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“It’s not your fault,” I said. “It really isn’t.”
“What you saw –”
“I know,” I cut him off, holding his face in my hands and looking him in the eyes. “Bobby told me. I know.” I kissed him, tasting the salty tears on his lips, breathing him in. “I know.”
He crawled into bed beside me, and gently pulled me into his arms. I rested my head against his chest, listening to his heart beating, closing my eyes. It felt good to lay there, his arms wrapping me up tight, as if he would never let me go.
“I love you,” I whispered.
“I love you, too,” he replied, squeezing me tighter.
I relaxed, letting my tears flow comfortably, and within seconds, fell asleep.
***
“So, how long before you guys leave?”
Bobby was helping me get dressed, easing my arms into my shirt and making sure he didn’t accidently hit any of the stitches. It was a painfully slow procedure, and I was happy I didn’t have to do it alone.
Andy was packing my bag, quickly scanning the room for anything he might have missed.
“What do you mean?” I asked, wincing slightly as I pulled the hem of my shirt over the bandages.
“Maine,” Andy said, looking from me to Bobby and back again.
I looked at my brother, letting him decide for the both of us.
“I’m thinking we might just stay after all,” he said with a smile. “Dennis is behind bars, and Andrea could do a lot worse than you. So, no real hurry, right?”
I smiled back and looked at Andy, winking at him. Bobby was finally on board.
“Besides, the divorce process is underway, and after the kidnapping charges, I think things will go a lot faster now,” Bobby continued.
“Jane will be thrilled,” Andy said, his eyes locked onto me, his smile stretching from ear to ear. He looked like a child who had been given a jar of candy.
“Only Jane?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Hey, you’re still under house arrest,” Bobby said. “Until you’re fully healed and ready to move around on your own. So, don’t get too excited.”
“We have a guest room,” I suggested.
Bobby squinted at me and Andy broke into laughter. “You’re like a teenager,” Bobby said.
I smacked his arm. “Fine, dad, just help me up, won’t you.”
“Would you hate me if I said I like that you’re helpless?” Bobby said. “At least now I won’t have to worry about you sneaking out of the house late at night.”
“Oh, believe me, I’ve learned my lesson,” I laughed, my merriment cut short when a stabbing pain radiated from below my chest. It still hurt to laugh.
“Easy,” Andy said, coming up beside me. “The sooner you heal, the better. Let’s not push ourselves.”
I smiled at Bobby. “See? He’s useful.”
“Shut up,” Bobby replied.
“That’s fine,” Andy chuckled. “Either way, I’m heading out to Manchester tonight. I can expect a guest room when I get back in a few days.”
I had given Bobby a list of things that needed to be done back in Manchester, one of which included officially finalizing my resignation at KarpTech. Not to mention I had a bunch of personal things that needed to be boxed and brought back to Mansfield. Thankfully, Andy had offered to take over that chore, arguing that, at least for now, I needed Bobby more than him.
