Joy lay in bed a few hours after the altercation with Aunt Zena and replayed the event in her mind. She was angry with herself for not keeping her mouth shut. Zena's personality was such that no one could ever win an argument with her.
Walker had returned home before seven and found Joy reading to Misty on the couch. Aunt Zena hadn't ventured from her room, which was more than okay with Joy. Before driving her home as he did every Sunday, he'd knocked on his aunt's door so he could leave Misty with her.
During the drive Joy didn't mention her confrontation with his aunt. He didn't need more worries on his mind. Instead, she'd asked about the outcome of the emergency and he'd readily responded. The man in question had broken his arm in two places and Walker had had to sedate him in order to set the bones. On the way back home he'd stopped by the preacher's house to apprise him of the situation so help could be rounded up. If not, the poor man would lose his wheat crop. His wife was so busy caring for their four small children that she could do little more than feed the animals and collect eggs.
Joy had said, "I'd like to help. What can I do?"
Walker had chuckled. "Now why doesn't that surprise me? You are one helpful woman, Joy Ryder. On Sunday you can let the preacher know and his wife will assign you a task."
Now, lying in bed, Joy turned onto her side and placed a hand over her heart. She was scheduled to leave Oregon City in five weeks. She had been away from her family for a year and missed them terribly, but the thought of leaving Walker and Misty rent her heart. She loved Misty and her feelings for Walker only intensified every time they were together. For the past two Mondays he'd surprised her by accepting dinner invitations from the Jeromes. Joy had been disappointed when he didn't bring Misty, and when she'd asked if the child could spend a day with her at the Jeromes, he'd politely refused, saying he didn't think she was ready to be away from home. Although his excuse sounded reasonable, Joy perceived an undercurrent not only from him, but from the Jeromes, that baffled her.
However, the bottom line was that she feared she was falling in love with the town's doctor. Was it possible to love someone so deeply and fiercely in such a short time?
Sighing, she fluffed her pillow and thought about the answer to that question. "Yes." When the man was Dr. Walker Flemming, it was impossible not to.
Soon she would have to tell him and Misty about her upcoming departure and her heart ached at the thought.
On the next Sunday, Joy made the decision to teach Misty's lesson from the child's bedroom. She wanted to give her student the experience of painting a portrait so she asked Walker to pose for them. He seemed happy to oblige and now sat on a child's stool in front of the window. Joy giggled when he began to squirm. She said, "Misty, I think we're going to have to conclude this lesson because your papa is starting the wiggle."
The little girl gave a huge grin and laughed long and delightfully. Walker gaped at his daughter. Barely stifling a gasp, Joy jerked her eyes to his. He quickly composed his surprised expression. "If this stool gets any smaller, I'll be sitting on the floor. In fact, I think that's a good idea." In a theatrical movement, waving his arms as if to keep from falling, he plopped onto the floor, and Misty laughed again.
Joy had to quickly dab the corners of her eyes to keep tears from falling. Misty was on the road to recovery. In an effort to cover her emotional state, she gave a few more instructions in painting portraits. Finally, when they ended the lesson because it was close to Misty's naptime, she teased, "Walker, you have been a most accommodating model and perhaps you should add that vocation to your resume."
Walker glanced at her askance from his seat on the floor. "I think doctoring will do me just fine." Then he laughed, and groaned, "If I can make my legs work, I'll get the tea kettle going and meet you in the dining room." He leaned toward his daughter and kissed her cheek. "Misty, would you like a snack before your nap?"
Joy had been wiping her brushes clean and jerked her head up when Misty said, "No, Papa."
For long seconds there wasn't a sound. And then, slowly, Walker reached for his daughter and set her in front of him. Gently, he said, "Misty, sweetheart. You just talked."
The child tilted her head and stared at him as if nothing unusual had happened.
Walker asked, "Do you want to say something more?"
Misty shook her head.
Walker glanced over his daughter's blond curls toward Joy and mouthed the words, "Thank you. Thank you." Joy sniffed and dabbed her eyes again.
Walker stood. "I'll meet you in the kitchen, Joy."
Joy nodded and finally found the hankie in her pocket so she could blow her nose.