Page 120 of You Fall First

“No way the doc wants you lifting anything yet,” I say. “Just follow me.” I gently scoop him up and deliver him down the hall, but I leave Paige to tuck him in. She’s waited long enough for this moment, to be alone with him.

On my way out, I pause in the doorway, remembering how Jo looked doing this same thing just last night.

Paige glances up, notices me watching. “What?” she whispers.

“Nothing,” I say. “Want tea?”

She nods.

So I quietly creep out to the kitchen and put the kettle on. Then I collect a mug and a teaspoon and arrange them on the table along with the sugar bowl and a bowl of assorted teas.

I pour myself a glass of water. Sit. Wait.

Paige lingers in Dutton’s room for so long, I start to think she might’ve fallen asleep. She must be bone tired. Plus, I can’t even imagine how much she’s missed Dutton.

Sure, in the grand scheme of things, they’ve been apart for a relatively short period of time. But short or not, this particular time brings with it the baggage of other major life changes. Paige has uprooted their entire life and moved to a new state. Permanently.

For me.

She’s also recovering from major abdominal surgery. The doctor cleared her for travel, but my sister can be stubborn and persuasive when she wants to be. Hopefully she’s not overdoing things already.

I’m about to check on her when she pads into the kitchen, already changed into pajamas and a robe. She sinks onto a chair, then paws through the tea options. Lavender, valerian root, Earl Grey. When she lands on chamomile, I bring the kettle over.

“Since when does my brother own a kettle and a box of Earl Grey?” She chuckles. “You hate tea.”

“Tea is disgusting,” I quip. “But I love my sister.”

“Hmm.” Paige cocks her head. “Let me guess. Jo Michaels is a tea drinker.”

I return the kettle to the stove. “She dabbles,” I admit, dropping into a chair opposite Paige.

She smirks, but it’s a pretty gentle one as far as my sister’s facial expressions go.

“Okay, fine. I got a kettle when Jo started coming over. Just to make things as comfortable for her as possible. She was doing us a big favor.”

“That’s on brand,” Paige says. “My big brother. Always doing unto others.”

“What can I say? I’m a fan of the golden rule.” I push the sugar bowl toward her.

Paige glances down with a weary smile. “Brown sugars or white sugars?”

“Just the regular old granulated kind. But I’ve got honey, if you want.”

“No, I’m good.” She stirs her tea, takes a sip. “Seriously, though, thank you, Noah. Again. For everything.”

“Bah.” I wave her comment away. “How are you holding up, P? You must be exhausted.”

“Do I look that bad?”

“For a woman who was just hospitalized, you look amazing.”

Her smile is wry. “I’m not sure that’s the compliment you think it is.”

“Okay, how’s this? You’ve never looked more beautiful. You’re a sight for sore eyes, and I have no words for how happy I am that you’re finally here.”

“Better.” As she sips her tea, her gaze traverses the kitchen and family room. “The place feels nice,” she says. “Peaceful. Cozy.”

I let out an amused scoff. “You brought Dutton down here a couple of weeks ago. You haven’t been gone that long.”