Chapter 27
Laurel was sitting on the porch when Marcus drove Riva up to the house. Worried this could turn awkward, Riva quickly thanked him and started to get out of the pickup.
“Do you need any help talking to Kitty?” he asked.
She looked at him. “I, uh, I don’t know.”
“I was thinking that maybe she could use a friendly intervention.”
“An intervention?” She pondered this. “You know, that’s not a bad idea.”
“And knowing Kitty, not that I really do, I wonder if it’d help to have a man involved. I hate to say it, but she seems to respect men more than women.”
Riva smiled. “Well, I’m not sure if it’s respect or attraction that she has for the male species, but I suppose you could be right. You might be more persuasive.”
“What about your moratorium on men?” His grin looked sly. “Don’t wanna be accosted at the door.”
“The ban was for social occasions. This is different. If you want to help, I wouldn’t mind.” She got out and headed up to the porch where Laurel was casually sipping iced tea, watching them with a wary expression.
“What have you two been up to?” she asked.
Marcus sat down on the top porch step while Riva explained about her visit with Danny that morning and what they’d seen on his farm. “So I guess we’re striking while the iron is hot,” she finally said.
“Striking how?”
“We’re staging an intervention,” Marcus said. “Wanna join us?”
“An intervention for Kitty’s drinking problem?” Laurel frowned. “As far as I know, she’s been sober since we removed her alcohol, but she’s pretty sneaky.”
“This isn’t really about alcohol, although that’s part of it.
” Riva explained how Danny wanted to talk to her.
“Except Kitty doesn’t trust him. Or so she claims. It could just be an excuse to hide out here.
Because it seems to me that’s what she’s doing.
Her world seems to be unraveling, and I don’t think she wants to face it. ”
“And you think Danny is the answer?” Laurel sounded skeptical.
“Well, she loved him enough to marry him once.”
“Yeah, well, I loved my ex too, but I wouldn’t touch that man with a ten-foot pole now.”
“Danny seems like a nice guy,” Marcus told her. “He’s making good choices, trying to get on with his life. He’s got a great farm he’s been working hard on.”
Riva showed Laurel some of the pictures on her phone.
“Wow, if Kitty’s not interested, put me on the list.” Laurel studied the shot of Danny all cleaned up. “He’s not half bad either. In a rustic cowboy sort of way.”
“Is my sister around?” Marcus asked.
“I think she’s in the garden,” Laurel told him.
“I’ll go see if she wants to help us with the intervention.” Marcus stood. “The more, the merrier.”
“So, you want to help us?” Riva asked Laurel.
“I guess I could. But you know Kitty’s not a fan of me. I wouldn’t want my presence to sour the deal.”
“I think numbers may help us to convey the urgency of our concerns. Every time I try to get her to consider doing anything, she gets defensive, acting like she’s in pain, and when that doesn’t work, she resorts to anger.”
“Sounds like the little witch.”
“Oh, Laurel. You know she’s just hurting inside. That’s why she lashes out. But her rejections are our opportunities to show unconditional love.”
“Kind of like that book you gave me to read?” Laurel made a face. “I think I’m getting the message, Riva. Kitty is like Angel and we’re all supposed to keep forgiving her.”
Riva blinked. Laurel was getting it.
“But that’s a lot easier said than done, Riva. I have to admit I’ve never hated anyone like I hate Kitty. She gets under my skin and pushes my buttons and just makes me want to scream and pull my hair out. More honestly, I want to pull her hair out—by its dark roots.”
Riva patted Laurel’s hand. “We all know Kitty’s targeted you. I think it’s because you’re a strong woman. She probably envies you.”
Laurel laughed. “She envies me?”
“Kitty’s self-esteem and confidence seem to come from male approval, and you’re the kind of woman who doesn’t need that.”
“Maybe I don’t need it, but I don’t mind . . . if it’s the right male.” Laurel looked over her shoulder.
“You mean like Marcus?”
Laurel sighed loudly. “I know Marcus isn’t interested in me, Riva.
He’s just been a gentleman, polite and kind.
Windy straightened me out on that one. And if it’s any consolation to you, I’m done making myself a fool over him.
” She glumly shook her head. “I can’t believe how juvenile I’ve been .
. . and toward you too.” She looked into Riva’s eyes. “I’m so sorry.”
Riva hugged her. “No worries, sweetie. I think we’ve all been getting used to living in a houseful of females.”
“Kind of like a boatful of fools?”
“Maybe a little.” Riva waved at Windy and Marcus who were walking around the side yard toward them.
“Windy is willing to join us,” Marcus said.
“I’m not too sure how helpful I’ll be with an intervention,” Windy admitted, “but maybe I can offer some friendly persuasion.”
“You be good cop and I’ll be bad cop,” Laurel teased.
“I think we should all be good cop,” Riva said. “At least to start with. And if anyone needs to get tough, I guess it should be me.”
“With backup,” Marcus told her.
“Okay, team,” Riva said. “Ready?”
“We’ll beard the lioness in her den,” Laurel joked.
