| |
It was a beautiful June day and Kathryn Lee, her granddaughter, Alex Destephano who was home from New Orleans, Dottie, Michaela, Margaret, and Margaret’s granddaughter, Allison, sat with Cookie outside on Dottie’s terrace feasting on shrimp salad, fresh asparagus, fresh-baked French bread and chilled white wine. The mood was festive.
Dottie was doing well and in great spirits. She was in physical therapy three times a week but found herself stronger and more agile each day. She looked over at the younger women and heard Alex invite Mic and Allison to Wyndley Farm to ride horses later in the week. Margaret and Kathryn were in deep conversation about the latest news of General Rothrock. Cookie looked at her and said, “A penny for your thoughts, Countess.”
Dottie smiled and said, “I’m happy to be here today. I miss Camilla dreadfully, but I think she’s with us today, right here at this dining table.”
Cookie nodded and smiled as Kathryn Lee broke in and said, “Isn’t that what life is, Dottie? None of us ever really goes away. We all simply become a part of each other. We pass our knowledge, wisdom, education, philosophies and so on to others through human contact. That’s what life is.” She nodded towards Michaela, Alex and Allison. “They’ll be us in thirty or forty years. They’ll be sitting around mourning the loss of someone and they’ll realize, as we have, that the person is never really gone. They live in our hearts forever.”
Dottie nodded as her eyes filled with tears. “Ah, Kathryn, that’s so very true and I believe this is the first time I’ve ever realized that. Thank you.” She turned to Michaela and said, “I want to go with you and Allison when you go to Wyndley Farm. Can we arrange that, Kathryn?” Dottie asked with a smile.
“Sure, you’re always welcome. Will you be riding as well? I’m sure I have a horse you’d enjoy.”
“Oh no, she can’t ride,” Mic blurted out.
Dottie raised her eyebrows and gave Mic the frostiest look she could muster. “Excuse me? Oh, yes I can ride.” She turned to Kathryn and said, “Yep, of course I’m gonna ride. I always do,” she said to Kathryn as she saw Mic open her mouth to object.
“Dottie, no way you’re riding until you’re stronger,” Mic squeaked. “Over my dead body,” she insisted.
“Then lie down and die because I’m going,” Dottie insisted. “And, remember, Michaela, we’re still partners so don’t cut me out of any cases that come along,” she cautioned. “I’m almost fit as a fiddle again and I have a big hospital bill to pay.”
Mic shook her head and smiled, “We’ll see, Dottie. No time soon, though.”
Dottie protested in her uppity countess voice. “I’m going riding, and I’m solving crimes, starting next week.” she said defiantly and said, “Remember, Michaela McPherson, I’ve saved your life twice this year.”
Michaela grinned at everyone around the table and said, “Well, she’s back and she’s as big of a pain in the ass as ever,” she announced.
“I’ll drink to that,” Cookie said as they raised their glasses up in a toast to Dottie.
Mic drank her wine. Things were always about friends, life and love. We’re all gonna be fine. Just fine. Life is good.