Page 45 of You Fall First

Unknown

Cowboy?

Me

I was gonna go with Space Ranger, but you said you don’t have a Buzz Lightyear costume.

I hit send, then realized I’m still being weird.

Me

Never mind.

Yep. I am definitely weird.

Unknown

I just sent you the Maps link. When you get here, I’ll be in work scrubs, not boots and a hat. Sorry to disappoint.

As I take my bowl to the sink, the image of Noah Stadler in his work scrubs flits across my brain. And disappointed is the absolute last word on my mind.

Chapter Twelve

Noah

You know what’s hard?

Making a good impression on a very important PR director when all your brain power is focused on a four-year-old ten miles away at a duck pond.

Okay, maybe ninety percent of my brainpower. A fraction of my mind slips over to Jo every once in a while, wondering how she’s doing with Dutton, hoping he’s okay.

Hoping she is.

My goal is to cobble together care for him one day at a time until Paige can safely fly here. But if Dutton proves to be too challenging for Jo on their first afternoon together, I might have to take her out of the rotation.

And I’m already working with a slim lineup.

At least Dutton wasn’t in full meltdown mode when Jo arrived, but he wasn’t exactly happy, either. Maureen had been blowing up my phone for the past half hour, anxious for an ETA on my arrival. Then Paige tried to FaceTime us. I barely had a moment to explain to her that Jo was on her way to take Dutton, so I could head to Havenwood. That’s when I realized my sister has no idea who Jo Michaels is.

Awkward.

I could see the struggle on her face as she tried to be cool with the plan while also probably second-guessing the whole “don’t bring Dutton to me” idea. There I was, trying to convince Paige that turning her only child over to a woman I barely know is a fantastic idea, and I told her, “Jo is Dex’s little sister,” as if that might make a difference. “She’s great,” I added.

Which is true.

The reality is, Paige is as short on options as I am. But the last thing I want is for her to worry about being any kind of burden to me. Her or Dutton. So I promised Paige she could meet Jo tonight via FaceTime, once I’m done at work.

Bottom line: I should’ve fallen to my knees in gratitude when Jo showed up, but I was in too big a hurry. At least I’d managed to coax Dutton into semi-clean clothes at that point. Clothes that weren’t, at one time, a Toy Story-themed Halloween costume.

Small wins.

Jo inquired about any food allergies: none.

And about any food pickiness: all.

I gave her a key to my place so she could lock up and get back in if need be. And then I was gone. I rushed out the door with no idea how Jo and Dutton would spend the rest of the day together. The duck pond was the only detail she’d suggested that I could recall. And I think I heard her say something about the library. Maybe.

Am I a terrible caregiver?