Page 18 of Mountain Gift

Turning around, I see Maggie walking into the room, a broad smile on her round face as she pushes a man in a wheelchair.

It's Bobby, Penny's father.

Returning their smiles, I set my box of things down on the floor and dash over to hug them both.

I've known Maggie for as long as I've been bringing crafts down to the nursing home. As the facility coordinator, it's her job to keep all the residents in fine health and good spirits. And because of her natural kindness, that has been as easy for her as breathing.

I see Bobby more often. He's gone to all of my brothers' weddings, and at least once a month, I help Penny bring a new pile of books to the home for him to read.

Bobby hasn't had the easiest life. He's not as old as the other residents in the nursing home—a young and dashing seventy-two, while everyone else is easily in their eighties and nineties. But years of chronic illness have left him confined to a wheelchair, and instead of living with Penny, he made the decision three years ago to move into the home to give her some space.

"This is Caroline Walker-Wells," Maggie says patiently to the new receptionist. "She's a good friend. She's always allowed in."

The receptionist glances at Boone. "What about him?"

"He's with Caroline," Bobby says simply, waving his hand as if he's smacking her question away. "What does it matter?"

I blush at the implication of what he's just said. Did he just imply that Boone and I are a couple? But I don't correct him. If I do, the receptionist won't let Boone into the building.

So, I ignore the small fib (and the delicious tingle it gives me to picture a man like Boone beingwithme). I pick up my box again and let Bobby and Maggie lead us further into the facility.

The residents all wander in once word spreads about our arrival. As Maggie brings over some wooden stools for me and Boone to sit on, I tell Bobby about Sophia and Colt's pregnancy announcement the other night.

"That's fantastic," he says, grinning. "Hopefully, my pretty Penny won't be too far behind in giving Ford a brother or sister."The thought of more grandchildren makes him so giddy that his hands start to shake.

"Don't overwork yourself, Bob," Maggie says sweetly, laying a blanket over his lap and tucking him in. "Save up your energy for the class."

While the gifts are doled out to everyone, Maggie tells me all about what's happened since I last visited. Together, we celebrate the big birthdays and the new residents that have entered the home, and we quietly mourn the passing of others.

All the while, Boone sits on his stool with a gaggle of old ladies around him, sizing him up and giggling over everything he does. Every time I allow myself a peek at him, I struggle to hold back my laugh.

"It's just wonderful to have a strong young man around here again," one of the old women says to another. I remember from my last visit that her name is Eileen.

Bobby huffs playfully at this. "What are you talking about? I'm right here."

He flexes one of his thin arms, and the old women cackle again.

Turning back to Boone, Eileen asks, "Are you any good with electronics? My TV has been acting up, and no one can seem to figure it out."

"Sure," Boone says. "I can take a look at it."

I have to put my hand over my mouth to hold my own laughter in.

Suddenly, I feel a tapping on my arm. I turn to find Maggie wiggling her eyebrows at me.

"What?" I ask.

Leaning in close, she lowers her voice. "You seem to like him a lot," she says. "Who is this friend of yours again?"

My cheeks burn. This amount of blushing can't be good for me.

"Boone Pierce," I whisper back. "He's friends with Callum. He's just staying at my house for a few days."

"Well, Doris and Eileen aren't letting him go anywhere soon," she says, peering at the two older women as they squeeze Boone's flexed biceps. "Maybe you'd like to stay a little longer? We're about to run a cookie decorating class for the seniors."

"And me," Bobby corrects.

Maggie chuckles. "Of course, Bobby. Everyone is welcome. Would you and Boone like to join us?"

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