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“Okay then.” Tinley clears her throat. “Can I come out to Mae’s house? I can help. I’m a nursing major, remember?”
My heart stiffens and my mouth goes dry all at once. “No, honey. I—”
“It’s fine. She’s welcome,” Mae says, glancing toward me as she talks into the speaker. “You’re welcome to stop by, Tinley. I live in the first house on the left off Huckleberry. Little red house. You can’t miss us.”
Tin squeals, thanks Mae, and disconnects the line. I haven’t heard her this excited in ages.
“Why did you do that?” I look toward Mae, holding myself back from gripping her hand up into mine.
“What do you mean? Inviting your daughter?”
“Yeah. I told you that you get the day off. You don’t owe me anything.”
“I know, but she’s so invested. I couldn’t let her down, and we’ve come this far.” She cocks her head to the side. “The only thing I can’t figure is how you know I curl up in my recliner by the fire every night to read. I don’t talk about that in the office.”
I could tell her that I’ve been watching her every night, or I could play dumb.I opt for dumb. “You must have mentioned it. How else would I know?”
“Yeah, I guess.” She pauses for a long while then straightens and glances back toward me. “I felt bad for you. She needs proof that you’re dating, and I told you I would help.”
“But you had what you wanted from me. Why do this?”
She shrugs. “It absolves me from the artificial guilt I’d feel for not holding up my end of the bargain that shouldn’t have been necessary in the first place. I’m a people pleaser, but I’m working on it.”
When we’re back in the driveway of her cabin, Josh runs out the door and back into the house as though he’s perfectly fine. The truth is, they probably are, but better safe than sorry. Besides that, it gives me a reason to linger.
“See, we’re fine.”
“You don’t know that,” I say, rounding the truck quickly to help her out before she helps herself. “I’ll carry you in. I want to sit you down and get you comfortable.”
“I can move.”
I lift her from the truck anyway, kicking the door closed behind me as I make my way up to the house.
Josh is already inside messing around with something in his room when I sit Mae down in the chair she likes near the fireplace, ignoring the urge to kiss her. “Dr. Thorpe can come over and—”
“How about this? You text Dr. Thorpe and cancel the visit. I’m sure he hasn’t even left town yet. We’ll enjoy your daughter’s company, and if I have trouble moving and getting around while she’s here, I’ll have her check me for damage. I heard you say she’s in the nursing program, right?”
I stare toward her as Tinley pulls up the driveway. “Fine, but any hint of pain, I’m texting Dr. Thorpe again. Agreed?”
“Agreed.” If I thought she was hurt, I’d press the issue, but the way Josh ran off toward the house and the way Mae is moving, I’m sure they’re fine. The crash wasn’t significant, but rather a bump to the engine block.
“Hold my hand.” She stands from her chair and reaches out for me as we walk toward the front door. “We need this to look as genuine as possible.”
I sink my hand into hers and it happens again. The world stills and everything from this moment on feels right.
“Dad!” Tinley bounds into my arms and squeezes tight. I swear she’ll be eight years old for eternity. I stopped aging her at that point in my head. To me, she’ll always be that little girl that refused a hairbrush and spent her days riding horses bareback. A lot has changed, except the horse part. Her hair is long and brown, perfectly curled, and she wears clothes with tags on them from designers I’ve never heard of. She turns toward Mae. “You must be Mae! I have heard so much about you! Are you hurt from the accident?”
“I think I’m fine. Just a little shaken up. I’ve never seen a bear that big up here.”
“Memaw was just telling me about a bear on the news. One of them got into trouble up at the lodge last night. I guess he broke into the kitchen, scared a bunch of folks, and got away with a few pounds of salmon.”
“Shit. Hadn’t heard about that yet. Is everyone okay?”
Tinley nods. “Memaw said someone was going to have to do something soon. Not sure what that means. I’m just excited to be here! Should I take a look at your leg, Mae? I’ve only got a few nursing classes in so I’m not skilled or anything, but I love practicing.”
Mae smiles wide and sits back on the couch, swinging her legs up. “What kind of nurse do you want to be?”
“Maternity, but that would mean I’d have to stay in the Springs and I’m not sure I want to do that.”
