The Lakeside Inn, Leeanna Morgan [rosie project TXT] 📗

“Yeah!” Jack threw his arms around his dad. “I’ll be back real soon, just wait and see.”

“Take an old T-shirt,” Richard reminded him. “And if you have any questions, ask Ethan.”

As soon as Jack found a T-shirt, he raced outside, running at full speed toward the garages.

It was time for Wyatt to push the boundary of the friendship he’d made with Richard. He knew how quickly pain and grief could eat you alive. It didn’t matter how it found you, it colored everything you did and made it hard for anyone living with you.

The last person Richard would want to hurt was his son, but Jack was part of his father’s pain whether or not Richard wanted him to be.

“I was speaking to Ethan. He said you’ve had a bad reaction to the new pain medication the doctor gave you.”

“He shouldn’t have said anything.”

“The only reason he told me was because I asked where you were. I know what you’re going through.”

Richard grunted. “You wouldn’t know what I’m going through unless you’ve lost a limb. And from what I can see, you’ve still got two arms and two legs.”

“You’re right, but I know what it’s like to have your life fall apart. Three years ago, my wife died in a car accident. It was my fault.”

Some of the tension on Richard’s face disappeared. “I’m sorry. It must have been devastating.”

“It was. I wanted to dull the pain, so I tried all kinds of prescription drugs. It wasn’t until I went to a counselor that I began to accept what had happened.”

“I spent a year talking to a psychologist.”

“Did it help?”

“A little, but it didn’t help the physical pain of my amputation.”

“What did your doctor say?”

Richard pushed his wheelchair backward. For a second, Wyatt thought he was going to shut the door. But he motioned for him to come inside. “You might as well sit down while we talk.”

Wyatt stepped inside and looked around the tiny home.

“This home is bigger than the others. It makes it easier for me to move around with my wheelchair. Do you want a cup of coffee?”

“That would be great.”

Richard turned on the coffeepot and took some mugs out of a drawer. “My first doctor was all about using drugs to deal with the pain. I was like a zombie when I was taking them. After I moved here, I started seeing the local doctor, Zac Williams. We’re trying some different meds and alternative therapies. I had a reaction to one pill and ended up in the hospital for a few days.”

“Is there anything else Zac can give you?”

“I’m taking other pain medication, but it doesn’t last as long as the others. The best thing would be to get a new prosthetic leg. I thought I was getting one, but my insurance company won’t cover the cost.”

Wyatt felt for him. It was hard enough being a single parent. Having to take pain medication to get through each day added another layer of complexity to Richard’s life. “Are there any funding organizations that could help?”

“Zac gave me a list, so I’m going through those and filling out the forms. Working at the old steamboat museum, helps. But on the days when I need to use my chair, it’s impossible.

“You can always call me. I can help with whatever you need—even if it’s looking after Jack.”

“Thanks. I appreciate the offer.”

How often had he said the same thing? “I mean it,” Wyatt said. “You have a good life and an amazing son. Jack needs as much support as you do, and I can help. What’s the most important thing you need right now?”

Richard sat silently for a few seconds. “If you know anyone who makes prosthetic legs, let me know.”

Wyatt’s eyebrows rose. Why didn’t he think of his friend sooner?

“You know someone?”

“I helped an organization in New York City a few years ago. I met someone who used 3D technology to create medical devices.” Peter did a lot more than that now, and he might be able to help Richard. “I’ll call him.”

“Thanks. If he can’t help, it doesn’t matter. Would you mind if we went to see what Jack’s doing?”

Wyatt smiled. “That’s a great idea.” And before Richard changed his mind, Wyatt opened the door and waited for him on the veranda.

Penny was in a deep sleep, dreaming about steamboats, when the floorboards in her bedroom creaked. She leapt out of bed, caught her foot on the edge of a blanket, and ended up flat on her back on the floor.

“Are you all right?” Barbara whispered.

With her hand on her pounding heart, Penny stared at her sister. “What on earth are you doing in my room? It’s still dark.”

Barbara held her finger to her lips. “Ssh! You’ll wake Diana and Charlie.”

After rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Penny sat up and paid closer attention to what her sister was holding. “You bought me a present?”

“That’s usually what you do when it’s someone’s birthday.”

Penny frowned.

“I can’t believe it. You forgot it was your birthday?”

She pulled herself to her feet. “I remembered a few days ago, but I lost track of what day it is.” Penny rubbed her sore arms. In the last week they’d spent a lot of hours remodeling the house and moving furniture. On top of that, she’d had dinner with Wyatt twice and rescued Charlie when he ran into the lake trying to catch a bird.

Barbara handed her the present. “Happy birthday.”

Penny kissed her sister’s cheek. “Thank you.” She touched the soft pink ribbon tied around the pretty floral box. “This is too good to open.”

“I thought the same thing. You can lift the lid without undoing the bow.”

Carefully, she removed the lid. “Oh, wow. This looks delicious.” Nestled on a bed on white chocolate flowers was a large pink chocolate heart.

“It’s a strawberry chocolate heart filled with raspberry jelly. Brooke made it especially for you at Sweet Treats.”

Penny inhaled the heavenly berry scent. “It smells as delicious as