Love Will Find a Way (34 page)

Larry looked around the room as he came through the door. “I saw Dad's car in the drive. He and I had a dinner date and it completely slipped my mind. Where is he?"

Emily set a tray of sandwiches on the coffee table. “He's looking for Boo. He's never done anything like this before. I can't imagine where he could be."

Larry smiled as he reached for a sandwich. “Are you talking about Dad or Boo?"

Emily gave her son a dirty look. “I'm talking about Boo."

"Give him a little time. He'll come back,” Larry assured her.

Emily wondered if Larry was referring to Boo or Robert. “What makes you so sure?"

"I know Boo. He may stray, but he won't leave for good."

"I think Larry is right.” Dennis wiped his sweaty hand across his brow. “But if Boo isn't home by tomorrow, maybe you should put an ad in the newspaper under lost and found."

Emily couldn't deal with this. It was coming too soon on the heels of losing Aunt Beth so suddenly, not to mention everything else that had transpired this long frustrating day. “There are soft drinks in the kitchen,” she told the twins.

Amy volunteered, “I'll get them.

Kim was on her feet. “I'll help you."

Thirty minutes later Dennis and the twins decided to go home. “We'll have to walk,” Dennis said. “My station wagon is in front of Larry's car and Larry's car is in front of Robert's vehicle."

"I don't know what happened to Robert.” Emily was a little apprehensive.

"I can come back later and get my car.” How like Dennis to take every adversity be it large or small, in his stride.

Forty-five minutes later when Robert still hadn't put in an appearance, Emily began to worry in earnest. “What could have happened to your dad?” she asked Larry who was stretched out in an easy chair watching TV.

Larry quipped, “He'll be back when he gets back."

Emily stacked cups on a tray. “Very funny, that's just what I need now, a comedian."

As she was putting dishes in the dishwasher, a horn sounded outside. Emily flew to the front door. Maybe someone was returning Boo. Instead she was greeted by Larry's friend, Gus, who was parked at the curb and leaning out his car window. “Sorry Mrs. Franklin, for disturbing you, I'm looking for Larry.” He waved toward the vehicles parked in the drive. “Are you having a party?"

"There's no party here.” Emily said and then asked, “Would you like to come inside?"

From behind her, Larry called, “Is that Gus?” He was on his feet and hurrying toward the door. “I was about to call him.” With a wave of his hand, Larry raced down the sidewalk. “I won't be out late.” He climbed into Gus's car as it pulled away from the curb in a cloud of dust and smoke.

"Be sure you aren't because...” Emily's words died in her throat. She went inside, muttering as she went, “You have to go back to Austin tonight."

The sun set; twilight deepened into darkness. Another hour dragged by and still Robert had not returned, nor had Boo. Emily slumped down in the easy chair and tried to relax. She couldn't. Thoughts of Boo and what might have happened to him kept playing through her mind like scenes from a recurring nightmare. She turned on the TV and then switched it off again. Had Robert found Boo in such a state that he was reluctant to return and tell her what he had discovered? Or worse yet, maybe he couldn't find Boo at all.

Just when she had given herself over to resigned despair, the front door burst open admitting Robert carrying in his arms a bloody and battered Boo.

Emily leaped to her feet. “You found him! Thank God!” She rushed to examine the dog. “How badly is he hurt? Where was he?"

"It's not as bad as it looks. He's been in a fight.” Robert looked almost as blood stained and mud spattered as Boo did. “But his injuries are slight. His worst hurt is his wounded pride."

Emily stroked Boo's neck causing him to raise his head and wag his tail. “He really is a mess."

Robert carried the dog toward the kitchen. “His opponent took a piece of his ear as a souvenir. Let's get him cleaned up and put some antiseptic on his wound."

Emily spread a towel on the kitchen floor. “Should I take him to the vet?"

Robert laid Boo on the towel. “Later maybe, I don't think it's necessary right now. Let's clean him up and feed him and then let him get some much needed rest."

Emily hurried to retrieve antiseptic cream and swabs from the bathroom. “Is he going to be all right?” She handed Robert the swabs and cream.