“I never understood that saying,” Riva admitted as they went inside. “A lion already has a beard.”
“I think it just means to face them on their own turf,” Marcus said as they stood in the foyer.
“We’re the fearsome foursome,” Laurel declared. “Let’s do this!”
Marcus blocked the stairs. “Would anyone object if I said a brief prayer before we go up?” The women agreed and he quickly asked for God’s grace and help and direction. “Most of all, we ask that you make us vessels to pour out your love,” he said finally. They all echoed his amen.
As they went up the stairs, Riva saw Marcus in a whole new light. He truly was a good man, and she was grateful for his friendship . . . and maybe even something more. But it was something she couldn’t really wrap her head around at the moment or maybe she didn’t want to.
Kitty’s initial shock over being invaded by the “fearsome foursome” turned into anger. Instead of reacting to it, the four surrounded her bed and took turns encouraging her to take the challenge and reinvent herself.
“Your party-girl lifestyle isn’t working for you,” Windy said gently.
“And it will work even less as you get older,” Marcus added.
Laurel crossed her arms across her chest. “And like it or not, we’re all getting older.”
“This is your chance to start over,” Riva told her. “Doesn’t a fresh start sound appealing?”
Kitty shrugged.
“When Marcus and I visited Danny today, I was blown away by how great his farm looked.” Riva sat on the edge of the bed and pulled out her phone. “We’re not suggesting you get back with him, but we are encouraging you to at least talk to him.”
“What did you think of him?” Kitty asked Marcus.
“I like him. And I really like his farm.”
Riva showed Kitty photos and watched her expressions as she flipped through the shots.
“I guess it’s not as bad as I thought,” Kitty conceded.
“I think you’ll find Danny is changed too,” Marcus told her. “He seems to be taking his sobriety very seriously.”
“In fact, that’s the one condition Danny mentioned,” Riva said. “He won’t get back with you if you’re still drinking.”
Kitty rolled her eyes. “Well, thanks to the temperance society here, I haven’t had a drink in ten days.”
“That’s a great start,” Marcus told her. “Congratulations.”
“How’s your ankle?” Laurel asked her. “Can you walk on it yet?”
“I don’t know.”
“Why don’t you give it a try,” Windy suggested.
“It’d probably feel good to get out of this stuffy room.” Laurel picked up her crutches. “You must be getting cabin fever up here.”
“And it’s a beautiful day outside,” Windy said. “The garden is looking better than ever.”
“You’ll feel better if you get out, Kitty. It’ll improve your entire outlook.” Riva smiled. “And you’ll get some vitamin D from the sunshine. That’ll help heal your ankle.”
“Come on, Kitty, take my hand,” Marcus offered. “I won’t let you fall.”
The women all stepped back as Marcus helped her up.
They watched as Kitty sat up, then swung her legs over the side of the bed.
Laurel offered her the crutches, but Kitty waved a dismissive hand.
“I don’t need those stupid sticks. They just trip me up.
” And just like that, she walked across the room and out the door.
They cheered and followed her as she slowly went down the stairs.
A small victory perhaps, but it was progress.
By the time they were all sitting outside in back, Kitty seemed almost happy. “I guess I should thank you guys for pushing me like this.”
“We’re just glad you were willing to try,” Riva assured her as she pulled out her phone again, opening up photos to have another look at Danny’s farm.
“And I’m hoping you’ll be open to giving Danny a try too.
At least, talk to him. He really is concerned for your welfare, Kitty.
” She showed her the picture of the red barn surrounded by the green pasture. “His place has some great potential.”
Laurel poked Kitty in the shoulder. “And I decided that if you give him the heave-ho, I might have to check him out. He’s not hard to look at, and his farm might need some work, but it could be fun.”
“Yeah,” Windy agreed. “Especially if you’re interested in gardening like I am.” She winked. “Maybe I’ll go after him if Kitty declines.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Kitty said. “I don’t think you gals are even his type.”
“His type might’ve changed,” Riva told her. “Now that he’s committed to sobriety.”
“And again, that’s something you should carefully consider before you talk to him,” Marcus said somberly. “It’s pretty much a make-or-break for Danny.”
Kitty was still studying the pictures on Riva’s phone. “Danny looks pretty good. He used to be a sweetheart . . . but there’s been a lot of water under the bridge.”
“Alcohol-tainted water,” Laurel said glibly.
Riva tossed her a look.
“Anyway, things might be different, you know, if you were both committed to sobriety.” Laurel’s tone turned surprisingly gentle. “To be honest, if my ex cleaned up his act as much as Danny, and if he wasn’t already with someone else, I’d probably give him a second chance.”
Kitty looked dubious but nodded. “Well, I’ll think about it. And I should thank you guys for getting me out of my room. You’re right, it does feel better to be out here. But where does a girl get a drink?” She winked at Riva. “A soft drink.”
As Riva went inside to get Kitty a soda, she felt a small welcome rush of relief. Okay, maybe the Kitty dilemma was not fully resolved yet, but at least she was walking again. They definitely seemed to be on the right track.