blind people, do you?”
Kassie approached her. “I’ll ask Candy to help you figure it out. May I help you with it this time?”
“I’d really appreciate it,” she said, relieved.
Kassie applied it and stepped back. “I added the lipstick, but a nice gloss will make it pop better. Do you have any?”
Scarlett grabbed her bag and felt for the little tube of strawberry gloss. “I found it. Thanks. I’ll add this and then catch a ride,” Scarlett said, removing the lid and smearing the tube across her lips.
“Nonsense. Why don’t you ride with me? Granted, you’ll think I live in a circus when we arrive, but it’ll save the veterans a trip over. Saturday nights, they play cards or board games with the kids,” Kassie informed her.
“As long as it’s not any trouble,” she said, reaching for Ice’s harness.
“Nope. Ty plans on coming a bit early. You can keep him company while I dress. Chase texted a few minutes ago and managed to get all three babies asleep at once. I can dress in peace for maybe five minutes,” she chuckled.
“How many kids do you have? I didn’t know about the triplets,” she said as they walked to Kassie’s vehicle.
“No. We have the twins, Tori turns one in a couple of months, and then we have our daughter, Emma. José leaves for basic training on Monday, and his niece, Sara, will stay with us until he returns.”
“Wow. You have your hands full,” she murmured.
“Yep, and love every minute of it, except bath time. It gets a bit crazy before bedtime,” she said cheerfully. “I have tons of help. Maddie and Joe love the chaos while Victoria creates it.”
“She mentioned something about her and Ivan’s men. Do they have a security company on the mountain, too?”
Kassie paused. “It’s nothing official. They protect the mountain and my family. Regardless of Victoria’s warning, they won’t approach you. Please don’t think badly of them. They’d risk their lives for any of us.”
She sounded incredibly serious, and Scarlett put her at ease. “I find Victoria refreshing, if not funny,” Scarlett said, giggling, thinking about the older woman.
Kassie sighed. “You have no idea.”
When they pulled into the garage, Scarlett heard Doc greet his wife. Seeming surprised to find her with Kassie, he said, “Hi Scarlett. Welcome to the zoo. At the hospital, we keep to formalities. At home, I prefer you call me Chase.”
“Will do. Can I help with anything?” she asked.
“The women arrived a few minutes ago and commandeered the kitchen. Kids are running amok upstairs, and we’re putting s’mores boards together. They’ll be happy for the extra hands,” he said, taking bags into the house.
“We have Rollo, another German Shepherd. He and Ice have played together. I wanted to let you know,” Kassie mentioned.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I should’ve asked to bring him,” she said, pulling out her cane.
“Remember your training. It’s polite to ask if you visit someone’s house when you return home. On the mountain, Ice will be welcomed everywhere.”
Scarlett got him out of the truck and followed Kassie inside. She heard the hustle and bustle of the women as they prepared for the evening.
“Everyone, please introduce yourself to Scarlett. I need a shower, then I’ll be out to help,” Kassie said, showing Scarlett to a chair. “Don’t worry, they don’t bite, except maybe Victoria.”
“Don’t listen to her,” someone said, sending Kassie to her room. “I’m Saint’s wife, Bryanna. I own the bakery in town.”
“It’s nice to meet you. I love your crullers,” Scarlett greeted her.
“I’m Samantha,” another woman said, sitting beside her.
Scarlett smiled. “You make those lovely cool pads for my headaches. They’re amazing.”
“Thanks. Barb, Edie and Debbie are setting up the back deck. We decided to let the kids roast hot dogs, and they have all kinds of lovely treats from their Grans. Kassie told us about your meeting with Victoria. Catherine will arrive with her mother and daughters, Melody and Grace, within the hour. They went on a girls’ trip,” Samantha explained.
“We have the board in front of you. Please add crackers at three, marshmallows at noon, chocolate at six, and you have mints at nine.”
“Mints? I’ve never heard of them made with those,” she explained.
“Oh, we have peanut butter cups, fruit, and other assorted candies guaranteed to give them all a sugar rush,” someone said, joining the table. “I’m Lizzy. Debbie has spoken about you. You’ve made a great impression. Who’s your friend?”
“He’s my partner, Ice. They allowed him to come home with me yesterday,” she replied, reaching down to pet him. “Oops, I need to wash my hands. Can you direct me to the bathroom?” she asked.
“Sure,” Bryanna said, extending her arm. Ice stood, ready to go with his mistress. She cleaned her hands and secured Ice before opening the door.
“Kassie said you arrived early.” Ty’s smooth voice surprised her.
“I rode with Kassie. Did you bring me a dessert?” she asked cheekily.
“I made salted caramel shortbread cookies,” he said softly. “Can I take you onto the deck and offer you one? The ladies assured me they have everything in hand.”
“Please,” she said, taking his arm and clutching her cane in her hand. Ty took her out the back door to the cozy chairs and the burning fire. Then, he returned to the kitchen. A few minutes later, he brought Ice a bowl of water and a cookie for her.
“It seems I’m always breaking rules with you,” she teased. “Another dessert before dinner.”
“We’ll have to discover a new rule to break if this keeps up,” he said.
The kids wandered outside and the adults helped them put hot dogs on sticks.
One of the men caught their attention. “All right, you hooligans. Remember, we’re celebrating José and Lucas tonight.
Be sure to give them hugs and kisses before you go to bed.
They’ll be busy the rest of the weekend. How do we behave around the fire?”
Ty leaned closer. “Leo’s instructing the kids.”
“We don’t run and we stay a few steps away,” the kids chorused.
“What do we do if a hot dog or marshmallow catches on fire?” Leo asked.
“We don’t run toward anyone. We put the stick down and tell an adult,” they answered.