“Hey,” Tessa squeezed her hand. “One thing at a time. First, let’s get you home and taken care of.” She glanced at the path ahead, calculating the distance. “I’m going to help you down, and then we’ll call the doctor.”
“But my shift...”
“I’ll cover it,” Tessa said simply.
Rachel stared at her. “You’re supposed to be on vacation.”
“Itisa vacation. From my normal life.” Tessa shrugged as if it were the most natural solution in the world. “I’m between projects right now, anyway. I can handle a few shifts until you’re back on your feet.”
“But…”
“No buts,” Tessa said firmly. “That’s what friends do. Now, let’s focus on getting you home and comfortable.”
As she helped Rachel stand, supporting her weight while the girls hovered anxiously nearby, Tessa felt the familiarity of it settle into her bones. This was what she was good at: stepping in, solving problems, and being the reliable one. It was a role she knew well.
“Let’s get you to the car,” Tessa said, wrapping an arm around Rachel’s waist. “Girls, can you carry your treasures and stay close? We need to help Mom.”
The descent was slow and painful. Every uneven patch of trail made Rachel wince, her face growing paler with each step. Tessa bore as much of her friend’s weight as she could, while Aria and Lucy trailed behind, their earlier exuberance replaced with worried silence.
“Almost there,” Tessa murmured as the parking area came into view. The mid-morning sun beat down on them, and sweatgathered at the back of her neck, but she kept her movements smooth and steady.
When they finally reached Rachel’s battered SUV, Tessa eased her friend into the passenger seat. “Keys?”
Rachel fumbled in her pocket and handed them over. “I’m sorry about this,” she whispered, her eyes filling with tears again.
“Don’t you dare apologize,” Tessa said firmly, closing the door before helping the girls into their booster seats. “I’m just happy I’m here for you, and you weren’t out there alone.”
“Me too,” Rachel replied as she adjusted her position in her seat.
Behind the wheel, Tessa adjusted the seat and mirrors, taking a deep breath. She hadn’t driven in months—her city apartment made a car unnecessary—but the familiar motions came back easily. The engine rumbled to life, and she backed out of the space, navigating carefully down the winding road toward town.
“I’m not sure of the way back,” Tessa said. She’d only arrived in town yesterday, and she hadn’t gotten her bearings yet.
“Turn left at the stop sign,” Rachel directed, her voice tight with pain. “And then take a right.”
Rachel’s modest house sat on a quiet street lined with mature trees. Tessa pulled into the driveway and cut the engine.
“Okay, girls,” she said, turning to look at Aria and Lucy. “I need you to be my special helpers. Can you open the doors for us while I help your mom inside?”
They nodded solemnly, unbuckling themselves and climbing out.
Getting Rachel up the three porch steps was a challenge, but they managed. Inside, the house was small but warm, with mismatched furniture that somehow created a cohesive whole.
“Sofa or bed?” Tessa asked.
“Sofa for now,” Rachel said. “Then I can still be with the girls.”
Tessa helped her onto the overstuffed sofa in the living room, then propped her injured ankle on a pillow. “Ice,” she muttered to herself. “And probably some pain relievers.”
“Kitchen.” Rachel pointed. “Ibuprofen’s in the cabinet above the sink. And there should be a bag of frozen peas in the freezer.”
Aria tugged at Tessa’s sleeve. “I can show you,” she offered, her small face serious with responsibility.
“Yes, please.”
The kitchen was compact but functional, much like the rest of the house, but Rachel had already made it feel cozy and inviting. With Aria’s help, Tessa found the medicine and frozen peas, then wrapped the makeshift ice pack in a clean dish towel before returning to Rachel.
“Here,” she said, handing over the pills with a glass of water she’d filled. “This should help with the pain and swelling.” She positioned the ice pack gently on the injured ankle. “Twenty minutes on, twenty off.”
