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Caroline, however, started to nod. “You’re right,” she told her husband. “She’s probably the only one he’ll listen to right now. Sarah, you go.”
“No, really.” I began to wheel my chair in reverse. “Did you see his face when he saw me? He didn’t want me to even know about this. No way will he want to talk to me about it.”
And besides, after last night, I wasn’t sure he’d want to talk to me period.
“He didn’t want any of us to know,” Brandt’s sister argued as she pulled open the screen door and waved me forward. “But now that we do, someone needs to tell him we still love him, he did nothing wrong, and we’re here for him no matter what, so...go along now.”
“I said I was going!” Noel snapped.
Aspen, who’d been gazing into the backyard, turned and caught her husband’s arm before he could reach the door. “Noel,” she said softly. “I know what he’s going through. He won’t be able to talk to just anyone.”
When Noel’s shoulders collapsed and his eyes filled with torment, I wondered what the heck had happened to Aspen for her to be able to relate to Brandt.
“If he’s able to open up at all, it’s only going to be to the person he’s closer to than anyone else.” When her gaze sought mine, I gulped.
Shit.
Noel glanced my way too. Then he squeezed his eyes shut and cursed softly under his breath. Finally, he blew out a lungful and glanced toward Ten. “I can’t believe you were actually right. Sarah should be the one to go.”
Ten flipped him off before rhetorically asking, “Why is it so hard for people to see what a genius I am?”
“I don’t know, baby.” Caroline patted his shoulder before she turned seeking eyes my way. “Sarah?”
“His truck’s still here,” Aspen told me. “So he either took a walk or he’s still in the backyard. My guess is the latter.”
Noel squeezed my arm supportively. “Will you please help him?”
I opened my mouth to argue. There was no way I was the right person to seek Brandt out right now. But everyone in the kitchen was spearing me with this pleading, desperate look. I swear, even the toddlers were looking at me with little begging expressions.
I groaned. “Okay.”
Convinced I was only going to upset Brandt more, I scowled at Caroline for still holding the damn door open as I wheeled past her into the darkening evening. The chilly air made me hiss out a startled breath. It was as if even the atmosphere knew this was a cold, dark, painful moment.
I rolled down the ramp, turned toward the grassy yard, and sighed. Grass was more difficult to power over; it’d slow my search down, but that was fine because a new idea hit me. Nothing brought my best friend around like his protective instinct.
Though I couldn’t see Brandt anywhere, I knew one surefire way to draw him out of hiding if he was here. I kicked my footrests up to the sides and out of my way. Then I latched my fingers around the armrests and gingerly pushed to my feet.
From the dark, a sharp voice growled, “What do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m...” When I took my first step, my legs wobbled like a new colt’s. “Coming to...find...you.” With my second step, I nearly went down and had to reach out my hand to brace myself against the boarded wall of the privacy fence.
“Sarah!” His voice high with alarm, Brandt appeared in front of me and grasped my arms. “Are you crazy? You’re going to fall and hurt yourself.” A supportive arm banded around my waist as he tethered me to him.
No way was I falling now.
“Relax.” I patted his chest and grinned up at him. “It was just a couple steps. I’m good.” Though I’d probably be flat on my face right now if he wasn’t holding me up. I ignored that little fact. “Now.” After a refreshed sigh, I motioned toward the fence wall. “Let’s sit, shall we?”
“On the ground?” He sounded leery.
I almost started bawling then and there. But my precious boy was still trying to take care of me while he was probably going through the worst turmoil of his life. I bit the inside of my lip as the first tear developed. I couldn’t cry, I couldn’t cry, I couldn’t cry. Brandt didn’t respond well to tears, especially my tears. He always turned helpless, and mad, and vulnerable, all emotions I didn’t want him even going near right now.
I had to be the rainbow in his cloud.
Wit and sarcasm were always how I’d cheered him before, so I tilted up my chin and waved out a hand like some kind of regal queen.
“Of course, on the ground. Do you see any benches around? I hope you’re done crying. I forgot to bring any tissues.”
“I’m not crying.” Brandt sounded irritated as he helped us both lower ourselves to the ground until we were sitting side by side.
