“See? Nothing to worry about,” Schatzi grumbled, though her voice was laced with exhaustion. “Just a bump in the road.”
Maddie walked over to the side of the bed and squeezed Schatzi’s good hand. “You scared the daylights out of me. And Ernie.”
Schatzi’s expression softened slightly, though she tried to keep up her tough facade. “Didn’t mean to. But I’ll be fine, I promise. You can stop hovering.”
Maddie shook her head, a mix of relief and exasperation bubbling up. “Hovering is my job now.”
Schatzi huffed, her lips twitching with a ghost of a smile. “Lord help me.”
Maddie updated Becca by text on the drive home later that afternoon. By the time Sam had them back to the mountain house, Schatzi had resumed her no-nonsense attitude, though she moved a little slower and complained more than usual.
Sam and Maddie helped Schatzi get settled in her favorite armchair by the fire, a warm blanket tucked around her legs, while Ernie jumped up onto Schatzi’s lap, purring softly.
Maddie nodded her approval. “He’s glad you’re home and even more glad you’re okay.”
Schatzi scratched Ernie’s head, smiling at the cat. “I’m all right, boy.”
“You sure you’re comfortable?” Maddie asked for the third time, fussing with the blanket.
“Maddie, I’m fine,” Schatzi said, her tone bordering on irritated. “I’m just a little banged up. I’ve survived worse winters than this.”
Sam chuckled from his spot near the doorway, where Fargo was sitting. “Better get used to it, Schatzi. Maddie’s not going to let you lift a finger for a while. Which is as it should be.”
Schatzi rolled her eyes, though there was affection in her expression. “Between the two of you, I’ll be lucky if I’m allowed to leave this chair.”
Maddie smiled, but she couldn’t shake the lingering worry. Schatzi was tough, but she wasn’t invincible. Maddie knew she’d need to step up in the coming weeks—take care of the house, the errands, and, most importantly, Schatzi.
Maddie would have preferred her aunt to be whole and healthy, obviously, but taking care of someone, having another person to focus on, might be nice for a change.
Sam stepped forward, his presence calm and reassuring. “If you need any extra help, Maddie, don’t hesitate to ask. I’m just down the road. You know that.”
“I do. I really appreciate it, Sam,” Maddie said softly, meeting his steady gaze. His offer wasn’t just a polite gesture—she knew that he meant it. What a good man he was.
As Sam turned to leave, a tail-wagging Fargo in tow, Maddie followed him to the door. “I don’t know how to thank you,” she said, keeping her voice low so Schatzi wouldn’t overhear and make any more fuss.
Sam waved it off. “You don’t need to. Schatzi’s like family to me. I’m just glad I could help.”
Maddie hesitated, feeling a warmth in her chest that hadn’t been there in a long time. She had spent so long trying to handle everything on her own—her grief, her isolation—but now, standing here with Sam, she realized how silly that was. There were people here who cared, who wanted to help.
“Still,” she said quietly, “I don’t know what I would have done if you weren’t around. You were a huge help.”
Sam’s smile was gentle, and for a brief moment, Maddie let herself feel the comfort in his presence, in knowing that she wasn’t alone in this.
“Anytime,” he said before stepping out into the cold, Fargo trotting happily by his side as they walked to the truck.
Maddie watched them go, the rumbling sound of the engine fading into the snowy distance. When she closed the door and turned back to the warmth of the fire and the quiet company of Aunt Schatzi and Ernie, who were both now asleep, she felt something shift inside her.
Almost like she was starting to feel at home again.
Chapter Ten
The days following Schatzi’s fall passed in a quiet rhythm. The house, warmed by the crackling fire and filled with the comforting scent of simmering soups and plenty of tea, became a cocoon of healing.
Hannah came and went, quieter and more withdrawn than ever, although she’d taken a moment to ask if Schatzi needed anything extra, then said she hoped Schatzi healed up fast.
Maddie had slipped into the role of caregiver seamlessly, ensuring Schatzi rested as much as possible, even though Schatzi complained constantly about being “babied.”
Despite Schatzi’s protests, Maddie kept her aunt in that armchair as much as she could, fluffing pillows and fetching blankets, even bringing her a footstool to rest her feet on. Maddie took over Ernie’s care, too. Feeding him, changing his water, making sure his litter box was clean. She didn’t mind any of it, because it was all for Schatzi.
