“Which is awfully convenient after that photo of you and Theo was making the rounds,” Tessa chimes in, and my heart tumbles over itself. “But Mom told us there was a bunch of confusion about it?”
Millie sighs and redirects. “Weactuallycalled to see how you’re doing. A little sister check-in.”
I swallow. Clear my throat. Sit up straighter in case any of that will hide the fact that I’ve been crying. But dammit, my words still wobble on the edges when I say, “I’m doing all right.”
Tessa immediately detects something’s off. “What’s wrong?”
I press my lips together, but my chin quivers anyway. “I’m just... not having a great morning.”
“What happened?” Millie’s voice is full of concern.
“A lot,” I admit hollowly.
There’s a moment of silence before Tessa says, “You’ve got to tell us so we can help.”
Resistance seems futile at this point. My sisters have a way of drawing information out of me like no one else, and my guard is crumbling by the second.
Taking a deep breath, I ignore the broken step incident and leaking pipe and focus on the worst part. “Some of Gramps’s books got wet.”
“Oh, no,” Millie groans. “How bad is it?”
“Six books, which I guess in the grand scheme of things isn’t that bad.” I scan the dry boxes in front of me. “Especially when you look at how many he had.”
“Okay, hold on,” Tessa interrupts. “This website says there are things you can do. I’m sending you a link. Do you have paper towels? And a fan? Like a big one?”
My phone buzzes with the text as I turn to the kitchen and spot my empty roll of paper towels. “No. But I can get everything at work today.”
Tessa sighs. “This says you need to get started on drying them as soon as possible. Be right back. I’m calling Dad.”
“No, it’s all right—” I start, but her line clicks.
“Give Tessa a task and she’ll figure it out from half a country away,” Millie says with a laugh.
I close my eyes, tipping my head back to the couch cushion. “How is everybody there?” I ask, needing a distraction.
A content hum. “We’re good. I’m having coffee with the girls while Finn makes scrambled eggs. Here, say hi.”
She puts me on speaker, and Eloise and Avery squeal, “Hi, Aunt Fabes!”
Despite my morning, their sweet voices make me smile. “Hi! I miss you!”
“Oh, Tessa’s already beeping in,” Millie interrupts.
“Bye, girls! I love you!” I call before she adds Tessa back in.
“Dad didn’t answer,” Tessa huffs.
“He and Mom are on their way to Wilhelmina,” I tell her.
She scoffs. “And they don’t even have same-day delivery services in Fern River...” She trails off, probably emailing the CEO of Instacart to tell them how frustrated she is.
“I’m fine.” I try to make myself sound as confident as possible. “I’ll get what I need from the store to see if I can save the books.”
“Are you sure?” Millie asks.
“Positive.” I might not be sure, but maybe I can fake it for them.
“Is everything else okay at the house?” Tessa probes. “How are the renovations going?”
