“Yeah,” he said, louder. “Yes and no. She’s, uh... still in the hospital. She’s recovering. I’m in Omaha.”
“Oh. Do you need a ride?”
“No, I rented a car. I’m just... My sister says I can’t stay in the house...”
“Do you want to come over? I can make up the couch.”
“Would that be okay?”
“It would be totally okay. Come now.”
“Okay. See you in a few. Thank you.” He hung up.
Shiloh sat up in bed and rubbed her face. Then she climbed out of bed. She was wearing a theater T-shirt. She pulled on some pajama pants and grabbed a bra from the top of the hamper.
Her hair was pulled up. Should she do something with it? Should she brush her teeth?
No.
She wanted to get to the door before Cary knocked, so she went downstairs and opened it. Then she cleared the toys and throw pillows off the couch. Junie’s dolls and action figures were everywhere. Shiloh kicked them all into a corner. She heard Cary on the porch. When she looked up, he was standing in the doorway.
Shiloh smiled, carefully. “Hi,” she whispered.
“Hi,” Cary said quietly.
She motioned for him to come in.
He stepped inside and set down his bag, then shut the door so gently, it hardly clicked. He locked it.
Shiloh took a step toward him. “Come, sit down.”
“I can get a hotel room,” Cary said. “I wasn’t thinking it through.”
“You’re already here. Sit down. What do you want to drink?”
“Nothing,” he said.
“I’ll get you water.”
Shiloh went into the kitchen. Cary followed her. They both blinked when she turned on the light.
Cary looked awful.
Well. He looked very handsome. Straight-backed and square-shouldered, as usual. In a plaid button-down and navy blue windbreaker. But he looked haggard and pale. His eyes were bloodshot. He hadn’t shaved, and she could see he had a little gray in his beard already.
She turned on the tap. “Did you just fly in?”
Cary nodded.
“I thought you were at sea.”
“I was headed that way. I got emergency leave.”
“How long was your flight?” She handed him the glass of water.
He drained it. “Long.”
Shiloh took the glass and refilled it. “Have you eaten?”
