Wren blinked. “You mean I can go up?”
“Yes, he said he’d love to talk. Between you and me, he needs visitors.”
Wren hung the lanyard around her neck. “I agree. And who knows? Maybe I’ll be the first of many.” She held up the card that identified her as a visitor. “Thanks.”
Wren went over what she planned to say on the ride up. She walked down the hall to number twelve. The door was open a crack but she knocked anyway.
“Evan? It’s Wren.”
“Yes, yes.” She heard him shuffling to the door. He opened it with a smile. “Come in, come in. I was just making tea. Would you like a cup?”
“That sounds good, thank you.” She stepped into the little room. His only furnishings were a bed, a desk, a chest of drawers, a mini fridge, and two chairs. A small sink took up one corner. A beautiful quilt covered the bed. Two large cardboard boxes sat stacked on top of the chest of drawers and another acted as a makeshift nightstand, holding several medicine bottles, a glass half full of water, and a book. A hotpot sat on the desk beside a china teapot and two matching cups and saucers. The room was neat as a pin.
“Come sit.” Evan pulled one of the chairs out for her beside the desk, then went to the fridge and opened it. She noticed his insulin bottles beside a carton of milk, which he took out and set on the desk.
At least he can afford his meds. Unless he’s rationing them. Damn those bastards at ‘Millstone.’
Evan sat in the chair opposite hers. “Do you take milk and sugar? I have my sweetener but I also have a wee bit of sugar left from making the fudge.”
“Yes, both, please. And thanks again for the fudge.”
Evan fixed them two cups of tea. It was strong, hot, and good.
“So,” he started. “You wanted a follow-up? Another photograph?”
“No. I left my camera at home today.” Wren set her cup down. “The follow-up isn’t so much for the story, but for you. For your life.”
Evan frowned, puzzled. “I don’t understand.”
Wren gave him a gentle smile. “I live in Lyons. I’ve been to the rec center, and I’ve met Stephanie West.”
Evan looked away. “I see.”
Wren softened her voice. “Evan. She has people looking for you. I just happened to find you first.”
He looked back at her. “Have you told Stephanie?”
Wren grinned and leaned forward. “Do youreallythink she’d let me come here without her if she knew?”
Evan chuckled. “I suppose not.”
Good. I’ve got him laughing.
“I wanted to talk to you before they find you, because they will. I’ve met the men she’s asked to find you and they are very capable and determined. I know you don’t want Sue and Fran to blame themselves for what happened after they saved your life. I don’t think they will. But Evan, theywillbe hurt if they find out you didn’t want their help.”
He shook his head as his gaze settled on the cup of tea on the desk in front of him. “I’m just so embarrassed.”
“I get it. I lost everything once, just like you did. My home. My happy childhood. I felt shame, too, for things that were out of my control. I spent years not telling anyone what happened because I was carrying the fear that they would leave me. I was afraid of losing everything all over again so I kept all the people in my life at arm’s length. And I’ve missed out all this time.Please. Let me tell them where you are. Stephanie cares about you. The nurses too, and they’ll all want to help you get back on your feet. It’s okay to let them.”
Evan nodded as he looked into the middle distance.
Finally, he met her gaze again and said, “Don’t tell her.”
The rec centerwas unusually quiet—the gorgeous Colorado weather keeping everyone outside—when Wren pushed the door open. Stephanie looked up from her book and watched her come in, Elias right behind her.
Helping Evan keep steady as he walked.
Stephanie’s mouth opened as she stood up. “Evan?Evan!” She dropped her book and practically sprinted to them. “Where have you been? Are you alright? Sue and Fran thought you’d moved without telling us, which was weird.”
