I crouch down to Noah’s level, hoping Hudson doesn’t notice the heat spreading up my neck.
“You ready for your morning tea, buddy?”
“I want banana,” Noah says.
“I’d like a bananaplease,” I correct him, and he pouts at me.
“I’ll sort him out with a banana,” Avery offers. “I don’t have another client till this afternoon. You do what you need to do, and I’ll mind him for a while.”
Since Avery came back from college, she’s been like an auntie to Noah. Even in her grief over losing her brother Jake, my best friend always has time for us.
Noah’s already taken her hand, and I straighten up and watch them as they head back to the shed where Noah’s bag of snacks is.
Reluctantly, I turn back to Hudson, but he’s squinting down the path where Ryan made his hasty exit.
“He’s not in a good way.” He sighs.
I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Hudson hasn’t picked up on my discomfort. He doesn’t know about Ryan and me. The relief twists into anxiety.
“What happened to him?” I can’t help asking, even if it does give me away.
“He got caught in an explosion. They amputated his leg to save it.”
I wince and close my eyes.
He kneels behind me and grabs my hips, pulling them toward him.
“That must be hard.”
Hudson runs a hand down his face. “Yeah. Ryan was always so strong. He propped me up through BUD/s training. I’m not sure I would’ve made it without him encouraging me.” He sighs and looks at the ground. “Now, it’s like we’ve switched roles, but I don’t know how to help him.”
I lean against his chest as his hand traces rhythmic circles on my back.
It seems Ryan’s propped the both of us up. I close my eyes on the memory, but Hudson’s too caught up in his own memories of Ryan to notice.
“I hate seeing him like this. He refused to see his dad in Louisville. His dad called and asked me for help. Thought I might be able to get through to him. I begged Joel to open a room early for Ryan here.”
A weight descends on my chest. I can’t compare the vibrant man, who had such an impact on my life with the withdrawn man in the wheelchair.
“Is it working?”
Hudson sighs and shakes his head. “I don’t know.” His shoulders sag, and there’s a tiredness I don’t often see in my energetic brother.
I put a hand on his shoulder. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
The words come out before I can think straight. The last thing I want to do is put myself in the way of Ryan. But I’ll do anything to see him laugh again.
Hudson’s expression brightens. “I thought it would be a good idea to get him working. Let him know he’s still useful. Joel’s got a bunch of minor repairs that need doing around the place. Since you’re here most mornings, do you think you can oversee the repairs?”
My hand freezes on his shoulder. “Like manage him?”
“I would do it, but a security job’s come in that Marcus needs a hand with.”
I swallow hard as my mind races over all the reasons this is a bad idea. Then I think of Ryan retreating in his wheelchair. I’m curious about the man I only knew for one weekend, andif I’m honest with myself, there’s a spark of excitement at the opportunity to see him again.
“Sure.”
He slaps me on the back, and I jolt forward. “Thanks, sis. You’re a superstar. I’ll ask Joel to email you the list of jobs. All you need to do is check that Ryan turns up and is getting shit done. I’m sure he’ll appreciate someone other than me giving him orders.”
