Chapter 4
Juliet smiled over at Oliver. “So, buddy, how are you doing? Any news?”
“Ha! You talked to Finn.”
“Only that you had news. Now spill.”
Oliver told Juliet about Anabelle and her twins. His blue eyes were bright with…hope, she guessed.
“Oliver, that’s a lot to take on.”
“It is?”
“I know so. I have two kids.”
“I can’t stop thinking about her, Jules. But I know her situation is something to consider.”
“Be sure you do. And good luck with it.” She stood. “I have a session. It’s regular yoga if you want to work off some steam.”
“Thanks, but I have a session of my own soon.”
Juliet walked into her studio and into the group room. Thankfully, this class was full or she wouldn’t be able to afford being in the collective. People filed in.
“Hello, Tom…Marcy, how are you doing…Calla, cute tights.”
Once the six people were seated on their mats and facing her, she dropped down into a full lotus position. Not everyone could manage this advanced pose, but a couple succeeded. The rest were simply cross-legged.
“Let’s start with pranayama.”
Rhythmic breathing was something that was overlooked in daily practice. “Breath in for four counts…now hold for four…release slowly. Again…now do this at your own pace for ten breaths.”
Juliet stood up and walked to the side where she kept the bolsters. She picked one up to bring to the front when… “Yikes….”
A scaly black snake curled up on the floor. It had been sleeping but now was awakened and raised its head. “Everybody out to the new coffee break area. I found a snake.”
One woman screeched, “I hate snakes. I’m leaving. You better not charge me for this lesson.”
She said calmly, “Nobody will be paying for this lesson.”
After everyone left, most with words of encouragement, the snake slithered across the floor, searching for a way out, she guessed.
She grabbed her phone from a side table and stepped from the room.
She found animal control in Rockford NY and punched in the number.
“This is Juliet Sullivan at the Harmony Healing Collective. I found a snake in my yoga classroom.”
“I’ll dispatch a car. What kind of snake?”
“Large and black. About six feet long. No rattles or hissing.”
“It’s probably harmless, but we’ll come get him.”
She heard Finn enter into his office next door. Shaky, Juliet went into his waiting room.
He stood and came out immediately. “Jules, you’re pale as hell. Something happen?”
“There’s a snake in my yoga room.”
“What can I do?”
“Nothing. I called animal control. Finn, it’s big and black and ugly. How could this happen?”
“We aren’t in a location that should have snakes. There’s minimal vegetation around the perimeter.”
“Come outside with me to wait.”
“Sure.” Minutes after they stepped into the bright sunshine, a vehicle with bright blue lettering Animal Control and a picture of some kind of pest pulled in. Two women got out. “Who’s got the snake?”
Juliet stepped forward. “I do.”
“So you opened the door to get out?”
“First I got my class out. But I stood by the door. The snake didn’t get out.”
“Show us where your room is.”
They all walked in through Finn’s studio. “The common area’s right there and Juliet’s studio is right next door.”
Juliet’s voice was shaky. “I think it’s under the mats on the right side of the room.”
“You can go back outside.”
She and Finn walked out. He indicated one of the benches placed around the parking lot. “Come on, honey. Let’s sit here.”
They sat. Juliet bit her lip. “What’s going on, do you think?”
“Probably nothing more than a snake out of its element got over here somehow.”
“Or someone put it there.”
Finn’s eyes widened. “Do you think so? The two guards were on duty last night.”
“I know. They waved to me when they left this morning.”
“I seriously doubt someone could come at night and not be seen by them.”
“What’s the alternative?”
“There are lots of them. People keep snakes in their homes. One could have escaped. Or it got here from somewhere else and you were unlucky enough to find it.”
“Either that or he likes pranayama.”
Finn laughed out loud. “You have a good sense of humor to be able to joke at a time like this.”
Not long after, the two women came out with the cage. In it was the snake. They walked by Juliet. “We got him. It’s a black rat snake. Harmless.”
Juliet blew out a heavy breath. “So we’re all set?”
“Yes. Call your clients. Tell them we said that this is an anomaly. Chances of it happening again are zilch.”
“I’ll do that.”
They hustled the snake into their vehicle and drove off.
She said to Finn, “I hope I don’t lose those clients.
I make a lot of money on group classes.” Enough to support her so she could conduct some individual yoga therapy sessions.
“We all lost enough when Cary Jacobs,” the guard provided by Kirkland Security “was killed in our parking lot.”
“I hope so too, Jules.”
He slid his arm around her shoulders as they walked back inside.
