Page 41 of Healed Heart

But Henry…

Henry can be a little bit of a loose cannon.

He’s a great guy.He works for our nonprofit foundation.I mean, that’s a really giving thing to do, right?Not that he has to work, with his trust fund and all.

Everyone in our family works.We were taught the value of hard work.The value of a dollar.

No.

Henry wouldn’t do that.

Besides, no one knows.I only told Tabitha.

One way to find out.

I take out my cell phone and call Henry.

“Hey, Angie,” the deep voice of my brother comes through the phone.“What’s up?”

“Where are you?”

“Funny you should ask.”

My heart clogs my throat.“What the hell does that mean?”I choke out.

“I’m actually in town.There’s a conference in Westminster, so I’m only thirty minutes away from you.”

Only thirty minutes away… Easy to drive to Boulder, kick Ralph’s ass, and be back in time for breakfast.

But no way.He has no way of knowing.

“A conference?”

“Yeah.Brad was supposed to go, which is why I didn’t let you know ahead of time.I was actually just getting ready to call you to see if you are available for dinner tonight.”

Henry’s here.

Fuck.

I’m not feeling up to dinner.

But he’s my brother, and I love him.And even though I’m feeling pretty much like shit right now, I can’t let him know that.The last thing I need is for my brother to be worrying about me.

“Yeah, sure.You want to come to my place?”

“Are you kidding?I’m taking my sister out on the town.There’s this great place—or so I’ve heard—called Papa Mazzoti’s.I know you love Italian.”

“I do,” I admit.

“Fantastic,” he replies.“Let’s meet there around seven, okay?”

“Okay,” I say, trying to put as much cheer into my voice as I can.

In reality, though, the thought of heading out, being seen in public, seems unbearable.But it’s Henry.If nothing else, he’ll be a welcome distraction.

After hanging up, I spend a moment looking at Tillie.Her eyes are almost human in their understanding, her soft fur comforting under my fingers.She gives me a quick lick on the hand before trotting off toward her bed in the corner of the room.

Alone again, I sit in the silence of my house, wrestling with my thoughts.Is it possible that Henry hurt Ralph?