Page 26 of Waves of Reckoning (Echoes of Camano Island #1)
Chapter Twenty-Five
"H ello dear, you don't know me, but I know your sister. She was a real gem. As busy as she was with running her business and serving on the committee of the Humane Society, she still found time to spend with little old me…I sure do miss her, as do our bridge club."
"Thank you, Miss…?"
"Just call me Etta, dear," the woman replied with a broad grin on her wrinkled face.
Nikki nodded with a smile. "Etta, thank you for your kind words. I’m sure Trish will let you know just how appreciative she is of your praises when she wakes up.”
A look of doubt flashed in the woman’s eyes before her lips turned up in a smile, and her head rocked back and forth."I will continue to pray for a miracle," the woman said, placing a feeble hand on Nikki’s upper arm.
Nikki returned the smile, though not as enthusiastically as she had at the beginning of the conversation.
When the old woman walked off, she puffed out a breath of annoyance.
She knew the people meant well, and she didn't doubt their sincere shows of affection for her sister, but it was also evident that a few of the folks had given up on her regaining consciousness, and that annoyed her because there was a niggling doubt at the back of her mind that it was a possibility.
Collecting her thoughts, she schooled her expression and fixed a smile on her lips as she turned back to the people and the festivities.
Lot 28 had been transformed into an open space decorated with balloons and streamers.
Potted bamboo palms and succulents lined the room's sides and corners, and an orchid stood regally before the podium.
The banner that flew above the podium was thoughtful in its representation of Trish while inspiring hope—The Trisha Murphy Foundation (Raising Funds For Those Who Can't Do It For Themselves). She liked it very much.
"Your sister sure will make a fuss when she wakes up and realizes she has a fund named in her honor. Serves her well too. She's given enough to be rewarded for it, whether she likes it or not."
"Hi, Nelly." Nikki turned and smiled at the woman beside her, looking up at the banner.
"I haven't been here long, but I agree with you 100 percent. Trish deserves this honor and so much more.” She turned to stare up at the banner again.
“I just wish she was awake to witness it all.” She bowed her head, and her eyes fluttered shut, her emotions threatening to overtake her.
Nikki felt the small, fragile grip of Nelly’s fingers around her upper arm. She opened her eyes to stare into the determined gray eyes of the older woman.
“Trish will be fine. That one, she’s a fighter,” Nelly spoke confidently before allowing her hand to fall away from Nikki’s arm.
A small, grateful smile lifted the corners of Nikki’s mouth as hope blossomed in her chest once more. She knew in her heart of hearts, then, that Trish would be okay.
“Let’s get you a chair so you can rest,” Nikki suggested, hooking the old woman’s hand with hers.
“I know you probably can’t eat anything here, but would you like some punch? It’s natural,” she offered Nelly after settling her on a cushioned seat.
“Got any lemonade?” Nelly asked, smiling up at Nikki.
“I’ll check.” With that, Nikki walked toward the serving area. Ryan and his team and a few volunteers recruited by Reed were in charge of monitoring and sharing the food. Nikki marveled at how many choices were available to the people.
Before she could make it to the table displaying the beverages, a couple walked in her path, stopping her in her tracks.
“Hi, my name is Sally, and this is my husband, Karl Shetty,” the woman said with a bright smile on her lips.
“Nice to meet you.” Nikki smiled, reaching for the hand the lady stretched to her before doing the same with her husband.
“How did you know Trish?” she asked them.
“I met her a year ago. I came to volunteer at the Humane Society, and she was there.She was very friendly and helpful. It’s because of her that we even have a cat.”
“That sounds like Trish.” Nikki smiled in encouragement.
“She was also instrumental in my meeting Karl because she encouraged me to follow my heart and give him a chance. I did, and look at us now.” The woman smiled lovingly up at the man with his hand around her, already smiling affectionately back at her.
“Trish is a phenomenal woman,” a proud Nikki responded with a wide grin. It was beginning to look like a recurring theme that her sister had left the lives of those she interacted with transformed in some way or another.
Finally excusing herself, she made it to the drinks section and got Nelly a cup of lemonade and a fruit punch for herself.
“Here you go, Nelly,” she said, handing the woman the cold beverage.
“Thank you, dear,” she responded, taking the glass and bringing it to her lips almost immediately. “Where’s that lovely niece of yours?” she asked Nikki after a few sips.
“She’s at the house with Paul. They’re packaging the pastries to bring here for the guests,” she informed the old woman whose head bobbed in understanding.
“We’ve got quite the turnout,” she mused, looking around the almost packed room.
Paul had mentioned that about forty people could hold in the space comfortably, but at least double that number of persons were on the outside patio and surrounding lawn sipping wine, chatting, and laughing.
The soft jazz music floating out in the air created a laid-back atmosphere.
“Your sister is well-loved by the residents of Camano Island. The minute persons became aware of this event, they were ready to throw in their support,” Nelly informed her.
“I’m blown away every time someone speaks about her,” Nikki confessed. She noticed Reed motioning to her from across the room. “Excuse me for a minute Nelly.” With that, she walked over to the man whose demeanor told her something wasn’t right.
“Hey, Reed. What’s wrong?” she asked in concern.
