Page 40 of Sweet Home

“So obviously I want to support them,” West said, winking at her.

She was so surprised at the playful gesture that a giggle escaped her lips, and she looked around, worried that she wasn’t supposed to make a lot of noise in a quiet place like a bookshop.

But the other patrons only smiled at her, and she turned back to West feeling happy.

Honestly, he seemed so much more relaxed and fun today than he had since she’d arrived. It was really great to see him enjoying himself.

By the time they made their purchases and explored a few other shops in town, the sun was just showing signs of setting.

Dulcie stopped to take a photo for Delphine and send it along with a few words.

sunset over paradise

“Elizabeth is up,”West said, glancing at his phone. “It’s perfect timing if you’re up for sticking around for the tree lighting.”

“Yes,” Dulcie said right away. “I can’t wait.”

By the timethey had retrieved Elizabeth and a big reusable shopping bag from West’s truck, the park was filling up with people.

A small platform had been set up beside the giant Christmas tree, and people gathered around it, forming a semi-circle. The church choir stood in the pavilion and Dulcie smiled at the sound of them warming up.

“Do you like to sing?” she asked Elizabeth.

“I don’t know,” Elizabeth said, shrugging. “I like dancing.”

“We should have a dance party one day soon,” Dulcie told her. “Maybe we can have one Monday when we spend the day together.”

“Okay,” Elizabeth said, looking a little worried. “Do a lot of people come over?”

“No, no, it’s not that kind of party,” Dulcie explained. “It would just be the two of us. But we can play music and we can dress up in costumes if you have any.”

“I have costumes,” Elizabeth said, her eyes lighting up.

“Perfect,” Dulcie told her. “It’s a date.”

“It’s adate,” Elizabeth echoed happily, then laughed.

“Are you two ready?” West asked.

“Of course,” Dulcie told him.

He took Elizabeth’s hand, and the three of them headed across the street into the park.But a slight commotion on the sidewalk near Bear Avenue caught their attention before they got there.

“Take Elizabeth,” West said to Dulcie.

“Of course,” she told him, reaching for Elizabeth’s hand.

They watched West run for the corner, where a few people had gathered around someone on the ground. The crowd parted for him, and Dulcie could see that it looked like an older person who had fallen. West crouched down to talk to her.

“Is she okay?” Elizabeth asked softly.

“She will be,” Dulcie told her. “She’s really lucky that your daddy is here. He can help her.”

“He helps everybody,” Elizabeth said lightly. “But a doctor is only a person. They don’t have magic.”

Dulcie nodded slowly.

“That’s why you don’t climb on top of the cow fence,” Elizabeth continued wisely.

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