“Okay.” She sniffed, sat back. “Okay, I respect that. Let me just say I understand what you went through. Mom understood you during Hailey’s disappearance. She knows how to put it behind her when it’s important, so she can do the job. But me, I can’t put it behind me so easily. I needed to help. Ihadto.”
Because her brother never came back home to annoy her and steal her toys. “It explains how you know so much about therapy, and family dynamics, and why my screwed up ass needs help.”
“I know enough to see how you’d benefit from it even now that you’re better. I considered going myself after Hailey was found because it brought up old wounds. I was jealous, Devon.”
Shock rippled through him. During the most trying time of his life, she was jealous of him? “Jealous?”
“And so, so angry, because your five-year-old came home. If not sound, she was safe. My brother didn't. And it’s not fair or right to feel that way, but I worked through it. Being helpful was a balm as much as payment for my feelings.”
“And it caused you to push relentlessly until I agreed to therapy,” he said in mild annoyance.
Chloe chuckled. “Yeah, I guess so.”
For several minutes, he remained silent and thought about what she’d said. It felt as if she’d gravitated toward Hailey for some unknown reason and, to a point, it was true. It never occurred to him it was because she’d been through something similar.
So Caleb was wrong. Chloe wasn’t there because she had feelings for Devon, it was because she felt the need to help Hailey. He couldn't fault her for that. He also couldn't explain the feeling forming in his gut with the realization.
“I’m going to check on Hailey.” Before she could respond, he stood and left the room.
Hailey was in bed asleep, as she’d been the last time he was up there. He tried to calm his racing thoughts, but failed. He should send Chloe home. Now it felt as if he was taking advantage of old grief to keep her there to help him out. He figured he should try harder to find his own place, to move on with Hailey and be content to have such a close relationship with his family.
And nothing more than that.
He heard a noise behind him and spun to find Chloe in the doorway. “Is she okay?”
Devon nodded. “I think I should wake her to give her something to drink, see if it stays down.”
Chloe wrinkled her forehead. “She does need fluids, but do you really want to wake her?”
He glanced back at his daughter. “No, but I think it’s for the best.”
“Okay. I’ll bring her a drink.”
Devon sat on the edge of the bed and kissed Hailey’s forehead. She was hot, but not as much as before. “Bug.”
She mumbled, shifted her head.
“Hailey, let’s get something to drink. Okay?”
She opened her eyes and nodded sleepily. “Where’s Chloe?”
Devon grumbled lightly. “Not even happy to see your dad, huh?”
Hailey just stared at him.
“Here, sweetpea.” Chloe came into the room with a glass of pale blue liquid.
Hailey took it and was just about to gulp it when Devon put a restraining hand on the glass. “Go slow. Just a little until we know if you're done throwing up.”
Hailey took a tentative sip and let Devon set the glass on her nightstand.
“How do you feel?”
Her voice was raspy when she answered. “Better.”
Devon moved to sit in the chair and let Hailey lay back on the bed. She closed her eyes, and he watched to see if the Gatorade would stay down.
Chloe sat on the foot of the bed, and he was tempted to tell her she could leave. However, he didn't want to be rude, and he didn't want to say anything in front of Hailey.
