“I will.”
“She will,” Faith said at the same time.
“Tonight. Now.” The paramedic spoke with authority for someone who didn’t look like she was old enough to be out of high school.
“Yes, ma’am.” Hope offered a small salute, then an extended hand. “Thank you.” The paramedic shook her hand and left.
When she was gone, Hope shifted in her chair. “I hate you right now.”
“I know.”
“I guess we’d better get it over with.”
“Yep.”
“My car?” Hope asked without needing to. Her car was easy for her to get in and out of, and it was really a no-brainer.
“Keys?” Faith prepared for Hope to argue, but there was no way she was letting her drive.
“In the kitchen.” Hope rolled herself toward her dresser where her phone rested. “Are we taking Luke with us?”
“I don’t know.” What was she supposed to do with Luke? Leave him here? Let him take her car even though he wasn’t supposed to be driving? He wasn’t supposed to be shifting heavy boxes and repairing closets either, so did it really matter at this point?
“He likes you.” Even in a whisper, there was confidence in Hope’s remark.
“He’s a friend.”
“For now. It won’t be long.”
Faith couldn’t stop herself from remembering Luke’s “I could kiss you” remark. Not so much because of what he’d said. It had been an off-the-cuff comment, not a statement of serious intent. But when he’d realized what he’d said, he’d gotten serious. Fast. And he hadn’t said he didn’t want to kiss her. Just that he never would without her consent.
Right now, with everything going down the toilet, she couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to have someone who was her person. The one she could count on to stay with her through the tough stuff and not run for cover when things went sideways.
“Ladies, may I join you for a moment?” Luke called from the closet.
“Of course.” Hope lowered her voice and said, “Such a gentleman.”
Luke came through the bathroom and entered the bedroom with a hesitant step. “What’s the verdict?”
20
“STITCHES.”The sisters spoke at the same time. Faith’s tone carried a hint of “obviously.”
Luke clapped his hands. “Excellent.” He turned to Hope. “Did Faith have a chance to mention the possibility of me fixing the closet tonight?”
Hope and Faith exchanged a look that made Luke miss his sister in a way he hadn’t experienced in a long time. There was an entire conversation happening that he couldn’t hear. After a few moments, Hope smiled at him. “This is the first I’ve heard of it. Do you moonlight as a contractor?”
He tried to assume an air of nonchalance. “I take jobs when I can get them. It’s a tough market.”
Hope laughed. Faith didn’t laugh, but she didn’t throw anything at him either. And for the moment, he was going to consider that yet another win.
“I have an idea, if y’all would consider it.”
Hope nodded for him to proceed. Faith stood behind her, arms crossed.
“I’m not supposed to be driving, but I can get an Uber to the home improvement store. They’re open until midnight on Fridays.If I leave now, I can get what I need, Uber to my place and get my tools, and then get back here. I can put up a shelf and a rod in a few minutes. I might be done before you get back.”
Hope didn’t respond for a few moments. Luke could imagine how hard she’d fought for her independence, and a moment like this could feel like it was being taken away. But he was offering friendship and kindness. Would she accept it?
