My dad perks up. “I’ll hold you to that raincheck.”
“Yes, sir. I expect you to.”
As my dad follows Noah down the hall, there’s a new bounce to his step. Bridger did that.
Without being asked. Or told. He just figured it out.
“Hey, there.” He leans forward now, peering at me across the coffee table. Dark hair falls over his forehead, and dust from our move still streaks his forearms.
“Hey, back,” I say.
“Food’s almost here.” He lifts his phone to show me the new notification. “I’ll handle the delivery.”
I manage a weak smile. “Thanks.”
“You all right?”
I push out a chuckle. “Oh, I’m a whole lot of things, and all right doesn’t feel like one of them. But thank you, though.”
“For what?”
“Being so good with my dad.”
Bridger hitches his shoulders. “I like him.”
“I like him too.” I stand to collect the coffee and half-eaten sandwich. “But sometimes, I kind of feel like I ended up in the circus after all.”
Bridger heads out front to grab the food, then he finds me in the kitchen at the sink. When he sets the bag on the table, the scent of hot cheese and meat sends my stomach into a rumble.
“I’m starving,” I admit, absently rinsing a plate.
“I’ll bet.” He comes to the sink, takes the plate, and snags a dish towel. “Let me help.”
“You’ve done so much al?—”
“Two more hands can’t hurt.”
“That sounds like math,” I sigh, too tired to protest.
So I let him help.
While he dries the dishes, I wipe down the counters. I’m about to start a quick mop of the floors when Noah pokes his head in.
“I’m heading out.”
“Oh.” A thrum of nerves vibrates below my ribs. “That felt fast.”
“Harlan did great. He’s just washing up for dinner.” He runs a palm over his head, and something passes behind his eyes. “About next week,” he says. “These evening appointments?—”
I throw up a hand, cutting him off. “I know, and Iunderstand,” I say, hoping I don’t choke on the words. “We’re really going to miss you.”
“I really wish I could do both. ThisandHavenwood.”
“AndIreally wish I could clone you.”
As I walk him to the door, I’m tempted to crawl under the couch cushions. I’d love to take a nap in a pretend fort right now. The kind I used to build when swimming with whales was my biggest goal.
After he’s gone, I stand for a moment too long, staring out the window and calculating the money I’d need to replace him with someone full-time.