"Come on," she said, turning her back to him. He followed her upstairs to her room. She turned on the lamp next to the bed, then sat down. She patted the spot next to her. "Sit down."

Phil sat down beside her. "What's going on, Toots? You don't seem too happy right now. Is it something I said? If it is, let me apologize now."

She shook her head. "No, it's nothing you've done, or anyone. It's me." She took a deep breath, hating what she was about to do, but knowing it was time. Phil meant too much to her to continue the lie. With Bernice's outburst, she was surprised he hadn't questioned her already.

"Okay," he said, his voice soft and soothing. The one he used with his patients.

"Phil, I haven't been honest with you. There are things about me, about my past, that you should know." There, that was a start. She took another cleansing breath.

"I see."

"No, you can't say that yet, because I haven't told you what and why I haven't been up front with you. Let me just get it all out, and then you can ask questions. It will be much easier for both of us. Trust me on this."

Phil nodded.

s.h.i.t, she thought. He really isn't going to interrupt me. Okay, Toots, the floor is all yours. Now do it!

"First let me say my dishonesty wasn't intentional. There really isn't any way to break this news other than to come right out and tell you." Another deep breath. "Phil, I have been married eight times, and all of my husbands died. I believe I'm a jinx, bad luck, whatever you want to call it. I'm afraid if you and I take our relationship to the next level, as you suggested, that you will die, and possibly you might think I'm a loose woman."

The truth was out. There were no more lies, nothing between them any longer.

Phil shook his head. "Can I just ask you one question?"

"Of course."

"Why do you believe you're a jinx, or bad luck?"

Toots wanted to shake him. "Phil, I have been married eight times. They've all died. There were no divorces, just death. I've buried and fried so many husbands, I've become quite the expert at planning funerals. I like to refer to them as events."

"I still don't see what this has to do with us."

Toots almost choked on her own saliva.

"You're a smart man, Phil. You're a heart surgeon. You make your living saving people's lives. I marry men, and it seems to take their lives. I don't want anything to happen to you because I . . . I care about you too much to take the risk."

"And don't I get a say in any of this?"

"Of course, you can say whatever you like, but the fact remains, there is something not right with me and my relationships with men. They all fail by death."

Phil touched her shoulder, gently guiding her to face him. "Toots, first of all, I don't believe for one minute that you're a jinx, bad luck, whatever you want to call it. People die. It's part of life. Secondly, I don't care about your past. I care about you, about us, and about our future. When I said I wanted to take our relationship to the next level, I didn't mean I just wanted to jump in the sack with you, though I do, but that's beside the point. I didn't ask you to come to Myrtle Beach with me just to . . . shack up. I want you to be with me, Toots. Always. However long that may be. I'd much rather take a chance with you than spend the rest of my life alone. I've been alone too long, and that's my own fault. Yes, there were many opportunities for me to get married, but I chose work over a family. You didn't do that. You chose your family, and if that meant you had eight choices, then all I can say is, more power to you. But to think any of this matters to me is crazy. I know you've been married before. I'm good with that. h.e.l.l, I can't wait to become a grandfather to Chris and Abby's child, and we haven't even . . . you know what I mean. I want a family, Toots. I want you, pure and simple, bad luck and all."

Surely, Phil had drunk too much wine tonight. Add all the caffeine they'd consumed, and he was probably talking out of his head.

"Aren't you going to say anything?"

"I don't know what you want me to say," Toots whispered. She could not believe he was in his right mind, but she didn't want him to know what she was thinking.

"I want you to say what you always say, 'The past is prologue,' and let's take our relationship to the next level. What I don't want to hear you say is, it's your fault that your husbands died. They were d.a.m.n lucky, if you ask me. You've been the light of my life this past year. I didn't really live until I met you. I hate to say it, but I'm glad Bernice was brought to the hospital, even more glad that I was able to save her life and give her a few more years of happiness. That's what I want for us, to live the rest of our lives-however long that may be-together. As man and wife."

Phil got off the bed and stooped before her, literally on bended knees. He took her hand in his. "Toots, I want to marry you. I love you more than any woman I've ever known. I love Abby and Chris. I adore Mavis and Sophie. I'm learning to like Ida." He grinned up at her. "Now, can you put all that craziness out of your head and answer me?"

She stared down at him in a sort of bemused wonderment. Is this guy for real? she thought. Yes, he is.

