The Doctor and the War Widow (23 page)

Epilogue

January, 2010

“Don’t look so shocked. You know this is good for me. I had nightmares in this house after Kimberly—” Harley broke off. She was sitting at Juan’s Flying Burrito with Donna, Judy, and Vera. She forced herself to smile. Sometimes, Kimberly’s face flashed before her when she slept, but now, Abisi held her in his arms. The nightmares stopped, but she nonetheless needed a change of pace.

“London, Harley?” Donna laughed but shook her head. “You hate cold weather.”

“I also hate hot weather. I just like to complain.” Harley grinned and shrugged. “Besides, I can write anywhere. London will offer me new research opportunities, and I might even work with refugee kids over there.”

Judy stared at her and bit into a chip. “Wouldn’t you need to learn about their schools?”

“Of course.” Harley nodded to the waiter as he deposited their food in front of them. “I’ll work on that when I’m there. Abisi wants to work with refugees. Many people from Middle Eastern countries aren’t really represented.”

Donna sucked on her straw. “You always were a good teacher. Maybe you’ll like it again.”

Harley nodded. Her soul was as light as a feather. “That’s what I’m hoping. I also want to write even more. When we first arrive in the fall of next year, I’ll do only that. I may write a war novel set in WWII.” She munched on her black beans. “There’s plenty of history in Europe.”

“I’ll miss you.” Judy stuck out her lip in a pout.

“So will I.” Donna clasped Harley’s hand.

“Don’t get maudlin. We’ll be back in summer.” Harley clasped each of their hands. “You won’t get rid of me that easily, but Jessica and her husband will start a family soon. I know Abisi wants to be around his daughter more. He missed a lot when his kids were little.”

“What about Nico?” Donna shot Harley a horrified glance.

“Nico will have to be checked out, but have no fear, Nico is coming with me. That dog saved my life. He stays with me in a place of honor.” Harley smiled at them. She brushed away a stray tear as a lump formed in her throat. “The phone bill will be unbelievable, you know, but Abisi says he doesn’t care. He loves me. Besides, I’ll see you during the summer. We’re only renting the house, not selling, and we’ll come back every summer to visit.” She then turned to her mother-in-law. “You haven’t said anything.”

Vera sat stock still with a glass of rum and coke in her hand. She swallowed hard. Tears glistened in her eyes when she turned to Harley. She clasped Harley’s hand tightly. “I’ll miss you, but you do need a change. I haven’t flown in years, but I’ll come see you.”

“The door will always be open.” Harley pressed Vera’s hand to her cheek.

Judy looked down and then turned to Harley. “Look, I have to say this. I’m sorry I talked that way to your husband. I shouldn’t have said those things.”

“It’s okay. He forgave you before I did.” Harley grinned at her. “Did Pete call you?”

“Yeah, we’re going to a movie Friday night.” Judy blushed, laughed, and looked down.

Harley and Donna exchanged glances. “Well, I may be coming back for a wedding, too.”

“It’s just a movie, for God’s sakes. Besides, I’ve known Pete for years. I don’t know if any sparks will fly.” Judy waved a dismissive hand but looked pleased.

Harley and Donna exchanged grins. Harley shook a finger at Judy. “Hey, you never know. Don’t discount old Pete yet. The boy’s a looker.”

Judy shook her head but laughed, obviously thrilled. “Oh, where are the men in your lives?”

“Coming. Both hard at work.” Harley smiled and waved when she saw her husband walk in with Mike. “We ordered for you two. The waiter was going to bring it when you came.”

Abisi kissed her as he pulled up a chair beside her. She nestled against him. His mere presence made her day. After leaving their friends, Harley walked with her husband to their car. She grasped his hand when he opened her car door. “I love you, you know.”

“How do you feel about being uprooted? Do you resent it?” He looked at her with an earnest gaze.

“Look, my love, home is where you are. It doesn’t have to be on any particular side of the ocean.” Harley let him settle her in the car. She stared at him a long time before he leaned into the car and kissed her with smoldering passion.

The next day, Harley stood with Jerry, her electrician and with Stan, her plumber. The two men had examined the house and were now giving her their individual assessments of the property’s needs. Harley wanted the house in good condition before Carville moved into it with his new bride. The couple would be married before Harley and Abisi departed for England, and Carville was thrilled to find a home near his aging grandmother.

Jerry gave her and broad smile and indicated figures on a clipboard. He was a tall man with graying hair, a beer gut, and an ebony moustache. “Well, you see, Ms. Harley, the old house is pretty damned sound.” He handed her the clipboard. “You just need to sign there.”

