Moving On (16 page)

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Authors: Annette Bower

BOOK: Moving On
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“You’ve surpassed the basic requirements for your age in both the muscular endurance and muscular strength, Sergeant. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” Nick felt his confidence growing.

“Get some water and we’ll head over to the track,” Laporte said.

They walked past other men and women lifting weights, running on treadmills and climbing the stair climber.

Nick would have to run one and a half miles in under twelve minutes. He used to be in the superior range before titanium entered his life. He surveyed the empty track.

“Ready when you are.” Laporte had his stopwatch ready.

Reminding himself to relax, Nick walked to the start position, took the center lane, and filled his lungs with air. He cleared his mind and put his left foot on the start line, pushing off from his toes and using his natural and comfortable stride. He watched the lap board count down from six to five, and he continued. He didn’t think about his stump inside the socket. He just ran as if his life depended on it, and in many ways it did.

When he completed the last corner of the last round, his heart felt lighter. No matter what the results, he had given it his best. He bent over to pull air into his lungs.

Laporte handed him a water bottle. “Here you go. You did it, ten minutes, fifty-nine seconds. Your time is within the acceptable range.”

Nick punched his arm into the air when he was in the change room. He pulled off his prosthesis, exchanging it for his crutches in the locker.

The pool was a snap.

When he emerged from the water, Laporte handed him his crutches. Nick made his way to a bench and toweled off.

“Good job. I’ll send these numbers to Ottawa.”

Nick’s eyes welled after Laporte had turned his back. Now he could make a choice. The bomber’s IED hadn’t made it for him.

He wanted to share this news with everyone, but not many knew the challenge he had faced. Only his father and Sharon, Margaret and Herman, and of course, Anna.

Nick stopped and picked up two bouquets of flowers, then added a third. Driving home in a state of euphoria, he sang along to the tunes on the radio, feeling as if a weight had been lifted. He’d done his best and now the decision was up to his superiors.

Perhaps tonight, he and Anna would be in a canoe and he’d paddle them around the point. The sky was blue, cloudless, and the grass in the ditch beside the highway wasn’t moving. A perfect night. His cell phone rang, so he pulled over to the side of the road. The voice message was from Janis.

He returned her call. “Hi, Janis.”

“How far are you from Regina Beach? The regional health inspector is in the office and wants to speak with you,” Janis said in his ear.

This didn’t sound like good news. “I’m on my way in.”

Because he hadn’t heard of anyone else getting sick and the filtration plant was working at top capacity, and since the water line was repaired, he had felt confident whatever had happened was over. Nick set the cruise control to avoid going over the speed limit.

His mind raced. What had he missed? How bad was it going to be? Thank goodness he hadn’t lifted the boil water advisory. He’d planned on lifting it tomorrow just before the weekend when more cottagers would be coming out to open their summer homes.

He looked at the bouquets on the front seat of his jeep. Maybe he could keep them in the town office until he had time to deliver them. But that wouldn’t be fair when he didn’t think to bring one for Janis. If he went home, Molly might get all excited. No, she wouldn’t because Jack was there.

Driving into town, he spotted Margaret’s car ready to swing onto Center Street. He signaled and pulled up beside her. As she stopped, he swung out of his jeep. “Hi, Margaret.” He leaned into her window.

“I was just thinking about you,” she said, “and here you are. How’d things go?”

“Fantastic. But I have to go to the town office. Someone’s there to meet me.” He brought one bouquet from behind his back, “I got these for you.”

“Daffodils, my favorite.”

“I know I shouldn’t tell one woman I’ve also bought flowers for other women, but I don’t have time to deliver these.” He gathered the remaining bouquets of tulips and lilies. “Would you put these in water for me until I can pick them up later?”

“Certainly, Nick. I’m just pleased to be on your list.”

He gave her a peck on the cheek after setting the flowers on her back seat.

“You know I’ll be speculating who they’re for,” she added.

“If you guess right, I’ll bring you another bouquet next time I go into the city.” He smiled, waved, and jumped back into his jeep.

When he pulled up outside the office, he took some deep breaths and walked calmly up the steps. Panic wouldn’t serve the town. He needed a cool head.

