How to Train a Husband (Must Love Dogs Book 2) Page 9

  “It’s not your fault, Dad.”

  “Not yours, either. And those guys were immature twerps.”

  “A few of them were really great.”

  “We’ll see about that. And you made the decision to leave the field of journalism for a commercial venture.”

  “To write love-making books, you mean?”

  “Stop it. I applaud your tenacity and independence.”

  “Thanks, Dad. But, I still feel like a complete loser. And I lost my best friend,” she said, her chest aching at the thought of Stardust sinking to the bottom of the lake. Mr. Famous jumped up on her lap, and licked her face. “My sweet therapy doggy.”

  Loud stomping echoed in the storm room.

  “Did someone say looooser?”

  Her dad shook his head. “Those would be your twin brothers.”

  “Hey, Sis.” Cameron leaned over and gave Annie a big bear hug. “Why are you all wet?”

  Annie held his embrace. Cameron had always been built like a fluffy teddy bear. He knew how to comfort his sister. She buried her face into his soft chest, and began sobbing. She remained nestled into him, releasing a constant flow of unrelenting tears.

  “You’re shivering like crazy.” Cameron looked up to his dad for an explanation.

  “She and Stardust fell into the lake. Stardust didn’t make it out.”

  “Oh man, sorry Sis,” he said, patting her back. “I know what’ll make you feel better. There is this funny looking, skinny dude who does standup comedy. You know how most comedians are funny looking? He’s performing tonight at the town hall.”

  “I thought Trent was singing there tonight?”

  “Right, standup comedy by a funny looking dude.”

  Annie laughed. “Thanks, Cam.”

  “Annie, I have dry clothes ready for you,” her mom said, motioning for her brother to bring her. “Come on.”

  Cameron picked her up like a piece of straw.

  “I can walk,” she giggled.

  “No doin’,” he responded. “You’re like a little toothpick. Don’t they eat in California?” He gently placed her onto her bed.

  Her mother sat in the chair at the sewing table, discreetly looking away as Annie undressed.

  “Mom, I’ll be fine by myself. I need a warm bath.”

  “If you’re suffering from a mild form of hypothermia, you shouldn’t get into a hot bath, or your blood pressure could drop dramatically. I wouldn’t forgive myself if you passed out, or worse. If you insist that I don’t take you to the hospital, then you’ll at least take my advice at home.”

  “I think that I’ll just call it a night and go to bed.”

  “Well,” her mother drew out. “Your dad thought you would say that. He wants you to stay up for a bit. Just precautionary.”

  “Seriously. I’m fine.”

  “Tell that to your dad. He’s making the two of you hot cocoa.”

  Chapter 15

  With her shivers finally at bay, Annie thought it safe to venture out of her room. Her father was seated at the kitchen table with a copy of The Old Man and the Sea, and two cups of cocoa.

  “I caught my first fish, Dad.”

  “You went fishing? How many times have I tried to get you to go fishing with me?”

  “Three hundred fifty million.”

  “Sounds about right.”

  “Where’s Dax?” Annie asked, concerned that she hadn’t seen Cameron’s twin.

  “He’s meeting a lady friend. We’ll see him at the concert tonight.”

  “Dad.” she said, accusingly.

  “I thought I’d take my little girl on a daddy daughter date.”

  “We haven’t been on one of those since I was twelve.”

  “I miss them. And I’ve decided that we’re in need of Operation Halt.”

  “Operation Halt? Pray tell.”

  “Halt, as in stop running.”

  Annie shook her head. “Haven’t you and mom parented me enough? I’m a grown woman.”

  “You are an amazing grown woman. You’re also my daughter, who happens to be a runner.”

  Sitting on the wide, country styled dining room chair, Annie pulled her knees up to her chest, and took a gulp of her hot chocolate. “This is divine. Dark chocolate, cinnamon, cloves and a pinch of cayenne pepper. The Mayan gods would be proud of you. Although, I’m still not sure what to think of this Operation Halt. What do you propose?”

