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“I checked on them. They’re okay.” Lincoln’s rumbly reassuring voice had a gentle quality to it.
Come closer. Let me lean on you.
But he seemed determined to keep his station near the door. He was physically here, though there seemed to be a distance growing between us.
Satisfied with his answer, Eric resumed tending to the pot of vegetables and chicken broth.
I flicked my chin at Lincoln, motioning him over. He reached me in a few long strides, but there was no softening of his exterior. He was as stone-like as ever.
“Thank you,” I said shakily. Fissures had formed, threatening to crack me.Hold it together. Just a little longer.
That felt like a monumental ask.
“I haven’t done anything,” he grated out.
“There’s a duffel bag in the bottom of Eric’s closet. Let him pick out what he wants to take and please be careful when you pack.” A smile tugged on my lips. “He can’t stand wrinkled clothes.”
He didn’t respond, and I couldn’t tell if he was listening. The only way I was sure he was aware I was speaking to him was that sharp gaze, laser-focused on me.
“Also, there’s a picture of us on his nightstand,” I continued, uncertain how much more time we had before they’d take me away. “He’ll be more comfortable with it near.”
He balled his fingers into a tight fist, yet remained silent.
“Tell Beau to keep something for him to eat handy. We usually graze all day. Not on junk,” I quickly amended, realizing I’d made it sound like we pigged out all the time. “Just small snacks.” I looked down. “Except for the times I forget because we get busy.”
My eyes stung.
Ishould be the one caring for Eric. Like always.
I swallowed hard and willed the threatening tears back. Crying wouldn’t help the situation. Maybe if I had my own jail cell I could have the bawl of the century.
“Any medication?”
His voice jolted me, though it did nothing to stop the swell of emotion I was desperately trying to battle back.
“No. But take my phone. If anything happens, you can find his doctor’s number. The charger for it is on my nightstand.”
It was an odd thought having Lincoln in our house without me, giving him permission to go through our things. I was just glad there was someone willing to help us.
I’d only known Lincoln for a few months, and although we’d known Beau for almost twenty years, she’d been living in England for eleven of those. No one really knew Eric’s daily habits and patterns that were vital to keep consistent for his mental stability. He needed routine. He needed to be given space at certain times, and now . . . now Beau had to step in, even though she might not know enough. What was going to happen?
I swallowed back tears. “You can tell Beau all of this. I don’t expect you to—”
“I’ll see to it.”
I jerked my gaze to his intense one. There was no burden or annoyance in it. But the simmer of warmth that had grown in the past few days wasn’t there either.
“Please don’t leave him alone for long periods of time,” I pleaded, not caring how desperate I sounded. It was such a big ask, especially considering Beau and Lincoln had an empire to run, but I had no other choice.
“I wouldn’t dare.” He sounded insulted I’d mentioned it.
“Thank you.” I looked down at my feet. “This is . . . too much for me to ask of you.”
He hooked my chin.
“There is no request too great.”
That little contact was such a boost. I didn’t feel so alone. I needed him more than I let myself believe. But wasn’t he proving how true that was? I hadn’t even asked earlier, but as soon as he’d come in from making phone calls, he’d jumped in to peel carrots.