Robert dried Boo with a towel before cleaning and swabbing his wounded ear. “He's going to be fine. But he'll have some battle scars. The nick in his ear is permanent. If he knows to grieve for that, maybe he'll be scarred in more ways than one.” He gave Boo's matted coat a final swipe. “I suspect his deepest hurt is that he lost his lady love to another dog that was stronger and wiser."

Emily tossed used swabs into a waste can. “A bitch in heat is not my idea of a lady."

Robert smiled up at her. “Nor mine, but Boo wasn't that wise."

Emily couldn't think of an answer to that. “You missed Larry again. He's gone off with Gus.” She nodded toward the table. “You must be starved. Sit down. I'll make you some coffee and a sandwich."

Robert looked around the room. “Are you alone?"

Emily raised her voice to be heard over the sound of water running into the coffee maker. “I told you, Larry left with Gus."

Robert lifted an eyebrow. “What about Dennis and his daughters?"

"The bathroom's down the hall if you'd like to wash up.” Emily pointed with her measuring spoon. “I don't know where Dennis is."

Robert looked down at his hands. “I think I'd better.” Looking up he asked, “Isn't that his station wagon in your drive?"

"You and Larry blocked the drive. Dennis couldn't get his car out.” Emily took food and dishes from the cabinet. “Where did you find Boo?"

Robert stopped his advance toward the bathroom. “He was hiding behind an abandoned building over on Maple Street."

Emily gasped. “He went that far? What ever made you look there?"

With mock gravity, Robert said, “I asked myself, where would Boo go to lick his wounds? The answer came to me in a flash. The old abandoned warehouse on Maple Street."

It wasn't the answer she had expected, but she supposed it would have to suffice. “Wash your hands and you can eat.” Emily spread mustard on a slice of bread.

Robert was scarcely out of sight when the doorbell rang. Emily wiped her hands on a paper towel and hurried to answer. Dennis was standing on the other side of the opening. “I came to see if you had any news about Boo."

From the vantage point of his kitchen window, Dennis had an unobstructed view of Emily's front door. She was sure he had seen Robert bring Boo home. “That was thoughtful of you."

"May I come in?” Dennis looked past Emily and into the house.

"Robert found Boo.” Emily didn't move. “He's here now."

Dennis adroitly stepped around Emily and came into the room. “Boo or Robert?"

Emily drew a deep breath. “Both."

"Is Boo all right?"

Dennis hadn't come here to ask about Boo and they both knew it. “He's pretty beat up, but he's going to be okay."

Dennis lifted his head and sniffed the air. “Is that coffee I smell?"

"Do you want to come in?” That was a foolish question, since he was already in. “Yes, I made a fresh pot."

"I could use a cup of coffee about now.” Dennis strode toward the kitchen.

Emily was sure that Robert would read all kinds of lurid reasons for Dennis's sudden reappearance at this hour of the night. “Would you like a sandwich, too?"

When they entered the kitchen, Robert was leaning against the cabinet with his legs crossed and his arms folded across his chest, “If it isn't the good Reverend."

Completely unruffled Dennis pulled out a chair and sat at the table. “Hail the conquering hero. I hear you found Boo. He must be hurt. Emily is still upset."

"What makes you think Emily's upset?” Robert asked belligerently.

Robert was sparing for a fight. Emily set cups on the table as she sought for some polite way to get rid of Dennis or Robert, or, if she was lucky, both. Irrelevantly she announced, “A part of Boo's left ear is missing."

Robert sat across from Dennis. “That's what happens to dogs who insist on pursuing females they have no claim to."

Dennis ignored Robert's caustic comment. “Emily always swears when she's upset.” He smiled and looked past Robert toward Emily. “Don't you, darling?"

Much to his credit and to Emily's relief, Robert refused to rise to the bait. “Emily swears when she's angry. She cries when she's upset."

Emily slapped a top on a hastily made sandwich. “Right now Emily is both.” She set the sandwich before Robert. “Eat.” She turned to face Dennis. “Are you sure you wouldn't like a sandwich?"

Dennis sipped from his coffee cup. “No. I came to check on Boo and to tell you that it may be late before I come back for my station wagon.” He gave her a sweet intimate smile. “Marvin Hudson called. His son Jason was picked up again for drug possession. Marvin and his wife are very upset. They're coming by my office when they leave the police station. I may be with them for some time."

