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He signed, “I just want to stay here and make love to you until I shrivel up from dehydration.” A small laugh escaped her. “However, you’ve barely eaten anything today and Mom left food for us.” She nodded. “Some food and then I’m bringing you right back to this room, Zoe.”
Smiling, she answered, “Good plan.”
Dropping a kiss on her lips, he led her through the first floor to the kitchen and nudged her carefully into a chair at the small kitchen table. He touched her fingers to a bottle of water, the silverware, and the napkin folded under it.
She sat nervously, still unaccustomed to it being dark and silent, and he rejoined her several minutes later. When he took the chair beside her, he pressed the side of his leg to hers.
So she would know she wasn’t alone.
He took the hand closest to him. “It’s pasta with meat sauce. Very small noodles. You have a glass of tea beside the bottle of water.” He moved her hand to touch it. “I don’t mind helping my beautiful woman while she heals so tell me if you need anything.”
Inhaling carefully, she nodded. “Thank you. It’s…this is hard for me. Is there a spoon? That might be easier to handle.” He placed the utensil in her hand. “Okay. Let’s hope I don’t wear most of this.”
Taking her hand, he signed, “You could always eat it off my body. Does that sound better to you?” She giggled. “Not going to lie, I really like that plan.”
Smiling, she started to eat. There were missteps as she learned the distance of her pasta bowl to the edge of the table, dropped her other utensils trying to get her napkin, and knocked over the closed bottle of water trying to find the glass of tea.
Still. It was the first meal since the accident where Nate didn’t have to physically feed her in a place where she wasn’t able to relax.
Zoe knew this table, the kitchen around it, the house. She knew the color of the dishes, the design on the handle of the spoon, and what the glass looked like that held her tea.
Most of all, she knew Nate.
Even when she wascertainher vision wouldn’t return, he never faltered. He didn’t hesitate to feed her, to help her dress, or lead her into the hospital bathroom and return when she was done.
So, despite making a little bit of a mess and being less graceful than usual, Zoe loved the opportunity to eat a meal with Nate in the home he loved.
Her home now, too.
When they were done, he led her out to the front porch. Settling on the porch swing, he encouraged her to lay her head on his shoulder. In her hand, he signed, “No moon tonight. Lots of stars. I think they’re doing a controlled burn a few miles away…”
On and on, he talked to her about random things and she laid there, feeling the thump of his heart under her cheek, andloved himwith every part of herself.
A good man, an honorable one, who loved her back just as fiercely.
Chapter Twenty
July 2011
Zoe grew to love Caroline and Noel as much as her own mother and sister within their first few interactions. They were patient and didn’t hesitate to sign against her hand until she could see again.
Being around people who understoodeverythingabout living as a person unable to hear was spectacular and helpful in many ways.
Noel insisted on helping her with gentle stretches first thing every morning to loosen Zoe’s stiff muscles. It made a noticeable difference in her mobility and the residual pain.
“When your vision returns, and you’re cleared for a bit more physical activity, I’ll take you through some basics in self-defense,” she signed. “It’s time for Mandy to get some basics as well.”
“I-I’m not very athletic or strong…”
“That’s alright. You don’t have to be either of those things to protect yourself in an emergency. I’ll show you.”
Smiling, Zoe told her, “You’re every bit as amazing as Mandy said you were. I understand why she idolizes you.”
One hand on Zoe’s shoulder, she used the other to reply, “You’re like a puzzle piece that fell perfectly in place at just the right time for Nate and Mandy. When you’re better, we’ll spend time together that isn’t overshadowed by your worry about being able to see.”
“Thank you, Noel.”
After breakfast, she sat with Caroline on the porch. They drank coffee together and discussed art and books. Communication was slower than she liked but the conversation kept her from stressing about things that were out of her control.
