Chapter 30
D enny knew she had brought Maureen’s wrath upon her. She considered turning around to apologize to her sister but was afraid she would retaliate. Most of her life she’d held in her anger. Maureen was trying to hurt her by reminding her she would always be an aunt and never a mother. Well, Denny would mother her new puppy. She already loved Rosie. The warmth in her chest expanded. This must be what motherhood felt like. Sure, she loved Amanda but imagined that having a child of her own would grow to greater intensity. Or not. Some children brought sadness and stress upon their parents. She imagined parents whose children had disgraced them and wondered if the parents still loved them. She would, no matter what they did or how they acted.
Finding her way back to the room was easy with all the hall lights on. But she preferred the darkness and recalled walking right into Alec’s wide chest. Instead of stopping at her bedroom, she padded down the wide staircase and found the kitchen lights bright.
She located Lydia in the kitchen inspecting behind the stove.
“One last look?” Denny asked her.
“Yah, I’m searching for chards that might have found their way back here. Mrs. Ross expects the job to be done by now.” She got to her feet and stood admiring the clean floor. “And I’m used to it. I hate to admit it, but I enjoy cleaning.”
“You have got to be kidding.” Scrubbing the floor would be Denny’s least favorite pastime, but let’s face it, a puppy would leave liquid and poopy messes for Denny to clean up. She couldn’t leave Rosie at home all day while she was at the bookstore. She envisioned her bookshop and decided she would put in a small pen near the register where Denny could keep a good eye on Rosie and bond with her. Rosie was sure to whine and bark, but her customers would just have to get used to it. She couldn’t afford to hire a dogwalker or someone like Lydia the way her older sister did. And Denny didn’t want to.
Recalling Maureen’s cruel statements brought a crushing feeling to Denny’s chest. Or had Denny started the spat? She couldn’t remember. In any case their argument had spiraled down to the truth because in many ways, they had hated each other since childhood. Had Maureen ever loved her? Or had she resented Denny since her birth, while Denny had yearned for Maureen’s approval as well as her parents’ attention all her life? How pathetic to be such a people pleaser.
Alec strolled into the kitchen. “You two had better turn in,” he said. “It’s almost midnight.”
Graceful Lydia stood with ease and turned to face him. But Denny moved between them. No way would she let this young woman steal Alec away from her. Not that she had him. And her future was shaky at best. Why hadn’t she insisted her gynecologist see her again before she left the States? Knowing she would soon have Rosie to care for invigorated her. She needed to get healthy. But Alec was right. She needed to get some sleep, or she’d be a wreck tomorrow.
When Lydia left the room, Denny spoke to Alec who watched her exit. “I want to go down and peek in on the puppies before I turn in,” Denny said.
“Aye, I’ll take you. But then you must go to bed.”
Denny and Alec descended the stairs to the basement. Denny detected a new bounce in her step as she followed him, but she cautioned herself not to read too much into the excursion. Who wouldn’t want to see a brand-new litter of pups?
Denny supposed Princess might growl, but mama dog remained at ease. Denny reached out and stroked her behind the ears. She was dying to pick up Rosie and examine her more closely but decided she’d wait and let the adorable new family rest.
“Do you think Princess needs anything?” she asked Alec.
“It doesn’t look as if she’s finished what she was offered yet. I’ll see she gets fresh water before I turn in,” Alec said. “She seems to be content.”
“Where will you sleep tonight?” Denny said.
“Asking for an invitation?” He sent her a wry smile.
Denny’s hand flapped up to cover her mouth. “No—no,” she sputtered. Not that she would mind one. She had been lonely too long. But she was not into one-night rolls between the sheets.
Her many losses played in the back of her mind like a movie she couldn’t turn off. She was flabbergasted when she felt a tear forming in the corner of her eye.
Alec must’ve noticed because he said, “I’m sorry if I said something inappropriate.”
“No, you didn’t, it’s just that...” Her throat closed blocking off her words.
Alec waited patiently for her to continue her thought. Where to begin? “You already know our parents died recently.”
“Aye. Again, I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you. And Maureen had this crazy idea that coming on this trip would draw us closer together—we’ve had a difficult relationship our whole lives— but we’re further apart than ever.” She dug her hand into a pocket and found a Kleenex and stabbed her nose. “On top of that, my bookstore is going under. When I get home, I may have to close it.”
“Can’t you borrow the money?”
“No collateral. At one time, my parents might’ve helped me. Although my father was always against my starting the business and thought it was a frivolous waste of time. Still, he might’ve lent me the money.”
“Forgive me if I’m being rude in asking if your parents left you anything.”
“An inheritance? I wish.” She dried her eyes. “No pot of gold at the end of the rainbow waiting for me.” She dabbed her dripping nose. “Maureen and I had no idea our parents had taken out a second mortgage and were living on a pittance.” She blinked. “Maureen is paying for this whole trip, and we’re not getting along to put it mildly. But I’m glad I came because I met you and Rosie—that’s what I named my pup.”
“I hate to bring you down, but like I said before, the owner of this hotel also owns Princess. Gordan is a crusty, inflexible gent. I doubt he wants to let any of the puppies go unless at a hefty price.”
Denny felt herself sinking further into the mire. “I can’t take another disappointment.” Her knees weakened. He slid his arm around her shoulder. She sank into him, let him support her. She couldn’t make it on her own, but soon she would have to.