His voice sharpened.
“If we need money—”
“We do not need to sell the boat.”
“You might sell your car.”
“I will not.”
“You would.”
“Not before other options.”
“And you would protect everything that belongs to me while giving up your own.”
“I would protect what matters to you.”
“Mercy matters to the man I was.”
“She mattered to us.”
“I don’t remember her.”
“You felt her today.”
He looked away.
“I could let her go.”
“I couldn’t.”
The truth surprised both of us.
I shifted closer.
“We rebuilt that boat together. I know the missing memories mean she does not hold the same significance for you, but she still does for me. Selling her would not be a sensible financial decision. It would be fear pretending to be one.”
Noah’s eye shone.
“I don’t want you carrying this alone.”
“I’m not. Caleb and Owen know. Dr. Whitcomb knows. You know.”
“I can’t fix it.”
“You are not required to fix every problem you learn about.”
“I used to help.”
“You are helping.”
“How?”
“You returned to the loft. You completed work we can invoice. You made me stop hiding the truth. You came here with me.”
“That doesn’t pay the supplier.”
“No.”
