Chapter Six #2
Ally nodded. “I’m afraid that I’m clueless when it comes to automobiles and certainly anything wrong with them.
If you could check with the mechanics and then give me their address and contact information, I’d appreciate it.
I’ll need to speak to them as soon as possible.
I’m stranded until my vehicle is situated and hopefully in working condition. ”
“That’s not a problem. I’ll be glad to stop by there and check on it. I’ll be in touch after I do. Let’s let this lady rest now, Jillie.” He slid his hat over his head and held the door for his daughter to join him.
“I’ll tell Teddy about the visit with you when I see him this afternoon. He’ll be happy—I know it.” Jillie grinned at Ally, and she returned it.
“Thank you, Jillie. Both of you, for all your kindnesses.”
The door whispered shut behind the pair.
It didn’t stay shut for long. The nurse who had introduced herself as Taylor when she had begun the morning shift earlier came breezing through the door with a couple of med cups in her hand.
“Sorry, sorry…meant to get here sooner with your meds, but we had two more admits to this floor.” She was all smiles as she handed the meds to Ally and then the cup of water sitting next to her bed.
“Thank you so much,” Ally said. “Do you know Jillie and her family?”
“In this town, everyone knows everyone. Guess it’s a lot different where you come from, right?
” She made note on the computer across from the bed of the meds administered and any notes she deemed necessary.
“I can’t imagine living in such a huge place as New York City.
I would get lost the moment I stepped off the plane.
I don’t even like going to Dallas and it’s real big too. ”
Ally smiled. “Well, it takes some getting used to, but once you figure out how to get around…mostly on foot or subway…you can map out your own routine.”
“Well, in answer to your first question, yes, I and my family know Jillie and the Parkers and the Lockwood’s and…”
“Lockwood?” Ally heard a familiar name…or at least one she recognized from reading it in the note left for her by Annie.
She had finally read the note handed to her by the attorney as she was about to leave New York.
But the instructions had been clear: read only when you arrive in Destiny’s River.
Well, it had been before dawn and before others began stirring in the hospital when she had finally opened it. And that name was in the note.
Taylor moved over to stand next to the bed.
“Yes, the Lockwood’s were one of the founding families of Destiny’s River from way back when.
Caden Lockwood, the family member in charge now, married Tori, the oldest sister of Sheriff Parker and Jillie’s aunt.
She is a nice person. She moved here and bought the Primrose Inn, a beautiful old Victorian place, and then she became our first lady mayor, and she keeps getting reelected.
Her meeting Caden Lockwood was a real romance story.
And now they’re expecting their baby soon. ”
“You said she was the oldest sister? He has more in the family?” She wasn’t prying so much as trying to see where everyone fit together in Annie’s story.
“Yes, there is Cassie who came to protect another ranching family over in Red Bluffs from this drug lord, and then she fell in love with the rancher, and they got married after the case was over. Cassie is Matt’s younger sister.
And then there’s Rance—he’s a U.S. Marshal and is single, too.
Seems it’s a tad bit hard to rope in those Parker boys but believe me the females line up to try. ”
“I see. And they all live here in this town?”
“Matt and his oldest sister do, of course. Cassie’s just a few miles away on their ranch. And Rance, well he comes home rarely except holidays or weddings.” Taylor laughed. “He is always on some case and lives down south of Austin way for his job.”
“Sounds like quite a family. It’s nice to have such closeness and roots…I would imagine.”
“It is—mine is the same way. But you can get tired of each other now and then.” She laughed once again. “But it is pretty good to know they are there no matter what when it counts.”
“I can imagine.” Ally paused. “Will the doctor be by later today?”
“Yes, he’ll make his rounds once he’s done with surgery. You sound like you’re in a hurry to leave our fine hotel here.”
“It is indeed fine, and everyone has been so kind and caring. But I need to get on my feet and see if I have a car that still runs and see if my dog remembers me,” she said, trying to make light of what brought her to the hospital in the first place.
She had a lot of things to get done and no idea how she would do them all, but she needed to figure it out.
*
“I like Miss Jones,” Jillie pronounced as they pulled into the parking lot of the café. “She’s nice. Don’t you think so?”
Matt turned off the engine then gave a considering look at his daughter. “I suppose she is nice…especially considering all she’s been through the last couple of days.”
They entered the café, which was filling up for the early afternoon weekend lunch crowd…
residents combined with out-of-towners driving out from the cities to search for treasures in the small-town shops and enjoy the many wineries that had sprung up in the Hill Country.
Tori waved at them from a corner table. They were soon seated with her, and Wallace, her assistant.
“Where’s Cade and the rest of your crew?” Matt asked, accepting the iced tea sat in front of him by the smiling waitress.
“I took the liberty already of ordering your iced tea and your soft drink, Jilliebean,” Tori said. “Food is up to you. We ordered the enchilada plate.”
“No need to look at menus.” Matt nodded at the waitress. “We always come on weekend lunch for those homemade enchiladas of Maggie’s.” Jillie nodded in agreement.
“So, what have you two been up to?” Tori asked, taking a sip of her tea but with her gaze on Matt.