And life was short. Too d.a.m.ned short for her past husbands, but Phil was right. She hadn't caused their deaths. So much of her life during the past five years had been centered around death, and ghosts, and superst.i.tion. It's no wonder she'd started thinking of herself as a jinx. Phil was right. Life was too short not to live to the fullest.

She was going to start living in the present, and let the future bring what it may.

"Yes, Phil, I can do that."

"You really mean it?" Phil asked.

"Yes, I do, but I have one stipulation."

"Name it."

"I am going to be a grandmother, Phil. There is nothing that will take me away from my grandchild, so Myrtle Beach is out of the question for me."

"I've never been a grandfather, either. I wouldn't think of missing this opportunity. I've spent my entire adult life watching people die. I think it's high time I got to watch someone grow, from the ground up. Besides, I can write my novel anywhere. If you want to know the truth, I hate Myrtle Beach. I thought it would impress you if I told you that I was moving there to write my novel. I can write a novel in the bathroom, in the kitchen, or right here in the bedroom. It doesn't matter where I am, Toots. What matters is that you're beside me."

"You mean it? I don't want you to have any regrets. Remember, I have been around the block a time or two. Some men wouldn't want to get involved with a woman with my past, and one my age. You're not getting the pick of the litter, Phil. I just want to make sure you have absolutely nothing to regret later."

"As long as you're with me, beside me, I can a.s.sure you that I will have no regrets. Toots, I am a man of my word. I love you, and I want to be a grandfather to Abby's child. That is, if she'll allow me to. I knew the minute I saw you in the hospital that you would have a major role in my life. Don't ask me how I knew, I just did. Pure and simple. I saw you, and thought, 'That's her.' "

Toots's heart flip-flopped, then did a backward handspring, she was sure, because it felt like it was going to explode with happiness. It was even better than she'd imagined. Her heart was light; and she felt like she wanted to jump up and down like a kid. And she would later, when no one was around.

"Then I say, let's tell the folks downstairs good night. And you can stay over if you want."

Chapter 27.

At promptly 8:15 AM, the crew from Colorado arrived courtesy of an airport limousine van Abby had made arrangements with when animals were to be transported from the airport.

Dr. Carnes was due to arrive around noon. Last night, Phil had promised to pick her up at the airport.

The three vet techs waited in the intake room, the building closest to the house. There were three cats-one terribly burned, another suffering from dehydration, and the third, a tabby kitten, wore an oxygen mask due to smoke inhalation.

The two dachshunds, a brown male and an adorable black-and-brown female, were the most critically injured of all the animals. Dr. Gary Wright and his wife, Susan, both from Wright Medical Center, a local animal hospital, checked the two dachshunds as soon as they were brought in. The other three dogs, an older golden retriever, a black Labrador, and a mixed breed, weren't in bad shape considering what they'd been through. Right now, they needed food, shelter, and, most of all, love.

For the first time in weeks, Abby didn't feel sick, and she was thrilled because this was her first official day in action as owner and operator of Dogs Displaced by Disaster, or 3Ds as she referred to her organization. Dr. Wright took charge as soon as the animals' immediate needs were met by the volunteers. Today her volunteers consisted of her mother, Sophie, Goebel, Mavis, and Wade. Ida and Daniel were spending the day with Bernice and Robert. Jamie and Lucy had promised to stop by with the homemade dog treats as soon as the bakery closed. For safety purposes, Chris was in charge of Chester, Coco, and Frankie at the house.

The two dachshunds were brought into the state-of-the-art surgical suite Abby had spared no expense to furnish. "Do you think these little doxies will ever walk again?" Abby asked while Dr. Wright examined them.

"I can't say for sure, since we don't know how long they've been injured. What I can say is, if there is anyone out there who can save them, it's Mich.e.l.le Carnes. She's the best there is. You were lucky to get her."

"I know. She saved my mother's dog. Well, not really her dog . . . Dr. Carnes performed a miracle with Frankie. We didn't know how long he'd been injured, either. The owners of the house died and he was left alone. We figure he fell. But that's how I came to know about Dr. Carnes. I haven't met her yet, but she'll be here around noon."

"That should give me enough time for the MRIs. You really have equipped this place with the best," Dr. Wright told her.

"Thanks to you and Susan. I wouldn't have had a clue if you both hadn't advised me," Abby said. "Can I help here?"

"Sure. Grab a couple vet techs and tell them we're ready to get started with these little weenies. I'm not a neurosurgeon, but I do know that the first thing we need to do is make sure that deep pain doesn't set in, or these little guys will never walk again."

