The Delivery of Decor (Shiloh Ridge Ranch in Three Rivers #7) - Liz Isaacson Page 0,86

frown at the same time. “Are you okay, Dot?”

“Yes, I just…don’t want anyone to be disappointed.”

“They’re fine.” Wendy turned and went to her desk. “Just the one today, and remember, we’re closing at two tomorrow.”

“Mm.” Dot looked out into the store. It had cleared out except for one customer, who stood with Amber back by the garden hoses. She didn’t feel needed here, and yet, she was. She owned this company, and she wasn’t going to let it go without a massive fight.

Even for a life of wedded bliss with Ward Glover?

She shoved against the thought, somewhat annoyed it had even entered her mind. She’d never needed a man to feel fulfilled and complete. At the same time, she now knew what waking up in the same house as Ward Glover felt like, and she couldn’t stand the thought of going back to her empty, quiet house all alone.

So she made her delivery, parked Brutus back behind the building, and drove her sedan over to her parents’ house. “Mom, Dad,” she said as she entered their quiet house. “It’s me.”

“Dot’s here,” Dad said as if her mother wouldn’t recognize the voice. They both appeared in the pass-through window that had a view into the kitchen.

“Oh, Dorothy, you’re all right.” Her mother hurried as quickly as she could around the corner and hugged Dot tight.

“Yes, Mom,” Dot said with a smile. “I’m fine.”

“I guess you’ll take a week’s worth of insulin with you everywhere you go now.” Her mother smiled at her and pushed her hair back off her face in such a matronly, loving gesture. Her happiness faded to concern the longer she looked at Dot. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong.” Dot avoided her mother’s eye as she stepped over to hug her father. “What have you guys been doing? Did you have some damage in the yard?”

“A little,” Dad said. “Tyson came to help out. He’s been working eighteen hours a day, helping everyone around town who needs it.”

“I’m sure he has,” Dot said, thinking of how he’d helped her by bringing insulin up to the ranch in the middle of the night. “He’s a good guy like that.” If she could keep the conversation topic off her, she might have a chance of escaping without telling them about Ward.

Unfortunately, her mom said, “Come, sit. Tell us about the ranch and Ward.” She bustled off for the kitchen, adding, “I have lemon poppyseed bread. Phyllis dropped it off an hour ago.”

Dot did love the lemon poppyseed bread from Mom’s neighbor down the street. Phyllis Grandy made the bread to help her daughter pay for her competition dance classes, and every time the opportunity came up to order, both Dot and her mom usually did.

The bread carried a lovely vanilla icing, and Dot’s mouth watered as she entered the kitchen too. “I need to check my blood sugar,” she said, and another moment of clarity hit her. She’d never checked her sugar levels as much as she had in the past few days, but she found she wanted to. She needed to make sure she took care of herself…so Ward wouldn’t ever have to see her in such a bad state again. She didn’t want to scare him like that again.

She checked her levels, and she gave herself a shot of insulin before accepting the bread. Mom finished making dinner, and Dot stayed, telling them about the operation up at Shiloh Ridge. She could talk about the landslide and horses for hours, and she very nearly did that.

“I should go,” she finally said with a yawn. “I’m exhausted.” She hugged her mom and dad, holding them for several long seconds each. “I love you guys.”

“We love you too, Dot,” they chorused together, and Dot left their house. Upon returning to her own home, she found Tyson’s police cruiser parked in her driveway. She pulled all the way into the garage and entered the house.

“I see you let yourself in,” she said to her brother, who stood in the kitchen with a hunk of turkey in his hand and George sitting obediently at his feet.

“George was whining.”

“Mm hm.” Dot smiled at Tyson and hugged him hello. “Dad said you’ve been real busy. To what do I owe this great honor?” Dot continued into the living room and collapsed onto her couch. Her head ached, and she should probably check her blood sugar again, make sure it was right, and get to bed.

She’d promised Ward she’d call, but she honestly didn’t know what she’d