Finding Isadora(71)

I tried to concentrate on the scenery rather than my feelings, and traded good mornings with the dog walkers, joggers, power-walkers, and meanderers who shared the seawall path. Everyone seemed to be in a more cheery mood than I, which was hardly surprising.

When I tried to figure out what I was going to say tonight, the words I came up with sounded phony, and I gave up. When I saw Richard, I’d blurt it all out in some fashion. Well, not all. No way would I tell him about my stupid obsession with his father.

Sniffling back tears, I tried to reassure myself that Richard was both a caring person and a reasonable one. We’d talk, and he’d understand, and in the end we’d remain friends. I loved him. We had to remain friends.

We passed under the Granville Street Bridge to the area that had once hosted the 1986 Expo, then been transformed into condos and parkland, most of it showing an Asian influence. A middle-aged Chinese couple performed Tai Chi moves, their serene grace in perfect harmony with the ocean behind. I envied them that serenity. Perhaps I should sign up for Tai Chi classes at the community center. Maybe I could get Janice to come with me. If she wasn’t too busy “tutoring” Martin.

My throat clogged at the thought that, just while I was losing a boyfriend, Janice might be acquiring one. I was happy for her, but the prospect made me feel all the more lonely.

As if to outpace my feelings, I walked a little faster.

A tall, slim woman jogged toward Pogo and me at a fair clip. I nodded politely and was startled when she stopped, saying, “Dr. Wheeler!”

Racking my brain for a name, I stopped too, and studied her. Her body, revealed by tight black running shorts and a sleeveless blue tee, was in at least as good shape as my own, though her short, tousled silvery hair and the wrinkles on her face suggested an age around sixty. Although she must be a client of the clinic’s, I couldn’t place her.

Not until I noted the jade-green eyes. “Ms. Fitzsimmons!”





Chapter 11


Now that I’d recognized her, I couldn’t help but stare in disbelief. Who’d have guessed that behind the slicked-back hair and stark black clothing there was a fit, attractive woman? I caught myself gaping, then in the next instant saw she was studying me just as closely.

“Are you all right?” she asked abruptly.

Self-consciously, I touched a still-swollen eye. “My allergies are acting up.” I forced a smile. “So you’re a jogger.”

“Between three and eight miles a day. Do you jog?”

“No.” Why did the woman make me feel defensive? “It can be hard on the knees and back.”

“Quite right. I stretch before and after, wear the proper shoes, get new ones every few months. Haven’t had any problems yet.”

Trying to rise above my defensiveness, I decided there was no reason to hide my admiration. “It sure seems to be working for you. You look terrific.”

Was that actually a blush on her thin cheeks? “Thanks,” she said brusquely. Then, with the tiniest hint of pride, “I have a home gym, too. Most days I work out for an hour.”

“It shows. You have great muscle tone. It’s a pity—” Oops. I really wasn’t functioning well this morning; I’d let my mouth get ahead of my brain.

“What?”

“Sorry. Nothing.”

She glared at me. “Say it.”

I lifted my chin. After all, the first time we’d met she’d told me what color jewelry to wear. “It’s a pity you hide such an excellent figure under long sleeves and high necklines.”

Her eyes widened, then she gave a snort that was at least half amusement.

Encouraged, I went for broke. “And the blue top is pretty, but you’d look even better in green. To match your eyes.”

She laughed. I hadn’t imagined it was possible, but she actually laughed. “I should be wearing emeralds, I suppose?”

I shook my head. “Jade. That medium green jade, with lots of life and depth in it. Emeralds are too hard and edgy.”

“Hard and edgy,” she repeated, and, too late, I thought the words might be used to describe her personality.

“How’s Princess Anne?” I asked quickly.

“Much more comfortable already. Thank you.”

“I’m glad. Let me know if you run into any problems, but otherwise bring her in next week and I’ll check her again.”

She nodded, then gestured toward Pogo, who’d been sitting patiently by my side all this time. “Who’s your friend?”

Realizing he’d become the center of attention, Pogo bounced to his feet and stared up at us, tail wagging. “His name’s Pogo.”

Hearing his name, his tail wagged even faster and his mouth opened in a doggy grin.

“He’s delightful.” She squatted down to stroke him and didn’t draw back when he licked her hand.

Delightful. The woman with the pedigreed Persian had the perception to realize my three-legged terrier was delightful. I realized I was grinning. It felt like years since I’d smiled, and I was grateful to her for taking my mind off my worries.

“Do the two of you live in Yaletown?” Althea Fitzsimmons asked from her squatting position by my feet, and it wasn’t entirely clear whether she was talking to me or to Pogo.

I figured she wouldn’t get a useful answer from him, so I said, “No, our apartment’s near English Bay. How about you?”