Any member of Dennis's congregation could call on him at anytime, night or day and know that he was always there for them. He was a wonderful man and she had treated him abominably. If Robert carried out his threat, there was every possibility that his good reputation could be impugned. Still he seemed willing to remain her close and dear friend. Her eyes softened as she smiled. “Don't bother. The station wagon will be safe in the drive. You can get it in the morning."

Dennis replied, “If my station wagon stayed in your drive all night, the neighbors might begin to talk. I respect you too much to let that happen."

She sent him an affectionate look. “Do what you think is best."

Robert pushed his plate back. “Hadn't you better be going, Reverend? Your parishioners will be waiting for you."

Tension rose and fanned through the heavy silence that followed.

Dennis stood and backed toward the door. “Goodnight, Emily. I'll call you tomorrow."

"Please do.” As the front door closed behind him, Emily whirled to face Robert. “Finish your sandwich and then get out of here."

"Is that the thanks I get for finding your dog?” He made no move to go.

"You said you were doing that for Boo. Maybe you should look to him for gratitude."

Robert shrugged. “Maybe I will."

Emily stacked dishes and carried them to the sink. “I want you out of here before Larry gets home.” She was not going to aid and abet her ex-husband in his scheme to poison her own son's mind against her.

Robert bolted to his feet. “I came to see Larry. I'm staying until he gets home. He's going to be hurt when he learns the sordid details of your affair with The Reverend."

Emily glared at him, her hazel eyes flashing yellow fire. “Do you know what your problem is? You want to judge me by some outmoded double standard. You swore when you got involved with Susan Barrett that you weren't hurting your sons. They were adults, you said, they would understand, you assured me. Now you're telling me that because I'm seeing Dennis, I am hurting them.” She threw her dishtowel on the cabinet. “What a hypocrite you are!"

"I was wrong and I know that now.” Robert's tight-lipped smile set her teeth on edge. “Just like I know that you're a fool for getting so involved with a man like Dennis Morrison."

She had put Dennis through enough without letting Robert make slanderous remarks about him. “Dennis is a fine, upstanding person and I owe him a lot."

"Oh?” Robert lifted a questioning eyebrow. “And why is that?"

"He's thoughtful and patient and he cares about me, just as I am, faults and all. When I need someone, he's there.” She leaned against the cabinet and folded her arms across her chest. “But the best thing about Dennis is he makes me happy. When I'm with him, I feel important and wanted."

In one explosive leap, Robert was on his feet. “Damn it, Emily, how much hell do you think one man can take?” He slammed his fist into his open hand. “How long do you think I can hang around and let you rub salt in my wounds?"

Running beneath the surface of Emily's anger was the knowledge that she had wounded him beyond measure. It was a revelation she was not ready to own. “You did ask."

Robert's fury escalated to sheer outrage. “Well I'm through asking and I'm through begging."

Emily watched in helpless surprise as Robert stormed out of the house, slamming the front door behind him.

She was still trying to collect her scattered senses when she heard the grinding of gears and the screech of tires that told her Robert had roared out of the drive and was speeding down Oakdale Avenue toward the city.

Emily was still sitting in her chair, staring into space and trying to make some sense of Robert's angry outburst and rapid departure when Larry poked his head around the kitchen door. “Mom, what's happening now?"

Inanely, Emily answered, “Boo's home.” She gestured toward the sleeping dog. “He's going to be all right."

"That's good news.” Larry took off his baseball cap and hung it on the back of a chair. “But I'm talking about Dad. When I came home just now, he was backing out of the drive like the devil was chasing him. He took off toward town like he'd been shot out of a cannon."

Emily shook her head. “I upset him, I think."

"So the two of you are fighting again?” Larry moved toward the hall. “I have to get my things and leave.” He stopped and asked, “What did you fight about this time?"

"I'm not sure.” Emily kept rehearsing, in her mind just what she had said that had elicited such a violent reaction from Robert. “I think it was about my friendship with Dennis."

"So you were tormenting Dad again?” Disgust sounded in Larry's voice.

"He brought up the subject.” Emily retorted, a little annoyed that Larry would jump to such an unfair conclusion.

Larry disappeared down the hall and returned carrying his suitcase. “Are you going to be all right? Should I stay?"

Emily shook her head. “Yes, I'm going to be all right and no, you don't have to stay. I don't need a keeper."