Page 66 of Hearts on the Mend

“You have your slippers on?” I ask Ruby, heading for the basement door.

“And a flashlight,” Ruby says, waving hers around.

The wind howls around the house at that exact moment, and everything shakes. Even the screens make a tinny metallic rattle.

“Let’s go take a look, Rue. Nobody’s sleeping in a cold house tonight.”

She chatters all the way down the stairs. I half listen, my attention focused on the ancient blue furnace.

“Flashlight,” I say, holding my hand out.

Ruby stands proudly beside me and slaps it into my palm.

“I wasn’t sure. I didn’t—” Cassie starts from the stairway. She’s wrapped up in a big cardigan. She pulls it tighter with a shiver. “I didn’t want to mess with the gas valve in the dark. I was afraid to try to fix it myself.”

“Good call,” I say, shining the flashlight over the unit. “The blower won’t run anyway. I brought a portable generator over from my parents. I’ll hook it up and it’ll help keep us warm for tonight.”

It’s quiet again before she finally says, “Glad you got here okay.”

I push up from my knees, biting back a groan as pain ripples across my back. “It’s fine. I’m always going to make it back to you.”

I pretend I don’t notice as she wipes at the tears on her cheeks. “Come on, Ruby, let’s go make some hot cocoa on the woodstove upstairs. Let Nolan finish up.”

“I want extra marshmallows.” Ruby races upstairs.

“Hey, me too,” I call out.

“And whipped cream?” Ruby shouts from the top of the stairs.

“Sure, and sprinkles.”

I join them in the kitchen after I set up the generator. It’ll take a few hours for the house to warm up. Well, as warm as this drafty old house can get at least.

Ruby is at the table singing along to her Tonie box, surrounded by coloring books, crayons, and stickers. She runs up as soon as she spots me and slaps a sticker of a cat with a banana on my stomach.

“It completes the outfit,” she says between giggles.

I peek down and grin. Never was one to accessorize, but she could dress me in a tutu, and I’d love it. This kid is something else.

“Thanks. This mine?” I nod to the cup of hot cocoa, whipped cream piled high, rainbow sprinkles scattered all across the counter.

“Yes, silly. Drink up.” But Ruby has other plans and steps onto the top of my feet, waiting. I spin her around the kitchen as Cassie looks on from the corner, wedged between the yellow wall of cabinets. I hate how quiet she’s being.

“It’ll take a while for the house to heat back up,” I tell Cassie.

Ruby bows when we’re done, then scrambles back to the table, pulling a chair out for me to join her. I sip my cocoa and set the mug down, catching Cassie’s eye. She almost smiles at the whipped cream on my nose. “Might be best to stay down here with the wood stove,” I hedge.

“Camp out!” Ruby slaps her hand on the table. “In the living room. We can stay up all night and⁠—”

A small, defeated sigh echoes in the kitchen, before Cassie says, “Go get your blankets and pillows.”

Ruby races upstairs, leaving the two of us alone. Cassie doesn’t say a word, but I can’t stomach the sadness in her green eyes much longer.

I walk up to her, leaving a few feet between us but it feels like the distance is much bigger. Her shoulders drop on a slow exhale. “Come here.” I slip my two fingers underneath the elastic waistband of her sweatpants and drag her to me.

She chuckles, and dampness seeps into my shirt—she’s crying again. Cassie rests her forehead against my chest, and doesn’t pull away when I wrap my arms around her.

“I didn’t need for you to come home,” she whispers.