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My gaze slides to Alex. He returns it calmly. Is she talking about her late husband? I knew that Alex waited a year after her husband died to date her, but I didn’t know anything about her marriage.
“You just need to treat her gently,” Missie continues. “Be patient and respectful. Lots of hugs and kisses, and don’t push her too fast. And Finn’s right—tell her you love her, and all will be well.”
“Chocolate helps,” Alex says.
Missie nods. “Definitely.”
“She said she trusts me,” I murmur.
They both smile. “Of course she does,” Missie says. “You’re one of the good guys, James. I think you forget that sometimes.” She laughs. “You look so surprised. Come on. You’ve dedicated your life to making equipment to help people walk again. You’re kind and generous, warm and funny. Are you really so surprised that Aroha’s in love with you?”
“In love?”
“Of course.” She sighs. “Silly boy.”
I think about my father, and the way he brought me up to believe that men should be hard, unyielding, and ambitious. How he made me feel that I was weak to show emotion, or a failure if I admitted I’d done something wrong. Talk about toxic masculinity.
“Talk to her,” Alex says. “Be open and honest. It’s the only way.”
I look up at the ceiling. Will she listen? Or have I waited too long?
“Why are you lying on the floor?” Aroha’s face appears above me, upside down.
I sit up quickly and turn around to look at her. She’s in the white bathrobe I left for her, and barefoot.
“How are you feeling?” I ask.
“I’m okay. A little sore, but not too bad.”
“I’ll find you an ice pack.” I get to my feet.
“We’ll head off,” Alex says, going over to the sliding doors and gesturing to Finn. “I just wanted to drop off your phone and make sure you were okay. Call me if you need anything, okay?”
“I will.”
Zelda comes bounding in, but Finn has clipped on her lead and restrains her as she approaches Aroha.
“Zelda, sit!” he declares, and the puppy obediently puts her bottom on the ground.
“Good girl.” Aroha bends and fusses her. I note that she winces as she moves, though, so she’s obviously still sore.
“Come on.” Alex leads the way to the door. Missie gives us both a kiss on the cheek, and murmurs something to Aroha before she heads out, and I close the door behind them.
Aroha blushes.
“What did she say?” I ask, amused, as we head back into the kitchen.
“Nothing.”
I purse my lips. She meets my eyes, then drops her gaze again and fiddles with the tie of her robe.
“All right,” I say softly. “Let’s get your ice pack.”
I retrieve it from where I keep it in the freezer for sports injuries, and wrap a tea towel around it. “Have a seat out on the deck,” I tell her. “I want to talk to you. And I’m going to pour you a small whisky. I think you need it.”
Her eyes have widened, but she doesn’t say anything as she heads out. I avert my gaze as she tucks the ice pack into the robe and curls up in the corner of the sofa on the deck, and concentrate on pouring her drink. Then I take it out, along with Leia’s monitor, so we can hear when she wakes up.
“Can you do me a favor?” Aroha whispers as I put the glass and monitor on the table.
