Mostly scrapes, a broken arm. You have much more homework?”
“I could work on my book report, but it’s not due for two weeks, and I want to watch my show.”
He smiled. She didn’t ask for much. “Sure, Lissy.”
She frowned. “Did you eat any dinner?”
Tucker had to think. “I grabbed something around two.”
“You have to eat three meals a day,” she lectured. “I told you I could make a casserole.”
His throat tightened. “You’re already doing too much. I don’t want you cooking for me as well.” Reaching out, he tucked her hair behind one ear. “You’re supposed to be a kid. That only comes around once, and I don’t want you to miss it.”
“Cooking won’t make me miss it. I used to help make stuff with Mommy.”
Briefly closing his eyes, he tried to keep the pain from his face. “I know. Listen, I’m going to be better about getting home earlier.” For some reason, after Shelley’s death, he couldn’t get as much done in a regular workday. It was as though he carried a hundred-pound stone around his neck, weighing down his thoughts and actions.
“It’s okay, Dad.” She shrugged. “You can’t just leave, like if you worked in a store or something.”
No. But Shelley was no longer there to make sure Alyssa was properly being taken care of.
She stacked her books and folders on the coffee table. “I’ll make you a sandwich.”
“I can do that.”
She shook her head. “You’ll forget. I’m writing a new shopping list, with stuff that’s not frozen. We’re supposed to be eating vegetables, you know.”
He always made sure they had frozen dinners with vegetables, but he guessed that wouldn’t be a convincing argument. “Even peas?”
She made a face. “Vegetables we like.”
“Ah. Then no broccoli for me.”
“Deal.” Alyssa headed into the kitchen.
He followed, feeling neglectful and guilty. “Lissy, you want to eat dinner at the café?”
“Not really. I’m kinda full. And my show starts in a few minutes.”
“Right.” He had to do better; his child couldn’t raise herself. He just wasn’t sure how he was going to pull it off.
Chapter Two
Kate’s dad, Marvin, had only been home a few days when he started getting restless. He’d had a stream of visitors—neighbors and members of his church. She had met some of them when they visited at the hospital. In fact, that’s how she’d found the contractor, Seth McAllister, who was making the house wheelchair-accessible. He and his wife, Emma, had offered 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?”
