“It won’t be easy, but over the short term—yes.”
“Okay, then I want you to prioritize sleep, food, water, rest. If you don’t, you’re going to start to fall apart. And that, we cannot have.”
He grunted.
“No, really.” She spoke in her sternest voice. “Tomorrow’s my day off and my work schedule is flexible, so I’m depending on you to rely on me as much as you need.”
He bumped his shoulder against hers affectionately. “Thank you.”
“If you need them, Mom and Dad will come back to help, too.” Four years ago, their parents had once again followed a job offer Mom had received and relocated to Boston. By then, Theo and Penelope both considered Misty River home. The two of them had stayed.
“I know. I’m not ready to ask them to do that yet. They took off work to be here last week.”
She peeled the wrapper farther down her candy bar. “So. How did Eli do taking care of Madeline today?”
“Great. I was later getting to the house than expected because I waited with Aubrey to talk to her doctor. When I got there, everything was clean and quiet. Madeline was sleeping and he was watching baseball.”
“Huh.”
“He didn’t burst into tears.”
“Touché.”
“Is something going on between you two?” This wasn’t the first time over the past eighteen months that he’d asked the question.
“Nope.”
“Would you tell me if there was?”
“Nope.”
“He likes you.”
“I don’t date Air Force guys.”
“He’s a much better catch than Cameron.”
Over the past month, she’d gone on three dates with Cameron Kaplinsky, computer programmer. “You’re not the one going on dates with Cameron, so your opinion hardly qualifies.”
“I’m your doting older brother who cares about your happiness. My opinion should qualify.”
“No, indeed.” She finished her Snickers. “Hit me again, please.”
His brows rose. “A double?”
“It’s been a long day.”
He slid coins into the vending machine and handed her a second Snickers.
“Just between you and me, it’s nice to take a break from that hospital room for a minute.” He resumed his position against the wall next to her and clicked through apps on his phone.
She remained beside him, offering silent companionship and tasting chewy caramel, chocolate, and peanuts.
Theo had started his own adventure tour business several years ago. He and his three staffers took people on hiking, paddling, and fishing expeditions that lasted anywhere from a day to a week.
Shortly after Eli had arrived at Ricker, he’d stopped by Theo’s business. Eli loved to fish and had signed up for a two-day fishing weekend Theo had led. The two had come back from the trip besties.
Eli had joined Theo’s weekly basketball game at the gym and, soon after, Theo had introduced Eli to Penelope at a party. Penelope’s rapport with Eli had beeninstantaneouslygood. He knew when to listen. He knew when to extend sympathy and when to deliver a joke. And he appreciated her just the way she was.
