He straightened and glanced between them. “Listen up. More often than not, straining to urinate is a signal related to kidney stones or blockages.”
The color seemed to drain from Earl’s face. “Sounds bad.” He looked over at Lila, searching for a sympathetic audience. Lila, who had been observing the exchange quietly, offered him a reassuring smile, understanding the worry that drove him to bring his pet to the vet’s office.
Doc Tillman reached for the cat. “Here, give Fluffy to me. We’ll do a few tests and get her all fixed up. I promise.” Despite his stern expression, it was clear he had a soft spot for the animals and their owners who sought his help.
Earl carefully handed the kitty over, whispering soothing words to calm the frightened animal.
Lila was about to suggest Earl grab some breakfast at the Rustic Pine when Doc Tillman, cat securely in tow, halted at the doorway to the back. He threw a quick look over his shoulder, his expression steeped in impatience. “Coming? Or is the cat diagnosing itself today?”
15
Reva’s heart weighed heavy with a bittersweet burden as she walked across the parking lot of Family and Child Services. In her arms, eighteen-month-old Lucan remained blissfully unaware of the gravity of the day and the changes that lay ahead.
Reva had embraced this unexpected and temporary role with a mix of dedication and apprehension. Even in the short time she’d cared for him, Lucan had opened a part of her heart she hadn’t realized was longing to be filled.
Now, standing before the building where she would have to say goodbye, she was torn between relief that Lucan might have family to take him in and sadness at the thought of letting him go.
Reva stepped into the starkly lit lobby of the Family and Child Services building, her boots echoing on the polished floor as she crossed to the reception desk. “I’m Reva Nygard. I’m here to see Bea Followill.”
The clerk nodded. “Yes, Ms. Followill is expecting you.”
As Reva stood, clutching Lucan a little closer, she saw Bea Followill approaching through the lobby.
“Reva, thank you for coming on such short notice,” she said, with a calm demeanor and a compassionate smile that eased some of Reva’s apprehension. Dressed in a simple professional blouse and slacks, Bea exuded an air of practicality and warmth, the kind of person you find yourself confiding in without reservation. As she drew nearer, her expression conveyed a mixture of understanding and sadness, a silent acknowledgment of the complex emotions Reva was grappling with.
“I understand this is hard for you,” Bea continued, leading them to her tiny office. “Thank you so very much for stepping up after the accident and taking care of this little one.” She tweaked his dimpled cheek.
“So, you have news?” Reva prompted as she took a seat and unwrapped Lucan from his jacket. “Family willing to take him in?” Her voice remained steady despite the turmoil she felt inside.
Bea folded into her office chair and let out a sigh—a long, heavy sound that seemed to carry more weight than the air could hold. “We did find a relative…his grandfather. But—” She paused, searching Reva’s eyes. “Jess Dorsey is currently serving time in Texas for armed robbery. Until we can ensure Lucan’s safety and find a more permanent solution, we’re at a bit of a standstill.”
“I—I’m not following.”
“Technically, Lucan’s grandfather is his legal guardian until he relinquishes or the courts rule otherwise. Either way, that process will take time. We’ve notified Mr. Dorsey about the accident and hope to assess his intent to care for his grandson after his release. He has about nine months left to serve out his sentence.”
Reva scowled with concern. “He’s a criminal,” she protested. “I mean, is he the best one to care for Lucan? There’s no other family?”
“I’m afraid there’s no one but Mr. Dorsey.” Bea looked across the desk patiently. “Given the current situation, we need a more long-term solution. Nothing permanent at this point. We have no choice but to secure foster care for Lucan.”
Bea folded her hands on her desk. “Reva, I know this is a lot to ask, but would you consider keeping Lucan a bit longer? Only until we find a suitable foster family or another solution,” Bea implored, her eyes pleading.
The room seemed to spin as Reva processed Bea’s words. She thought of the hours she’d spent holding Lucan through the night, comforting him, and the surprising amount of love she already felt for this little guy in her lap.
The possibility of handing Lucan over to a distant, incarcerated relative was unthinkable. Yet, the alternative—keeping Lucan—meant altering her life in ways she’d never imagined.
“Bea, I’m single, I’m the mayor, my life is…it’s not designed for this.” Reva tried to articulate the storm of objections in her mind, but each quickly dissipated, sounding less convincing than the last.
“I understand your reservations, Reva. But you’re all he has right now. And you’ve been doing an amazing job. If it’s too much, I will find him a foster family. I promise,” Bea said, her sincerity unmistakable.
The silence that followed was filled with unspoken fears and hopes. Reva felt a tug at her heart, a call to a purpose she hadn’t planned for but suddenly couldn't imagine abandoning.
Bea was right. She was all he had, and perhaps, he was what she didn’t know she needed.
She let her lips drop to the top of his soft, black curls and kissed him. He turned and looked up at her, his large, brown eyes filled with nothing but trust.
“Okay,” Reva finally said, her voice a mixture of resolve and wonder. “I’ll keep him. Until there’s a better plan. He…” She swallowed the lump forming in her throat. “Lucan has already become a part of my life. How can I say no?”
Bea’s relief was palpable. “Thank you, Reva. I can’t tell you how much this means. We’ll support you every step of the way.”