Juliet went right to the room to straighten it out. She’d call the clients as soon as she was done and prayed they’d return.
* * *
“So, how was your day?” Anabelle asked after she walked into her parents’ kitchen.
“It was great.” Her mother studied her, her blue eyes intent. They had the same coloring, hair and eyes. “I do love those babies.”
Anabelle got a cup in her old kitchen, poured some coffee then sat next to her mom on a stool.
Lila Baxter smiled. “Our girl’s happy today.”
“What’s not to be happy about? It’s a beautiful day, I’m with my best friend and the girls are still asleep.”
“You’re here earlier than expected.”
“I had a cancellation.”
“Do you charge for those?”
“I charge a hefty amount, thanks to your advice.”
Her mom was a pediatrician and gave her lots of pointers about the way to run a medical practice. The best was to join a group of doctors in her field so she didn’t have to do everything herself.
She sipped the strong brew, its pungent scent wafting up to her.
“So, what put that smile on your face? You can tell your mother anything.”
She grinned. “I met a guy.”
She clapped her hand over her chest. “Be still my heart. How?”
“His mother was my patient. After I operated on her, the chief gave her to someone who had recently been hired.”
“Now that’s fate.”
“Fate or not, I’ve seen him twice.” She recounted the dinner and his visit yesterday.
“So he knows about the girls.”
“Even better, he helped get them to sleep. He even changed a poopy diaper.”
“Does he have kids of his own?”
“No, he’s never been married.”
“How old is he?”
“I don’t exactly know. Mid-thirties, I’d guess.”
“Is he handsome?”
“Very.” She stared into space. “He has these gorgeous blue eyes and thick blond hair. He’s big and masculine.”
“He sounds dreamy.”
“He is. And he seems interested in me. I’m not exactly sure why.”
“You’re beautiful.”
“Said the doting mother. But I guess he agrees with you.”
“Do you have another date?”
“It’s my turn to ask him. He came to the hospital first, then I went over to where he works. He called next.”
“What are you waiting for?”
“Some time to pass. I don’t want to be too eager.”
“Men like that sometimes.”
“You think?”
“I do.”
Giggles from down the hall. “They’re awake. We should get out of your hair.”
“Stay for dinner?”
“No thanks. Not tonight.”
Her mother kissed her cheek. “Remember what I said.”
“I will.”
She walked into the babies’ room and found both girls had pulled themselves up and were hitting the side of the crib. “Hello, sweeties.”
Lucy said, “Ma, ma, ma.”
“Oh my gosh. Can you say it too, Emily?”
For once her other daughter said, “Ma.”
“Aw. I love you so much.” She kissed each of their heads. She picked up Emily, changed her diaper and put her in the small round playset on the floor. She repeated the process with the other one, scooped up Lucy, then Emily, and carried them out.
This was a halcyon day!
* * *
Oliver finished up with his client, then walked outside to wait with Juliet for Captain Marshall to arrive. He found her sitting on a bench. When he dropped down, she said, “I hate this.”
“I do too. I don’t get it. All we do is good here.”
“I know. Life doesn’t make sense sometimes.”
“You’ve felt that way since Michael died.” He picked up her hand. “I’m sorry.”
An unmarked sedan drove into the lot. Captain Marshall got out. “Hello again.”
“Hi.” Oliver stood.
Juliet looked at him. “Do you want to go inside?”
“Eventually. So you found a snake in your yoga room?”
“I know it sounds silly.”
“I asked you to call about anything that was unusual.”
“Are you still investigating everything?”
“Yes. I’m hoping the person picked up the bolster and left some fingerprints.”
“I picked it up, too.”
“That’s okay. We have all of your prints on file.”
Another officer came up to them.
“This is Officer Alberts. He’s got the kit. Shall we go check?”
Oliver went inside with her. This latest thing made him realize if he was to keep seeing Anabelle, he had to come clean about the incidents at the collective.
Later, after he left Juliet, he went to his office and picked up the phone. He let it ring several times. Finally, “Hello.”
“Anabelle. It’s Oliver.”
“Sorry it took so long to get to the phone.”
“I know to let it ring. What were you doing?"
“I just picked the girls up from my Mom’s.”
“Does she babysit every day?”
“No, I have a nanny. Mom and Dad take them overnight once during the week and every other weekend.”
“I need to talk to you about something important. Can you get away for dinner?”
“The two teenagers next door babysit sometimes. I can call them.”
“Would you do that?”
“Yes. I’ll phone you right back.”