As soon as the MRIs were completed and the results in, Dr. Wright started a decompression treatment that would slow any further damage to the spinal cord until Dr. Carnes arrived to perform surgery.

Dr. Wright spoke as he worked. "I can't wait to meet her. I read on her Web site that she recently performed brain surgery on a baby panther at her hospital in Naples. I have been on Alligator Alley and have actually seen all the wildlife on and near the road. It's no wonder so many of them meet up with cars and human intrusions."

"She should be arriving soon. Dr. Becker is on his way to the airport now," Abby said, glancing at her watch, surprised at how fast the time had pa.s.sed.

"I just think it's wonderful what you and Chris are doing here. I pray for your success, as animals have no greater allies than those humans willing to give of themselves. I know it cost a small fortune to equip this facility."

"We have a lot of private donors. My mother, for starters. Then, of course, my three G.o.dmothers all chipped in. Funding isn't going to be an issue, at least not yet."

Abby thought of her days at The Informer, her little ranch house in Brentwood. All of that could be sold, the funds put into 3Ds. And, of course, she couldn't forget the little one. She and Chris would set aside money for the baby, his or her education. No, as bad as the economy was, funding wasn't a problem at this stage.

"Well, you know Susan and I will do all that we can, free, gratis."

"I do, and I can't thank you enough," Abby said. "I'm going to check on the other dogs. Sophie and Goebel might need a hand. Just buzz me if there is anything you need." Abby walked over to the two metal cages, where both doxies were sedated. She reached in and rubbed the brown guy's long ears. She could have sworn the dog smiled at her. The black-and-brown pooch was awake. She reached inside the cage and rubbed her little black head. "You're gonna be okay, little girl, I promise." Abby's heart broke for these poor animals. Thankful she was able to help in a small way, she closed the cage and went in search of Sophie and Goebel.

Abby found the lovebirds in unit two. "Hey, how's it going?" She spied the three dogs, who were each splayed out on the giant dog beds.

"They're not bad, considering. The vet techs just left. Said these furry friends just needed a little bit of tender loving care." Sophie's gentle side showed as she worked with the dogs.

"Soph, I know this is probably stupid to ask, but those little doxies that are having surgery, do you, you know, have any insight into what their status is? Recovery-wise."

"Where are they now?"

"They're being prepped for surgery. I just left them. They're sedated right now."

Sophie stared at the three dogs on the beds. "These guys are gonna be just fine. One of their owners will come for them, the golden. The others, they'll be adopted. Good homes, too. Can I see the dachshunds? I might be able to get a take on them if I see them."

"Goebel, you okay here on your own for a few minutes?" Abby asked.

"Heck yes. Best day ever. Second-best day ever. I'm loving this, go on. Let Sophie do her thing."

Abby and Sophie slipped inside the surgical unit. Careful so as not to disturb them too much, they tiptoed across the newly tiled floor to the wall where the surgical cages were. Sophie grinned. "Look at the ears on this one." She stuck her finger through the door, touching the paw where the IV had been placed. She closed her eyes and stayed that way for a minute.

In the next cage, she did the same thing. Sophie smiled again; then she whispered to Abby, "I want to talk to that surgeon as soon as she arrives. There could be some complications with this one if I don't tell her something about a disc. There's something loose."

They left the surgical unit and returned to find Goebel snuggling on the floor with the dogs. "I think he likes the dogs, Abs," Sophie said.

"It sure looks that way. Now, tell me the truth, what kind of vibes did you get on those two?"

"They're both going to recover. The little female will need some extra therapy, but they'll both walk, and your mother and Phil will adopt them."

Abby's jaw dropped. "Are you pulling my leg, or are you really telling me you know what the future holds for those two?"

Goebel laughed. "Abby, you should know better than to question Sophie."

Abby nodded. "True. So they're gonna be okay?"

"Yes, they are. I promise. Don't ask me how I know this stuff, I just do. It just comes to me like a thought."

Abby wanted to ask her about her pregnancy, if she knew the s.e.x of her child, but something held her back. Sophie was very accurate. Abby wasn't so sure that she wanted to know her child's gender before he or she was born. That seemed like it took all the fun and mystery out of the pregnancy. Just this morning, she and Chris had discussed possible names: Jonathan Christopher for a boy and Amelia Sophia for a girl. (Abby informed Chris that Amelia would be known as Amy.) "I believe you, Sophie. Now it's about time for Phil to return with the great Dr. Carnes. You two okay here for a while longer? Mavis and Wade are with the cats. I'm going to peep in on them real quick before the surgery. And, Sophie, do me a favor, okay?"

