The Healing Place by Leigh Bale Page A

helped make up for all the times she was sick.
    “Sorry to keep you waiting.” Emma came outside and locked the front door.
    She wore makeup today, her eyes so blue that a vision of the ocean and a deserted tropical island filled his mind.
    Over the years he’d forgotten how beautiful she was. “No problem. Everything okay?”
    “Yes.” She walked with him to the truck. “I had to finish some reports and they took longer than I planned.”
    “Do you ever stop working?”
    She shot him a look. “Do you?”
    He laughed. “Touché. But I’ve heard that most things get done by busy people who are tired and don’t have time.”
    Inclining her head toward Angie, she met his gaze. “You’ve had more than your fair share of things to handle. You’re doing a marvelous job with her.”
    Her praise warmed his heart. “Thank you.”
    Angie waited as Mark opened the door and held out a hand to assist her and Emma up into the high cab. He closed the door, then went around to the driver’s seat and got in.
    “So, how much stuff do we need to buy?” Emma asked.
    “A lot. ” He chuckled. “That’s why I brought the truck. I figure my garage is going to be overflowing before this barbecue is over with.”
    “It’s for a good cause.” She looked at Angie. “Have you made a wish yet, with Make-A-Wish?”
    “Yeah, Dad and I are gonna go to Disney World for Christmas. It’s all I could think of. They couldn’t give me what I really wished for.”
    “Oh, and what’s that?” Emma asked.
    Angie shrugged. “A mom.”
    Mark noticed Emma had turned to look out the window, her gaze wistful. Suddenly the happy moment evaporated, replaced by an uncomfortable silence.
    They didn’t speak much as they drove to a warehouse where they could buy bulk items. Parking as close to the entrance as possible, Mark leaned against his door. “Wow, look at all the cars. It’s going to be a zoo in there.”
    Emma smiled. “Saturday shopping always is. Too many busy people with errands.”
    “Like us.” He grinned. “Well, let’s get to it.”
    He got out and went around to open Emma’s door, but she beat him to it and slipped out of the truck without his help. She grasped Angie around the waist, lifting her down.
    “Thanks,” Angie said.
    “You’re welcome, sweetie.”
    Sweetie. Mark loved it when Emma loosened up like this.
    As they neared the warehouse, Angie walked between Mark and Emma. His daughter reached up and clasped his hand. When she also took Emma’s hand, Mark blinked.
    At first Emma’s eyebrows shot up and her lips parted with surprise. Then she accepted Angie’s contact and even seemed to enjoy it.
    “Swing me, you guys. Swing me!” Angie ordered as she pumped their arms back and forth.
    Mark was amazed Angie had the energy to swing. It delighted him, although he didn’t think it wise.
    “No, honey. I don’t want to jar you around,” he said.
    “Ah.” She groaned. “It won’t hurt me.”
    “I just want to be sure. You’ve got a lot of stuff going on inside your head right now, and I think we should keep you calm. Don’t you agree, Emma?”
    “Well, I don’t think it would hurt her, but that’s up to you.”
    Angie showed a toothless grin and Mark couldn’t resist laughing. “Okay, I can’t fight both of you.”
    In unison, Mark and Emma swooped the child forward and back, forward and back. Angie’s giggles rang throughout the parking lot and, by the time they reached the front of the store, they were all breathless with laughter.
    Emma and Mark each took a shopping cart and entered the warehouse. Angie wasn’t strong enough to walk around the store for very long.
    “Do you mind pushing her?” he asked Emma. “I can push the heavier cart.”
    “Of course,” Emma agreed.
    Row by row, they collected heavy-duty paper plates, utensils, napkins and cups. Both carts were overflowing by the time they made it to the checkout line, and Mark lifted Angie out and placed her on her feet. He paid