"Wow, there are a lot of books here," she observed as she dropped down and tilted her head to read the titles closest to the floor. "A History of Angels, Angels Among Us, When Angels Walk Among the Living … wow, they really like their angels, don't they?"
Not knowing what to say, I simply nodded, and Riley turned back to the books. For the next hour, I sat making a list of all the things I needed to do, and by the time I was done, I felt overwhelmed but more in control. I looked up and saw Riley engrossed in a book she'd found on the shelves.
"Something good?" I asked.
"Mmm-hmm," she nodded and kept reading.
"Okay, well, it's time for bed," I prodded. "We need to be up and out of here early tomorrow morning."
Riley got up and went to brush her teeth, leaving the book on the couch. While she was out of the room, I picked the book up and read the title: Orphan at Any Age: Children Who've Lost Parents. I bit my lip and put the book back down.
"We're going to be okay," I said after we'd settled in and shut off the light. "I promise."
"I know, Leah," Riley replied sleepily. "We always are."
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Jack
"Hey, good lookin', whatcha got cookin'," I sang as I walked into Leah's office early the next morning. I stopped as soon as she looked up at me. There were dark circles under her eyes, and her lips curled into a weak smile before she turned back to the computer and continued typing. I quickly toned it down and asked, "Everything okay?"
"Yeah, fine," she nodded without looking at me. "Just a lot of stuff to take care of this morning. Did you need something?"
"I just wanted to touch base and talk about the construction," I said as I tried to figure out what was going on with Leah. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine, Jack," she said tersely. "If you want to talk about the project, I'll be done in a few minutes and can meet you out in the warehouse."
"Alright, I'll be waiting," I said, backing out of the room confused as to what was going on.
The construction project was moving quickly and the warehouse team was helpful in answering my questions. I took a look at Leah's new office and found that the crew was nearly done with it. I pulled out my phone and called Norma and told her to have the furniture brought in that afternoon once the crew was done with the finishing touches.
The new office had been done in light wood and cool calm tones of green and cream. I'd picked out furniture that would complement the colors as well as being functional. I hoped that Leah would like the overall effect. I walked across the room and pushed open the door leading to the fully outfitted bathroom and found Riley curled up in the shower stall reading a book.
"Hey, you're not supposed to be in here," I said hearing my voice echo off the tile walls.
"Huh?" Riley looked up confused. "Oh, well, it was the only place where things were quiet."
"What's going on?" I asked.
"Dunno, just trying to stay out of the way," she shrugged as she put her finger in the book to hold her place and sat up. She seemed more withdrawn since the day before.
"You okay?" I asked, remembering what it was like to be that age and have adults constantly badgering me to tell them what was going on.
"Fine," she shrugged again looking down at the book in her lap.
"You sure? You seem kind of quiet," I said in a casual tone.
"Just a lot of stuff going on, that's all," she said quietly.
"Well, I don't want to pry, but if you need someone to talk to, my door is open and I'm happy to listen," I said, turning to leave the bathroom. "Just do me a favor, and don't let the work crew mess this up too much, okay? I want it to look nice for Leah when she comes down to see it."
"Jack?" Riley called just as I walked out the door.
"Yeah?" I said, turning to look back at her. She looked small and miserable as she bit her lip.
"Never mind," she said.
"Okay, well, the offer stands," I said before exiting the new office. I wondered what was going on with her and Leah, but I knew better than to push.