Page 54 of A Twist of Faith
“Thank you.”
“Thanks for being here today, Dee.”
“You’re welcome,” she whispered, or at least it sounded like a whisper to his muddled up mind.
The blanket shifted back around his shoulders, her hand smoothing it close to his chin. He tried to grin. “You tucking me in?”
Something soft touched his brow. Her lips, perhaps? Probably her hand. He tried to open his eyes to be sure, but they stuck tight. Sleep closed off his fight, a dragon too big for him at the moment. A dream stirred on the fringe of his subconscious about a dark-eyed city girl, a fuzzy-bearded country boy, and a kiss just waiting to happen.
The weightof Dee’s day hit her as she pulled her office door closed. Class and clinic ran back to back, followed by another meeting with Dr. Russell, but at least Dr. Russell didn’t have darts shooting from her eyes like before. She actually seemed civil. Dee’s stomach spoke to the lateness of the hour with a few growls to make the point clear.
As she turned the corner, she nearly fell over a cart of cleaning supplies.
“Oh, honey, are you okay?”
Grace Mitchell placed a steadying hand on Dee’s arm.
Dee adjusted her bags on her shoulder. “Not looking where I was going.”
“Aren’t you workin’ a bit late?”
Her gentle concern comforted like a hug. “I’m afraid so. But you’re coming in late too.
“Making up for lost time. Since I missed work for my doctor’s visit and then helped out with Reese this morning, I came this evening to do my cleanin’.” She patted the side of the cart. “One of the benefits of a job with flexible hours, ain’t it?”
“How is Reese?” He’d occupied her thoughts sporadically all throughout the day. She almost called to check on him, but couldn’t work up an excuse to suit her.
But thoughts of his gentle teasing and tender looks poured over a parched place inside of her. She shouldn’t feed the attraction but taking care of him and his children felt so right. Like a piece of her life’s puzzle somehow fit into his.
“He was out feeding cattle this morning.”
“No, he wasn’t.”
Grace shook her head slowly back and forth. “He’s as stubborn as winter, but the man’s worked so hard to keep the farm going, he won’t give up easy.” She smiled her pride. “The farm is Trigg’s life, all he’s ever wanted to do. He has it runnin’ through his blood, handed down from his daddy. Reese loves it because it’s family land, and because he loves Trigg, but he’s put his dreams on hold for long enough.”
“His dreams?”
“He ain’t told you?” She shuffled through some of her supplies. “This job in Chicago ain’t just a way to help out with our farm, it’s a step back into helping other farmers. Ever since he got his master’s degree, he’s wanted to reach out to others. He got a chance at it in Charlotte and it fit him, dream and all.”
“I don’t think he was too thrilled with Charlotte.”
Grace chuckled. “Naw, he wasn’t too keen on the city, but he sure enjoyed his work. He was going to leave Ransom once things straightened out after his stepdaddy died, but …” Grace’s expression sobered. “Nothing worked the way he wanted. First his stepdaddy, then Jana.”
Dee braced her palm to her stomach, absorbing the sting of Reese’s loss. Death marked everyone, not just herself, but the Mitchells knew more than their fair share, yet they didn’t wear their grief the same way she did. They still lived with joy and hope.
“And then Trigg,” Dee stated the obvious.
“The timing ain’t been on his side yet.” Grace’s face brightened. “But praise God, Trigg is on the mend. He’s been taking over a few responsibilities more and more each week. If his report next month stays as good as his last one, maybe this Chicago job will put Reese back on track with his own dreams.”
Could his dreams ever include Charlottesville? The question came out of nowhere.
“Why don’t you come on up for supper tomorrow night? I’m thinking of making some chicken and dumplings.”
“You feed me enough, Mrs. Mitchell. I don’t want to trouble you even more.”
The woman stared at Dee in silence, her wise gaze peering deep and wide. “Ain’t no trouble, Dee.” She stepped closer and placed her hand on Dee’s arm. “We’re glad to have you.”
The words echoed inside of her. Would that statement remain true if they learned about her past? “You’re very kind, but I think I’ll pick up something from Daphne’s and get some class preparation done tomorrow. I am giving a midterm exam and I haven’t finished creating the test yet.”
