Peggy called the hospital to see how Beth was doing. She explained what happened to Paul as they rode to the restaurant. “They expect a full recovery, thank God.”
“But she’ll be confined for a while for her own safety,” Paul said. “That’s the law.”
“I know.” Peggy acknowledged. “Unless we find out it wasn’t an attempt at suicide.” She told Paul and Steve her theory.
“I suppose that could make sense,” Steve agreed, his eyes on the crowded streets.
“Do you have some idea who would be in line for the money?” Paul asked.
“No,” she admitted.
“It seems like it would be Beth’s family with Isabelle out of the way. Do you think they had something to do with this?”
“No! Of course not!” Peggy looked at her son for the first time. He was thinking intently about what she said, but his eyes were shadowed and his mouth was a grim line. “Oh, sweetie, I forgot. I’m so sorry about you and Mai. I wish it could’ve worked out differently.”
“That’s okay.” He shrugged. “I guess it happened too fast, huh? These things take time. At least that’s what she said.”
Steve glanced at Peggy. “I don’t know about that. It all depends, doesn’t it?”
Paul’s laugh held a bitter edge. “I’m not saying anything about the two of you. Just don’t mention marriage or getting a house together, and maybe you’ll be okay.”
Peggy reached over and squeezed her son’s hand. “If it doesn’t work out with Mai, there’ll be someone else.”
“I think you can say it’s over between us, Mom. You’re always too optimistic.”
“We’ll see,” she said as they pulled into the restaurant parking lot. “Thank goodness we’re here! Now that I’m feeling better, I’m starving!”
The three of them went inside together and sat down at a booth. The waitress took their orders and brought them orange juice, coffee, and water. The restaurant wasn’t very busy at that hour. The rush had come and gone before nine.
Peggy’s mind was still busy with things other than eggs and pancakes. Even the sun-deprived ivy, still in its little Christmas container on the window ledge, only caught her attention for a moment. She gave it some water from her glass and found a single shaft of sunlight for it to bask in. “Is there some way I could find out who would be the executor or guardian for the children?”
Paul sipped his coffee. “It’s not easy to find a legal guardian sometimes. It might be the first person a judge appoints for the job.”
“What about Beth’s parents?” Steve asked, sitting forward. “Wouldn’t they be the logical choice since they already have the boys?”
“From what limited information I know about the law,” Paul began, “the people who take care of the children and the person responsible for the purse strings can be different. You might have to see a copy of Park and Beth’s will.”
“Let’s give Hunter a call and see if she can find anything.” Peggy took out her cell phone as her breakfast arrived. “Maybe she can solve this riddle for me.”
STEVE DROPPED PAUL OFF at the police parking lot, then drove Peggy back to her house. She just finished feeding Shakespeare a piece of biscuit she’d saved for him from breakfast. She hated leaving him in the car and wouldn’t have considered it if the temperature was warmer. It wasn’t always best for the pet to ride with the owner.
“I’m free today if you need to do any sleuthing,” Steve offered.
“I’m only planning to go to the Potting Shed until one, then I’m taking Shakespeare back to Rue for his next lesson. I’m hoping it goes better this time.”
“He seems calm today.” Steve patted the dog’s head. “I’ll take you over to Rue’s. Unless you have other plans.”
She smiled and kissed him. “It sounds like the highlight of my day. I’ll see you at one. Thanks, Steve.”
He put his arms around her and extended the brief kiss she’d started to give him. “I don’t want to get married or buy a house. Don’t worry.”
“That makes me feel so much better,” she assured him sarcastically. “But I’m sure there were other issues involved in Mai and Paul’s breakup.”
“I’m sure you’re right. That’s the way it happens.”
“You sound like you have prior experience.” She yawned and tried to hide it behind her hand.
“You sound exhausted.”
“I am. But we’ll take this up later. You know all about my past life. I don’t know anything about your old flames.”
“They’re all ashes,” he quipped. “Really. Not worth discussing.”
She raised one eyebrow above a curious green eye. “We’ll definitely be talking about it later.”
Steve frowned and shook his head. “You’re going to be disappointed. I’m not as colorful or ambitious as you, Peggy.”
“We’ll see!”
“I’ll see you later.” He finally gave up. “Keep me posted if you hear anything else about Beth.”
Peggy dragged herself to the house, unlocked the door, and disarmed the alarm system. The house was cold. She definitely needed a new furnace, with or without Dalton’s help. She went upstairs with Shakespeare running up before her. It wasn’t until she pulled herself up the long stairway that she realized her mistake.
Shakespeare had stripped the sheets, pillows, and comforter from her bed in the few moments she lagged behind him. He was chewing on one of the pillows when she reached him. Furious, she grabbed his collar and dragged him back downstairs. He whimpered and barked when she locked him in the laundry room. “It’s for your own good,” she yelled at him. “It’s either the laundry room or I’m going to strangle you!” And Steve had to mention how calm he seemed.
Sheer force of will got Peggy back up the stairs and into the shower. The phone rang, but she ignored it, letting the hot water flow down her face and body. She tried to push everything that happened out of her thoughts. She couldn’t reach a rational conclusion when her emotions were overwhelming her.
She stood in the shower until the hot water was gone, then wrapped a towel around herself and ran, freezing, into the bedroom. There was one conclusion she reached during her shower. Teeth chattering, she picked up the phone before she bothered dressing.
When Dalton answered in his slow, deliberate way, she blasted him. “If you don’t get this furnace repaired from the trust fund, I’m going to have it repaired out of my own money and sue you and the house trust. This is stupid, Dalton. You know I have every legal right to be in this house.”
“What about being fair to the next one in line, Peggy?”
“When the next Lee moves in here, he’ll have a garden most people only dream about. I’ve taken good care of this house. This is my home. I won’t let you force me from it. It’s all I have left of my life with John. I’ll fight you to keep it.”
She heard a long, indrawn breath. “All right, Peggy. I’ll have the furnace repaired. But you’d better keep that alarm system on. If you have another break-in, I won’t be moved by any pretty words. Understand?”
“Yes. I’ll take care of it.” She hung up the phone, shaking with cold and temper. She’d won . . . at least for now.
Peggy dressed quickly and warmly. She fed Shakespeare, but he still wouldn’t eat. She was getting concerned about his lack of appetite. Maybe it would be better to dog-proof her house and let him out. She loved him. She didn’t want him to get sick. But how could she dog-proof everything?
She stroked his head as he lay on his massive paws. “I love you, you know. Otherwise I wouldn’t put up with you. I have to go now, but I’ll be back after lunch to take you for your next lesson with Rue. Try to eat something while I’m gone.”