Page 49 of Love for a Lifetime

Dawson let his hands slide down her arms. “Always. I’m here if you need anything.”

She pressed her lips together and nodded. Of course he would offer help he didn’t understand. There wasn’t anything he or anyone else could do to help. The doctors could perform surgery, but it would decrease her chances of having kids.

Life was a double-edged sword.

He opened the passenger door and stepped to the side. She climbed inside the truck, and he waited until she was settled before closing the door and walking around to the other side.

With Dawson in his place behind the wheel, Olivia shoved his shoulder as he backed out. “I knew you were good with kids, but I didn’t remember how good. Levi loves you.”

Dawson made a clicking noise behind his teeth. “Most people love me, Liv. It’s sad you don’t notice.”

She laughed. “You’re so cocky!”

“I’m not cocky. I just love people. Therefore, they love me back.”

“Oh, wise one. Teach me your ways,” Olivia deadpanned.

“You’re loveable too. Don’t sell yourself short. Half of the people in Blackwater adore you. They come to you first when they need help or have something to celebrate. That’s awesome, Liv.”

“I know, and I love all of our friends. I’m just not quite as charismatic as you.”

“You’re still my favorite,” Dawson said.

Olivia chuckled. “I bet you say that to all the ladies, melting hearts along the way.”

“No, I only have one favorite.” He paused for only a second before asking, “What’s your latest service project?”

Way to skate right over that sweet comment. It was getting more difficult to keep her walls up, especially when Dawson was right in front of her, and she hadn’t seen Anna in days.

“Um, I’m working on a calendar for Memorial Day. People have been submitting photos of their family members who died in the line of duty, and I’ll be pre-selling them to raise money for the Veterans Association in Cody.”

“That’s awesome. Can I help?” he asked.

“Not really, but thanks for the offer.”

The truck was quiet for a minute before Dawson spoke again. “Have you done anything for yourself lately?”

She looked over at him, but she could only make out his profile in the shadows. “I do stuff for myself all the time. I feed the chickens, I’m planning Asa and Lyric’s wedding, I’m putting together a gift basket for the volunteer fire department.”

“You realize none of those things are for you, right? I know you love to do things for others, but if things are this bad for you every month, maybe you should rest instead of trying to push through. No one is cracking a whip behind you.”

He was right, but that didn’t change the responsibility she felt after committing to something. She didn’t want to miss things or cut back. She wanted to enjoy life.

And she could only do that if she kept having the procedures every so often.

“Maybe you’re right, but I don’t need anything. I’m happy. I’m…”

Surviving. She was doing what she loved, but half the time, she was barely keeping her head above water. Where was the happy medium? Why hadn’t she found it yet?

“I want in on the missions committee at church,” Dawson said. “And I want to be a part of any service projects you’re working on.”

“You don’t have to do that,” she said, sitting up straighter.

“I don’t know what I’m good at, but I guess I’d better get involved in a few things so I can find out.”

Olivia sucked in a deep breath of the thick air that had suddenly filled the cab. “You don’t have to do that,” she repeated. The words were softer this time–not as bold.

“I want to. I love watching you help people. Not only do you make other people happy, but you get this smile on your face that looks like your mouth is about to snap like a rubber band. I’m talking megawatt smile. I love that. It’s my favorite thing in the world.”

---