"Anything your little heart desires," Sophie said as she joined Goebel on the floor.

"First of all, stop being so d.a.m.ned nice. It's not like you. And secondly, if you get any visions, or have any sudden thoughts about my baby, the pregnancy, please promise not to tell me. I want to be surprised."

"Oh, Abs, I won't do that. Truthfully, I haven't picked up on any vibes since you told us about the baby. Maybe this is something I shouldn't know. But if I get anything at all, I promise to keep it to myself."

"Thanks, I appreciate that. Now I need to get out of here. Hey"-when she got to the door, Abby turned around-"I'm super happy you two bought 'the purple palace.' It's going to be great having another married couple as neighbors."

Sophie laughed out loud, and Goebel raised his bushy eyebrows up and down, Groucho Marx style. "Thanks, kiddo, now get outta here," Goebel said.

Abby arrived at the surgical center the same time as Phil and Dr. Carnes. "This is Abby, the woman who made all this possible," Phil said, introducing them.

"I can't thank you enough for coming. I've heard so much about you, and all that you do for animals. Little Frankie is thriving, too."

Dr. Carnes was adorable, Abby thought. Probably close to Abby's age, she wore her deep red hair in a casual ponytail. A spattering of freckles dotted the bridge of her nose, and her smile was as bright as the moon. She wore blue jeans and a T-shirt that read ANIMALS ROCK.

"It's my pleasure, trust me. This is what I live for, these little pooches. I guess we should get started. The sooner I can get in there and fix them up, the better chance they have of a full recovery."

"Before you start, our resident psychic, Sophie Manchester, whom you may have heard about in connection with the rescue of two children who were kidnapped here in Charleston, and the breaking up of the largest child-p.o.r.nography ring in the state, wanted to tell you something she picked up about one of the pooches. I'll send her into the surgery to speak to you.

"Then I'm going to leave you both to work your magic. Dr. Carnes, Dr. Wright, thank you both. You're really helping me make my dreams come true," Abby said, and realized she meant it. No longer worried about chasing the next celebrity story, she was totally at ease with her new career.

She'd been in such a hurry, once she saw that Dr. Carnes had arrived, that she hadn't stopped in to check on her felines. After telling Sophie to alert Dr. Carnes about the disc, she went into unit number four, where she found Mavis and Wade sitting watch over the cats as they rested in their cages. The doors were open, just in case the animals wanted to move. Abby didn't want them locked up unless it was absolutely necessary for their safety and the safety of the staff.

"Abby, you look wonderful this morning. I take it you're feeling good," Mavis said.

"Thanks, I am. Actually, I feel better today than I have in a while. I don't know if it's because I know I'm going to be a mother, or this." She gestured toward the cat cages. "But whatever it is, I'm totally loving it. Add that I didn't barf this morning, and I'm sure that accounts for some of my good cheer. I just wanted to check the kitties."

Abby went to their cages and fluffed their soft fur. The kitten mewed at her touch. She wasn't sure if it was a male or a female, but whatever its s.e.x, she thought the kitten adorable. Gray fur and bright green eyes. This little one would be fine, she knew, because it had perked up as soon as it was fed and had a chance to bathe when the oxygen mask was removed. The cat with the burns was sedated. Dr. Wright said it was best because the first few days would be miserable. The pain meds would help, but the biggest adjustment for this cat would be the collar it would have to wear as soon as it was able to move around. This, Dr. Wright said, would prevent it from licking its wounds.

"They're all so quiet. My neighbor in Atlanta had a cat. It was a male, and, I swear, he had the loudest meow I'd ever heard. His name was Harvey," Wade said.

"Well, we can only hope these girls or guys make a full recovery so they can meow as loud as Harvey. Dr. Wright seems to think they'll make a full recovery."

"Yes, she was just here. What a lovely young woman. So pretty and kind. We're fortunate we have them," Mavis said in her sweetest voice. "Are you sure Chris doesn't mind watching Coco and Frankie?"

"Not at all. Chester is having the time of his life, I'm sure. No worries there. You two mind staying for another hour or so? I have another group of volunteers coming in this afternoon."

"We can stay as long as you need us to," Wade said. "This is fun. Put me down as a daily volunteer. It will be a pleasure. Plus, it'll give me a few much-needed hours away from Robert. He and Bernice need some alone time anyway."