Nick shook the health inspector’s hand and followed her into his office.

“Thank you for coming so promptly. I have some good news and some bad news for you.” She was direct.

“Let’s have the good news.” He sat behind his desk.

“The water tests have come back within normal limits. Whatever caused the initial problem wasn’t in the water. You can lift the boil water advisory.”

“Very good news. I had hoped to lift it before the weekend.” He relaxed a moment, then leaned forward and looked directly at her. “The bad news?”

“It has come to our attention that some waste material is stockpiled on the edge of your municipality, in line with one of your major aquifers.”

“What kind of waste material?”

“A compost pile of over one hundred tons of canola seed treated with pesticide. We know who put it there, and we’re having it removed.”

“Okay.” He nodded. “What now?”

“The risk of exposure to residents around the site has been minimal. However, we need to place some monitoring sites for the next few years.”

“There must be more to it.”

“You’re right. The seed went through a treatment process. The levels of pesticide residue were within safe levels at the time it was stored according to the records. Something has changed, and now the levels measure up to ten times what is considered hazardous waste material.”

“I’m not familiar with the procedure of storing waste crop in the open.”

“One of the neighboring farmers gave the company permission to dump on his land. The department took samples before it was hauled. The tests indicted the levels in the seed were below the province’s hazardous waste guidelines at that time. However, someone reported their concern and we went out and measured again. That’s when we found the levels had increased. We’re doing a full-scale investigation.” She raised her eyes from her notes.

“I’m surprised someone would jeopardize our health by dumping this stuff in our backyard.” Nick stood and walked around his desk.

“Remember, at the time it was safe. It’s turned toxic and we don’t know why. We haven’t determined if it’s carcinogenic.” The health inspector placed copies of reports on his desk. “I recognize your knowledge of water treatment facilities. It’s the reason we were so cautious when you called and we supported the boil water advisory.”

She adjusted her jacket. “I wanted to inform you first, and I will be writing a report to council. I wanted you to be aware we will be monitoring the situation.”

The adrenaline that had kept Nick going all day was seeping away at a fast rate. “Thank you, Ms. Kane. I’ll do some research on my own and inform the council. We’ll keep our residents healthy.”

“Very good. I hope Regina Beach knows how lucky they are to have someone with your expertise looking after them.”

“At this point, I’m temporary. I’m sure they’ll replace me with an equally qualified person.”

“I hope so. If you ever want to pass on your expertise, we could use someone like you at the main office.”

“Thank you, but I’m looking forward to serving my country again.”

After she left, Nick found some reports on the Internet and printed them off. He’d look at them later.

“Nick, I’m off. Lock up when you’re done,” Janis called to him.

“Good night, Janis. See you tomorrow.”

When he opened the door of his jeep, the receipt for the flowers blew off the seat. He wanted to take Sharon’s home, and he might as well drop off Anna’s bouquet. Nick headed to the Lambs’.

He parked and sauntered up the walk. He wondered if Margaret had guessed some of the flowers were for Anna. He gave a quick knock and walked in.

“Hey, Nick,” Herman yawned from the table. ”Margaret told me you did well.”

“I passed, though not with the colors flying as high as they had in the past. But I qualified.” Nick could feel his smile stretch from ear to ear. “Margaret, I’m bushed and I want to deliver those flowers before I crash.”

“They’re right here.” She handed him two spring bouquets still in the cellophane, but their stems had been kept wet. Margaret chuckled. “I’m guessing one bunch is for Sharon and the other is for . . .” She nodded toward Anna’s place.

“I owe you another bouquet the next time I’m in Regina.”

“What’s this all about, showing me up in front of my sweetie?” Herman demanded.

“Don’t get jealous over a big bouquet of flowers. When you’re driving again, I’m sure you’ll be bringing home flowers, too.” Margaret placed the vase in the center of the table.

“Now why would I buy them when I can walk along the path and pick those free ones?”

Margaret got a dreamy look in her eye. “Just like the bouquet I carried on our wedding day.”

Anna looked up from her novel with a curious raise of one eyebrow when Nick strolled through the opening in the hedge to where she sat on the deck.

He held up the bouquet of tulips and handed them to her. “I wanted to share my excitement with a friend.”

