Sisters - By Patricia MacDonald Page 0,94

to tell her that Joy had tranquilized Remus and locked him up. There would be time to explain all the details another day.

Dory’s faint smile came and went, like a fleeting ray of sun on a cloudy day. ‘He’s a good dog,’ she said.

‘He really is,’ said Alex.

An awkward silence fell between them. Dory seemed to have no further interest in all that had happened. No more questions about the events which had led to her exoneration.

Finally Dory sighed. ‘Well, you better get going. Remus will need walking.’

‘You’re right about that,’ Alex said.

There was a rustling noise near the door of Dory’s room and voices in the hallway. Dory glanced past Alex in the direction of the door, and suddenly there was a stunning change of expression on her face. Her eyes widened in surprise, and then a smile began to break across her face like the dawn.

Garth and Elaine had entered the room. Garth was holding his hat and steering Elaine by the elbow. His eyes were fastened onto the pale figure in the bed. Elaine hung back, looking frightened.

‘Hey, darlin’,’ Garth breathed. He came over to the bedside, leaned down and scooped Dory carefully up in his arms. ‘Wow, I’m glad you’re OK.’

While her father embraced her, Dory stared past his shoulder at Elaine.

Garth reluctantly loosened his grip and let Dory back down onto the pillow.

‘Dory has company, Garth,’ said Elaine, nodding toward Alex.

‘It doesn’t matter,’ said Dory hastily.

Alex tried not to take offense. She stood up. ‘Well, I need to be going anyway.’ She stepped away from the chair and offered it to Elaine.

Elaine sat down. Immediately Dory reached out a hand to her. ‘Mom. You’re here,’ she whispered.

Elaine hesitated and then took the proffered hand. ‘You’re like ice,’ Elaine observed. But she continued to let her hand rest in Dory’s.

‘OK. I’m gonna go. I’ll be back to see you tomorrow,’ said Alex to Dory. ‘Remember what I said about staying with me.’

Dory nodded but did not reply. She was oblivious to everything but those intertwined hands on the bedsheet. Elaine frowned and shifted uneasily in her chair. But she did not let go.

EPILOGUE

‘Do you know when Dory will be back?’ Alex asked.

Elaine glanced at the clock and shook her head. ‘She should be here now. Maybe something happened with one of the dogs.’

Alex nodded and nibbled at the cookie which Garth had offered when they arrived. She glanced at Seth, who looked relaxed in the other corner of the sofa, eating his third cookie.

‘These are great, Elaine,’ he said.

‘Thank you.’

‘So,’ said Garth, rubbing his jeans with his open palms. ‘I hear you two are planning on making it official.’

‘That’s right,’ said Seth.

‘Well, I wish you all the best,’ said Garth.

‘Thanks,’ said Seth.

Alex said nothing. After Dory got out of the hospital, she moved directly back into the Colsons’ apartment, explaining to Alex that she wanted to revive her pet-sitting business and it was easier to do it right there, in the South End. At first, Alex saw Dory regularly. They would have lunch while she was working at the gallery, or Dory would come out to Chichester for dinner. Dory’s depression seemed to have lifted, and she reported that she was feeling good and making plans for her future. But lately she seemed glum and evasive, and no matter how often Alex had invited her to come to dinner Dory always had an excuse. She had to get up too early the next day, or she couldn’t get the truck from her dad, or she wasn’t feeling well. Finally, with her upcoming wedding to Seth, Alex had the perfect reason to pay Dory a visit. She asked Seth to come along, partly for moral support, and partly because she had come to trust his impressions of people.

‘Right, Elaine?’ said Garth. ‘We’re happy for these two.’

‘Of course,’ said Elaine.

‘I’m kind of glad that Dory’s not here,’ said Alex. ‘I wanted to talk to the two of you. How do you think she is doing?’ she asked. ‘Do you think she’s gotten over the trauma of all that happened?’

Garth glanced uneasily at Elaine, but Elaine stared straight back at Alex. ‘She’s fine,’ said Elaine. ‘She’s perfectly fine. There’s nothing for you to be concerned about.’

‘Now, honey,’ said Garth, ‘you and I were talking about her moodiness just the other day. I’m sure Alex is worried about her the way any sister would be.’ He looked earnestly at Alex. ‘I think it’s nice of you to care.’

‘There’s no question