“No, he’s the sheriff.He helped you at the wreck and all.”Then the smile faded from the little girl’s face.“I’m sorry.It was my fault.I was trying to keep my kitten out of the road, and he just ran across and then you were there and…I should have stayed in the car like my dad said but I just wanted to save the kitten.”
“Did you save him?”
Jillie nodded.“And he’s an orphan and my dad acts like he doesn’t want me to keep him but I know he’ll learn to like him.Dad just has to act all grown-up and stuff.But he’s a softie…most of the time.”
Ally couldn’t help but grin at the girl’s description.That wasn’t the impression she had gotten upon meeting the tall, quiet man.He was all professional when handling things at the accident and ensuring she was helped and even going above and beyond with helping her Teddy and then securing her belongings.He had an aura about him that made her feel his sense of calm and that she was in a safe place and help was there for her.She would have to set aside the ‘softie’ comment for the time being and take his daughter’s word for it.
“Do you have siblings?”It was an innocent enough question to ask in being polite to her young visitor.
“No.”She shook her head, with a bit of sadness or regret tinging her tone.“I wish I did.I just have cousins.But my mother died when I was a baby and it’s just my dad and me.Although there are plenty of women in town who try to get my dad’s attention and make nice over me when he’s around and all.Guess they think that will make him like them more or something.”
“I see.I’m sorry about your mother.I lost mine when I was very young also.I had often wished for a sister or brother, too.But you are lucky you have a family with cousins in it.”She knew the matter-of-fact summation of the child’s family was a familiar defense mechanism.She had grown up with much the same delivery whenever anyone had questions about her past.But she had the impression also that Jillie had a different set of circumstances than those she had been raised with.She was a sweet little girl ready to step into the next stage of her life if she gauged her age correctly.
“How old are you?What grade are you in?”
“I’m almost eleven…in another six months.But my teachers say that I am mature for my age.I’m in the fifth grade.”
“Not too mature, or you would have let me know where you took off to instead of going to the sweet shop like you said you were.”The voice surprised them both.The softie dad didn’t look too much like a softie at the moment in Ally’s estimation.He had entered the room without notice and caught the last of their conversation.
“I’m sorry, Dad.But when I got to the sweet shop, I saw the flower shop across the street, and I just thought maybe some pretty ones would help brighten the hospital room and it was just another three blocks to the hospital.I did see Deputy Grover on the street corner and asked him to let you know where I was headed.I was going to hurry right back.But…”
“But it’s my fault,” Ally spoke up.“I kept her longer by just visiting with her.I’m sorry if you were worried.”
The man removed his cowboy hat and swept a hand through the hair at his forehead.He had nice thick hair of a chestnut color, a bit longish compared to the short cuts she was used to seeing on police in the city.And his tan jeans fit a toned length of leg that indicated, along with a broad chest in a crisp white, long-sleeved shirt, that he probably worked out on a regular basis.She had to smile when she saw the polished black boots.Cowboy hat and cowboy boots…a Texas lawman.He even had a gun holstered at his hip and a bright shiny silver badge to go with it all.Nice.But those green eyes were locked on hers when she realized she had been taking a silent inventory of the man, and she felt a warmth rise in her cheeks.For the first time, she realized that she probably looked quite a sight herself but not in a complimentary way.She had little makeup, her hair needed good shampooing, and the gray hospital gown did nothing for her paleness.Not her best foot forward.
“I was worried.But Jillie and I will discuss that at home.I hope she hasn’t disturbed you too much.”His voice had a deep tone that she remembered from the accident.It was very pleasant.
“She’s a breath of fresh air in this hospital room.And the flowers are the most wonderful surprise.I do appreciate what she…what you both have done and are doing, including taking your time to check on a stranger’s dog.It seems some of the things I’ve been told over the years about this small town called Destiny’s River are indeed not exaggerations.The friendliness of everyone I’ve met so far is incredible.”
“That reminds me,” he said, stepping forward and raising the glass vase he had in his other hand.“The nurse asked me to bring this in to you.She thought it might come in handy when she saw the flowers in my daughter’s hands.”
“Thank you,” Ally said, indicating a spot on the table next to her.“I’ll get the nurse to put them in water for me.”
Jillie spoke up.“I can do that for you.”She took the vase from her dad.“Aren’t people friendly where you come from?”It was an innocent question from Jillie.
“Well…” Ally took some time to consider her response “…they can be for the most part, but in a different way.They’re a bit more reserved and take longer to warm up to someone.Guess they’re more wary in a way.But it is such a huge place, and it really is a city that never sleeps.There is noise and activity around the clock.It can be overwhelming to someone coming into it brand new and not knowing what to expect.”
“Were you able to make contact with your friend in New York?”It sounded like a natural question from the sheriff, and Ally took it as such.
She nodded.“Mr.Jacobs is an attorney and executor of my friend’s estate.He’s also been a good friend to us both over the years.He’s sending me copies of the insurance policy and all other information on the car.And he was helpful with other things about this trip.”She stopped there.Jillie’s surprising arrival had come just as she had completed her conversation with the man.She hadn’t had time to wrap her head around some of the information he had provided on the status of the sale of the apartment.But she would tackle that problem once her visitors had left.
Jillie had completed the task of putting water in the vase and arranging the flowers inside it.She sat the floral display on the table beside Ally’s bed.They brightened the plain room.
“We’ve taken up enough of Miss Jones’s quiet time.She needs her rest so she can mend and get out of here…the hospital, I mean.We hope you’ll be able to spend some time in our town.It may be smaller than you’re used to, but there are quiet charms to be found and good people.I’ll check on your vehicle if you like and see if D and J have come up with an idea of the damages and repairs needed.”
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?”