Anna blanched. “Thank you.” She clutched the bouquet. “I’m a little slow. I missed the fact that you’re Army.”

He frowned. “I thought everyone knew.”

“No, only the real town residents, not outsiders.” She clipped her words.

“Not everyone in town knows I lost my leg and not everyone knew I had my military endurance physical today. I needed to pass certain tests. One of them was a mile and a half run in a specified time. I wasn’t right at the bottom of the accepted level, but I wasn’t superior the way I used to be, either. So now it’s up to the top brass whether they let me go back to the front line.”

Anna almost seemed to shrink into her chair. “Congratulations.”

He saw signs of the woman he’d met a few weeks ago—buttoned-down and pressed, and not only her clothes reflected such an attitude. Still . . . “It looks like it will be fine tomorrow morning,” he said. “Want to meet me at the pier and I’ll show you the lakeshore by canoe before sunrise?”

She looked up at him and shook her head slowly. “I can’t.” She rose slowly and walked into the cottage and closed the door.

Chapter 14

The morning sun glowed fuchsia from beneath the horizon and kept Anna company as she walked down the path. With her hand in front of her face, she broke spiders’ webs with her fingers rather than her nose. There wasn’t a breeze and the birds sang. She kept her eyes on the path, glimpsing the lake through new, bright green-leafed branches. The lake was as calm as a sheet of glass. Against the light, she saw a robin fly by toward its destination. A caterpillar inched along a rock. Pure bliss.

The minutes passed until she approached the clearing and the old wooden pier came into view. Her heart fluttered like a sparrow’s wing when she saw the town truck.

Nick must have received her message that she had changed her mind about a canoe ride. They weren’t related biologically but they were connected in experiencing loss. If anything, he could have been related to Murray in some way. She wasn’t sure what she was going to do. Tell him? Not tell him?

During the evening she had wrestled within herself. When had she become so secretive? Anyone would think she was part of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, protecting national secrets.

His foot rested on the bumper while he faced the lake. She stopped and observed him for a second. He was a nice man and a woman should surround herself with nice men. She approached him and touched his arm. “Good morning,” she whispered.

Nick drew her closer, whispered back, “Good morning,” wiggling his eyebrows as if they were in a conspiracy together, to avoid breaking the splendor of silence with banal pleasantries. He motioned toward a green canoe bobbing against the side of the pier, then passed her a life jacket and put one on himself.

He held her hand. “Step near the keel.”

Anna opened her mouth to ask for clarification.

“The center bottom. If you step off center, the boat might tip. Sit down and stay put.”

She obeyed and held onto the sides of the canoe when it rocked slightly as Nick slid into position. He pushed away from the pier with the paddle.

He turned east and they floated into the sunrise. “Anna, to your left,” Nick said, just loud enough for her to hear. They approached a flock of pelicans paddling their prehistoric feet until they were airborne against the sun over the horizon. Anna snapped photographs of this beautiful, peaceful moment.

“We’ve reached the limits of Regina Beach.” He turned the canoe back to where they had started.

She wished she could watch him. She didn’t want to move around too much, especially since she was only a guest on this voyage and not providing any sort of power. She twisted and aimed her camera at Nick, outlined in the sun. His jacket sleeves were pushed up and she saw the play of muscles in his forearms as the paddle dipped into the water, creating its own eddy as they moved forward.

The light changed the view of the hills which clung to the shore. This was a morning in the sun where nothing manmade moved. Everything was in place, as it had been for all eternity. Life and death, the two dichotomies in this picture, did not exist.

Near the center of town, the fisher’s motor boats thrummed at piers next to their boathouses. Further down, boats lined up at the main dock awaiting their turn to get into the water. “Is this a good day to fish, when it’s calm?” she asked.

“Because this lake is long and narrow, they can round a point and a breeze will come up. The experienced fishers have fish-finding gadgets, but it’s still up to the individual fish to take the bait.”

“I’d like to learn how to paddle. Is there somewhere I can take a course?”

“The recreation board offers classes in the summer. You might be in with a bunch of kids.”

“I’ll check around,” she said, disappointed he hadn’t offered to teach her.

“I’m going to be lifting the boil water advisory this morning,” he commented.

