Chapter Three Ashley #3
“Oh, it’s not anything bad, it’s just that Betty has called in to have a chat if you have five minutes.”
Both of us laugh quietly because a chat with Betty is never for five minutes.
But at the same time, I feel awful because I promised I would visit her after not making it to the funeral and I still haven’t got over there.
I mean, it might have a lot to do with avoiding her house now that she has a certain man living with her.
“Of course, bring her on back. I’ll make her a cup of tea, and she can eat one of these cakes that Tiff made me take.”
Adi just nods as I head to the electric kettle, flicking it on.
“There’s my sweet Ashley. Sorry to bother you when you are so busy.”
Adi guides Betty to the chair at my desk and leaves us to it.
“Betty, it’s so lovely to see you. I’m so sorry I haven’t been over to visit like I promised,” I apologize, leaning down to give her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“Oh shush, don’t you worry, poppet. I know how hard you work to keep all the animals in Abbey Falls safe.”
She’s always so kind, but it doesn’t make me feel any less guilty.
I mean, this is the woman who never complains when my naughty pets end up in her gardens.
An image of her irate grandson raging about the same animals flashes into my head, and I try to shake it off, because I don’t want to upset Betty by letting on what an arrogant jerk he was.
“I try, but sometimes it would be nice if they would give me a few quiet days.” Grabbing a tea bag and placing it in the cup, I look over my shoulder at her. “Two sugars and milk, if I remember correctly?”
“I can’t believe you remembered. That would be lovely, Ashley, but only if you have time.”
“I’ve always got time for you, Betty.” I place her cup of tea down in front of her with a lemon cake, courtesy of Tiff.
“Oh, you spoil me.” She smiles but also picks up the spoon straight away and takes a bite. “I know that’s one from Tiffany’s store. One day she will give me the recipe.”
I know she won’t, because she doesn’t make them. There is a lady in town who bakes them but wants to remain anonymous. Tiff is just trying to help her out with a bit of extra income.
“Now, did you just call in to see me or is there something you need help with?” Like getting rid of your pesky visitor, I think but would never say it. I’m sure she thinks the sun shines out of her grandson, like all grandmothers do.
“Yes, sweetie, I do have something I thought you might be able to help me with. Since I’ve lost my Noel, it gets lonely in bed at night. I think I might like to get a puppy to keep me company.”
My heart is breaking for her. But I’m not sure this is the right thing for her at her age.
“I’m sure this is a really hard time, Betty, and I want to help you as much as I can, but puppies are hard work and need a lot of training.
I’m not sure this is a good idea.” I don’t know how to say to her that I think she’s too old to cope with the crazy energy that a puppy brings to any house, without offending her.
“Don’t you have one of your grandsons staying with you? Isn’t he keeping you company?”
“Jake is adorable and spends time with me as much as he can, but I have put him to work, and I don’t want him to think he has to give up his life to babysit his old gran twenty-four hours a day.”
I’m not sure I would use the word adorable to describe him, but I can see the love in her eyes as she talks about him.
“Has he moved here for a while?”
“That’s right, and don’t tell him I said this, but the truth is, I don’t want him hovering over me all the time.
I don’t need a babysitter. I’ve managed in this world for a long time, and will continue to do so, even without my Noel.
It will be different, and I will miss him like crazy, but I don’t need a man to survive.
I can do it on my own.” There is a mixture of sadness and determination in her eyes, something I recognize.
“I don’t doubt that for one minute. You are one of the strongest women I know. And that won’t change. You will still be bossing us all around and looking after yourself just fine.” I reach out and squeeze her hand as the tears dry.
The loud laugh Betty lets out is enough to wake Rosie from her slumber, and she pulls herself up from her bed.
As she walks over, I get ready to settle her next to me so that she doesn’t scare Betty.
Some people take one look at a big dog like Rosie and worry that she’s either aggressive or over-the-top excitable.
Neither could be any further from the truth with Rosie. She just wants to be loved.
But before I have a chance to grab her collar, Rosie walks straight past me and places her head in Betty’s lap.
“Oh, who’s this friendly one?” Betty starts stroking the top of Rosie’s head, over her ears and down onto her back.
“This is Rosie. She was hit by a car a few nights back, and I’ve been nursing her back to health.”
The more Betty pats her, the more content Rosie seems, her tail swishing back and forth on the floor.
“Her family must be very grateful to you for looking after her.” Betty looks up at me from where she has been transfixed on Rosie.
In my head I’m trying to decide if I should play along and not admit that Rosie is a stray, because I can see what is happening here. But then again, who am I to step in the way of two friends meeting and giving each other the one thing they are both craving?
I decide to answer truthfully. “Sadly, she’s on her own, so I need to find her a forever home.”
“No, you don’t, she’s the perfect solution to my problem.
