Spring had returned to Wilson’s Cove. Fragrance from the lilacs outside Dr. Kathryn Washington’s clinic filled the air and wafted into the building each time someone passed through the door.
Kat made a notation on a patient chart and closed the folder. Running the clinic alone wasn’t easy, but other than a part-time bookkeeper, Kat handled everything herself. As she’d promised Seth, she was making a rural practice work.
A smile touched her lips as she thought of Seth, her husband for eight months. Life was good. After all the years of running in a circle, stressed to the max, God had given her this slower, simpler life with the man she loved.
The pace in Wilson’s Cove had returned to normal after the accident. The kids, including Derek, had gotten probation and community service for the break-ins, and from everything she’d witnessed, the near-death experience had changed them all for the better. Alicia was back in Houston, but due for her regular summer visit in a few weeks. According to her mother, she was walking the straight and narrow, truly trying to live a Christian life. During her visit over Christmas break, she’d been a different Alicia. More mature and thoughtful, she knew Kat had saved her life and now considered her stepmother a friend.
For Seth’s sake, Kat was glad.
To her family’s relief, the town council had successfully implemented a new leash law, incensing the owners of the pit bull so much that they’d moved away. Sadie’s cat had gone on to produce another litter of kittens, one of which curled nightly at the foot of Seth and Kat’s bed.
The domestic life was proving very pleasant indeed.
Hands pressed to her back, she stretched. Almost lunchtime. She could use a break. The morning had been busier than usual. Wilson’s Cove residents loved the idea of a doctor in town, and her practice grew larger all the time.
Together with Seth, she’d started something else, too. She wondered how he was coming along with the project.
The door to her small main-street clinic opened. She looked up from the desk and her heart leaped. No matter how many times he walked through that door, Kat’s heart filled with love and gratitude. Seth Washington had loved her when she hadn’t loved herself.
“I came to take you away from all this,” he said, grinning.
“My hero.” Holding to the arms of the chair, she pushed to a stand.
Instantly Seth was beside her, helping as if she were fragile.
“How’s our quarterback?” he said, wide hands tenderly bracketing the bulge around her middle.
“Field-goal kicker,” she corrected, and they both smiled with the joy that was to come. “He’s awesome.”
For indeed, the ultrasound revealed a baby boy.
“So are you.” He gently tugged her close and kissed her. She leaned into him for a moment, drawing in the outdoors scent of her wonderful man.
“How’s the project coming?”
“The fence is finished. Want to see?” He looked as proud as she felt.
“Absolutely.” Kat hung an Out To Lunch sign on the door, her cell phone number written at the bottom in case of an emergency.
Along the right front of the building, in an area that had once been a patch of grass, Seth had cultivated a small garden. Around the area, he’d erected a white border. At present, only one baby rose held its green arms toward Heaven.
Kat hoped this rose would be the only one, but she knew better. Over time, other mourning parents would need this garden of healing and it would be here for them.
“It’s beautiful, honey.” She slid an arm around his waist and squeezed.
The idea for a memorial garden outside the clinic had been hers, but Seth’s gift of the rosebush last year had been the catalyst. When a distraught young woman had come to her, suffering a miscarriage, Kat had known what she must do. Medical care alone was not enough to heal such a loss.
“A time to heal,” she said softly.
“King Solomon knew what he was talking about, didn’t he?”
“Yes, he did.” She turned into his arms with a smile. The gentle spring breeze played with her hair and whispered of unspeakable joy. “He also said there was a time to love.”
Seth smiled down. “I pick that one.”
With a thankful heart filled with contentment and joy, Kat lifted her face for his kiss. God in His wisdom and love had known exactly what she and Seth needed. Broken and wounded, they’d both come home. Home to Wilson’s Cove. Home to the Lord. Home to healing and love.
Home to each other and the baby boy stirring beneath her heart.
* * * * *