“I’ll get the next one,” he said, predictably.
But she could see by the way he was moving toward the door that his joints were already stiff from shoveling.
“Nope,” she told him. “There’s not much more, and I’ve already got my boots on. I don’t really know where everything goes here though, so it would be so great if you could help with that.”
She headed briskly to the kitchen before he could argue, and was relieved to hear his footsteps behind her. By the time she had carried everything in, all three of her friends were unpacking groceries and other items together in the kitchen.
“This is so helpful,” Mrs. Lennox said, looking almost teary-eyed as she unpacked a big bag with packages of toilet paper.
Willow always had the sense that some of the guests relied on getting some of their meals here, and Mrs. Lennox’s reaction to receiving supplies definitely supported that. She was glad she had at least done one thing right today.
“I’m just sorry you all had to shovel the walk,” Willow said, meaning it. “I’m the one living here permanently. I wish I’d been here.”
“It’s our pleasure,” Reggie told her. “And good exercise.”
“It’s fun to play in the snow,” Mrs. Ying said with a smile. “And besides, we figured you were with your brother, helping out with the kids.”
“Oh,” Willow said, wondering how to explain where she’d really been.
“So you weren’t with your brother,” Reggie said, his eyes twinkling. “Were you with my nephew and his boy?”
“Jensen called me right when the snow started,” sheheard herself admit. “Henry was really sick, and he couldn’t get Kellan on the phone.”
“Oh dear,” Mrs. Lennox said. “Is the little boy okay?”
“Yes,” Willow said. “Thank goodness. He had a bad cold, that was all.”
“Little guy was born early,” Reggie said gruffly. “He’s a tough one, but we all worry. Glad you could get over there to help.”
“He’s the sweetest boy,” Willow said. “I was glad that Jensen called. Anyway, by the time we got Henry comfortable, there was way too much snow for me to try and drive back here. I’ve been staying in their guest room.”
“I’m sure they enjoyed that,” Mrs. Lennox said, patting her arm. “He’s such a nice young man, and that little boy is adorable.”
Willow couldn’t help smiling at hearing someone else say the things she felt about the Webb boys.
“Are we going to be hearing wedding bells soon?” Reggie asked, waggling his eyebrows.
“Reggie,”Mrs. Lennox scolded him.
“No,” Willow said, doing her best to keep her voice from shaking. “Definitely not.”
“Oh, sweetheart,” Mrs. Ying said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “I’m so sorry to hear that.”
To Willow’s absolute horror, she felt tears start to slide down her cheeks at the other woman’s kindness.
“Come on,” Mrs. Ying said firmly. “Let’s go sit by the fire and talk it out.”
“I’m s-sorry,” Willow managed as she allowed herself to be led out to the sofa.
“Don’t you feel bad for one second,” Mrs. Ying toldher. “We’re here for you, same as you’re always here for us.”
“We can talk about it or not,” Mrs. Lennox added. “We’re happy to listen, or just keep you company.”
When they were ensconced on the sofa together, Willow felt herself relax a little. The tears stopped flowing as she soaked in the warmth of the fire and the quiet company of the two women who flanked her. Reggie came in quietly a moment later with a mug of coffee, fixed just the way she liked it.
“Thank you,” she said.
“My pleasure,” he told her. “And if you’d like me to hold my nephew to account, I’d be glad to give him an earful.”