  “For one, resolve things with Trent. Either forgive him and date again, or forgive him and move on. Your mother is completely against me on this, and it may ruin her Thanksgiving, but she can take it out on me later.”

  “What do you mean by, ruin her Thanksgiving?”

  “I’ve invited him to dinner tomorrow.”

  “When did you speak with him?”

  “When you were changing. He heard about your fall and wanted to come see you.”

  Annie began knocking her head against the table. “I’m not sure my life could spiral down any further.”

  “I’m glad, because we’re going to his concert tonight. Only up from here, Pumpkin.”

  With her cheek glued to the squeaky surface, Annie twisted her head on the table, and scowled at her father. “I’m reliving high school. Can you please speak with a psychologist, before you decide to do any additional interventions, or operations?”

  “Sure. But it’s time to go. Get your coat.”

  Annie stepped out of the warm car. It was a mere ten-yard walk, but the thin hairs in Annie’s nose froze before she reached the front doors.

  “How cold is it this evening?” she asked her father.

  “We’re sitting right at twenty.”

  “Isn’t it too early in the season to be that cold?”

  “Yep. These are January temps. Where’s all that global warming I keep hearing about?”

  “Still don’t believe in global warming, Dad?”

  “Believe it? I’m praying for it. I’m freezing,” he said, his eyes smiling.

  Dax, and a cute little brunette, wrestled their way in, to seat themselves on the bench next to Annie, minutes before the concert was to begin. Annie recognized the girl as one of Dax’s childhood friends. She had been a husky hockey player, turned figure skater— after her shape naturally thinned, and matured.

  “Sorry about Stardust,” Dax said, giving Annie a hug. He wasn’t as soft as Cam, but he was just as tender hearted. He spent at least two hours a day lifting weights.

  “Thanks, Dax,” she said, kissing his cheek.

  “Hello, Mara. How’s your skating?”

  “Great. I’m training for Regionals right now. I’m surprised you remember me.”

  “You kicked my brother’s butt at hockey. Of course I remember you.”

  Dax reached over. “She still can, but she’s way too cultured for that. She’s treating me to a bit of unwanted culture tonight.” He motioned to the stage where Trent was walking up to the microphone.

  His vibrato and tone had improved significantly since Annie had heard him perform last. It had been his final opera performance before receiving his Master of Music in voice at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. It was the most romantic proposal. She hadn’t even known what had happened. He had sung to her his endearing love in Italian. She had merely thought it to be part of the opera. It wasn’t until they ushered Annie on stage and he produced the ring that she understood what was happening. Annie could not have dreamt, or conjured up in her mind, a more beautiful moment. The orchestra played the wedding march as he placed the solitaire, princess cut diamond onto her finger.

  Closing her eyes, she could still feel the vibrations from the audience’s applause ruffle her clothes as Trent’s lips moistened hers. Thoughts of what should have been invaded her mind. Annie’s father placed his hand on her back as she wiped away her tears. She and Trent had planned on marrying the following fall in the Basilica at Holy Hill. All their relatives were already planning the trip a few hours south. Italy proved more than a hi
ccup in that plan.

  “Can we go?” Annie pleaded with her father the moment the concert ended.

  He took her by the hand. “You can do this. Operation—”

  “Halt. Right,” Annie said with a sigh. “I hope this works.”

  “Me too. Or I’ll have two women after my throat.”

  “At least one good thing can come of this. Mom and I will never have to lift a finger again.”

  “I would do that for my pumpkin. But, hopefully, I won’t have to.”

  “Annie.” Trent came through the crowd. How are you feeling?”

  “Okay, thanks.”

  “Good. I was so worried. I almost cancelled the performance.”

  “So, you’re coming for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow?”

  Her father excused himself to start the car.

  Trent touched Annie on the arm. “I hope that’s okay. I wouldn’t want to make you feel uncomfortable.”

