“Let’s come up with a plan,” Mark replied softly. His mind worked furiously, trying to think of something that would ease Layla’s suffering. Surely, he could do something to make this whole situation better for her. “We can go into town and fetch your father. He can stay with us for a while. Maybe you can close the store, or Eliza can stay on and run it whenever she’s available. I know it will be a lot of extra work for you, but I think having your father here …”
Layla slowly pulled away from him. The tears were still shining in her blue eyes, and her lower lip trembled. “You mean that my father can come here? To your home?”
“Of course, Layla. This isourhome, and if it would make you feel better to have your father here, for the time being, I am happy to assist you in making that happen.”
“Thank you, Mark,” Layla replied, giving him a shaky smile. “That is very generous of you.”
“Think nothing of it. You are my wife, and he is your father. As a family, we are bound together.” He nodded toward Heath, who was still playing with the rattle. “We will take care of this as a family.”
Chapter Nineteen
“Are you sure Mrs. Calkins didn’t mind taking care of Heath for the afternoon?” Layla asked, concern riddling in her voice.
“She was happy to do it,” Mark answered, keeping his eyes on the road in front of them. After they quickly ate the meal Layla prepared of chicken and oranges, which were surprisingly good together, Mark went over to Dollie Calkins’ house and begged her assistance. “She said she missed seeing Heath and that it would be her pleasure to look after him while you and I got Emmett settled.”
“But she’s free to do that?” Layla continued, still seeming uncertain. “I mean … her husband is well enough that she can take some time away from him to also take care of Heath?”
Mark shook his head. “Carl Senior’s not doing well. The stroke was massive, and it left the right side of his body paralyzed. Dollie said she’d have one of the kids look after her husband for a spell so she could watch Heath. She implied that spending time with the baby would be a welcomed distraction.”
“I see,” Layla answered thoughtfully. Mark peeled his eyes away from the road to glance at Layla. Her fingertips floated to her mouth, and she chewed on one of her nails. He had never noticed that she had this bad habit, and he wondered if it only manifested when she was truly upset or worried.
The buggy was moving steadily, and since the temperature had dipped, the going was rather easy. Mark was only so cautious this afternoon because he was worried the wind might pick up at any moment and send sand flying in front of them. He didn’t want to have to deal with that right now, as there were so many other things troubling him and his wife, so he thought it best to stay attentive to the road and get to town as quickly and safely as possible.
“I want to thank you, Mark,” Layla said, shifting uncomfortably in the bench seat. Their knees touched, and Mark glanced down at the spot where they were now connected. The area warmed, so he leaned incrementally into the comforting touch.
“You’re welcome, Layla.” Mark wanted to say many things to console her, but he had learned from his limited experience with Trudie that sometimes, it was best to remain quiet and let women figure out their emotions on their own.
“I appreciate your offer to let my father come and stay with us. I know that you don’t like him and so I understand that this is a great—”
“Who said I didn’t like your father?” Mark asked, his dark eyebrow quirking in surprise.
Layla’s eyes widened. “You once acted as though …” Mark could see it brought her pain to recall the event as her astonished expression morphed as she bit down on her lower lip and lowered her eyes.
“I may not understand why your father behaves in the way he does, but I have come to see that he is important to you. The way you respect him, even when he disappoints you, is admirable,” Mark said.
“Thank you for seeing it that way, Mark,” Layla said and shifted closer to him on the bench. He glanced at her, and she seemed aware of how little distance existed between them. Smiling secretively, he thought of how nice it felt to be riding next to his wife, even if the circumstances were not the best. The ride into town passed quickly, and before Mark could continue the conversation with Layla any further, they arrived at the general store.
Layla sighed, and though Mark could tell that she was still upset by the situation, he hoped that things would improve steadily by lending a helping hand.
***
Eliza was still stationed at the store when Mark and Layla went inside to collect her father. Layla insisted on going upstairs first to explain their plans to her father so that he might be more amenable to the idea of leaving his home and coming to theirs.
While Mark waited, he surveyed the store. He produced much of what he needed on his own farm, and he didn’t often come into the Fitzpatrick’s General Store. This wasn’t his first time here, as he had come in on the day he’d told Layla he had accepted her offer. Remembering how frantic he’d felt in that moment, his eyes coasted over to where she had stood. Near the front of the store, where the windows provided a generous view of the street, she had stocked the shelves with glass jars. He wandered over in that direction so he could figure out what had been in those jars. Various fruits and vegetables were there, but the peaches and the green beans stood out to him.
“Can I help you find something, Mr. Flint?” Eliza called from behind the counter.
Mark used to be rather friendly with Eliza James, as she was Jack’s wife and a friend of Trudie’s, but it had been many months since he could recall speaking with her. “No thanks, Mrs. James. I’m just looking around the place.”
Eliza came up behind him, speaking in a bubbly tone. “Those peaches are mighty fine, Mr. Flint. You ought to take home a jar. Jack likes it when I bring home some because he thinks peach pie is about the best thing in the whole world. I prefer peach cobbler myself, but we do whatever we can to make our loved ones happy. Am I right?”
Mark glanced at Eliza once more, and she was smiling enthusiastically at him. Her grin was broad, and it lit up her whole face. “Yes, of course, Mrs. James. I’m sure you and Jack make each other very happy.”
“I appreciate that, Mr. Flint. And I’ve just got to tell you—well, I suppose I don’t have to tell you, but I’ve got it in my mind to, so I’m going to say it anyhow—what you’re doing for Layla and Mr. Fitzpatrick is a kind thing. It’s very thoughtful of you, and I know that Layla will appreciate it. I was so worried about her when she left this morning. I promised myself that I’d find a way to help her, and here you are … just a few hours later, doing what I couldn’t.”
“Actually,” Mark said, “There is a way you can help my wife and her father. If you watch over the store, just until Mr. Fitzpatrick gets back on his feet, that will make a world of difference.”
“It would be my pleasure, Mr. Flint,” Eliza said joyfully. She pulled a jar of peaches off the shelf. “You go on and take those home with you. As a matter of fact, why don’t you let me fix you up a parcel? Poor Layla’s bound to be so worn out by this whole thing that she’s not likely to feel up to cooking supper. Look around and see if there’s anything special you or Heath might like to eat, and I’ll get a bag.”
