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“Because I can see my brother is already getting serious about you, and I believe that feeling might be mutual. I don’t want either of you getting in deep and then discovering you want different things out of life.”

“What do you mean?”

She turns her eyes back to the road before she answers.

“Losing Charlie ripped Rico’s heart clear out of his chest, it almost killed him. I know my brother, he’d rather not have kids at all than risk going through that hell again. So, if kids are what you want, do yourself and my brother a favor, and end this now.”

Wow. I’m not sure how to respond to that.

I get she’s protective of her brother and I’m sure she believes she’s looking out for both of us, but she is most definitely overstepping here. For Pete’s sake, Rick and I haven’t even had a chance to define what it is we have going on here, let alone talk about thoughts about a future and what that would include.

She’s demanding some guarantees up front, and aside from the fact she has no right to ask, I have no intention of giving them.

I’m not so sure I can be kind in my response, which is why I try not to react at all. Julia is his sister, and I believe she means well.

“You’re angry,” she concludes as we pull into the hospital parking lot.

With my hand already on the door, I turn to her.

“No, I’m just not having this conversation with you.”

With that, I exit the car and make my way into the hospital.

“I would love that.”

I smile at Theresa, who has a hand against my face as I lean into the car.

“It’s not hard, and if you run into trouble, just call.”

She’s just offered to write down the recipes for the meals she started preparing for us when the fire broke out. Since the power was off, we’ll probably have to toss all food from the fridge. It’s a small price to pay when you consider I could’ve lost the house.

“I will.”

I kiss her cheek again and then back up to make room for Rick. Isabel is waiting to give me a hug.

“I’m so glad to see him like this,” she tells me with a tremulous smile. “You’re good for him.”

As lovely as it is to hear her say that, I can’t help thinking her sister might not necessarily agree, but I smile at her regardless.

Then she adds softly, “I’m not sure what Julia wanted, but don’t put too much stock in whatever she has to say. She means well, but she’s like a bull in a china shop.”

After she releases me, I step up on the curb and out of the way, just as Julia—who is back from returning the wheelchair to the lobby—walks up.

“Thank you for helping look after our mother,” she says a bit uneasily.

“I think your mother was the one looking after us,” I correct her with a friendly smile.

“Yes, I suppose that’s true, but thank you all the same.”

“Of course.”

I’m suddenly pulled into an awkward hug. I get the sense it’s not the most natural thing for this sister to do.

“Please, don’t hold it against me,” she whispers beside my ear.

I don’t need her to explain what she’s talking about.

Hugging her back, I return, “I don’t, and I won’t.”