“I think I underprojected. More people are arriving for the fundraiser by the minute, and I’m afraid there won’t be enough food to feed them all.
” He scratched the back of his head nervously as his eyes darted outside to the patio before focusing on her once more.
“I don’t want to let everyone down…this event was supposed to be perfect.
Trish deserves only the best,” he rambled on, his voice a mix of frustration and disappointment.
Nikki placed a hand on his shoulder in calming reassurance.
“Reed, listen to me, relax. You did a fantastic job. No one will fault you for doing your best. Trish would be overwhelmed with gratitude if she was here right now,” she spoke convincingly.
“Besides, Paul has Lot 28 on standby to make up for any food shortage we may have if the crowd gets too overwhelming.”
Reed’s shoulders relaxed, and he breathed out in relief. A smile appeared on his lips. “Thanks, Nikki, I think I needed that. I just want everything to be perfect for Trish…I mean for the foundation we’re setting up in her name.”
Nikki smiled knowingly but said nothing about his earlier statement.
“I’ll be sure to thank Paul for all the help he’s been giving,” Reed finished, and Nikki nodded in agreement.
“I have a suggestion,” she said, looking over at the man staring back at her with interest.
“What’s that?” he asked.
“For the speech you’re going to give, why don’t we move it to the outside? We can take the podium out there, and that way, everyone will be able to participate better.”
“That’s a good idea,” he agreed. “I’ll get someone to help me take it outside.”
Reed moved off to find someone to help him with the task, and Nikki smiled in glee at his retreating back.
If she weren’t already sure, Reed’s mini-freak-out and his slipup about the foundation was enough for her to know that the man’s feelings for her sister ran very deep.
She couldn’t wait to witness their awkward phase of tiptoeing around each other instead of admitting how they really felt.
Kind of like what she and Paul were doing. She smiled wryly.
Nikki spent a couple more minutes greeting the people who had known Trish and had so many stories to tell about how they knew her. With each passing comment, her love and respect for Trish grew even more.
Paul and Amy brought over the thank-you boxes filled with treats for their guests before joining her outside as they prepared for Reed to give his speech about the fundraiser.
Nikki stood looking behind the podium at the vast ocean in the distance.
The waves crashed over each other in white foamy splendor as they raced for the sandy shores.
She felt the presence of someone beside her, and she looked over to see her niece, who turned to smile at her.
She felt another presence on her opposite side, and she looked over to see Paul standing there.
Although the time was relatively warm, even with the breeze coming in from the ocean, Nikki felt the fine ridges of goose bumps raise along her bare arms as the butterflies rushed in to take a comfortable seat in her chest. Paul looked over and smiled.
Her lips automatically raised at the corners in response.
Just then, Reed began to talk, and Nikki turned to focus on what he was saying.
“As you all are aware, our beloved Trish was in an accident some time ago and has been in a coma ever since. We are still confident she will wake up soon because she is a fighter.”
There were murmurs of agreement to Reed’s latter statement, bringing a smile to Nikki’s lips.
“Trish was and still is a force to be reckoned with. She cares deeply for the things she’s involved in, and more importantly, she has a deep love for this community.
It is why she joined the Humane Society and dedicated her time and resources to rehabilitating the many stray animals we’ve housed over the years while working to find suitable homes for them.
Trish believed that if an animal’s spirit that has been broken can be restored, then so can that of humans.
She always tried to find families who needed to be reminded that there was meaning in their lives and that to love is truly a gift to be cherished. ”
A tear ran down Nikki’s cheek as she listened to Reed’s speech. Her sister was a true saint. She just wished she would wake up so she could tell her how much she loved her and was proud of her.
“While Trish is regaining her strength, her sister, Nikki, has been here working upfront and behind the scenes, maintaining Trish’s legacy, and today, we want to applaud her for that.”
All eyes turned to her as applause rang all around her. Nikki smiled sheepishly. When the clapping died down, Reed continued.
“We hope you will continue to serve on the board, Nikki. You have been doing a great job, and we are happy to have you.”
Amy reached over to intertwine their fingers, and Nikki smiled before bumping her shoulder with hers affectionately.
She felt another pair of eyes on her, and she turned to see Paul staring back at her with admiration.
He leaned forward and whispered against her ear. “In case you didn’t already know, you are a phenomenal woman too, Nikki.”
She ducked her head as her cheeks heated, and an ear-splitting grin appeared on her lips. She looked back at him when she was sure she’d gotten her blushing under control.
“Thank you for everything, Paul. I don’t think I could have gotten through this without your help.” She smiled appreciatively at him.
“I’m happy I could,” he responded, his eyes shining with emotion as he stared at her.
Nikki felt her heartbeat quicken, and she turned to listen to the rest of what Reed was saying.
She felt a tug on her fingers and looked over at her niece, who raised her brow suggestively.
Nikki rolled her eyes at her playfully. Just then, she felt her phone vibrate against her leg, and she reached into her pocket to retrieve it. Her brows furrowed, and her heart froze mid-thump at the number calling. Slowly, she brought it to her ear.
“Hello?” she answered. “Yes, this is Nikki,” she replied, listening attentively to what the person on the other end of the line was saying.
Paul and Amy stared in concern at her.
When she finally ended the call, she turned to them.
“That was the hospital…Trish is awake.”