  “Are you kidding? Life couldn’t be better for me now,” she said with a stiff smile. “I’m not sure what I would be uncomfortable about. I only wish you the same happiness.”

  “I have a lot to say.”

  “Tomorrow,” Annie said, turning away.

  A heaviness settled into Annie’s heart as she gave her back wave, and exited the building to find her father waiting in his car.

  “How did it go?”

  “About as expected.”

  “Maybe tomorrow it’ll be better.”

  “Maybe,” she agreed. But all she wanted to do was return to the safety of her little cottage in Healdsburg.

  Chapter 16

  A panting clump of fur warmed the back of Annie’s head and neck, waking her from her early morning dreams.

  “Mr. Famous, what are you doing?”

  Displeased with her movement, he walked over her, repositioning himself into her belly, assuming a spooning position.

  “Your comfort is all that matters here, isn’t it?”

  “Annie, who are you talking to in there?” her mother called. “Are you speaking on the telephone? I could use your help. I would ask the boys, but they’re out with your father.”

  Annie knew what they were doing with Dad, and it singed a piece of her heart off.

  “Be there in a minute, Mom,” Annie said, looking out her bay window at the John Deer back hoe her neighbor had ridden over. Dax was throwing the chains into the back bucket. Annie tried to put the thought out of her mind. Every time her mind went to Stardust, she found it difficult to catch her breath.

  She put on her favorite white-washed overalls, and found her mother bringing in logs from the breezeway for the fire. “Here, Mom, let me carry those,” Annie said, taking the heavy load out of her mother’s arms.

  “How are you feeling this morning?”

  “Like someone sucker kicked me in the solar plexus.”

  “Have you been taking kickboxing, Annie?”

  “No,” she said with a laugh, transforming to tears. “Every time I think of Stardust, I can’t breathe. Now I know what being punched in the solar plexus feels like.” Annie rubbed under her breasts with her open palm.

  “We need to engage your mind elsewhere. Could you start the fires, please?”

  Annie nodded her head. She loved setting wood ablaze. After her little trouble with the neighbor’s field, she was assigned as Head Fire-Starter in the family. Her skills were utilized in a more constructive way. On special occasions, she had three fires to start— one in the kitchen, one in the dining area, and the last in the den. They only lit all three fires when the entire family would be home visiting together for the day.

  Starting the fire reminded Annie of summer camp— arranging the kindling, placing the cracked firewood in a log cabin style, then allowing for sufficient oxygen to ignite the wood. She had petitioned, and was appointed, to be Lead Fire Starter at camp as well as at home. She hadn’t minded waking at 6:30am to start the campfire for breakfast, even when the wind blew heavy showers across camp that one cool summer.

  “Look at that smile on your face,” her mother said. “I forgot how much you enjoy fire.”

  “I was thinking about summer camp.”

  “Summer camp? Do you remember calling us to ask if you could bring frogs home to put in the lake?”

  “Yes,” Annie said, laughing. “My friend and I had collected at least thirty frogs from the river into the bottom of our canoe. The camp director nearly had a heart attack when we pretended like we were having difficulty rowing. She climbed in to help, but jumped out into the water when the slimy frogs began jumping up her legs.”

  “My mischievous little thing,” she said, kissing Annie’s forehead. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way.” She sat down on the couch. “I thought I would enjoy being an empty-nester, but it gets so lonely.”

  “Mom,” Annie said, standing to give her mom a hug. “What can we do to change that?”

  “I can think of one thing.”

  “Moving closer to me?”

  “Grandbabies,” her mother said with gaiety.

  “Slight problem. No husband.”

  “We can fix that in no time.”

  “I know, Dad is already working on that one. He even invites my exes over for Thanksgiving dinner. What father does that?”

  “He has his reasons. I could strangle him sometimes, but he’s a good man, with even better intentions.”

  “No one I’ve dated is as tender hearted as he is.”

