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“She’s delighted about the clinic,” Luci said. “Last time I saw her, she went on and on about how she knew I’d do good in the world. Made me feel like a million bucks.”

“You dazzle people wherever you are and you don’t even know it,” I said.

“You’re pretty dazzling yourself.”

“I have a present for you but you have to wait until supper,” I said.

She grinned, showing me exactly what she must have looked like at eight years old. “You shouldn’t have, but thank you.”

“I’ve never been more excited to give anyone a gift in my life.”

“How intriguing. Should I show you how grateful I am?” Luci asked, moving from her chair to mine, straddling me.

“I think that’s an excellent idea.”

And so she did.

That afternoon, Finley drove Jack and me into town to pick up the dollhouse. I’d called the toy maker the day before to tell him to expect us. By the time we got there, he had it boxed up for us, including furniture for each room clearly labeled. I could already imagine Luci setting it all up, placing each piece with care.

Finley had errands of her own, leaving us to load the boxes into the back of the ranch van. Jack and I got the big one wedged in and stood there, side by side, looking at it.

“Took us twenty-two years, but Luci’s finally getting her dollhouse,” Jack said. “I can’t tell you how often I’ve thought of that Christmas. Luci wouldn’t admit this in front of our mom but I know she was very disappointed when Santa didn’t bring it. She looked all around the room, then down on her knees to look under the tree. Then she said, ‘Santa must not have had enough doll houses. Maybe a lot of other kids wanted one too.’ Darned if that didn’t break my heart. She’s always so brave about everything.”

We got in the van to wait for Finley where it was warm, sitting in the middle row.

Jack rested the back of his head on the seat, looking up at the roof. “I can’t tell you how much I worry about Luci.”

“She’s a remarkable woman. What makes you worry?”

“You clearly don’t have a sister,” Jack said, not unkindly but very matter-of-fact. “Even though she’s all grown up and a doctor, I still think of her as eight-year-old Luci with the big eyes and bigger heart, waiting for the other kids to show up for her birthday party.”

“She told me about that,” I said.

“Did she?” He seemed surprised.

“She said you all rallied and made it a great day.”

“I’m glad she remembers it that way. I was spitting mad. Rhett too. But, as usual, there was nothing we could do.”

“You made Luci feel good that day. That’s all that matters.”

“She’s the most stubborn person,” Jack said. “Not that I’m one to talk. She won’t take anything from me. I offered to pay for school but she refused. Took out loans instead, which I know weighs heavily on her. I’ve a good mind to pay them off and not tell her until it’s done.”

“That’s a risky move. As I told you and Ivy, she was mad at me for buying her Giving Tree family gifts.”

“I remember.”

“In hindsight,” I said, “not my brightest moment,”

“Still sweet of you, though, despite how it was received. I’ve offered to buy her a house, give money to the clinic, send her on a vacation, and she just looks at me as if I’ve insulted her.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “She’s as proud as my mother and as stubborn as me. Not a good combo.”

“Or the best combo, depending on who you ask,” I said.

“She’s tired. I can see it in her eyes. She’s had to fight so hard for everything, and now she’s opened this clinic that sucks the life out of her. And she’s alone. Lonely too. But she won’t admit it to save her life.”

“She’s independent. It’s a good quality.”

“I just want her to meet someone nice. Someone who can take care of her.”