"Yep. The keys are on the counter downstairs. You might want to thank him."
Lily stared at the door in the now-darkened room. Yes, she probably should thank him. For more than just the car. Though exhaustion pulled at her, she lifted her phone and debated whether to text or phone him.
After some debate, she found his contact info and tapped the screen to call him.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
"Lily," he said when he answered, so different from the last time she'd called. "How are you doing?"
His words washed over her as she curled onto her side, the phone pressed to her ear. She closed her eyes and said, "I'm doing better. Laurel helped me shower and get into bed. With some rest, I should be good as new."
"I'm glad to hear that.” There was silence for a moment. “What happened?"
"I just overdid it. The day ended up hotter than I had anticipated."
"So why didn't you stop? Or ask for help?"
"Everyone was busy, and I didn't want to let Will down on his special night. He'd worked hard to plan this out perfectly for Amy. Honestly, as long as she says yes—which I'm sure she will—it will have been worth it."
"Still. You need to be careful." The quiet admonishment in his words warmed her.
"I will be." Exhaustion slowly crept over her, pulling hertowards sleep. She popped her eyes open to keep from drifting off mid-conversation with Nate. "Listen, I also wanted to thank you for bringing my car out."
"You're welcome. The damage is all fixed, and it's ready to go."
Lily sighed. "I guess I won't be driving it for a few days."
"Yeah. Probably better not to."
Silence stretched between them. There were so many words Lily wanted to say. Instead, she said the ones she didn't want to. "I need to get some sleep, so rather than risk falling asleep while I'm talking with you, I'll just say goodnight now."
"Sleep well."
After Lily touched the screen to end the call, she stared at it for a moment then tapped another icon. This time her file of pictures popped up. She found the oldest pictures and tapped the first one. As the image filled the screen, she gazed at it. Happiness radiated from her, and even Nate sported a rare smile. It was the night they'd gotten engaged. Everything lay ahead of them. Marriage. Children. Years of love together. Within eight months, all of that had changed for her.
If she'd had her way, they would have been married by that point, but Nate had kept putting off setting a date because of the work with his dad. And in the end, it had been just as well. If he hadn't had time for a wedding, he certainly didn't have time to spend taking care of her.
Just before she drifted off to sleep, Lily realized she'd forgotten to do her devotions.
Forgive me, Lord.
~*~*~
Nate stared at the large house that matched the address he'd been given earlier. As soon as he'd gotten back to the garage, he'd found the card Lily had left in his truck andmade the call. What he hadn't expected was for the doctor to tell him to head right over to his house. He'd thought that he'd make an appointment and get to see him sometime in the next week or so. That it happened so quickly was a bit disconcerting, but now that he'd started on this path, he was going to follow it through.
He got out of the truck and followed the brick sidewalk to the front door. It was large with etched glass panels on either side of it. He pressed the doorbell and stepped back to wait. It wasn't long before the door swung open to reveal an older gentleman in pressed slacks and a polo shirt. Nate felt a little underdressed in his jeans and T-shirt but at least they were clean.
"Nate?" the man asked as he held out his hand.
Nate shook it as he nodded.
"I'm Dr. Bennett. Please, come in." The doctor stepped back and motioned for Nate to enter the foyer. "I'm glad you called. Lily wasn't sure that you would."
"It took me a little while to make up my mind."
The doctor gave him a smile. "That's completely understandable."
Nate followed the man into a large well-decorated living room. It wasn't something he'd ever be comfortable living with, but the doctor seemed perfectly at ease as he gestured to a chair and then sat down on the one facing it.
