Page 40 of The Ampersand Effect

Grier: I know, but you still have to be nice.

Grove: A cold shoulderisnice. Comparatively.

Grier: Fine.

Grove: Fine.

“That’s our younger sister, Grove.” Grier nodded toward her sister as she made introductions, then looked to Tobin’s sister, expectantly.

When Tobin didn’t move to make the introduction, the woman stepped forward and extended a hand. “I’m Harrow, Tobin’s sister. I’m very sorry to disrupt your evening, but very grateful you allowed it. To be honest, I kind of forced her to call you tonight.”

Grier looked to Tobin for confirmation, but she wouldn’t meet her eyes. This was not off to a great start. The tension in the room was palpable. It was obvious both of them had shared at least partial narratives with their siblings, and everyonepresent was feeling a little protective of their respective sister. Only Harrow seemed entirely at ease tonight—and Grier leaned into that, hoping her confidence might smooth the ripples of insecurity just enough for her to treat Tobin.

When Grier returned her attention to Harrow, the woman continued her explanation. “Tobin talked so highly of the treatment you did on her arm a few weeks ago. When I picked her up from the rescue, I didn’t know what else to do with her—she just got worse at home. So, I kind of told her to call you, or I would.” She shrugged, abashed. “It’s my fault we’re here. I’m sorry to intrude. I just really didn’t know what else to do.”

“It’s fine,” Grier said, letting her hackles settle a fraction. “Can you help me get her downstairs to my table? Then, I’m sure Grant and Grove can get you something to drink while you wait.”

They managed to get Tobin downstairs, where Grier had set up her portable treatment table in front of the couch. She hid her smile when she heard Tobin mutter several rather harsh curses under her breath as she fought her way down each step.

“You can sit on the edge of the table,” Grier indicated, with no small amount of reticence.

“Since I’ve never adjusted you before, I’m going to do an exam first. It’ll help me get a feel for what’s going on—and it gives your body the chance to get to know my touch. There’s no point in treatment if you don’t trust me; it’ll only make things worse.” She met Tobin’s unwavering gaze and took it as acceptance of her terms.

“Harrow, this is gonna take a bit. Make yourself at home. You can head upstairs with everyone else, or you’re welcome to wait down here—I’m used to an audience.”

Grier watched the silent exchange that passed between the sisters. After a series of eye waggles and shoulder shrugs, Harrow finally reported aloud, “Well, I think I’ll leave you two to it.”

Tobin’s shoulders sagged slightly, and Grier couldn’t ignore the pang of hurt at the understanding that Tobin had lost the argument— wanting Harrow to stay and be a barrier between them.

Harrow made her way up the stairs and shut the door at the top with a soft snick.

They were alone for the first time. Not exactly how Grier had fantasized her first private rendezvous with the captain would begin.

This is so fucked up.

She shoved her feelings aside—for now. She could unpack them later, after Tobin left and she could decompress with her siblings. And chocolate. Or root beer floats.

Grier sighed, steeling her emotions and slipping into doctor mode. She could do this.

“Can you show me where it hurts?” she asked, sitting on the edge of the couch across from Tobin.

Tobin placed her palm on her left low back and slid it down her butt. “It starts here, above the pelvis, and there’s this deep, constant ache in my butt. When I sit, there’s a shooting pain from my low back into the butt and down the leg, but it subsides after I settle. When I walk, if I put any weight on my left leg, I get sharp, shooting pain from my butt down to my ankle. The inside of my big toe is numb—sometimes tingles.”

“That all fits with your L4 compression fracture. Have you always had the sciatica with it?” Grier leaned back against the couch, arms crossed—reluctant to show compassion to the woman who’d toyed so viciously with her emotions.

“Yeah, but not in a long time. Mostly in the first few months after the accident. PT really helped.” Tobin couldn’t maintain eye contact.

If Grier were stronger, she’d have forced their eyes to meet— stare straight into her soul and force her to feel the hurt of the last week.

But she wasn’t that strong. She couldn’t bear to look into those swirling green eyes. She feared she’d crash over the very tenuous ledge she was barely clinging to.

“Okay. Can you kick your right leg out without pain?” Grier demonstrated what she wanted. Tobin complied, wordlessly.

“And the other leg?” Tobin tried, but barely moved the leg before she winced.

“What about both legs together?”

Again, Tobin tried, bracing her hands behind her on the table to lift the left leg. It barely wavered before she cursed under her breath.