She doesn’t need training, she’ll keep me company, and she’s big enough to scare away any unwanted strangers that might turn up at the vineyard.
Plus, look at her, she’s already in love with me.
I mean, who wouldn’t be. She can see that I’m a perfect match for her.
Looks like it’s you and me, Rosie. Enjoying a few lazy days in the sun, while I sit crocheting and bossing around my grandsons.
Sounds kind of perfect to me, what do you think?
” Betty asks, leaning down closer to Rosie, who then reaches up and gives her a lick on the face.
“Are you sure about this, Betty? Rosie might seem nice and quiet in here, but I haven’t seen her out in open spaces yet.
Maybe you should talk it over with your grandson first, and then we can see how Rosie will transition to living with you.
” I’m not really worried about how Rosie will be, it’s more that I’m not sure Betty has thought this through.
Ten minutes ago, she was after a puppy, and Rosie is a lot different to that.
“Nope. I just told you I don’t need a man to make decisions for me.
Rosie will be fine, so I’ll take her home with me now.
Jake will love her. I’m sure you can get everything into the car for me, her bed, some food, bowls, etcetera.
Whatever you think I might need. And of course, a lead so I can take her for a walk, or when I don’t feel like it, Jake can take her on one of his long hikes up to the falls. ”
All I can think about is how unimpressed Jake will be when his grandmother turns up with a large dog that is going to be living with them and then tells him that he’s now responsible for walking her each day.
Because as agile as Betty is, there is no way she intends on walking Rosie.
I could tell in the way she got a sly little grin on her face when she mentioned it would be Jake’s job.
I know it makes me look unprofessional, but the thought of how annoyed Jake is going to be has me now agreeing eagerly with Betty and sorting out everything she needs to take Rosie home today.
I know Rosie will be loved and looked after by Betty, so I’m not concerned for her welfare in any way, otherwise I wouldn’t let her adopt her.
I wish I was going to be there to see his face, the moment he sees Rosie arrive.
Well, Jake did ask if I was the welcoming committee for Abbey Falls, and this is the most perfect “welcome to town” present I can think of.
We load everything into the truck, and Betty gets in behind the wheel. I’m not sure why she’s driving Noel’s truck instead of her own car, but my guess is that it keeps him close to her, and who am I to judge how people get over their loss.
Seeing Rosie sitting up like a good girl on the passenger seat in the front of Noel’s old Chevy has my heart squeezing. They will make a great match. They both need someone to love, and I know that Rosie will be well looked after.
As I watch them drive away, Betty gives me a huge wave and Rosie barks, then lets her tongue hang out like she’s so happy, and I know it will all work out fine.
The next hour goes by so fast that when Adi tells me that we are on the last patient, I’m silently cheering because it’s a simple annual vaccination.
Just as I place Mr. Moggie into his carrier and his owner heads back out to the reception area, I hear shouting coming from the front of the clinic, and I don’t even have to see him to know whose voice that is.
“I’ll wait! I want to see Doctor Alleyne. He has some explaining to do.”
I’m cracking up behind my hands from inside the exam room. Then composing myself, I pick up the phone and buzz Adi. “Send the raging bull in so he can meet the very female vet who he has a problem with. This is going to be so much fun.”
“Are you sure about that?” Adi sounds worried, but I know that man out there is all bark and no bite. I’ve seen it enough times now to get the sense that I’m safe around him. Plus, it’s time for a little payback.
“Doctor Alleyne is through here, Mr. Davis.” Adi’s voice gets closer, and as soon as she opens the door to the exam room, Jake storms through, and the look on his face is priceless.
“You! I should have known. As soon as there is chaos, you show up.” His chest puffs out, and he’s still steaming.
“What can I do for you, Mr. Davis? I hear you think I have some ‘explaining’ to do. Care to elaborate?” The calm tone of my voice seems to only exacerbate his anger.
“One word. Rosie!” His voice is loud and echoes around the room. “No way, no how. She has to go, and you have to convince my grandmother that you made a mistake.”
Watching him standing in my domain and trying to tell me what to do just makes me laugh. He might have caught me off guard in our first and second encounters. But not this time. I’m ready for him.
“Oh, is Jake too scared to stand up to his granny? I’m not surprised. I figured out what kind of man you are the first time I met you.”
“And what kind is that?” he blusters in frustration.
“A delegator, great at giving orders, but when it comes to doing the hard work, you’re nowhere to be seen.” I turn my back on him and continue cleaning up the room.
“You don’t know one thing about me.” His voice vibrates around me.
“Let’s keep it that way, shall we.” I turn to look at him, meaning every word of it, but there is something annoyingly sexy about this man who I can’t seem to have a conversation with without it being an argument.
“I wish, but I have a feeling that’s not going to be possible,” he replies.
And it’s probably the only thing we agree on.