“Trust me, when Allie told me about the whole guide dog thing, I asked her. It’s not complicated. It still weirds me out a little. I don’t necessarily need wipes and hand sanitizer, but it makes me feel better. When I get my own place, I’ll teach him to do it in a specific spot.”
“It sounds like you’re adjusting to each other. He seems attached to you,” Ty said, handing her the cider.
“We have dogs at the farm, but they’reworking dogs and never come in the house. This one’s truly mine. I’m utterly in love. He seems to know when I’m restless at night, and he sticks to my side. Sometimes, Sledge will be up watching TV, or we’ll play cards. Ice doesn’t mind as long as he’s by my side,” Scarlett said, blowing on the hot beverage. “Did you make this, too? I love cinnamon.”
“Yes. I’ll have to make you cinnamon buns sometime,” Ty said.
Scarlett’s cheeks felt warm as she imagined waking up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and homemade buns. It almost sounded as good as sex. Something else she crossed off her list.
“The service sounded beautiful. Tyler drew me a picture. When we go back inside, will you send me to their table? He wanted to tell me about it.”
“Poor Lizzy and Michael, this devastated them. Caleb and Tyler might remember Debbie, but I’m not sure about Faith and Beth. I’m positive Lizzy will find a way to keep her memory alive,” Ty said. “I’ll miss her sneaking over for a dish of my mousse. One day, she left her wallet at Lizzy’s, and when she came over, she baked me a dozen chocolate chip cookies to trade for some. It became such a joke, I bribed her for one of Bryanna’s donuts in the morning and made fresh coffee. She sat at the counter in the kitchen, drinking her beverage, watching me make the mousse, and then took it with her.”
Scarlett heard the sorrow in his voice as if he only realized they’d no longer share those special moments.
“I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to apologize for,” he murmured, pulling her close and kissing her forehead. “Shall we go inside? It’s getting chillier.”
Scarlett turned, and Ice led her to the hospital’s entrance. She loved the feeling of confidently entering the buildingwith no assistance. Getting into the elevator, she ran her fingertip along the braille dots and pressed the button.
“You’ve learned Braille already?” Ty asked, surprised.
Scarlett smiled. “As much as I want to impress you, I read a teaching board once when I researched something in college. When the social worker explained how to read it, everything clicked. I’m not proficient yet, but in another month, I’ll have it down.”
“You constantly amaze me,” he said as the elevator opened. He guided her to Lizzy and Michael’s table before rushing off.
“Tyler, I came to hear about my picture. Can you tell me about it now?” she asked.
“It’s stupid,” Tyler said quietly.
“Tyler, honey,” Lizzy coaxed. “Stupid seems like a yucky word to describe something thoughtful. You drew her a picture to thank her without anyone asking. Your actions speak louder than words.”
Tyler paused, contemplating his mother’s advice. He pulled the paper from his pocket, set it on the table, and smoothed it out. “I colored you on your knees, holding Beth in your arms. Caleb and I held on to your cape, and you took us to the window.”
“A cape?” she asked.
“Yeah. All superheroes wear them. I made yours red,” he informed her.
Lizzy’s hands covered hers. “My Tyler sometimes sees things others don’t. It seems like he got it entirely right this time.”
Scarlett smiled and swallowed the lump forming in her throat. She pulled Tyler into a hug. “I’ll hang this on my fridge, then I can see it every day.”
“How can you when you’re blind?” he asked.
“Tyler,” Michael sent him astern warning.
She held her hand up, letting Michael know Tyler’s question didn’t offend her. “Every morning, I’ll touch it and remember how you described my cape. It’ll make me smile. What do you, your brother, and your sister have on?”
Tyler continued to describe their PJs, and she listened to every detail, cataloging it in her mind. From a child’s view, she became a superhero in his eyes. He didn’t detail the frightened voice or the tears when she pleaded for him to come out of the closet. All he recalled was how she saved him. Nothing could bring Debbie back to them, but at least her grandchildren would never remember the fear, anxiety, and pain of that horrible night.
Recalling the words she said to Sledge, maybe she needed to see herself in a different light. Her blindness didn’t end her world. Since arriving in Serenity, she received a beautiful guide dog, made friends, and met an incredible man. The world seemed scary, but to an eight-year-old little boy, she represented a superhero. If she saved him, maybe she’d rescue herself.
CHAPTER 25
Ty pulledup to Scarlett and Sledge’s cabin. He went around his truck and opened the door for Ice as she got out.
“You seem quiet. Do you have something on your mind?” he asked, walking her up to the door.
