Chapter 31
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Ronald pulled the curtains aside and peered through his binoculars. From their cottage, they had an excellent view of the statuary garden, but the greenhouse was off to the side and it was hard to see from where he stood. When he spotted Courtney going in that direction, he didn’t actually see where she ended up, but his best guess was that she was going to wait it out inside the greenhouse.
Martha came up behind him and rested a hand on his shoulder. “Is Courtney still out there?”
He narrowed his eyes. “I think so. I haven’t seen her leave, anyway. She took the step stool out of the shed. Maybe she’s going to sit on it while she waits?” He shrugged. “Otherwise, I can’t even guess why she’d need a step stool in the greenhouse. Nothing is up high.” He moved his line of vision to the statuary garden. “The bag is still hanging off the well-endowed fellow. She’ll watch and see who picks it up.”
“What do you think she put in the bag?” his wife asked.
“Money is a safe bet.”
“The whole amount?”
Ronald shook his head. “I don’t know where she’d get that kind of money, but who knows? She’s very loyal. I would guess she’d beg, borrow, or steal to get the cash to bring Dana safely home.”
“I’m not sure Dana would do the same if the situation was reversed.”
“You might be surprised. I think there may be a heart inside that Grinchy exterior.”
Martha wrapped her arms around his middle and rested her head against his back. “Ronald Canfield, you’re a very kind man. I’m not sure if anyone else appreciates you around here, but I do. I love you with all my heart and soul.”
“I love you too.” He smiled and surveyed the yard one more time, then lowered the binoculars and turned to face her. “And soon enough we’ll be able to retire and not have to worry about anything else but each other. I can’t wait.”