idea what to do with poison.”
“Dotti.” Cat laid a hand on the woman’s arm. “Being upset won’t help him get better.”
The woman finally grabbed hold of some calm. She took a deep breath and said, “Well, just tell me what will help, Doctor, and I’ll be doing it right away.”
“Why don’t you come see him? Quietly. He’s sleeping, and he needs the rest. But I’m sure he’ll be able to sense your positive energy.” He might technically be unconscious, but Cat wasn’t about to suggest that Dotti help her verify this.
Dotti silenced herself and followed Cat into the room. The feisty marmot woman approached Garner’s bedside and placed her wrinkled, sunspotted hand over the top of his. Her shoulders, cloaked in a light summer jacket that said Whitewater Rush, drooped.
“No one should have to get sick like this,” Dotti murmured. “Especially not someone who’s been through all he’s been through.” Cat felt a small rumbling of jealousy in her chest. “I want to take him home and nurse him back to health. What do you say, Dr. Ransom? A few days off his feet? A ginger tea, do you think? Garner says it’s good on an upset stomach, settles the nausea. I can slice some fresh—”
“He needs to be here for a while,” Cat said. She tried not to be brusque. “I want to keep a close eye on him. There’s always a chance he could turn for the worse.”
The ensuing silence felt awkward to Cat, though Dotti nodded her agreement.
“You must be very busy with your rental company right now, with the end of summer on its way,” Cat said. “Sometimes focusing on work helps me to keep my mind in an optimistic frame.”
“I’ve got plenty of employees to do that work for me, honey. It’s a perk of being old.”
Cat sighed, not knowing what she’d have to do to get the woman to leave. “You know, Dotti, this sickness was so sudden—I wouldn’t be surprised if Garner has left his shop unmanned. It would be a great deal to ask, I know, but if you wouldn’t mind—”
“Yes, yes. That’s just the thing, isn’t it? He probably left his front door wide open and has busybodies crawling like aphids around his basement. I’ll go stand guard.” She patted Garner’s hand. “Leave it to me, Mr. Herbalist. You just do the work of getting better.”
Cat said, “He’s got a friend staying there, but I don’t think he knows as much as you about Garner’s—”
“Trey Bateman?” Dotti was already in the hall. “He doesn’t know squat about plants. Let him drive a bus and collar wildcats with his bare hands. I’ll handle the gardening. You call me and keep me up to speed on this man’s progress.”
“I think Trey isn’t getting back until Tuesday night.”
Dotti waved her off. “I got it covered.” She pushed open the front door, and Cat was overcome by pleasant relief.
“Thank you!” she called out as the door glided shut and Dotti’s purposeful form crossed the front window.
She might have raised her voice too high, for Garner stirred and murmured. Cat approached and laid a reassuring hand on his arm. “It’s okay, Garner, I’m here. You’re going to be just fine.”
His eyes opened and seemed to notice Cat, though it was impossible to tell. “Dotti?” Garner mumbled, then he saw he was speaking to someone else. “Where’s Dot?” He was frowning, as if perturbed that Cat wasn’t who he thought she was.
“Need Dotti,” he insisted. Cat forced a painful smile. She considered cramming another rye roll down the ungrateful man’s throat. Or dispensing with the vehicle of the roll entirely; she ought to just drop the fungus into his mouth one piece at a time, straight up. A man who rejected the help smack in front of him and grasped for something out of reach could hardly be worth her investment of time.
“Dot . . .” Garner’s eyes fluttered closed.
“You’re a fighter,” Cat whispered. “Hang in there, my friend. When I say you’ll be just fine, you can know I’m good for it.” But if she had to compete for her patient’s affection, she might stop saying it at all.
25
Beth woke as if an alarm had pulled her out of a deep sleep. One minute she was in a dreamless state, and the next she was aware that a man was watching her. A very tall man who was not Ash Martin, the pool rider. The jolt pulled her straight up onto the seat of her pants