10. West
WEST
W est scooted into the chair Elizabeth had just vacated without even thinking about it, and fought back the instinct to grab Dulcie’s hand once he was beside her.
“It’s kind of wild in here when we’re all around,” he told her with a gentle smile. “But everyone will get super quiet as soon as the food’s on the table.”
That earned him a shy smile.
“You have a big family,” she said, looking impressed.
“My brother, Cash, isn’t around these days,” he said. “But yeah, even without him here, we fill the house. When my parents moved in, they took out the wall between the old kitchen and this space, which was the back parlor. It’s good to have a table big enough for everyone to sit together.”
“It’s wonderful,” she agreed, her expression going a little dreamy as she looked around.
Of course she loves this. Who wouldn’t? She probably wishes she had a big family of her own .
He felt a pang of guilt and was relieved to see Mom heading right over with the pan.
“Come on, everyone,” Dad called out happily. “Back to the table, or don’t blame me if there’s none left.”
“My drumstick,” Elizabeth squeaked from the other side of the kitchen.
West slid back over to his own seat and Elizabeth scrambled into her chair, and everyone closed their eyes for a peaceful moment of thanks. Then the friendly chatter exploded again as plates were passed, glasses were filled, and the family caught up on the week behind them.
A Friday dinner with everyone here was a rarity. It was normally easier to get the whole crew here on Sunday. West figured tonight had everything to do with Dulcie. Mom had taken a real shine to the girl, and it was clear that she wanted her to feel welcome.
Allie had sat down right next to her and the two were chatting away happily. West was grateful to his little sister for knowing instinctively that Dulcie might need some encouragement.
From someone closer to her own age, his mind added helpfully.
West shook his head and applied himself to his meal. It was delicious, as usual. His parents had always loved cooking and now that Dad wasn’t running the farm like before, he had plenty of time to devote to his passion.
Mom would probably be up before the sun for the rest of her life.
West wasn’t even sure she thought of her work with the cows as a job—caring for the gentle animals, and anyone else who came into her path was like a part of her.
She had always been full of energy, and she appreciated a good outlet.
He was glad all his siblings but Cash had stayed close.
They would all keep a sharp eye on Mom, so that when the time finally came for her to slow down, they could step in to help without a lot of fanfare.
Hopefully, that wouldn’t be for a very long time though.
His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he slid it out to take a look since he so seldom got calls. He was surprised to see Mrs. Webster’s name on the screen.
“Excuse me,” he muttered, hopping up from the table.
Mrs. Webster normally watched Elizabeth for him when the preschool wasn’t in session. She was a sweet older lady who lived in town, just a short walk from his office. Elizabeth loved her because she took her over to the library for story hour every time it was held.
She had been with her daughter at an appointment with the obstetrician in Burlington today, so she hadn’t been able to watch Elizabeth. Hopefully, she was just calling to check in and let him know she’d be back for Monday.
“Hello,” he said, picking up when he reached the living room.
“Oh, West,” Mrs. Webster said. “I’ll bet I’m interrupting you during your dinner.”
“I’m always glad to hear from you,” he told her honestly. “How did Catherine’s appointment go?”
“Well, they’re worried about her blood pressure,” Mrs. Webster said, her voice breaking. “She had a urine test, and now she has to take medication and rest. They might even have to deliver the baby early.”
Preeclampsia, West thought to himself sadly. It was a dangerous condition and one that would impact the rest of the pregnancy.
“I’m so sorry to hear that,” he told her. “It’s good that she has an OB team to keep an eye on her and advise. And I’ll be happy to stop by and check her blood pressure myself every day, if it eases your mind.”
“Oh, West, thank you,” Mrs. Webster said.
There was a slightly awkward pause.
West put things together immediately. Catherine already had a very active little boy, and she’d be in no shape to keep up with him for a while.
“I’m sure she’s supposed to take it easy until the baby comes,” he said quickly. “You should be there to watch your grandson, so she doesn’t push herself.”
“I don’t want to let you down, West,” Mrs. Webster said worriedly. “But Rick is traveling so much for work. I’m worried that she’ll just keep cooking and cleaning and chasing the little guy around.”
“You absolutely can’t let her do that,” West said sternly. “And you’re not letting me down.”
“But what about Elizabeth?” she asked.
“My parents will be thrilled to help out,” he told her honestly. “They always offer. I just know how much she loves spending time with you.”
Honestly, he could count on his parents, but he didn’t like taking advantage of them. They had always helped out as needed with all the grandkids. But between that, the house, the farm, and the family gatherings, he figured they had enough on their plates .
“Thank you for understanding, West,” Mrs. Webster said.
“Of course,” he told her. “I’ll give Catherine a call to see about checking in on her.”
“You’re an angel, West,” Mrs. Webster told him.
After a few more pleasantries, they signed off and he slid the phone back into his pocket, then walked over to the window and sighed.
The view over the snow-covered farm brought him a measure of peace, as it always did, but tonight it seemed colder and starker out there than usual, with the moonlit trees casting dark shadows over the fields.
Mrs. Webster’s daughter would be okay. Her mom would see to that. If her doctors had allowed her to go home, then her case wasn’t severe, at least not yet. West would make a point to check on her daily himself to keep an eye on the situation.
And he knew he could rely on his parents if he had to. They would absolutely understand the situation and be more than happy to take Elizabeth. He could even try and enroll her in an activity program at the library later in the month if there were any open spots.
He really wasn’t sure why he was feeling like this.
I’m lonely…
But that was silly. He had literally just walked away from a dinner table with fifteen other people. He was living in the same town where he’d grown up. He had Elizabeth, his family, his friends, and even his patients. The idea of West Lawrence being lonely was ridiculous.
But all the common sense in the world wouldn’t fill the aching hole that seemed to have opened up in his chest all of a sudden.
The unmistakable sound of Elizabeth’s unhappy voice caught his ear, and he shook off his weird moment to go get her.
This is my fault for not making time for her nap today.
He took a deep breath, ran a hand through his hair, and headed back toward the kitchen. He was almost there when he realized he didn’t hear Elizabeth’s whiny tone anymore. And when he stepped back in, he didn’t see her at first. Her chair was empty, and so was Dulcie’s.
He glanced around and immediately put together what must have happened.
Dulcie was curled up in the easy chair with Elizabeth practically melted into her, her back to Dulcie’s chest, one little hand clutching a golden lock of Dulcie’s hair, her eyes already at half-mast as Dulcie quietly read to her from the picture book Tag’s kids had abandoned.
They were perfectly framed by the window, and the snowy farmland that had looked so desolate a moment ago now looked like the backdrop of a Christmas card to West.
The two of them were so utterly content and peaceful that it tugged at his heart.
As he watched them, transfixed, Dulcie looked up. Her blue eyes softened as soon as they met his, and he felt warmth wash over him as if she had embraced him.
They didn’t exchange a word, but he knew what she was thinking because he felt the exact same way.
Isn’t she adorable? Aren’t we so lucky to be here?