Mathew stopped mid-bite and stared at her. That wasn’t what he’d expected when they finally started talking. His attention shifted to Jason, who shrugged, then returned to his sister. “What?” he asked with a laugh.
“Tell him, Jason. He’s in love and that’s why he’s making this change.”
Jason shook his head this time. “I’m not getting into it.”
Penny gasped. “You said it. Right before he showed up. You said there had to be something more going on between him and River. You said that only a woman would be able to make him change like this.”
Mathew scowled at his brother, though he wasn’t even sure why he was doing so. Of course they’d talk about him. They’d gossip about anything related to the three of them when the situation warranted. In fact, when Jason was dating Isabelle,Mathew had chatted endlessly with Penny about how Jason couldn’t coddle the woman he loved. There had to come a breaking point when they weren’t dependent on one another. “I’ve been on one date with her.”
Penny snorted. “According to Rose, you’re there almost every day.” She eyed him over her coffee. “Every day that you’re not working.”
“She’s making a good point,” Jason offered. “I can’t think of a single time in our lives when you put a person before work.”
“This has nothing to do with her,” Mathew insisted. “And it has everything to do with how I’m choosing to live my life. And you two would be wise to keep your noses out of it.” He waved a dismissive hand in Jason’s direction. “Talk about the wedding. Or Penny’s love life.”
Penny rolled her eyes. “What love life? No one wants to date a shrink.”
Both Jason and Mathew gave her a hard look. They were all aware that Penny wasn’t interested in dating. If she were, she’d have men lined up down the street. She was a catch, and the whole town knew it. Still, her brothers didn’t push her to do anything she wasn’t ready for.
Jason sighed. “Yeah, okay. But before we dive into wedding preparations, can I just say one thing?”
Mathew stared at him, not bothering to speak.
“We’re happy for you, Matt. Things haven’t been easy lately. Especially since Dad…” He blew out a breath. “Anyway, we’re happy that you’re getting yourself out there for whatever reason. It’s good for you. And you seem…” He trailed off, but Penny was there to pick up the slack as usual.
“You seem happy.” She smiled, and her eyes glimmered with an emotion that he knew all too well. Sometimes it felt like all they had was each other. Their mother hadn’t been hard on them when they were younger, but she also didn’t step in when theirfather was too much. In the end, they’d banded together and become stronger for it.
Relieved that this seemed to be the end of the conversation, Mathew nodded. He didn’t have to comment. His siblings knew him well enough. And some things he only shared with God. Besides, if he were forced to discuss his change in behavior, he might give in to the idea that something was off.
But it wasn’t.
He refused to accept the thought of him falling in love altogether.
Mathew didn’t need his siblings getting into his head about the way he was acting. It wasn’t about River, though he couldn’t deny how nice it was that she was spending time with him. His change in behavior had more to do with the man he wanted to become. He’d missed out on so much because he’d allowed himself to remain stuck on trying to prove himself to his father.
Mathew was turning over a new leaf, even if it was difficult. He could deal with the occasional twinge of anxiety when he was away from the hospital too long.
Time, all he needed was time.
“River,you are out of your mind,” Mathew shouted over the engine of the small plane, half accusation and half disbelief.
She beamed at him like this was the most normal thing in the world. “You signed the waiver, Dr. Klein. There’s no backing out now.”
He shot her a look that would’ve worked on a patient. Unfortunately, she wasn’t one of them. “I didn’t say I was backing out,” he hollered. “I said you’re out of your mind for talking me into this.”
River bounced on her toes—already suited up, goggles in place, like she’d been born to leap out of aircraft. “You’re going to love it.”
“I am going to tolerate it,” he corrected, though his stomach disagreed the second the plane bumped along the runway.
She slid closer, gripping his forearm through the jumpsuit. “Hey. Remember what the instructor said, first jump is tandem. We’re strapped to our pros. They do the work. We just… enjoy the view.”
Mathew swallowed hard and glanced toward the open space behind them where the jumpmaster sat, calm as if this were a casual Sunday drive. “Enjoy,” he repeated. “Right.”
River laughed, but it was warm, not mocking. “You promised.”
It’s true. Hehadpromised. He’d promised after she’d told him the next date would be her idea, after he’d already agreed, thinking she meant pie somewhere in town or a hike with too many snacks.
Not… this.