  “He’s a good man, not a perfect man. There was a time in our marriage when the only reason I stayed with your father was because of you children, and I imagine your father would say the same about me. Separating was not an option for us. We rode out the times of hurt and discord, and it’s paid off.”

  “I never knew that. I thought you were always perfectly happy with each other.”

  “No marriage is ever anywhere close to perfect. It’s about resolving concerns, working through the problems. Conflict arises in every relationship. Every relationship.”

  “Are you saying that I should give Trent another chance?”

  “I’m saying, that no matter who you’re with, challenges will come. And you need to meet those head on.”

  “Operation Halt?”

  “Not my idea, but maybe we should give it a try?”

  “Give it a try. Stop running. Meet head on. This sucks.”

  “Don’t say that word. It is vulgar and unimaginative.”

  “How loathsome.”

  “Better. Ready to assist in the six-hour preparation of a meal that we will eat in six minutes?”

  “Sure. I could use a heavy dose of culinary comfort.”

  The day crept along as Annie assisted in chopping, stuffing, mixing, mashing and decorating. Her father and brothers entered the house close to lunch time and went straight in to bathe. Her dad was the first to emerge from his room.

  “Thanks, Daddy,” Annie said, wrapping her arms around his back and sinking her head into his chest.

  “The grave is ready. We should go outside and have a few words.”

  Annie nodded her head, but didn’t release her grasp.

  “She’s been mine since I was eleven.”

  “I know, Sweetheart. She’s been a great companion for you. Put your coat on.”

  “I’m not ready.”

  “We’re never ready to say goodbye.” He pulled the sleeves of her coat up her arms as her mother placed a hat onto Annie’s head.

  The wind had picked up, causing Annie to feel the cold, deep within her constitution. She began hyperventilating. She felt as if the ice needles from the lake were again penetrating through her skin, and jabbing into her bones.

  Cam put his arms around her as they approached the freshly turned earth. “I’m here,” he said.

  “No woman will ever be good enough for you. Do you mind if I hand pick her? I’m talking about an arranged marriage.”

  “Sure, Sis. Heaven knows I need help.”

  “Don’t we all,�
� Annie agreed.

  Her father gave an affectionate speech, followed by a prayer of grace, and thanksgiving. Annie knelt down on the frozen earth after the prayer, and said her final goodbye. “Thank you, dear friend. I hope to ride you in heaven. Love you forever.” Annie kissed the palm of her hand, and placed it on the cold earth over the resting place of her beloved mare.

  The sun finally emerged from behind the murky clouds, warming Annie’s cheeks.

  “Thank you, Stardust. I needed that,” she said, angling her face to the sky.

  Trent sat across the table from Annie, dolefully looking up at her after every spoonful of squash soup. The elegant table decorations had taken her an hour of their allotted six-hour schedule to assemble. The ornate crystal candlestick holders and silver trays were only brought out of the cabinet three times a year, to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.

  Dax was seated next to Trent, then Mara at his side, at the end of the table. She had petitioned for that seat, due to being left handed. She didn’t wish to knock elbows with anyone. Although, it appeared to be an excuse to hold hands with Dax under the table— as her right hand, and his left, were mysteriously hidden.

  After the second course of salad, Annie’s father brought out the perfectly browned turkey from the kitchen.

  “Would anyone care to carve the turkey this year?” he said, turning to his wife. “Darling?”

  “I love how you do it,” she responded.

  As he slowly carved into the large bird, Trent rose to his feet. “If I may be so bold, could I treat you to an aria as the turkey is being carved and served? It will be my way of giving thanks for your hospitality.”

  Mara nearly jumped out of her seat with excitement.

  “We would love for you to entertain us, Trent,” Annie’s mother said. It appeared to Annie that her mother was attempting to forgive him.

  Trent began low and slow. But as the song picked up, so did his enthusiasm. Annie wasn’t sure if she liked him more, or less, during his performance. He was an accomplished vocalist, to be sure, but it was an awkward moment for everyone. It turned even more uncomfortable when spittle flew from his mouth during an intense movement.