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She was shaky, more from weak knees than anything else, but took a step forward.
She didn’t want Michael to go home. “You okay?” He glanced at her, and the warmth of his concern brought a second tentative smile. She nodded.
And then shook her head. “I know you have to work, but—” he’d said his sister was spending the night with Willie “—can you come over? Just for a little while?”
She didn’t want everyone to just go off to bed. As tired as she was, the thought of lying down petrified her. Maybe if they all just had a cup of tea, something normal, she’d feel better.
The idea sounded good to her. It was only a little after ten. She and Michael often talked much later than that.
She caught Lacey looking at Jem. “You know, we could stop and get the prescription filled and pick up Levi if... Would you mind giving Kacey a ride home, Mike?”
God, she loved her twin. Loved having a twin. She didn’t even have to look at Michael to know that he was nodding. “I’d be happy to,” he said.
And then, because she was weak, he had to put his arm around her, supporting her all the way out to his car.
* * *
IT WAS THE first time Kacey had ever been in his car. It would be forever branded with her from that night forward, he was sure of it. Even as damaged as she was, the essence of Kacey was there in the dark, intimate confines. A bit of special in his quiet and predictable world.
He could still feel her, leaning against his side. With a need to keep her there. Safe with his arm protecting her.
“Thank you,” she said, sounding like she was heading downhill. Tired. But more. Far more.
“Hey.” He reached over and took her hand. It was a first, him initiating contact, but this night had no walls between them. Only need. “You’re the one who’s always defining our friendship,” he reminded her. “If it can’t see you through this night, it’s nothing like you say it is.”
Her eyes were filled with tears again as she looked over at him. “I love you, Michael.”
“I love you, too, Kace.”
As a friend. Only as a friend. And it felt good.
He let go of her hand, started the car and put it in gear.
* * *
BECAUSE LEVI WAS used to Kacey coming and going, and because she didn’t think she could see the little boy without crying and didn’t want to scare him, Kacey called Lacey and let her know that she and Michael would sit out back while they brought Levi in and put him to bed.
He was already asleep, Lacey assured her.
She stayed out back anyway.
“You going to call Steve?” Michael asked, standing with her at the rock waterfall Jem had built for Lacey.
She didn’t want to. Lacey was happy to do it. That’s what twins were for, sisters were for, friends were for, right? To help when one was down? Or hurt? Or struggling?
The water wasn’t soothing her. The trickling sound blurred other noises. Masking what was behind her.
She flipped the switch to turn off the fountain.
The backyard grew dark.
She’d forgotten the landscape lighting was tied to the same switch—Lacey’s request.
Her eyes could adjust to the dark.
Michael was still standing by the waterfall. He’d turned to watch her trek across the yard to the switch. Hands in his pockets, he loomed large.
And she knew that if anyone dared to enter the backyard, he’d keep her safe.