When they disconnected Oliver sighed. He hoped Anabelle didn’t stop seeing him because of this. Boy, they really had to get this mystery solved. For a lot of reasons.
An hour later, Oliver drove up to the park, got out, removed the picnic basket full of food from the backseat and headed toward the picnic table by the carousel. Anabelle sat staring at it. A slight breeze ruffled her beautiful blond hair. He reached her and kissed her cheek. “Hi.”
She looked up. Her eyes were full of worry. “Hi.”
He set the basket on the table. “Are you hungry?”
“I can wait. Sit down and tell me what I need to know.”
He sighed and sat. He clasped his hands together because he was shaky. “My collective is a bit…under siege, I guess. Bad things keep happening there.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Me, too. The most serious was the guard we hired for nighttime was murdered a month ago.”
Her jaw dropped. “My God.”
“That’s the worst. But my best friend Finn got beat up and his car was stolen. Then there was an explosion.”
“Oh, no, Oliver. I feel so sorry for you all.”
“The police are still investigating some of these. Then smaller things happened to the others but they still have nothing. Until today.”
Her pretty light brown brows rose. “What happened today?”
“We found a black snake in Juliet’s yoga room.”
“Was it poisonous?”
“No, they call it a rat snake. But again, it can’t be dismissed in light of the other incidents.”
“I see.”
He tipped her chin. Her skin was so soft. “Anabelle, this is the hardest thing I’m ever going to say to you. I understand if you don’t want to see me anymore because I might be in danger and by association, you might too.”
She looked torn. Conflicted. She had responsibilities. But she cared about him, too.
He watched carefully. And then, he knew.
“I’m sorry Oliver. But I have two little girls to protect. I can’t see you anymore.”
He swallowed hard. It took all his willpower to answer. “I understand.”
“I care about you.” She cupped his cheek. “A lot, but this is the way it has to be.”
Reaching over her, he picked up the picnic basket then walked her to the car and put it in the back seat.
She followed him. When he turned, she kissed him. “Goodbye, Oliver.”
“Goodbye, sweetheart.”
* * *
Anabelle drove home, unable to cry. She had to be careful. She had to put her kids first. “Damn it!” She hit the steering wheel. “Why did you send him my way, God? If you were going to take him back so quickly?”
Of course, God didn’t answer.
She reached home safely and went inside. “Hi, girls. My engagement was cut short.” She dug in her purse and took out money. “Full price.”
“You don’t have to, Ms. Baxter,” the older one said. “We weren’t here very long.”
“No matter. Take the money. I’ll call you again.”
When the girls left, she went down the hall and peeked into the nursery.
It smelled like baby powder and lemon shampoo.
The twins were sound asleep and she closed the door.
Went to her bedroom. She changed out of her pretty dress and put on summer pajamas.
In the kitchen, she poured herself a glass of wine and looked at the picnic basket he’d placed in her car.
As she stared at it, second thoughts raced through her mind. Had she done the right thing?
For the babies. She’d done the right thing for the babies.
She took a sip of the tart Chardonnay, then her cell phone rang. She checked the ID. Her boss. “Hello, Curt.”
“Hello, Anabelle. I have some news for you.”
“What is it?”
He cleared his throat. “I’m retiring at the end of the summer. My wife has breast cancer.”
“Curt, I’m sorry.”
“I need to be home more.”
“Of course you do.”
“I’d like to recommend you for my job?”
She dropped down into a chair. “Me? Why not one of the regular cardiologists?”
“Because I think your personality suits the job better.”
“The other doctors see me as…something less than a real cardiologist.” The same thing one of Oliver’s brothers said.
“They’re snobs. They’ll adjust, though.”
“Curt, I have one year old babies.”
“Yeah, I know you have responsibilities. But you can make your own hours.”
“I…see. Can I have some time to think about it?”
“Until the end of the week. Anabelle, you can do this. You should do it.”
“I’ll let you know as soon as I decide.”
When she disconnected, she leaned back and sighed.
How could she possibly do this job? The Chief of Cardiology provided clinical and administrative leadership for the department, oversaw patient care, controlled research and educational programs. He or she managed staff, developed strategic plans, figured out budgets, and ensured compliance with regulations.
Buck up, Anabelle! Take the job. You do have room in your life. Especially if Oliver’s out of it.
She didn’t believe in fate. But she couldn’t help thinking that one door closed—Oliver—and another opened—the Chief of Cardiology.
She thought about calling her mom, but she needed to make this decision on her own. Raising her chin, she picked up the glass of wine and brought it to the bedroom, sat on her bed and thought about her career. Long and hard.