I heard movement down the hall, and I rose from the chair, shaking my head to clear my thoughts. I stopped and poured a glass of the iced tea Emmy had brought. Hunter loved it, and I was going to have to call her and ask for more.
I peeked into his room with a smile. Cash was next to the bed, his great head resting on the mattress as Hunter stroked it. Cash had rarely left his side since they were reunited. Cash’s relief and joy were evident at seeing Hunter. He sensed, as animals did, that Hunter was hurt and stayed close. In turn, Hunter had praised Cash quietly, thanking him for coming to get me.
“You saved me, boy. You saved me,” he murmured, patting his haunches and stroking his head. “Good boy.”
I tapped on the door, and Hunter looked up from his half-supine position on the bed. I knew how much effort that small movement cost him.
“It’s your house, Little Dragon. You don’t have to knock.” He smiled easily, his smile growing as he saw what I was carrying.
I stepped in, handing him the iced tea and sitting in the chair beside the bed. “Just being polite.”
He drank deeply, his eyes crinkling in enjoyment. “I have no idea what your aunt puts in that, but I swear I’m addicted.”
“She adds a bunch of fruit juices. Bentley is crazy about it—we all are—she makes it all the time.” I took the glass from his hand and put it on the table. “She’ll bring more.”
He smiled, and I leaned over, brushing the hair off his forehead. He seemed to love my touches, always leaning into them as if he wanted closer. He watched me all the time, his gaze following me around the room, his attention focused on me whenever I was close. His color was better today, the bruising already fading thanks to the cream I rubbed on his skin.
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine.”
I lifted my eyebrows and pursed my lips. He chuckled.
“I’m okay. The ankle isn’t hurting as much, and my shoulder feels okay. I think we can get rid of the sling today.”
“Tomorrow. The doctor said tomorrow.”
Hunter shook his head, stubborn and determined. “He said sooner if it felt better. It feels better, and I want the damn thing off.”
Our eyes locked in a battle of wills.
“If you don’t help me, I’ll do it myself.”
I rolled my eyes. He would.
Standing, I unclipped the band around his neck and helped him ease his arm out of the sling. He grimaced a little then relaxed against the pillow. “That feels better.”
“Don’t try to do too much.”
He cracked open an eye. “What do you think I’m going to do, Ava? Jump out of bed and start swinging a hammer? I know I can’t do anything much. It’s just a relief to have that thing off my neck.” He sighed. “The crutch is next. I can’t do much about the ribs, though.”
“They will heal. You have to give them time.”
He stared out the window. “I know.” His gaze drifted to mine. “Did I hear Ronan’s voice earlier?”
I swallowed. “Yes.”
“Why do you look so guilty?”
“He finished tarping the roof for you.”
Hunter frowned. “Oh.”
“I didn’t want you to worry about it. More rain is forecast.”
He was quiet, then nodded. “Thank you.” He took my hand. “I mean it. Thank you.” He hesitated. “Did he, ah, go inside?”
“Yes.”
He grimaced.
“So did I. The other day when I went to get you some clothes.”
“Oh,” he said again. “So, you saw them? The cards?”
“Yes. I knew they were private, so I gathered them up with all the money that was there and put them back in the box.” I indicated the door behind me. “It’s in the closet over there, safe. Ronan didn’t see them.”
“Okay. Good.” He fell silent for a moment. When he spoke, his voice was quiet.
“Every year,” he mused. “Every birthday, every Christmas. Why would he do that?” He met my eyes. “I don’t understand. If he didn’t care, why would he do that?”
“I think the point is that he did care, Hunter. He saved them for you, hoping he could give them to you one day.”
“Why would my mother lie about that?” A frown marred his face. “She never really wanted me, so why didn’t she let them have me if they did care?”
“I don’t know.” I paused. “I saw you hadn’t finished opening the envelopes. Maybe the ones that look like letters would explain things?”
“Maybe.”
“I could get them for you if you wanted.”
He shook his head, suddenly looking exhausted. “Not now. I can’t right now.”
“Okay.”
I stood, running my hand across his brow. “Okay. Rest. We can talk about it later.”
He closed his eyes and sighed. “Later.”
The next moment, he was out. I kept stroking his head, wondering if there would be a later, or if, like other things, he would choose to ignore what was staring him in the face and continue on a path he thought he had to be on. I stepped back and left the room, pulling the door closed behind me. Only time would tell.