Page 59 of Montana Groom of Convenience
Doc opened the door. “Can you all come back inside?”
They trooped in and sat down. Father’s face was drawn, but the splint was gone.
Doc spoke. “His leg is healed as well as it’s going to. I regret that I wasn’t able to set it better. Because of that, it will always be crooked.”
“Can he walk on it?” Carly asked.
“I’ve told him to start using it as much as he can. The muscles will shrink if he doesn’t. However, that leg will never be as strong as the other. Robert, you can use the cane or the crutch, whichever helps the most.”
Up to this point, Father hadn’t spoken. “I’ll manage fine. Aye, I’ll make the best of it.”
Doc pushed from the table. “Then I’ll be on my way.”
Sawyer and Carly escorted him to the door and waved him off. They exchanged regretful looks.
“Granddad, are you okay?” Jill’s voice jerked their attention to the pair.
Father stood, gingerly putting weight on his leg. His face was almost as white as his beard.
“Father!”
He lifted his hand to stall her. “I know my leg willnever be the same, but I’m not about to give up.” With the aid of the cane Doc had provided, Father limped across the room. “I think I’ll sit outside for a bit.
Tears flooded Jill’s eyes. “Why can’t the doctor make him better? What if he dies?”
Sawyer and Carly knelt on either side of the little girl.
Sawyer spoke first. “He’ll get stronger every day.”
“Honey, do you think he’ll let a sore leg defeat him?” Carly waited.
Jill met her eyes. After a moment’s consideration, she shook her head.
Carly smiled. “Of course he won’t. He’s far too stubborn.”
“Can I go see him?”
“I think he’d like that.”
“I’ll let him hold Skippy.” Jill picked up her cat and headed outdoors. They heard her chattering away.
Sawyer and Carly stood. Carly lifted her gaze to his. Saw his concern. “It must be hard for him,” Sawyer said.
“Yes, but it’s the news he expected from the beginning. That’s why he insisted I needed a man.”
Sawyer blinked and pulled that inscrutable mask over his face. “That’s why you married me.”
“You know that.” They both did. “I don’t regret it.”
They stared into each other’s eyes. Neither blinking. She wished she could read his thoughts, know what he was thinking...feeling.
He gave a little nod. “Nor do I.” And with that, he strode from the house.
She went to the window and watched as he went to the barn and brought out Big Harry.
He looked toward the house.
She raised her hand. Couldn’t say if he saw her beyond the glass. But he touched the brim of his hat and went to hitch the horse to the seed drill. He then went to the field to resume planting.
