River's End (9781426761140) (10 page)

“Outside?” Anna moved toward the door.

“I don't know what to do,” Lauren said as she closed the door behind them.

Anna pointed down to the dock. “Why don't I walk you down to your boat?”

“Sarah is so angry at me, Mom,” Lauren said sadly. “I can feel the hatred pouring from her.”

“I know.” Anna sighed. “I noticed it too.”

“I'm sure
everyone
noticed it. What am I going to do?”

“I don't know.” Anna pulled her cardigan more tightly about her. “I suppose it's just going to take time.”

“Yes, you've said that, but how long is it going to take her to get over this? And in the meantime, what if it's making the guests uncomfortable?”

“Oh, I don't think they really pay much attention to—”

“I saw Mrs. Phillips staring at us tonight, Mom. I'm sure she knew something was wrong.”

“Well, Mrs. Phillips has been coming here for years, Lauren. She's quite perceptive, and I'm sure she knows nearly as much about you and Sarah as I do.”

“But earlier today, when you were gone, Sarah and I had a little run-in. I'd gone to get some towels for a guest, and Sarah was in the laundry room. She started yelling at me, saying she was already taking care of it. And I'm sure the guest heard everything.”

“Oh . . . well, guests must understand that we're only human.”

“Maybe so . . . but I just feel so bad, Mom. This is supposed to be a place of peace and healing . . . and here Sarah and I are spoiling everything for everyone.”

Anna thought about this. Originally, this inn was supposed to be a place of peace and healing. But it had become so popular and busy in recent years . . . sometimes she wondered if she'd lost that initial vision. Was it really a place of peace and healing now? And, if not, how was she going to get it back?

Clark was late coming to bed, but Anna waited up for him, apologizing as soon as he came into the room. “I don't know why I reacted so negatively,” she said finally. “It's a beautiful piece of property, an amazing view. I think it's just that I'm feeling overwhelmed . . . and everything at the inn feels as if it's going faster and faster . . . and then there's Lauren and Sarah's troubles . . .” She shook her head to think of how disturbed Lauren had been this evening.

“And there's Mom.”

“Your mother?” She peered curiously at his eyes.

“I'm worried, Anna. She really doesn't seem to be herself.”

“Did you encourage her to see a doctor?”

“I did, but as she told me—her excuse for never going to the doctor—she doesn't have a physician in this town.”

“Then she should get one.” Anna wondered which of the local doctors might be best for Hazel. “I'd be happy to help her tomorrow.”

“The fact is that my mother has never been overly fond of the medical profession. It goes back to before I was born. I don't even know the full story.”

Anna frowned. “Maybe I can do some more research on herbal remedies for her. I wonder if the hawthorn helped . . . or if she's even been taking it.”

“You'll have to ask her about that.” Clark yawned sleepily as he unbuttoned his plaid shirt. “And as far as that property goes . . . well, I was giving it some thought, Anna. I really shouldn't have tried to do that deal behind your back. I mean I thought it was going to be a wonderful surprise for you. But it seems I was wrong about that. I'm sorry.”

She laid her dressing gown on the back of the chair. “I'm the one who should be sorry, Clark.”

He came over and wrapped his arms around her, looking intently into her eyes. “All I want is what's best for
both
of us,” he said quietly. “I want us both to be happy. And maybe it's not too late to get out of that deal.”

“You mean buying the property?”

“Yes. I'll talk to the seller and see if the other party is still interested. Maybe we can work something out that will please everyone.”

She sighed. “It did sound like it'd be a lovely house, Clark.”

He nodded, stroking her hair. “But even the loveliest of houses would be worthless if we weren't both happy in it . . . together.”

She couldn't agree more.

The morning dawned foggy and gray, and a chilly breeze was blowing in from the west. Even so, Anna noticed that several of the guests had already set out in the fishing boats. Hopefully, they would have a good day even if the weather was less than summerlike. Anna had taken great care to be honest in the inn's brochures, advising guests that Oregon coast weather
could change abruptly. She'd advised guests to bring clothing suitable for all sorts of conditions. And today looked like one of those days.

As Anna was opening a new can of coffee, Sarah emerged from her bedroom. “Good morning,” Anna said pleasantly.

Sarah returned the greeting in a slightly gruff voice.

“Everything okay?” Anna stuck the measuring cup into the fresh-smelling coffee, trying not to be too obvious as she studied Sarah's glum expression.

Sarah shrugged.

“Anything you'd like to talk about?”

“Not really.”

Anna put the lid back on the can and turned to face Sarah. “I know that you and Lauren are having a tough time,” she said gently. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“You mean besides sending Lauren on another vacation?” Sarah said in a slightly sarcastic tone.

“I'm sure that sounds good to you.”

“I don't see how you can stand her, Grandma.”

“She's my daughter.”

Sarah narrowed her eyes. “Yeah, well, I'm her daughter, but that never seemed to make much difference, not to her.”

Anna reached out to put a hand on Sarah's shoulder, looking into her eyes. “I know Lauren has hurt you, Sarah. I'm sure she's hurt you even more than I realize.”

Sarah softened slightly. “Yeah, that's true.”

“But it will only hurt you more if you continue to let this bitterness control you. It will eat away at you, and eventually it will poison your spirit.”

“What am I supposed to do?” Sarah asked in a defiant way. “Pretend like she never hurt me, like she didn't ruin my life, like she didn't ruin my dad's life?”

