Page 13 of The Sheriff's Mistletoe Bride
“I promise and give my love to all the kids.I miss them, too.I’ll keep in touch.”
When the call ended, an intense sadness settled over her.She felt the loneliness close in just like it had the moment she had lost Annie.Ally had no idea how to do it but she needed to find a way to make it through the next weeks on what was left in her account, which had to cover a place to stay, transportation, food, and being able to pay for Teddy’s stay and hers in the hospital…neither of which she would have ever counted on having to do.But life just kept throwing the curveballs.She brushed a quick hand over her eyes just as a voice surprised her.
“I hope I’m not intruding at a bad time?I’m Matt Parker’s sister, Tori, and wanted to stop by and say hello.”
Ally sat up a bit straighter against her pillows and pushed down all the other emotions of the moment previous to the appearance of the woman at her door.“Please…I’m fine.Come in.”
Tori moved to stand by the bed.“I know that after a while, a hospital room can get to be depressing and you want to be any place else.”Her voice was soft and kind and Ally found it pushing the sadness off to the side.She summoned a better smile for her visitor.
“Please sit,” she said, and motioned to the chair a foot or so away from the stand where the bouquet sat.Tori took the seat.
“Thank you.I told the nurses outside that I wouldn’t stay long, but I heard my niece sing your praises at lunch earlier and thought I might stop in as I have my doctor’s appointment here in the same complex.”
“Is this your first baby?”
“Yes.And it is quite the experience.”She laughed and Ally joined in.“But they are blessings, and we’re thankful this one seems to be as healthy as possible.And how are you feeling?Are they taking good care of you?”
“Oh yes, they’re all so nice and kind and I don’t have any complaints.”
“Good.Because as mayor, I’d have to do something about how they might be treating any visitors who happen to end up in here while in Destiny’s River.”They both laughed at her words.
“You are a very busy lady.”
“A busy lady who will be taking a bit of time off from my other duties to concentrate on this new bundle of joy.I’m really sorry that this happened to you, but I also am not in another way.”
Ally must have looked confused at those last few words.Tori hurried to clarify.
“Well, you’ve met Jillie, my adorable and incredible little niece.Matt keeps busy with being the sheriff.He is a great dad… Don’t get me wrong.But his time can be limited so we all try to help out each other when someone in the family needs it.I’ve been the one picking up Jillie after school and taking care of errands and dinner and homework stuff…all of the usual stuff that’s necessary with a child in school and a parent who works long hours sometimes.”
“I imagine you’re considered quite a godsend for those things you do to help them.”
“Well, I hope so, but I’ve been worrying about that.I won’t be able to do those things for a few weeks after the baby comes, which could be in the next two to three weeks.That leaves Matt in a bind.I’ve been trying to find someone who would suit the bill, but it isn’t as easy as it might seem here in Destiny’s River.Many are too old or not patient enough to take care of the running around involved—and then some are too young…and too single.If you get my drift.”
“Too single?”
“I’m pretty straightforward and will just get to the point, okay?”
Ally nodded.“Please do.I prefer to be that way myself.”
“I sensed that about you.And my senses are seldom off.”She grinned.“So, here’s the deal.My brother lost his dear wife right after Jillie was born.He has shouldered the raising of his daughter and taking care of a high-pressure job and done it all without fault and without any complaint.People respect him and love him in these parts.”
“I think I hear a loudbutcoming,” Ally commented.
“But…the women in these parts, the single ones…have zeroed in on him and it seems to just get worse.It really does upset him these days.Before, he could shrug it off and even laugh about it a time or two, but it has gotten out of hand.Anyway…back to the problem at hand.It seems you will need a place to stay.You might not have counted on needing to stay a while, but because of the accident that may have changed things for you.And you are recuperating and so is your little dog—which Jillie told me about.Well…I have a beautiful home here in town.The couple who were caretaking for me have gone to Italy for six weeks to be with their only daughter who is about to have her first baby.Her husband is stationed over there.Anyway, I just need someone to stay in the house…rent-free.
“And if that person could also be available in the afternoons to pick up Jillie and help with errands and dinners sometimes when Matt might run late, that would be such a huge help and a load off my mind.There’s a car that you would have free use of also.It’s really a good deal for all of us when you think of it.And besides, in six or seven weeks, you might just decide that you want to stay even longer in our town.It’s a great place to put down roots.I know that from firsthand knowledge.I came here looking for a home for me and my siblings, and I found it.And I found the love of my life at the same time.”
“Wow.I can only think of that word.Are you a mind reader by any chance?”Ally was amazed.A few minutes ago, her world had just about imploded.Then a woman walks in and hands her the answer to most, if not all, of her prayers.Annie’s words came back to her at the same time.She had been telling Ally about her life back in Destiny’s River and she could still see her face as she spoke about it.“Mark my words, Ally girl…when you find your place in the world, I hope it’s a lot like Destiny’s River.There is peace like no other, knowing you belong to it, and it belongs to you.Your heart will let you know that.”
“I must admit that this would be of great help and would give me peace of mind knowing that I would have time to get my vehicle and my dog and even myself back on track again…and take care of many worries.Jillie seems like a delightful little girl and that would be a very easy task to help her and her dad…and you, as well.Your family has certainly been so kind and helpful.I would like to return that in some way.”
“Then that is wonderful for all of us!Isn’t it amazing when help comes when you least expect it?But living here in Destiny’s River…it isn’t that surprising.Stick around and you’ll see more of what I’m talking about.So when the doctor releases you, we’ll get you all settled into Primrose Inn.And even though it has ‘inn’ in the name, I haven’t taken in guests in a few years.It’s just become a very special place for our families and those we care about.You’ll see what I mean.It’s a wonderful place.”
“I can just imagine.I’ll be glad to help in any way that I can.”Ally’s heart felt lighter than it had in many months.“It is indeed an unexpected answer to many needs.”
Tori stood and nodded.“Yes, it is that.And I’ll check in later for any updates on your release.In the meantime, we’ll be getting Primrose Inn ready for its next guest.Do get your rest, and hopefully it will be peaceful now.”
Ally closed her eyes and leaned back into the pillows, taking a long breath and exhaling it.She replayed the whole of Tori’s visit several times.Each time it ended with her disbelief that such an answer to her problems had materialized all at once and when least expected.
