Page 10 of Loving Lizzy

“Are we done with the planning yet?” Catherine asked.

“I think we covered everything. The contractor will meet you and Michael in the morning. Go over what you want changed and he’ll take care of it,” Kassie explained.

“Oh good, can we have pie now? I really can’t stop thinking about it,” Catherine practically salivated.

Bryanna stood and headed toward the kitchen. “Kassie, this can’t be normal. Maybe she’s having twins?”

Catherine cast a worried glance in Kassie’s direction.

Kassie laughed as she placed her hand on her friend’s tummy. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful? Poor Leo barely handles leaving you alone for a couple of hours at a time. I can’t imagine his reaction if he discovered you carrying two.”

Catherine slid her hand over the top of her friend’s. “Your time will come.” They shared a silent communication with each other.

“Is everything going well with the pregnancy?” Lizzy asked, concerned.

Kassie stood and walked to the kitchen to help Bryanna.

Catherine’s sad expression followed her. “Yeah, it’s going great. I only wish…”

Bryanna handed Catherine a large chunk of pie with a scoop of ice cream. Leaning over, she passed a slice to Lizzy.

“Don’t dwell on things we can’t control. Hold on to faith and believe it will happen,” Bryanna advised.

Lizzy scooped a bite of ice cream with the warmed pie. The treat comforted her almost as much as the women beside her. She only hoped she carried enough faith to face the battle ahead.

CHAPTER SIX

Michael helped Lizzy from the car and walked into the Victorian home. The smell of paint filled the air. Men moved from the back room into the kitchen carrying buckets, brushes, and tape. The contractor informed them he got delayed in Seattle. Michael didn’t mind. The women visited Lizzy and by the time he returned to her condo last night, she held a sparkle in her eyes as she told him about their visit.

Today, she woke up excited to see what the crew accomplished and asked for Michael’s input on the back of the house and his office and exam rooms. He didn’t care if she painted the entire house purple and called it a day as long as she let him in.

“Kassie said the glass will arrive tomorrow. It’ll be more energy efficient, and she suggested we get a couple of portable heaters.” She grabbed his hand and led him to the former salon area. Two men removed the lighting fixtures while two more put together new ones from the boxes stacked against the wall.

“I left the choice of colors for your office and these rooms. It doesn’t seem fair I picked out all the rest,” she told him.

“You did a great job, and it feels like ours now. Help me decide what to use for the exam rooms and I’ll pick out the ones for my office. It’s hard to believe they finished this much already.” Michael scanned the busy areas.

“Some of Ivan’s men slacked off,” she whispered.

He leaned down to hear her and responded, “Knowing what I know about Ivan, doesn’t it make you wonder what they slacked off on?”

Lizzy’s eyes grew big, and she laughed, “They don’t do illegal stuff anymore; Kassie says they’re legitimate. Right?” she asked.

“Chase and her trust Ivan and Victoria. I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt.” Michael dramatically cringed, making Lizzy giggle. “Do you feel up to this?”

“The surgery doesn’t take place for a few more days. Everything’s decided and we can’t do anything else until then. We might as well accomplish something. I’m going up to the hospital this afternoon to meet my replacement,” her voice sounded sad.

“They assured me he’s only temporary until you’re up to returning to work,” he reminded her.

“But they took me off the schedule already with pay. I don’t mind working,” she sighed.

“They want you to concentrate on healing.” Michael kissed the side of her head as she pouted. For as long as he’d known her, she never stopped bustling. Something always brewed in her intelligent mind.

“Dr. Harris, Mrs. Harris, I’m Harry Johnson.” An older gentleman shook Michael’s hand as he introduced himself, then Lizzy’s. Michael winked at her when the contractor called her his wife. “Miss Kassie sent me a list and I’ve already ordered most of the items. My crew will start this afternoon. I’ll need a few minutes of your time to go over it to make sure I didn’t miss anything.”

“We’re grateful you can begin with such a short notice,” Lizzy told the man.

“Construction slows in the winter months and since Kassie and her godfather, Joe, worked on the hospital, they’ve kept my crew busy. We don’t get much work in Serenity, and she always finds us something,” he bragged about her friend.

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