“That’s great. What did you find out?”

“The water tests came back within normal ranges, for everything. So the problem in the system has been filtered out.”

“It’s a good thing you moved quickly.”

“The symptoms might not have been caused by the water. It could have been something at a community gathering. The winter population is so small that most of the residents attend the same events.”

“I noticed.” She thought of yesterday at the health clinic. Residents whose blood pressure was well within normal range and who were not on any medication came on the auspices of physical health, but it was a visit for their emotional well-being.

“When I glide up to the pier, grab the rope, and hold us steady until I can tie up and help you out,” Nick instructed.

“Absolutely.”

He docked the canoe with the grace of a Canada goose. She leaned over the gunwale and grabbed the rope, realizing how difficult and heavy the whole job had been.

She watched as he leaned over, pulled the other rope and tied it to the stern. Then he stepped out, walked along the pier to her end, and tied up the bow.

She smiled up at him as he extended his hand and gripped her palm. Hers was chilled and wet. “The water’s cold. This lake is deep and it takes a long time to warm up, even along the shore line.”

“I know.” Anna gave a nod. “I dipped my hand in and now my fingers are blue. Do you remember the movies where the beautiful woman dips her fingers into the water, while her lover paddles the canoe?”

He helped her stand in the canoe, his hand lingering while he brushed her hair away from her face. “It isn’t as easy as it looks,” she added. “I’d have tipped out of the canoe and really added drag to your paddling experience.” She liked how he cradled her hands while she rocked in the boat and he was safe on the pier.

“These hands couldn’t possibly add any sort of drag that I couldn’t overcome,” he replied.

Anna watched, mesmerized, when he bent as if to put his lips on her fingers. Her image of a beautiful woman and her lover captivated her. As she balanced precariously before stepping onto the solid old pier, Nick wrapped his arm around her and pulled her to safety.

She leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Thank you so much. I’ll never forget this. When I have the photos printed, I’ll give you copies.”

He cleared his throat. Then waved to a couple of fishermen unloading their boat. “I have to load this baby in the back of the truck and get to the town office to make the announcement. There are going to be some very happy town people and cottage owners.”

They walked the length of the pier. “How can I help?” She flexed her muscles. “Remember, I’m the rock moving queen.”

Nick reached the truck first. “I’ll pull closer, then we’ll just lift it out and slide it into the bed.”

She blinked at the two rocks in the truck bed. ”You chose these for me?”

“Yeah. You helping or what?” His gruff voice sounded embarrassed.

“Helping.”

He shouldered the front and she took the rear. When his end was on the tailgate, he moved closer to her and helped her heave. She stood by him as he tied the canoe into place, then reached in and felt the warmth of the sun on the rocks. “These are great rocks. I haven’t seen anything quite like them.”

“I rescued them from being buried back into the waterline hole. Don’t tell anyone about how I, a farmer’s son, saved rocks for you.” His words trailed to a whisper.

She chucked him on the shoulder. “You’re kidding, right?”

“No.”

Seniors were walking on the path, other canoes were being lifted from vehicles, and a mother was pushing a stroller toward the play structure.

“When were you going to bring them by?” A bee buzzed past her face.

“Sometime.” He checked that the ropes were secure.

“How about at noon? I’ll make lunch and you can deliver the rocks.”

“Deal.” He put his hand on the door. “Do you need a ride home?”

“No thanks. I’ll walk along the path.”

“You seem to have lost your fear of encountering strange dogs,” he noted, as a truck honked its horn and a dog chased seagulls on the beach.

“I’m trying.” She shrugged.

“And I’m trying to have people keep their pets either on a leash or in their yards.” He tugged on the bill of his baseball cap to tighten it.

He
was
a good man. ”For me?”

“You reminded me not all people feel the same way about animals.”

“Nick Donnelly, you’re a good man. The town is lucky to have you and so is our country.”

More cars driving to the end of Center Street seemed to be U-turning at the lake, and other drivers honked their horns and waved.

“I’d better get to work, or they’ll be talking at the coffee shop about how I’m wooing a beautiful woman on the town ticket.” He laughed.

“And they’ll know I’m up and probably come by for some health advice.”

