Page 57 of Loving Lizzy

The doorbell rang, and Victoria hopped up from the couch, still fascinated with the treat in her hand. Maddie, Joe, and Ivan entered. Maddie greeted the women as Joe said hello and then departed to speak with Jake. Ivan intently watched Victoria suck and lick away at her dessert.

“Do you want one? We have a ton in the freezer,” Lizzy offered.

“No. I appreciate the offer.” His eyes never left his wife.

“Why did we not ever taste these things? My mama made frozen Irish coffee like no other, we didn’t eat anything else. Do you not have these in Russia?” Victoria appeared entirely engrossed in the magical kid’s treat. “It’s hardly anything at all, only frozen stuff on a cold wooden stick.”

Ivan crossed the room. His head turned toward Lizzy and Carol, “Excuse me and my wife, ladies, we shall visit you at a later time.” He took his wife and gently tugged her from her seat and headed toward the door. All the while, Victoria protested, “I’m not ready to leave, I want to visit.”

Ivan didn’t seem to hear his wife as he plucked her coat from the hall tree, and she slipped her arms into the sleeves. Victoria stamped her foot, showing him her temper. He grinned. “Come luv, I’ll show you the Russian version of your little treat.”

“Why did you not share it with me before?” she whined.

“Oh, but I did, luv, you’ve enjoyed it many times,” his voice deepened, and Victoria stopped sucking to gaze into her husband’s eyes. Her hearty laugh filled the room as she turned and waved her goodbye. Ivan rushed her out the door and Lizzy heard Victoria squeal and laugh as he took her to their car.

Carol shook her head, “They act like they’re on a continuous honeymoon.”

“I think it’s sweet, he clearly loves her.” Lizzy stuck up for the couple.

“Yes, I’m sure he does,” Carol told her wistfully.

The doorbell rang again. Maddie answered the door this time and held it open to Edie, who went straight into the kitchen.

When she returned, she held a cup in her hand and a motherly expression crossed her face. “Carol and Maddie say you’re a little worried about eatin’ child. We gotta keep nutrients in you. I don’t want to hear any fuss. Drink this down.”

Lizzy placed the stick from her popsicle on a plate next to her and took the steaming liquid. She inhaled the scent and took a small sip to see if her tummy accepted something other than popsicles and peppermint tea. The flavors burst in her mouth, and she took a bigger drink. “What is it?”

“I made you bone broth. It’s packed full of protein and good stuff for your body.” Edie took a seat next to Maddie. “There’s a big bowl of it in your fridge and more in my freezer when you need it.”

“Thank you, Edie.” Lizzy sat back and smiled to herself as she watched the older mother figures talk among themselves while they cared for her. She wondered if her mother lived if she would’ve acted like these women. They fiercely loved, guarded, protected, and watched over their family and friends.

A knock sounded on the door as Joe opened it, letting himself in. “It’s only me, ladies. Jake asked if he might come in to say hello.”

Jake awkwardly walked toward Lizzy and handed her a bouquet of flowers. “These grow on the mountain in the winter. They’re glacier lilies. It’s a sign of new beginnings as they’re one of the first flowers to bloom as the snow melts.” He held a second bouquet in his hand as he stared at his feet.

“Such a wonderful meaning behind them, Jake. I appreciate you thinking of me,” Lizzy told him.

Jake walked in front of Carol. “You haven’t taken your walk lately, and I thought you might enjoy the bouquet. If it warms up, I thought you might like to take a walk with me Friday on the mountain to see them in their natural state. I can throw a pot of stew on, and we can enjoy dinner together.

She blushed prettily, “Thank you…I ugh…”

Maddie interjected. “You can’t Friday, you agreed on a double date with me and Joe and Mr. Harris from the bank.”

“I…I love the flowers,” Carol assured him. Jake gripped the bouquet as if he pictured strangling someone by the neck. His arm stiffly held them out and she took them in her hand. “They’re lovely.”

Jake swallowed and turned toward Lizzy, “I best be going, I hope you feel better, girl.” He made a hasty exit.

Joe frowned as he took in the two older women. Carol excused herself to put her flowers and Lizzy’s into water.

“If I didn’t know better, I might say you gals hatched a plan concerning Jake,” Joe surmised as he studied his wife.

“I can’t control who Carol decides to date. If Jake is interested in Carol, maybe he needs to throw his hat into the ring.”

Joe’s eyes narrowed and he glanced in Lizzy’s direction. She pretended to remain engrossed in her soup. His gaze went to Edie as she plucked out yarn for her project from a bag.

“I really gave Jake too much credit,” Edie mused aloud.

“Why?” he questioned.

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