His appetite disappeared.
I could see it.
“Noah.”
“Is the yard in trouble?”
“Not immediate danger.”
“That sounds rehearsed.”
“It is accurate.”
“Because I’m not working.”
“Because several large jobs were delayed while I was at the hospital.”
“Which was because of me.”
“Because you were injured.”
He looked at his plate.
“Caleb and Owen cover me.”
“They cover tasks.”
“You do my work.”
“We redistribute it.”
“That means yes.”
I moved my chair closer.
“Noah, look at me.”
He did.
“You are not failing us.”
“I’m not helping.”
“You cooked dinner.”
“That doesn’t pay wages.”
“No.”
His jaw tightened.
I continued before he could turn that single answer into proof against himself.
“You are also not currently responsible for keeping this business alive. I am.”
“That’s convenient.”
“It is my company.”
