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“Are you and Eric on your own?”
She blinked at me in surprise. The question was invasive, but I was curious about her . . . about their life.
“Beau hasn’t told you?” Her tone was one I couldn’t quite decipher. Was she upset or relieved?
“She would never betray precious information.” My sister was one of the most loyal people I'd ever encountered.
“I know that.” Lines formed around her mouth. “You seem like the type that would badger her.”
One corner of my mouth lifted. “I am. But I want you to tell me about you.”
She fiddled with the leather edge of the sofa. “I got custody of him when I was nineteen and he was twenty-two.” Her expression was bittersweet. “It’s funny. Most of the time it feels like he takes care of me more than I do him. We’re-we’re a good team.”
Nineteen?That was so young to shoulder such a responsibility.
She poked my cheek. “Have I managed to shock Mr. Stoic?”
“Yes and no,” I said honestly. “I’m not surprised in the least that you stepped up to care for Eric. But that’s a young age.”
“We’d seen after each other before that anyway.” She waved her hand in the air. “That was the most freeing day of our lives.”
Why? What—or who—had they needed to escape? My gut told me I wouldn't like the answer. They’d survived—thrived even.
“What did you do before the dog food business?” It couldn’t have been easy to financially support themselves. The city was expensive, and I had no idea the kind of medical care Eric needed.
“Mostly odds and ends jobs that Eric and I could do together. He’s fine on his own for a while, but I-I just never felt comfortable with that. Not even when I was kid.” She held my gaze, unapologetic for the choices she'd made.
But she had nothing to be sorry for. Look at the home she'd created, the bond and friendship she had with her brother. If anything, she should be incredibly proud.
Something weird shifted in my chest that I didn't recognize.
She smoothed her thumb over my eyebrow. “Not Mr. Stoic. Mr. Scowl. That's what I should call you.”
We were speaking about difficult topics, yet she managed to smile. To be tough. Because she was. Admirably so.
I wanted to press further, but refrained.
“What’s on the agenda for tomorrow? Sky diving lessons?”
She tensed, the easy air between us evaporated.
I straightened and angled toward her, then bent and kissed her forehead gently. It wasn’t the kiss I wanted, but I’d be patient. “Talk to me.”
She blinked like she wasn’t certain what to do with my offer. The longer she was silent, the more anxious I became. Whatever burdened her, I wanted to fix.
“I lost our biggest customer today,” she whispered. “Please don’t mention it in front of Eric. I haven’t told him.”
What the hell? How? Why?Anger on her behalf filled me. What idiot would stop purchasing the best dog food in the city?
“Why?”
She hung her head in defeat. The woman, who to the outside world was unstoppable, was more vulnerable than she let on.
I gathered her in my arms and pressed her head to my chest. “You’ll find a bigger and better customer. And this one will realize what a fool they were.”
She jerked back and stared at me. “It was my fault. Not theirs.”
“Still makes them a fool.” I pulled her back against me. She was warm, a comfort to me when I was supposed to be that for her.
