A Very Special Delivery

can ice skate over to the Rib Crib for dinner. What do you say?”
    She concentrated on his words in an effort to blot out the burning anesthetic. “What about Laney’s formula?”
    “We’ll stop by the store first, grab some supplies.” He frowned as if in deep thought. “On second thought, let’s grab some steaks and take them over to my place. I’ll make us dinner.”
    “I don’t know,” she hedged. Saying goodbye was already going to be harder than she wanted it to be.
    “What?” He asked in mock offense, eyes crinkling in humor. “You don’t think I can grill steaks? Why, I’ll have you know, Miss Molly McCreight, people come from miles around, from other states, even from outer space to sample my steaks.”
    She laughed. “Are you trying to feed me or distract me?”
    “Both. Is it working?”
    “Yeah,” she said. “And you’re really sweet for making the effort.”
    He winked down at her, the long scar wrinkling with the movement. “That’s me. A sweet guy.”
    And she realized it was true. Ethan Hunter was a very nice man, kind and brave and thoughtful. He was everything a girl could want.
    * * *
    Nearly an hour later, Ethan carefully pulled the van out of the hospital parking lot. Laney kicked and cooed from her carrier in back, and Molly’s cat mewed impatiently from his cage on the floorboard.
    Though Ethan was tired to the bone, the idea of an impromptu steak dinner with Molly energized him. He didn’t know why. They’d had every meal together for days, but for some reason, he wanted to be the host, to spend time with her on his turf.
    “So,” he asked, careful to keep his attention on the slick streets. “You still up for my fabulous cooking?”
    “Ethan,” she started and then paused to stare out the windshield. Pale, her mouth drooped in exhaustion.
    With a sinking feeling Ethan realized he was about to be turned down. To spare them both, he said, “You’re worn out. You need to rest.”
    She touched his sleeve. “Thanks for understanding.”
    “No problem.” But he realized her refusal was a problem. He didn’t want to leave her with someone else. Who would look after that wound? Who would make sure she didn’t get an infection? “Maybe another time.”
    She didn’t answer and his stomach sank deeper. He liked her. Thought she liked him. Had he been wrong about that?
    “Doc Jamison did a nice job on that cut.” To everyone’s relief, no permanent damage appeared to be done and, if all went well, the cut would heal in a week or two.
    “He’s a good doctor.”
    “A good man, too. He teaches the singles’ class at church.”
    “Yeah, I know,” she said in a funny, faraway voice.
    “You do?”
    “I used to attend that class.”
    “No kidding? I’ve never seen you there. Why did you stop going?”
    She shrugged and he could tell the story, whatever it was, bothered her. “My family attends the Chapel.”
    Now he was more curious than ever. She wouldn’t let him contact her family, and she didn’t attend church because they were there. “What’s wrong with that?”
    “Nothing. I’m glad they go, but my sister and I have some—” she gnawed at her lip, expression stark as she searched for the right word “—unresolved issues. So it’s better if I stay away.”
    He didn’t like the sound of that. If not for his parents, he’d have gone nuts during the last year and a half. And though he’d messed up Laney’s opportunity to have a strong nuclear family, he was thankful for the extended family that would sustain her. Family was everything.
    “Want to talk about it?”
    “No.” Molly turned her face away and leaned down to tap at the cat carrier on the floor.
    He wondered if her family problems had anything to do with her anxiety around Laney? Someday he’d find out. “If you’ll tell me your aunt’s address, I’ll drop you off before I go to the store.”
    “On Cedar Street in the senior citizens’ housing complex.”
    “I know some folks there. Which one is your aunt?”
    “Patsy Bartlett in apartment six.”
    The name and address were as familiar to him as his own. Patsy Bartlett was one of the many people in this warm and wonderful town who had taken a single father under their wings.
    “I know her. She’s a great lady. More outspoken than anybody I’ve ever met.”
    “That’s my great-aunt Patsy. If you don’t want the truth, don’t ask her.”
    “Well, how about that? You and Miss Patsy are related.”
    The fact that