She frowned.

"I needed help. I collapsed and I couldn't get up. I wouldn't have managed without her."

Her frown deepened. "You're on a lot of medication."

He realized this was the rationale Donna must have offered her mother when he'd heard the two of them discussing the incident. In fact, that conversation was what had prompted his youngest daughter to visit a day early. "All I know is that I was in trouble and I didn't have my walker and then...I was back in bed."

"Why didn't you call me? If you needed help, I would've come right away."

"I would have if I'd had the strength." As he recalled, Harry had made an effort to rouse his wife, to no avail. Not that she could've helped him up or supported him on the walk into the bedroom.

Rosalie got to her feet. "I can see you're determined, so go ahead and make that phone call," she said. "We'll both adjust. You're right, Harry. If it was up to me, I'd put off the move indefinitely. We need to start making plans."

Relief washed over him. As soon as his wife went back to her fussing and cleaning, Harry removed his wallet from his hip pocket-a procedure that left him short of breath-and took out the business card the administrator had given him.

Elizabeth Goldsmith.

He reached for the portable phone. They had three phones in the house, thanks to Lorraine. One in the bedroom, another in the kitchen and the third next to his recliner on the small end table.

Although it was a Saturday, the administrator had promised him she'd be available.

A woman with a pleasant voice answered the phone. "Liberty Orchard," she said brightly. "How might I direct your call?"

"I'd like to speak with Elizabeth Goldsmith."

"One moment, please."

"Thank you." Harry closed his eyes, afraid that if Rosalie looked his way, she might try to talk him into waiting, despite the fact that he'd made the best decision. The only decision.

"Elizabeth Goldsmith," he heard half a minute later.

"Harry Alderwood," he returned. He didn't understand why people felt they had to announce their names when they answered the phone. He knew whom he'd called and presumably Elizabeth knew who she was. He'd noticed that it had become a common business practice in the last few years.

"Ah, yes, we spoke recently, didn't we?" Elizabeth said.

"My wife, Rosalie, and I were by to see the facility a few days ago."

"Ah, yes. You're friends of Lucy Menard's, aren't you?"

"Yes."

Harry got right to the point. "When we spoke, you confirmed that you had one unit open."

"Yes." Elizabeth paused. "But-"

He continued to speak, eager to get this done. "We discussed my giving you a check to secure that unit," he said.

"Yes, I do recall that I urged you to make the deposit right away."

He was well aware of that and had thought of little else since their meeting.

"I mentioned that there was only one unit open, didn't I?" she went on.

"Yes." Harry was beginning to worry just a bit.

"And I did mention that someone else had shown an interest?"

"Yes, you did."

"Well, I'm afraid, Mr. Alderwood, that the first party came back the following day with a check."

"You mean...the unit's already been taken?" He could hear the stunned disbelief in his own voice.

"I'm afraid so. And unfortunately there was only the one."

He wished she'd quit reminding him of that.

"How soon will you have another unit available?" Harry asked, still in shock.

Elizabeth considered her answer. "That's difficult to say. It could be three months but it might be as long as six."

"Oh."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Alderwood."

"No...no, I'm the one who's sorry. You suggested we decide quickly and I thought we had."

"If there's anything else I can do for you, please let me know. Oh, and in the meantime, Merry Christmas."

"Thank you. Merry Christmas to you." He put back the phone and released a deep sigh of regret, knowing he should have taken action that very day.

Now it was too late.

Too late for him.

In three months' time he wouldn't be here. In three months' time Rosalie would be a widow.

CHAPTER Sixteen

Beth slept fitfully all night. She couldn't escape the thoughts tumbling crazily through her mind, but every once in a while exhaustion overtook her, and she'd slip into a light sleep. Then she'd dream-dreams filled with John. And the shock of what she'd discovered would jerk her awake. Before long, the whole process would start all over again.

In the morning, she was blurry-eyed and her temples were throbbing with the beginnings of a headache. Despite how she felt, she had no choice but to attend Mass. James and Bella, her nephew and niece, were participating in a special Christmas program. Not to show up would disappoint them. Besides, her entire family would be there; it was easier to make the effort and go now than to offer excuses later.