Lone Star Blessings. Bonnie K. Winn
to help. When Kate asked for the name of a good local contractor, Seth had volunteered. Later, another visitor told her how lucky she was to have snagged him, since he usually worked on larger projects.
Emma had helped keep Kate company during some of the many hours she’d spent at the hospital while her father was recuperating. Kate had protested that she was taking too much of Emma’s time, but the other woman waved away her objections. It was a Rosewood thing, she’d insisted.
During those hours, Kate learned that Emma had been a newcomer to Rosewood a few years earlier. Formerly an attorney, she’d been relocated to Rosewood while in the witness protection program. Sadly, her husband and daughter had been killed when a criminal attempted to murder Emma by setting fire to her house.
Once in Rosewood, Emma had opened a costume shop and literally fell in love with the man next door. Seth lived on his own, having lost his son to leukemia, his wife to divorce. Although he’d planned to never open his heart again, Emma had crept past his defenses. Together they adopted Toby, a boy who needed them as much as they needed him. Their family had nearly doubled when their twins, Everitt and Logan, were born. Now, the twins were rambunctious two-year-olds.
And Seth was coming over in a little while to take measurements for widening a few more doorways. He’d already rushed to reconfigure the bathroom before Marvin came home.
“Do you want a snack, Dad? Your friends have brought over everything from cupcakes to lasagna.” Fresh, homemade bread, cakes, pies and casseroles, even a batch of his favorite—fudge.
“Maybe later, Katie.” He petted Noodle. “Just laying around doesn’t work up much of an appetite.”
“Seth should be here soon. He suggested we take down most of the wall that separates the living room from the entry, so you can turn your chair easily.”
Startled, Marvin jerked his attention from the cat. “What do you think of that?”
“Actually, it’ll open up the space. I know it’ll take some getting used to, changes always do.”
Marvin’s eyes darkened.
Kate knew he hadn’t yet adjusted to his limitations. “But the room’ll still be cozy, especially since it has that gorgeous stone fireplace.” She perched on the side of his bed. “I know you’re going batty, Dad. Once you can wheel into the living room, you’ll be able to see what’s going on outside.” The living room had a big picture window that looked out on to the street. And the physical therapist had ordered a wheelchair with special leg rests that would allow Marvin to get out of bed. With luck, it should come soon.
“Just think about it, Dad. If you want to keep the living room like it is, we’ll move the furniture around and make it work.”
The doorbell rang and Kate rose. “That’s probably Seth.”
Kate was delighted to see that it was Seth and he’d brought Emma and Toby along.
Seth held up a television. “Emma thought Marvin might be getting bored. This set isn’t too big, but it has a built-in DVD player.”
“He’ll love it.” She closed the door. “He’s pretty antsy.”
Emma gave a mock shudder. “Drives me nuts when I’m stuck in bed.”
Kate gestured for them to follow her toward Marvin’s bedroom.
Emma rested one hand on her son’s shoulders. “Toby’s a ruthless Monopoly player. Think your dad would like a game?”
“He loves games—any kind. Thanks, Toby.”
The boy shrugged, embarrassed to be the center of attention. “I don’t like being sick, either.”
“Hey, Marvin,” Seth greeted the older man.
“Seth, good to see you!” Marvin sat up a bit straighter, pleased by the company. “And Emma! You look prettier every time I see you.”
She blushed, looking almost too young to be a wife and mother.
“Hey, Toby. Whatcha got there?” Marvin asked.
“Monopoly.” Toby held up the Texas edition. “Mom thought you’d like it.”
“She’s right.” Marvin rubbed his hands together in anticipation.
“We left the twins with a sitter,” Emma told Kate. “You know they get into everything they see.”
“Especially my stuff,” Toby added, as he laid out the game on the hospital-style bed table that Kate had rented. “But they’re okay.” Big brother pride crept through, making them all smile.
Seth placed the television on one end of the dresser. “I’ll run a line for cable,” he mused. “Won’t take a minute. The connection must be close, since the TV in the living room has a satellite converter.”
Kate was overwhelmed by the generosity of her father’s friends. “You all are great.”
Emma waved away the words. “I feel bad that I haven’t been over much since Marvin came home. During the week, it’s harder to get a sitter—and trust me, Everitt and Logan aren’t a good combo with anything that’s not totally indestructible.”
Marvin looked up from the game pieces. “I’m not fragile, you know.”
“Of course not. But the twins are like little tanks. Toby had a science project he’d been working on for weeks. They totaled it in about three minutes. By the time I figured out they’d learned how to get around the baby gate, his project was history.”
“That must have been tough,” Marvin sympathized.
“They didn’t know better,” Toby excused them, as he counted out the Monopoly money.
Kate met Emma’s proud, touched gaze. “That’s quite a boy you have there.”
“That’s for sure,” Emma agreed, her turquoise eyes suspiciously moist. “He’s a gift from the Lord.”
Emma had confided that Toby had been abandoned by his family and it was the boy’s faith in Seth that had broken down her husband’s defenses, allowing him to include Toby and Emma in his heart.
Seth pressed his wife’s shoulder affectionately, then headed outside.
Emma regained her composure. “I didn’t bring over any food, because I figured you’d be deluged with it. Thought I’d wait till next week. Would Saturday be okay? I’d like to bring you something for Sunday dinner.”
“That’s not necessary,” Kate protested.
“Sure isn’t,” Marvin chimed in. “Next week’s the first Sunday of the month, potluck lunch after church services. We can stay, eat there.”
Surprised, Kate stared at her father. “You don’t think you’re going to church that soon?”
He picked the dog for his Monopoly piece and plunked it on the game board. “Don’t see why not.”
Kate had her hands full with him at home. How could she take him to church? “For starters, you don’t have your specialized wheelchair yet.”
“The therapist said I’d have it by Monday,” Marvin replied. He slanted a glance at Emma. “Say, have you found anyone to teach the girls’ Sunday school class? What are they, about ten?”
“Twelve, actually. Preteens. And, no.” Emma shook back her blond hair. “Jennifer Laroy was great with them, but now that she’s moved, well…It’s always hardest to get teachers for the teenagers. Got to have someone with energy.”
“Kate’s got a ton of energy,” Marvin mused. “Do her good to have someone to talk to besides me.”
Gaping at her father, Kate tried to fashion a courteous rebuttal.
“Would you really be interested?” Emma’s voice