LITMIR.BIZ

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she sat behind her desk. “I think we’ve figured out how she’s escaping.”

      Rebecca frowned. “You make it sound like she’s in a prison.”

      “A lot of the people staying here would wander off and not know where they were if we didn’t lock the doors to keep them inside. Many of our residents have problems with their memories.” Susan turned to Gabriel. “I’ve fixed the door in the kitchen. It shouldn’t happen again.”

      “I hope not. Ben forgave her this time. I don’t know if I can talk him into a third time.”

      “She didn’t remember taking the perfume. I don’t think she did it on purpose,” Rebecca interjected, thinking how close in age Bess and her grandmother were.

      “I agree with you, Rebecca, and that’s why Ben finally calmed down. Ben isn’t an ogre, but he does have a family to support and lately there has been some shoplifting going on at his store. I think it’s kids. He’s extra sensitive about it at the moment.”

      “May I make a suggestion?” Rebecca asked, straightening in her chair as though she were readying to do battle. If need be, she would. “I’d like to take Bess shopping with me once a week. I’ll keep a close eye on her and make sure nothing’s taken that isn’t paid for. She needs someone to care about her. What happened with her family? Her niece?”

      “Her niece moved to New York City,” Michael said. “That’s why she placed Bess in Shady Oaks. With Bess’s memory problems, she didn’t think the big city would be a good place for her aunt.”

      “I’ll have a word with her niece, but I doubt she’ll object to you taking her out for an afternoon. This might help Bess. She seems so lost right now. Her niece had to give her dogs away. I want to give her something to look forward to.”

      “I have an idea, Susan. My dog had puppies last month. I’ll be looking for homes soon for them. I’d like to give Bess one of the puppies to take care of.”

      “A dog? Here?”

      “It’s not unheard of to have pets in nursing homes. It would be wonderful therapy for Bess, for all your residents. Bess summed it up when she said animals love unconditionally. That’s the best feeling in the world, Susan. If memory serves me, you’ve got a dog and a cat.”

      “But if I let Bess have a dog, the others will want a pet.”

      “Maybe that isn’t such a bad idea. Think it over. I’ll see if I can get you some literature on it. I’ll hold a puppy for a while until you make up your mind.”

      “I don’t know, Gabriel. I can’t imagine it staying inside all day.”

      “You have a fenced yard out back. All I’m asking is that you think about it.”

      Susan rose. “Fine. Send over any information you have on it, and I’ll see. I’ll talk with the doctor and nurses and get their opinion.”

      “That’s all I ask.” Gabriel opened the door for Rebecca. Outside Shady Oaks he took a deep breath and released it slowly. “Susan does a good job with what she has, but still I wish there was another way to take care of our old people.”

      “The puppy for Bess was a great idea. I hope Susan approves it.” At the squad car Rebecca caught Gabriel’s gaze over the roof. “Have you given any of your puppies away yet?”

      “The kid next door wants one. Why?”

      “I wonder if I could buy one for Peter for his birthday next Saturday.”

      “No, you can’t.”

      Rebecca climbed into the car, trying to keep the disappointment from showing on her face. “Then do you know where I can get a puppy for Peter?”

      “Yes.” He smiled. “I won’t sell you a puppy, but I’ll give you one.”

      “You will?” Relief flowed through her.

      “Lady isn’t any fancy breed, but she’s a good dog. She wandered into my life not long after Judy died. Just appeared on my porch one morning, cold and shivering. I think the Lord sent her to me to help me mend. She was starving and near death. I nursed her back to life and in the process found a reason to go on.”

      Tears lodged in Rebecca’s throat. Had the Lord sent her Gabriel to help her heal?

      “I’m home,” Rebecca called as she walked into the kitchen from the garage.

      Rose cradled Josh in her lap while she fed him.

      Rebecca rushed to take Josh from her grandmother. “I’m sorry I’m late, but I was bound and determined to get all the folders logged on the computer and filed away.”

      Rose waved her away. “I can handle this. You know I raised three children. Sit and relax. You’ve been working all day.”

      Rebecca arched a brow. “And you haven’t?”

      “Taking care of Josh isn’t work. It’s God’s gift to me. He keeps me young.”

      Rebecca sank into a chair next to her grandmother and stroked Josh’s arm. His cooing eased her weariness. Her children were the reason she was working so hard. They were worth it.

      “Where’s Peter?” Rebecca asked as she tickled Josh’s stomach and relished the sound of his laughter.

      “He’s still at baseball practice, but he should—” The sound of the front door slamming interrupted Rose. “It looks like he’s home.”

      “Or we have a very loud burglar.”

      “My gosh, child, work at the police station one day and you’re already thinking the worst of the good citizens of Oakview.”

      Peter entered the kitchen and headed for the refrigerator. “I’m starved. When’s dinner?”

      “Six.” Rose placed Josh over her shoulder and patted his back.

      “How was practice today?” Rebecca asked, watching her eldest son pour a large glass of orange juice and nearly down it in one swallow, then refill it.

      He shrugged. “The usual.”

      “Which means?”

      “The team practices catching and batting.” Peter rummaged through the cabinets until he found a box of crackers.

      “I don’t want you to eat too—”

      “Mom, I could eat everything in this kitchen and still be hungry. Don’t worry. I’ll eat dinner. Have you called Dad yet?”

      “No, I just got home myself.”

      “Well, then, what are we waiting for?” Peter took the phone and punched in his dad’s number.

      While Peter talked with his father for a few minutes, Rebecca steeled herself. She remembered the devastation she had experienced when she had discovered the note Craig left, saying he couldn’t take any more and he had to leave—for good.

      “Mom! Mom!”

      Rebecca blinked and focused on Peter, who was holding out the phone for her. Her hands shook as she took it. “Hello, Craig.”

      “Peter said you had something you needed to talk to me about. I don’t have much time. What is it?”

      Rebecca heard the impatience in Craig’s voice, and the sound of people’s voices in the background. She wondered what their call had interrupted. “Peter and I were hoping you could come up for his birthday next Saturday. He wants you to go fishing with him like you two used to.” A long pause on the other end sent her heart pounding against her chest. “Craig?”

      “I’m thinking.” Another long pause, then he said, “Okay. I can come for a while. I’ll be there at seven in the morning. We can spend a few hours together before I have to get back to Dallas.”

      “Peter

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