“Give me a moment, Scarlett. Victoria, one of Ivan’s men, stepped on a bear trap at the base of the mountain. He’sgetting escorted to the ER. They managed to get it off, but his leg suffered some injuries. Ivan didn’t pick up.”
“When did you start using those?” Victoria asked, picking up her phone and calling her husband.
“We don’t. This time, this person has gone too far. He hurt someone,” Kassie seethed as she called the police. “Hi. It’s Kassie Winters. One of our employees stepped on a bear trap at the base of the mountain. We don’t use them, and the men patrol the area. He’s in the ER and can provide you with more information.”
“Ivan’s on his way over. He sparred with Lucas and Nick and didn’t hear the call,” Victoria explained.
“I texted Chase. He’s waiting for them,” she said, closing the truck door and opening Scarlett’s. “I’m sorry you came in time to have some idiot on the loose. Usually, Serenity’s very peaceful.”
“I’ve received nothing but kindness since I arrived. It’s unfortunate someone finds these tricks amusing,” Scarlett said as she stepped out of the truck.
Victoria followed behind them. “I have some ideas…”
“Thank you, Victoria. Why don’t you grab us a table while I introduce Scarlett? I’m anxious to return and check on our new patient. Oh, I’ll call the hospital and suspend outdoor activities until we can check the grounds. Leo’s team can do a sweep.”
Kassie led Scarlett into the building. It smelled heavenly with something baking in the oven, and she heard conversations of people sitting at tables.
“Debbie, Barb and Edie, this is Scarlett. She’s helping you temporarily. I told her you’d lend her a hand if she needs it,” Kassie said to the women.
A small, older woman hugged her. She smelled sweet and syrupy, and like pie. “I’m Miss Edie around here, child. Thankyou for coming.”
“It’s my pleasure,” Scarlett murmured, while Barb shook her hand and squeezed it warmly.
“It’s nice to meet you. Have you eaten yet? I pulled individual chicken pot pies from the oven a minute ago,” Barb informed her.
“No, ma’am. I haven’t eaten yet. It smells amazing,” Scarlett complimented her.
“I can’t take the credit on this one. Debbie makes it for Caleb and Faith when they spend the evening with her. It’s always a hit here, too,” Barb explained before rushing off to save her one.
“Hello, I’m Debbie, as you can guess. I’m Caleb, Faith, and Beth’s Gran.” Scarlett heard the love and pride in her voice. “I don’t usually cook. It’s Barb’s domain, and Edie bakes. I like to help the older folks who come in. Have you met Michael and Lizzy yet?”
“I haven’t introduced them. We’ve kept Scarlett busy on the mountain,” Kassie chimed in.
“They adopted my grandchildren, Caleb and Faith. They haven’t left the house since little Beth came home with them, and I volunteered to watch the kids while they spend the evening alone. It seems like forever since I’ve watched a baby. I’m baking and freezing a few of their favorite meals. I’ll pop them in the oven, and we can continue to play.”
Scarlett smiled, thinking how lucky her grandkids must be. “Yes. It’ll make it easier for you.”
“Why don’t you have a seat and eat lunch? I’ll go over this evening’s menu and what jobs we need to complete while you enjoy your meal. When you finish, I’ll give you the grand tour,” Debbie said, leading her to a small table in the corner.
“Thank you,” she said, sitting with her back against the wall. Scarlett sighed in relief. At the other hospitals, people treated her differently once they learned of her blindness. Some thought it meant they must speak louder and slower toher, as if she injured her hearing instead of her eyesight. Others treated her with pity or, like her parents, jumped to do her bidding without her asking. It grated on her nerves, and she didn’t know how to stop it. People here didn’t treat her any differently than anyone else. She felt her shoulders relax and the tension she felt for months drift away, allowing her to breathe.
Ty noticedKassie and Victoria walk in, and he rushed to greet them. The two women seemed at odds with one another, which wasn’t unusual with Victoria’s strong personality and Kassie’s sweet one.
“How are my two favorite ladies doing?” he asked as he grabbed menus from the podium.
“Hi, Ty. We’re peachy,” Kassie said, sending Victoria a warning glance.
“I’m just saying, she’s a pretty woman. It’s up to us to warn her before one of those knuckleheads asks her out,” Victoria argued.
“You told her they made bets to…you know. I’m only suggesting you might not be as blunt next time. She’s a new patient and I don’t want her getting the wrong impression of us,” Kassie shot back, sitting inside the booth. Ty handed her a menu and waited until Victoria settled to give her one.
“May I bring you ladies a drink? It sounds as if you need a relaxing lunch,” he suggested.
“I’ll have water with lime unless you have your cucumber and mint concoction,” Kassie said, staring Victoria down.
“I’ll have an Irish whiskey neat, please,” Victoria ordered.
“She’ll have water with lemon,” Kassie corrected her. “No alcohol while you’re still recovering, and I have a sneaky suspicion you cheated when westayed in Ireland.”
