smelled melted butter and braced for the swell of nausea that didn’t come. Instead, her stomach rumbled. The teakettle whistle blew and she smiled. He was making her tea again.
Ginger’s words about caring for someone new filtered through the haze of her mind. If Matthew wasn’t careful, he might steal part of her heart. But never the whole. Jack had that and always would.
Jack...
Minutes later, Matthew appeared with a plate of steaming scrambled eggs that had a liberal amount of black pepper and probably salt, too. Plus, a mug of tea. “Here.”
She sat up, suddenly famished, and took the plate, inhaling the spicy, buttery scent.
He set her mug on the coffee table with a soft clunk.
Annie scooped a forkful of the fluffiest eggs into her mouth. “These are good.”
He smiled. “I use water instead of milk. A trick our chef taught me.”
“Oh.” Jack had always said they ate well out on the lakes. Better than he did at home. He’d never bought into her idea of nutrition. She waited to see how that first bite would settle. When nothing happened, she ate more.
“Eggs are good for you. I’m glad you had some in the fridge. I’m thinking you need more protein and not just toast.”
Annie nodded again. He was probably right. She ate eggs. Even some broiled chicken on occasion. And normally seafood, too. She closed her eyes a second. She couldn’t even think about fish without her belly turning. “Can you do me a favor?”
“Sure.”
“Can you take care of the grill before you leave? I don’t think I can handle it.” Annie finished the eggs and set her empty plate on the coffee table then leaned back to sip her tea.
“No problem.”
“Thanks for making lunch, by the way.” Her eyelids felt heavy again. She set down her tea with a tired sigh. Maybe a short nap before the only class she had scheduled today at three. All she did was sleep, it seemed.
She was supposed to feel more energy soon. Her doctor had explained that once she passed the three-month mark, she’d feel better. And stronger. She needed all the strength she could get and was already a week past that fourteen weeks mark.
“You’re welcome.” Matthew’s voice sounded soft and low.
Surely, he’d leave soon.
“When’s your next doctor appointment?”
“Next month.” Matthew might be gone by then. Back on the lakes.
“I want to go with you.”
She shifted and stared. “You’re serious.”
He smiled, standing tall and solid in front of her. “Yup.”
“Do you realize what that might look like? People will talk.”
“I don’t care about that and neither should you. It will look like a friend supporting another friend.” He gave her a wink. “No worries, okay?”
She sighed, too tired to argue. “I guess if you’re still around.”
“I’m glad you see things my way.” He grinned.
His way?
What was he talking about? This wasn’t a debate. But then she’d caved on the heels of him winning the roof argument. How many battles might they have in the name of him helping her? Would she always give in so easily? The possibilities exhausted her but a zip of anticipation shot through her, too.
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