“When did you get so bossy?”
“When you stopped taking care of yourself. Sit.”
Callie flips over a bucket and sets the basket on top. She pulls out a container and peels off the lid. Steam billows out, and my mouth instantly waters. “You made me an omelet?”
She pulls out another container with buttered toast and two packets of jelly. “Figured it’s the best option to cover all the nutritional bases.”
“You missed one.”
Her brows draw together as she scans the contents of the meal. “No, I didn’t.”
I hum around a bite. “Mhm. I’m afraid you did.”
“I can assure you, I did not. I followed the damn food pyramid.”
“Get over here and give me my Callie fix.” I set the container down and pull her toward me.
She stumbles, but I catch her in my arms and steal a kiss.
“Much better. Best damn chaser in the world.”
She settles sideways on my lap and picks up the container with the omelet, feeding me another bite. We stay like that until all the food is gone.
“Remember when you were sick, and I fed you soup? Do you remember how hard you fought me?”
She smiles. “How the tables have turned.”
“Mmm, but I’m a much better patient.”
She presses her lips to my nose. “You aren’t sick.”
Feels like I am.I rub a hand over my chest, trying to ease the persistent ache that’s settled there.
“How are you holding up?” she asks, sweeping a curl off my forehead.
“Better now that you’re here.”
She presses a palm to my cheek, forcing me to meet her gaze. “Cute. Now give me the real answer.”
A muscle pulls tight in my jaw, and I swallow against another surge of sadness. “I’m terrified I’m gonna lose him.”
“Him, or Ryan?”
“What do you mean?”
“Copper is all you have left of your best friend. A living, breathing reminder of what you lost, yes, but also a living, breathing embodiment of the person you once cared about. If you lose Copper, it’s like losing Ryan all over again.”
I hadn’t thought about it like that, but it makes perfect sense. I feel Ryan’s absence more acutely now than I ever have.
Callie rests her head against my shoulder. “It’s ok to be sad. It’s ok to feel whatever it is you’re feeling.”
I thread my fingers through hers and bring them to my lips. “Will you come with me to check on him?”
“Whatever you need.”
You. Just you.
She shifts off my lap and leads me out of the tack room. Inside the stall, Copper stands upright for the first time in more than a day. A swell of pride overtakes me.
