Page 30 of Skipping Stones
“Really?” Linney screwed the top back on her water bottle and started to walk again, waiting for MJ to elaborate.
“I’ve already talked with Gemma about it. I think editing is where my future lies, not in reporting. I don’t have the same desire to travel that you do. I want to settle down and have a family one day.”
“With an Englishman?”
“Why not? They are not all so bad!” MJ caught up with her as they crested the hill before continuing jokingly, “And besides, I like the city fashions.”
The two women let their daypacks fall to the ground and took in the view.
“Thanks, MJ, for making me come,” Linney said. “This is spectacular.”
“It is. Maybe it signifies a new beginning for both of us. But first, you are going home soon, oui?”
Linney nodded her head. “In a couple of months. I need to spend some time with my grandmother. She’s getting on, you know, and it’s not fair on my brother. It’s not like your big family, where there’s lots of people to share the load.” MJ was one of seven siblings, and she was the only one who’d moved away. “And of course, I want to catch up with Jake, and my friends back home.”
MJ smiled knowingly. No matter where she travelled, or the beauty in front of them, Linney was always drawn back to Silver Lake.
12
Linnea found the porch stairs difficult for her creaky knees these days, and she took her time descending them, needing to put both feet on each step for balance. Her arthritic hands ached and she had reluctantly stopped going to her beloved KnitWorks. She’d given up her car a year ago, and these days felt every one of her ninety years. Derek’s mother stopped in every other day now and they had tea together, and Linney’s friends often came by. Linnea knew they were all checking in to make sure she was alright; she appreciated that they didn’t say so.
In addition to the lovely lady who cleaned her house every Tuesday and cooked her a meal with enough leftovers to last several days, Jake had arranged for someone to shovel snow in the winter and take care of the gardening and the grass in the summer. She just had to water the flowerboxes on the porch, although even that had left her tired and short of breath this summer. Six months ago, Jake had also organized a service to deliver a meal on Fridays. Linnea could split each one into two, the portions were so big.
Her computer beeped with an incoming email from Linney in London and she shuffled slowly to the dining room table to read it. Jake had amended the settings so the type was big and easy for her to read.
Dear Gran,
Ten more days until I’m back with you at the lake. Work has been crazy, and I can’t wait to come home. I’ll stay with Jake for two nights and then rent a car and drive up. I miss you. Please let me know if there’s anything I can bring you from London. Maybe that nice hand lotion from Marks & Spencer that you like? Or anything at all.
Love you!
A cough rattled in Linnea’s chest and she took a moment to catch her breath. She needed to see Linney, to talk to her and share her family stories one more time. It was time for her granddaughter to come home.
* * *
Linney looked for Jake and Rachael. Scanning the crowd at the airport, she found them, and waved, a huge smile on her face. Jake waved back, and it wasn’t long before he was giving his sister a welcome home hug.
“You doing okay?” he asked, and she nodded. It had been a difficult few months, but she was much better now.
“Let’s get you to the house,” Rachael said. “The kids are dying to see you. They’re so excited to see their Auntie Linney in real life rather than just on TV.”
“I know they’re really too old for them, but I’ve brought them some Buttons,” Linney said, referring to the British chocolates, “and some of that tea you two like.”
“Lovely. We’ll have some when we get home.” Rachael unlocked the car and Jake put Linney’s bag into the trunk.
“So tell us your plans,” Jake said, after he paid the parking fee and the arm raised, allowing him to drive out of the parking garage and onto the busy highway.
“I’m having a quick lunch with Olivia tomorrow. Derek’s out of town. He’s in Calgary for a couple of weeks helping out their Legal Aid office,” she explained. “I’m not sure I’ll even get to see him before I fly back. Dinner tomorrow with you two and the kids. And then up to the lake. Nothing exciting.” She yawned and leaned her head against the car window. Jake and Rachael glanced at each other and let her rest. There was silence the rest of the way home.
Linney was up early the next morning, her internal clock not yet set to the right time zone. She padded out to the kitchen, put on the coffee maker and then went to the front door to pick up the newspaper from the porch. She stood at the window and watched the sun begin to rise. She’d sensed tension in the house last night and hoped her brother and his wife weren’t having troubles again. Soon the kitchen was bustling with activity as Jake came down for coffee and the kids followed, dressed in their school uniforms. Rachael was right behind them and pulled premade lunches out of the fridge.
“Everyone into the car!” she shouted above the din. It was her turn to drop them off.
“Have a good day,” Linney said, and she noticed that Jake kissed the kids, but not Rachael.
“Something going on with you two?” she asked, as she poured another cup of coffee.
Jake rolled his eyes. “Same old, same old,” he said. “We go through these rough patches from time to time. We’ll get over it. We always do. I’m just sorry it’s happening while you’re here.” He grabbed an apple from the bowl. Over his shoulder, as he left for the day he said, “Enjoy your lunch today, but save your appetite. The kids are making a cake for dinner!”