His breathing slowed.
I stayed until his grip loosened.
Then I went downstairs.
Caleb and Owen waited in the break room.
“How is he?” Caleb asked.
“Home. Exhausted. Talking. Memory intact.”
Owen exhaled.
“Good.”
I poured coffee and sat.
“I contacted an employment agency from the hospital.”
Caleb stared.
“You moved quickly.”
“I had time.”
“What exactly are you hiring?”
“Operations and office manager. Someone experienced with marine service, accounts, scheduling, customer intake, inventory.”
Owen lifted a brow.
“And hostile-parent removal?”
“Security protocol.”
“Shame. That was my strongest skill.”
I looked at both men.
“I can’t keep asking you to cover every gap.”
“We don’t mind,” Caleb said.
“I do.”
Silence.
I continued.
“When Noah needs me, I leave. That will not change. But the entire yard should not become harder because one person is missing.”
“You,” Owen said.
“Or Noah. Or Caleb when Morgan moves. Or you if Talia discovers better judgment.”
Owen gave me a look.
“The business needs systems that do not depend on sacrifice.”
