Brynna pointed to the dog snoozing on the office floor. “I hope it’s okay that Babe’s been hanging out with me every day. I know she sometimes goes to work with your dad. Do you suppose he misses her?”
“Dad says it’s too long of days for her. She’s getting old, poor girl.” Gina bent down to stroke Babe’s haunch. “You know, she’s been around since I was in second grade.”
“Wow, that old?”
“She’ll be thirteen this fall. Mom got her for dad for a Christmas present. She was just this fluffy blond ball of fur. So cute. Dad used to cradle her in his arms and rock and sing to her like a baby. It cracked us up. That’s how she got her name.”
“That’s a sweet image.” Brynna looked down at Babe, who had her orange rubber ball in her mouth and was wagging her tail hopefully. “I love having her in here with me. She’s good company and such a happy girl.”
“I wish Dad could be happy too.” Gina bent down to get Babe’s ball. “Come on, old lady. I’ll throw that ball for you.”
Brynna watched as Babe eagerly followed Gina out into the sunshine, barking at her to “throw the ball.” She really was a happy dog. And like Gina, Brynna really wished Leroy could be happy too, but she’d been unable to say those words to Gina. Because of guilt. Brynna felt certain Leroy’s insanely long workdays were because of her. But she still didn’t know what to do about it.
At first she’d imagined cooking a special dinner for him, similar to the other night when they’d eaten on the front porch of the cottage. But what if it turned into a dramatic showdown? Who would feel like eating then? She played with other scenarios, but nothing felt right. Plus, the opportunities just didn’t come. Perhaps she should go up to the burn area, chase him down, tackle him right there in the vineyard, and declare her undying love for him. Or maybe not.
She’d even imagined sneaking into his house and waiting up in his room where she, like Ruth, would throw herself at his feet and beg for mercy. But somehow that didn’t feel right. Or proper. She just couldn’t quite imagine a scene that could work. Or maybe it was like Dorothy had said, she just needed to remain patient. But every day, she’d asked God to direct her ... to show her what to do.
During this waiting time, she’d been content to do the office work. It was demanding enough to keep her occupied, but it had a peaceful, calming effect too. After work, she’d spent the past two afternoons with Sophie, helping with the kids or in the garden, which was really producing now. Sophie hadn’t seemed the least bit surprised that Brynna hadn’t left like her sisters had claimed she would. Brynna was relieved and felt that what Sophie didn’t know couldn’t hurt her.
Whenever she was at Sophie’s, Brynna would stay on the lookout for Leroy to pop in to play with his grandkids like he often did. Sure, it would be awkward to see him, but at least she’d get her chance to explain herself. But he hadn’t shown up. When Brynnahad asked Sophie if she’d seen him, Sophie acknowledged that he was working hard in the burn area, but she seemed unconcerned, or maybe just oblivious.
Brynna had received a phone call from Leroy’s mother yesterday afternoon. Brynna had reassured Dorothy that she’d taken her advice to heart but was now waiting for the opportunity to speak to Leroy. Dorothy sounded happy to hear it, reminding Brynna that timing was everything and to be patient. Easier said than done.
Brynna was trying to be patient. As much as she enjoyed extending her stay at the vineyard, by noon on Thursday, she wondered if she’d ever see Leroy. Every evening she’d sat outside to enjoy the sunset, watching for his Jeep to show up, hoping for an impromptu encounter. But then it’d get dark and she’d finally give up and go inside. She got the feeling she was living on borrowed time. The more time that passed without an encounter with Leroy, the more she questioned how this would all play out.
Yet, at the same time, she was determined to take Dorothy’s advice. Like Ruth, Brynna planned to humble herself ... to confess her true feelings and accept the outcome, whatever it turned out to be. It felt risky and went against her old stereotypical expectations of being pursued by a knight in shining armor, but she was willing to sacrifice her pride and do it.
Brynna was just leaving the office for her lunch break when Gina came over to talk to her. “Dad is still home,” she said quietly. “He slept in really late. I’m hoping he’ll skip work altogether today. He’s so worn out. But this could be your chance to see him.”
“Oh, well, okay.” Brynna smiled nervously. “Thanks for the heads-up.”
“I thought you should know.” Gina glanced over her shoulder toward the house. “Good luck.”
Brynna blinked. “Really?Good luck?”
Gina shrugged. “Hey, if you can bring Dad out of his deep, dark depression, I’d be grateful.”
“Right.” Brynna grimaced. She wished she could help Leroyfeel happy again. But at the same time, she knew it could go in the complete opposite direction. She suddenly remembered how angry he’d been the last time they’d talked. Even when she’d tried to explain, he refused to listen. That could easily happen again.
Leroy couldn’t remember the last time he’d slept in so late. But as he got out of bed, he still felt tired. And achy. As tempting as it would be to just sleep all day, he didn’t relish the idea of Sophie showing up to do housework and finding him here. She’d be shocked and upset, and he’d never be able to convince her he wasn’t sick or dying.
After a long hot shower and shaving for the first time since Sunday, he picked up some of the messes he’d strewn throughout the master bedroom. He didn’t make it look too clean since that would make Sophie equally suspicious. Besides, she liked the excuse of having his housework and laundry to do—her break from the kids. He wouldn’t deprive her of that.
To his relief, Gina wasn’t around downstairs. He had the house to himself. She’d left half a pot of coffee but turned off the burner. As he filled a cup, Babe wandered out from the laundry room, where she’d probably been sleeping. Her tail wagged happily as he filled a bowl with cereal. She sat and watched as he ate it, along with a banana. Then as he drank orange juice straight from the container, something he’d never let his kids do, his dog looked on with what seemed like canine amusement.
Not sure what to do, and not ready to return to hard labor, he began to wander from room to room, reacquainting himself with his house. All the while, Babe followed him as if to show how much she’d missed him. Then he headed back to the kitchen to refill his coffee mug with the lukewarm brew.
“Poor old girl,” he said to Babe. “Have you felt abandoned too?”
Her tail swung happily as she followed him out to the back deck. As he sank into an Adirondack chair, he tried to rememberthe contentment he used to feel just sitting out here. How he used to enjoy looking over this stretch of vineyards, soaking in the rich colors and absorbing the sweet, pungent smells. But today felt just like the past three days. Bleak and colorless. Scentless and silent, as if the whole world, like him, had gone dead and dormant. When would it get better? Or was he destined to live like this always?
He checked his watch, surprised to see it was a bit past noon and he hadn’t even put on his work clothes yet. He really was a lazy bum today. But what did it matter? He sipped the cool coffee and stared down at the little guest cottage. He didn’t want to remember the last time he’d been down there ... that dinner on the porch with her ... when everything had felt so magically perfect. He needed to wipe the torturous memories from his brain. Needed to move on.
Leroy let out a long, weary sigh, leaned back in his chair, and tightly shut his eyes. The old saying “time heals all wounds” flashed through his head. Something his mother liked to say, but was it true? He doubted it. Thirty years had never healed that brokenhearted boy. Although he had to admit, it did eventually get better.
He heard Babe get to her feet and trot across the deck as if she had a destination in mind. Leroy opened his eyes, blinked against the bright light, then closed them again. Was he hallucinating? Had he really just seen the brown-haired girl in the blue dress strolling toward the guest cottage?
He opened his eyes again, but now there was no girl. Only Babe, who was cautiously making her way down the deck stairs. Due to her age and arthritis, she didn’t much like stairs, but probably needed to take care of business. Instead of her usual, leisurely stride, she was running. With a wagging tail, she made a beeline for the guest cottage. Had she seen a rabbit?
