“Yes.”
More laughter.
“I’ve never had sisters, so this is a new experience for me.”
“Have a pastry, Rick. And don’t act like you haven’t seen us like this before. You’ve observed us closely for the past few weeks.” Melanie’s voice had lightened. No forced cheeriness.
Something touched Chaisley’s hand.
“Here.”
The plate was cool against her skin.
“It’s a croissant on the left with Swiss cheese at one o’clock, strawberries at three o’clock, and, of course, some Swiss chocolate at five o’clock.”
“Perfect.” A scritchy noise from Rick made her cringe. “What are you doing, Rick?”
A light chuckle floated toward her. “Sorry, I didn’t realize my fork would squeak like that.”
But it was Melanie’s full-blown laughter that caused her to wrinkle her brow. “What’s so funny?”
“You should see his plate. He’s separating and arranging his food the same way.” Her friend continued to giggle. “Don’t shrug at me like that, Rick, it’s sweet.”
“Just trying to think about what it would be like to live with blindness. And it’s good for me to practice these things so I can help her. Like you.” He obviously shoved a bit of something into his mouth because he took a few seconds and then she heard him swallow. “Melanie, you arrange your plate the same way. I’ve watched you do it for weeks.”
Chaisley’s eyebrows arched as her heartbeat ticked upward. He was thinking about her? She plucked a strawberry from her plate and took a bite. It wouldn’t do to start grinning like an idiot. And he probably didn’t mean anything romantic by it. It’s not like he was in love with her.
But that he would even think about what life was like for her spoke volumes about the kind of man he was.
Melanie cleared her throat. “Force of habit. I do everythingthe same way Chaisley would do it. You know by now that life with Chais is a precise art. Steps. Food. Directions. Descriptions.”
“I’m learning and I’m always impressed.” The deep timbre of Rick’s voice warmed Chaisley’s insides.
“Chaisley is more talented than I at everything—except, of course, driving. But you never know, she could very well be better at that too.”
Their voices harmonized together in laughter. It was nice to feel a bit relaxed and ... normal. This. This was why people tried to ignore the horrors of the world.
“Seriously, every meal I manage to get something on me. While she’s always as pristine as can be. I haven’t seen her bump into anything yet, and I tripped over my own feet this morning.”
Rick’s laughter was masculine and deep. Genuine and warm, like a cup of hot chocolate.
Enough. It was best to stop thinking about him. A blush rose up her neck and into her cheeks. “You haven’t seen me on a bad day. Just wait.”
“They’re few and far between.” Melanie’s fake whisper only caused the blush to deepen.
A knock at the door brought a welcome reprieve.
“I’ll get that.” Rick’s tone was steady. A plate clinked on something. He must have set it down and she listened closely to his footsteps. It only took him twelve to reach the door.
He opened the door. “Yes?”
“Grüezi. This came for Miss Frappier, sir.” A man spoke in Swiss German.
“Danke.” Rick’s tone was firm.
The door shut, and Chaisley heard the lock move into place as well. His footsteps came closer until she could smell the lingering scent of his shaving cream. “This is for you.”
“Here, I’ll read it for you.” Melanie shifted beside her.