“No, you can't pretend things away,” Anna told her. “But you can forgive her.”

“How?” Sarah demanded. “How can I forgive all
that
?”

“With God's help.”

“What if Lauren doesn't deserve to be forgiven?” Sarah stepped away from Anna. “What if she's not really sorry?”

“She is sorry—”

“She might act like that around you. She might be able to make you believe she's changed. But I'm not falling for it. And even if she is sorry—what difference does that make to me now? It doesn't undo all the damage she's done in my life.” Sarah held out her hands in a helpless way. “It might make Lauren feel better if I pretended to forgive her, but it doesn't change anything for me.”

Anna took in a slow breath, searching for the right words. “I'm not saying this for Lauren's sake, Sarah,” she said carefully, “I'm saying it for yours. You need to forgive Lauren, not for pretend, but for real, and you need to do it for yourself.”

She shook her head negatively. “I don't want to forgive her. I want her to be accountable for her mistakes. I want her to suffer the way I've suffered. God will repay evil for evil, and I want Lauren to get what she deserves. It's like karma.”

“Is that what they taught you?”

“
Who?
” Sarah scowled.

“The leaders at the commune . . . is that what they believe?” She kept her voice even and calm—much calmer than she felt. “Did they teach you that God is a cruel taskmaster, that he will punish—?”

“God
does
punish,” Sarah insisted. “It's in the Bible or the Koran or one of those books, Grandma. It's better to suffer harsh punishment and repent from wickedness than to escape punishment and go to hell.”

“What about forgiveness?” Anna said quietly. “I know that's in the Bible. Maybe we could look it up together—”

“Forgiveness is earned by repentance,” Sarah said stubbornly. “And Lauren has not earned forgiveness. Not from me anyway, not yet.” She shook her head. “I doubt that she ever will.” And without saying another word, Sarah turned and stormed out of the house.

Anna stood there for several minutes, just trying to wade through Sarah's confusing tirade of words. All this talk of earning forgiveness, repaying evil for evil . . . what kind of people taught such twisted doctrine? And was it only to keep vulnerable girls like Sarah under their control? At least Sarah was free of all that now. Physically anyway . . . it seemed it was going to take much longer to become spiritually free. But time and love and patience could work wonders. Anna knew this personally. And she had plenty of all three of those for her granddaughter. Now if only she could convince Lauren to do the same. Maybe all three of them could sit down and study the Bible together. It certainly couldn't hurt.

“Anna?” Clark's voice sounded different as he came into the house. “Can you go and stay with Mom?”

“Sure. What's—”

“I'm going to call the hospital. I think it's her heart.”

“Oh dear!” Anna rushed past him. “I'll go right now.” Then she remembered something. “One of our guests—in cabin eight—Dr. Schwartz—should I see if he can be of help?”

“Good thinking.” Clark was already on the phone as Anna hurried down, nearly running into Lauren who was coming up the exterior stairs. She grabbed Lauren by the hand, quickly explaining. “You get Dr. Schwartz while I go to Hazel,” she said breathlessly. “Hurry!”

Anna ran to Hazel's cabin. Not even knocking on the door, she let herself in, finding Hazel still in bed. “How are you,
dear?” Anna asked gently, taking in the old woman's pale countenance.

Hazel looked at Anna with fearful eyes. “Not so good.”

“Have you taken the hawthorn?” Anna asked.

“Hawthorn . . . ?” Hazel seemed confused.

“Remember the tincture I made? It's for the heart.”

She just shook her head. “I . . . I suppose I forgot.”

So Anna went in search of the little brown bottle. Finding it, she could see it was almost completely full. She quickly stirred a teaspoon full into some water and took it to Hazel, helping her drink it. She had barely finished when Lauren and Dr. Schwartz, wearing only his trousers and undershirt, came bursting in.

“Where is the patient?” he demanded.

Hazel's eyes grew wide. “Who are—?”

“He's a doctor,” Anna told her. “And a guest.”

Already he was by Hazel's side, taking her pulse and looking closely into her face and asking her questions.

“Let's give them some space,” Anna told Lauren.

Back out in the front room, Anna explained how Hazel hadn't seemed well for days now. “Clark is calling the hospital.”

“I didn't realize it was this bad,” Lauren said.

Clark came into the cabin now. “The hospital is sending an ambulance to the dock, and I just arranged for Greeley's son Bobby to get the guys upriver with a stretcher and oxygen. We think it'll be faster than trying to take the road. The medics will get Mom into our boat and tend to her as I take us down-river where the ambulance will be waiting.” He glanced at the closed bedroom door. “Is she ready?”

“Dr. Schwartz is with her,” Anna said.

Clark frowned. “Maybe I'll run down there to meet Greeley's boat and make sure ours is gassed up and ready to go.”

“Good idea.” Anna locked eyes with him. “Everyone is doing everything possible, Clark. She's in good hands.”

He nodded quickly. “I know.”

Anna started gathering some blankets after Clark left. They would need to keep Hazel warm on the river. She turned to Lauren. “Maybe you should go back to make sure everything is going okay for breakfast,” she told her.

“Yes, I doubt there's much I can do to help here.” Lauren frowned. “And feel free to go to the hospital with Hazel, Mom. I can handle everything at the inn while you're gone.”

Anna made a weak smile. “I know you can. Thanks.”

“And I'll be praying for Hazel. And I'll ask others to as well.”

“Thanks.”