“Why do I think you know the answer to that question already by that look you’re giving me?” Matt was a seasoned veteran of his sister’s ploys.
“Well, since you said that, I will tell you that it’s been the talk of the café here until you walked in the door. So, I just had to keep my ears open.”
“We were at the hospital,” Jillie chimed in. “I took her flowers and then Dad came because I didn’t let him know I was doing that.”
“Really? Well, the way I heard it, Dad took our new visitor in town some flowers today after visiting her yesterday, too. People found it interesting that our sheriff never did that with anyone else around here. But they didn’t mention that he took his daughter along. Silly gossips.”
“Yes indeed.” Matt nodded. “Silly people with nothing better to do with their time—and they certainly don’t bother to get facts straight before spreading the manure.”
“Matthew! Watch your language around big ears at this table.” Tori grinned while trying to maintain a stern look and failing with a wink at Jillie. Jillie had to laugh at that point.
“Manure isn’t a bad word, Aunt Tori. Dad says it a lot when he doesn’t want to say those other words around me.”
“And it isn’t a topic of conversation over food, so change the subject.” He was glad the plate of food made it to the table at that juncture. Once all of them had their food, he concentrated on eating and hoped the topic would change.
He had hoped in vain. “So, what are our visitor’s plans when she’s released? I hear her vehicle is in need of some serious repair. That might mean she’s stranded here for a while.”
“Well thanks for that update,” Matt said not bothering to look up at his sister. “I won’t need to go by Dee’s and get an update.”
“Dad told Ally he would do that and tell her more when he goes back to see her later.” And thanks to his daughter for chiming in and making matters worse.
“Going back again? My, she is certainly a popular patient. I might have to drop by and say hi when I see my obstetrician for my checkup later. Just be the neighborly thing to do.”
Matt looked at her then with a silent brother to nosy sister message in his gaze. “I don’t see any need in that. A patient is to rest in the hospital, not have a social calendar.”
“Well, I’m practically family to her given the gossip this morning. So, I should do the neighborly thing.”
“Can I go with you, Aunt Tori? I want to tell her about Teddy.”
“Teddy? Who is he?”
“Her dog. He was hurt in the accident and Doc Adams is taking good care of him. I told her that I was visiting him for her while she’s in the hospital.”
“I see.” And Matt knew that tone. “Jillie, why don’t you go look in the dessert case over there and see what kind of pies they have there today?”
“Okay,” she said, standing up, but then she turned with a wink at him, “but I know you don’t really want to know that—you just want to speak with Aunt Tori, and you don’t want me to hear. But I’ll go.”
His sister couldn’t help the laugh as she watched the girl cross the room. “Nice try, brother. She’s not a child any longer.”
“Neither are you, but you act like one sometimes. Drop this gossip thing.”
“Wise up, brother of mine. Let your sister give you some sage advice. Here is a perfect opportunity to get the single females off your trail…for a little while at least.”
“I know I shouldn’t ask…but what is in that peabrain of yours now?”
“It’s quite simple. The best way to put a chill on the local ladies is to present them with a fait accompli…
in simpler terms for you…the girl of your dreams. A fake girlfriend…
even better a fake fiancée. Someone they know nothing about but are already jealous of since she’s claimed your attention since she arrived…
so to speak. Love at first sight. They’re already trying to find out when she’s leaving.
And since it sounds like between her car and her dog…
she just might be around for a couple weeks or so if we’re lucky…
that will cool their interest in you. Give you a breather. And there is more.”
“I don’t think I can take more of that brain of yours. Have you thought about getting it checked?”
“The more is that she can stay at Primrose. The Morrisons are going to Italy to visit their daughter and her husband and to be there for the birth of their first grandchild. I need someone to stay on the property while they’re gone.
Beautiful, quiet place to recuperate and, it comes with a salary for her time.
That might come in handy to help ease her concerns about those hospital bills and car repairs in addition to having a place to stay and all.
It’s a win-win for your entire family and for her. My genius surprises even me sometimes.”
“That would be great! Teddy can stay and I can visit him and…” Jillie had arrived and evidently caught part of her crazy aunt’s idea. Matt set his fork down.
“Thought you were looking at the pie selection?”
“I can’t stand there for hours while you two talk grown-up stuff. So, I had to come back to the table. But I think it’s a super plan.” She sat back down in her chair with a huge smile.
“Well, there is one saving grace in all of this,” he conceded, “and that is she seems to be a smart lady and won’t agree to such a scheme. Now, what were the pie selections?”
“Chocolate, strawberry, coconut cream, apple,” she recited. “But what about…”
“Now, now, Jilliebean…” her aunt spoke up, patting her hand that lay on the table “…your father has spoken. We need to let him eat his dessert in peace. I think I’ll have apple.” She smiled at her niece. Then signaled their waitress.
Matt breathed a sigh of relief. But then he caught the sideward glance his sister gave his daughter.
Was that a quick wink? Surely, not. But then…
that sinking feeling came over him when he remembered how easily she had given up.
His sister never gave up that easily. There was danger ahead…
and all one could usually do was hold on tight… and hope to survive.