He raised his eyebrow. “People know?”

“I’ll tell you about it at lunch if someone doesn’t tell you all about it sooner.” She smiled. “Is there anything you don’t particularly like?”

“No. Today everything will taste good.”

She watched him drive away and shuddered. Her life was a soap opera, filled with men from the same tree. John dead, Murray dead and Nick nearly killed. He thought of her a few days ago and picked some rocks just for her. He knew how to be a good friend.
He bought me flowers.

She returned morning greetings from backyards and jumped to the side of the path when a bicycle bell rang. Her mind kept singing,
he found rocks for me and paddled for me
.

When she got home, she sat with a cup of coffee and compared the details of the miniature house to the client’s photographs, finding herself pleased. She’d be forever thankful to Mr. Kindle. Building to his specifications helped her to realize this period in her life was over. No more miniatures. Instead Anna longed to build a big life again, one that included her first passion, health care.

Tomorrow she would visit the town office and ask Janis for demographics of Regina Beach and area, including home care facilities, health clinics and available health care classes. She might be able to find a role for her health care skills right here in this town.

Margaret knocked on the door. “I’ve brought some butter tarts for your lunch. They’re Nick’s favorite.”

“Does anything happen in this town without everybody knowing about it the moment it transpires?” Anna threw up her hands.

“Don’t get yourself all tied up. Herman invited Nick for lunch, but he said he was busy.” Margaret giggled. “You know Herman. He can tease a nut away from a squirrel.”

“Margaret, I haven’t been home more than thirty minutes.”

“We all look after each other,” Margaret said with her hands on her hips.

“Thank you. I didn’t have anything for dessert. He says he isn’t fussy.”

“No, he isn’t. The time he spent in Afghanistan taught him to appreciate food. I’d sure like a few other privileged young people to experience a little deprivation. It might teach them a thing or two. I’ve noticed you put on a few pounds yourself. Looks nice.”

“I’m surprised, especially since I’ve been moving rocks, washing windows, planting and weeding a garden.”

Margaret walked over to the miniature house. “You’ve done a wonderful job. Are you going to take on more commissions?”

Anna hesitated before she burned one bridge. “No.”

Margaret beamed. “Does this mean you’re going to return to health care?”

Anna twirled her cup. “We’ll see. I’m not sure in what capacity I want to work.”

It seemed Margaret now had a mission. “I’ll do some scouting around. Lots of women commute to the city hospitals. They do their shifts and then are real happy to come home to a slower pace.”

Anna thought about mentioning a drop-in-clinic. If anyone knew what would be possible around here, it’d certainly be Margaret. Then, caution prevailed. Dreams had a way of dissipating when they were spoken about too early. “I have enough funds to live for a while longer without earning a salary. I have a comfortable home and I’m becoming part of the community. I’m sure something will come to mind.”

“Yes, you think about it and I’ll ask Herman. He does have some good ideas even if sometimes he speaks a lot of nonsense.” Margaret’s nose twitched. “My bread’s almost done.”

“Will you teach me to bake bread one day?”

“I’d be happy to. If you’re going to be idle, you may as well learn things.”

“My feelings exactly! I’m astounded at everything I’ve learned in the short time I’ve been here.” Anna returned Margaret’s wave and went into her house to search her provisions in the cupboard. She was hungry.

She’d make omelets, toast, salad, and serve Margaret’s tarts. That should be enough for a working man.

Nick did his reports, helped Janis with the cancellation of the boil water press release, and he drove the backhoe for Frank to stand in the bucket and change the town sign. He hung notices in the usual spots, the coffee shop and the post office. He and Janis were sure the news would reach everyone by five this afternoon.

A local radio station phoned to interview him. They didn’t mention the compost pile laden with pesticide, and for that he had to feel thankful.

He kept checking his watch. Even though he was busy, the time crawled along. At last, at noon, he turned his truck onto Green Avenue. His palms tingled recalling her taut waist when he lifted her out of the canoe, her arched back when they spun in dance. Her eyes sparkling with excitement when she accompanied him on new adventures. Her soft lips when she brushed them against his freshly shaved cheek. Her face when sadness fled and her entire being seemed to break into gladness.

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