Page 59 of Loving Lizzy

Leo, I’m strangling you. She’s called Kassie!

Chase typed back.

You better come up with a good excuse. If you think ovulating women act nuts, they got nothin’ on pregnant ones!!

Leo replied.

Three dots appeared and disappeared.

Ugh, sorry brother. Didn’t mean to make Kassie cry…

Leo apologized.

Damn it Leo, I hope she shoots you in the ass again for this!

Chase answered.

Does she need pickles? I got plenty.

Leo offered

??

Michael placed the phone into his holder and exited the vehicle. He was now a card carrying certified lymphatic massage therapist. He completed his time and thanks to Kassie, he passed his examinations, and his certification magically processed in record time.

He walked toward the house as he envisioned the discussion he wanted to have with Lizzy about allowing him to do this for her. She whispered her fears about his reaction to her body might be. As hard as he tried, he didn’t understand how his actions computed in her head. Did she lie to him during their marriage in fear if she revealed a part of herself, he might stop loving her? Did he know his wife at all? Doubt plagued him. He knew he loved her, yet she carried such little faith in him, and it hurt.

He opened the front door to find her in her recliner with a ball of yarn counting stitches on a needle.

She smiled as he took off his coat and placed his keys inside the bowl.

“I warmed up a casserole from Edie and Bryanna brought over some homemade rolls,” she told him.

“I didn’t realize how late I am. You should’ve called me,” he glanced down at his phone as he realized he returned forty-five minutes later than his usual time. Hopefully when he told her what he’d completed, his tardiness and ten-hour days would make sense to her.

“I didn’t need you. I figured you must be busy, and it gave me a chance to start dinner for you,” she explained.

She walked to the kitchen and held her hand to her chest. The grimace on her face told him she experienced some type of pain. She stiffly bent to check the food in the oven. His gaze went to the contents inside. She placed a big glass dish stuffed with a casserole inside the oven. It hurt her to bend over, and the older women stuffed each entrée to the brim, making it on the heavy side.

“You should’ve waited or at least used the microwave and made an individual meal,” he gritted out to keep from losing it on her. Because of his tardiness, he’d caused her to hurt physically and emotionally. The pain in his chest tightened even more.

* * *

In the last week,the nausea abated for the most part. Lizzy felt drained of energy, and everything took an enormous effort. She didn’t have an appetite but tried to eat a bit of something to keep everyone from worrying. The women of Serenity took turns watching over her while Michael worked at the hospital. Maddie and Carol left with her urging, and she rushed to the kitchen to throw the casserole in before Michael returned to thank him for waiting on her hand and foot. She missed him terribly during the day. He worked ten-hour shifts and when he returned home, he didn’t say much.

“Did you meet any new kids at the hospital?” She attempted to draw him into a conversation while they sat at the kitchen table. When their schedules had meshed in the past, he always told her about the kids he’d met. Now, the light in his eyes seemed dim and he appeared weary.

“I’m still figuring my way around. I’ve met a few kids while setting up my office there. Kassie’s done a great job with the ward.” Michael didn’t bother to glance in her direction.

She picked at her food.

“Michael, can we talk? I feel like I did something wrong. No. I’ve done a lot of things incorrectly. Will you tell me which one made you stop talking to me?”

“I’m tired Lizzy. It’s been a long day and all I want to do is eat and go to bed. Are you finished?” When she nodded, he picked up her plate, scraped it off, and placed it in the dishwasher.

She stood and grabbed the dishcloth and began to wipe down the kitchen counters and the stove.

“What do you think you’re doing?” his voice came out harsh.

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