“Of course. I don’t want the old homestead burning down.” Harley quickly signed the papers and turned to Stan. She cast an expectant glance at him and smiled.

Stan was a head shorter than Jerry, wiry and wizened. His skin was as brown as a nut’s, and he reminded her of an acorn that had been too long in the sun. He ran a hair through his hair and cleared his throat. “Your pipes need flushing. I can have a crew out here tomorrow, ma’am.”

“So the house will be shipshape for my tenants, right?” Harley smiled, her gaze moving between the men.

Jerry and Stan said, “Yes, ma’am” at the same time. Harley completed the paperwork, wondering why she felt sad and strangely alone. The house was her link to her parents, and she was leaving it.

Harley waved at the men as they made their way to their individual trucks and departed. She strode onto the porch and swung open the screen door. Nico barked happily and sniffed the boxes Harley and Abisi had filled with their possessions. Amazing what people collected in a lifetime, Harley mused. She’d grown up in the house and had fond memories of it. Well, a newly married couple would begin their new lives together in it, and she, though not as young as they, was starting a new life with a man she loved. Still . . .

Still, Harley wished her mother could see her happy. She and her mother had been best friends for as long as Harley could remember. Letting go wasn’t easy, and she suddenly felt hollow. Sadness clasped her heart like a vise. She made her way to the kitchen, removing the lettuce, tomatoes, and artichoke hearts from the refrigerator. Nico followed close at her heels, obviously praying she would drop some food. Harley hurriedly fixed the salad, carefully pouring dressing over the finished product. Abisi was coming home for lunch. She glanced out the French windows and saw something snow white flutter past.

Nico, as if following her gaze, jumped at the window and barked.

Harley rubbed his ears. “What was that, Nico boy?”

Moving to the window, Harley scanned the backyard. Suddenly, the white dove fluttered outside the window and then disappeared when Harley threw open the back door and charged outside. The bird had settled on the ground near the rose bush Abisi had planted and was gazing at Harley. When Harley approached, the dove simply stared, unafraid. “Hey, don’t go away. I won’t hurt you. I think you’re trying to tell me something, aren’t you?”

The dove suddenly flew near Harley, wings fluttering. The bird’s wings sounded as loud to Harley as the propellers on a small plane. She hovered near Harley, gazing at her intently and then settling in the rose bush beside a yellow rose. Eden had loved yellow roses. Peace suddenly flooded through Harley’s breast. She smiled at the bird and drew close, gently touching the soft feathers. “It is you, isn’t it?”

The dove blinked and tenderly touched Harley’s hand with her beak, cooing softly.

“Harley, my love, did the electrician and plumber come?”

Abisi’s voice startled Harley as well as the bird. The bird flew to another branch but still stared at Harley. Harley glanced at her husband and smiled, extending her hand to him. “They came. We’ll have to shell out some bucks, but the problems can be fixed.” Harley slipped an arm around Abisi’s midsection.

Abisi tweaked her nose and kissed her forehead. He arched an eyebrow and asked gently. “So they didn’t find anything they couldn’t handle?” He smiled gently. “Nothing that’s attracting a curious bird, I take it.”

“No, nothing supernatural.” Harley beamed at him. “But.” She hesitated briefly, gazed into his face, and realized she could trust him with her deepest thoughts. “That’s the bird I told you about. I think she’s happy I’m moving on.”

“The bird you think is your mother’s spirit?” Abisi touched her face lightly and met her gaze. She read concern, but he didn’t ridicule her.

“It’s not that simple. It’s not as if I think she’s exactly my mother. I just think the dead use certain means to communicate with us.” She turned back to the bird. Peace flowed through her body when she gazed at the blinking creature, still staring at her. Suddenly, she heard Eden’s voice.
You’re doing the right thing. It’s time you moved on. Be happy, my little darling. For once, follow your heart
.

Abisi cupped her chin between his thumb and forefinger. “What’s the bird telling you? Anything?”

Harley lifted her face to his and kissed him. “She said I was damned lucky to find you and that I’d better fix you lunch before you changed your mind about taking me across the pond.”

Abisi laughed and kissed Harley’s lips and eyes. Harley went limp under his grip. Together, they made their way inside.

Harley turned back and stared at the rose bush, but the dove was gone. Harley suppressed an involuntary gasp. It was as if she’d vanished into thin air. Harley took a breath and leaned into her husband as Abisi drew her close. “No regrets, my love?”

“None at all. None at all.” Harley glanced back once and then turned her full attention to her husband.