Addie looked around before answering. “Good.”
“I heard about what happened up at your place. Are you okay?” Ben asked.
“Fine. Just dealing with the cleanup.”
“I can come up and help this evening if you need it.”
God, he still had that kindness I’d always basked in growing up. “Thanks, but I had some people helping out yesterday, and it’s mostly done.”
His gaze hardened a fraction. “Who? You need to be careful who you tell that you’re living up there alone.”
My lips twitched. Ben had always been overprotective. “It was the sheriff and his family, so I think I’m safe.”
Ben didn’t look quite as convinced. “Okay. Just be cautious—you know you can come stay with my folks and me at the ranch if you need.”
“Thanks, but I’m good.”
He turned to Addie and squeezed her elbow. “Why don’t you catch up with Evie? I’ll tak
e the jams to the bakery and go to the store.”
“What about—?”
Ben cut her off. “Allen’s moving the cattle today. He and the guys won’t venture into town.”
I sent Ben a grateful look before turning back to Addie. “Let me treat you to lunch. Have you ever been to Spoons?”
She shook her head. “That would be nice.”
“I’ll meet you back here in an hour?” Ben asked.
I adjusted my purse on my shoulder. “An hour would be perfect. Do you want me to bring you a sandwich or anything?”
His mouth quirked. “Still trying to feed me?”
“Some things will never change.”
“It’s nice to have things you can count on. But I already ate.”
Ben’s words twisted something in my stomach. How many times had I snuck him a cookie or an extra sandwich because he had the appetite of someone five times his size? And now he was this weird mix of stranger and brother of my heart. “All right. I’ll bring you a cookie, then.”
“That, I’ll never say no to.” With a wave, he was off.
Addie and I were silent for a moment, not moving at all. She spoke first. “He always was half in love with you.”
I snorted. “More like he was half in love with all of the treats I snuck him.”
“He missed you. So did I.”
“I tried to write, Addie.”
“I know,” she whispered. “I couldn’t risk writing back. Dad was so mad at you.”
I knew that, too. And now there was this chasm between us that I wasn’t sure we’d ever be able to close. But I had to try. “Let’s get some lunch.”
I started down the street, and it only took a moment for Addie to follow. She fell into step beside me, and it was like an awkward version of the old times. I couldn’t help but wonder what it would’ve been like if I’d stayed. A mix of images flitted through my mind. I wouldn’t have lost Addie or Ben. We would’ve been just as close. But I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I would’ve slowly ceased to exist.
I stole a quick glance at the person I’d loved most in the world. The same had happened to Addie. The eyes that had once held a bright twinkle were dull, searching the street for signs of an attack. I swallowed against the burn in my throat.