“No, Evan’s gone for the night.” Sloan grabbed the loaf, took two pieces out of the bag and then secured the twist tie in place.
“I thought I heard his bike. I can’t believe he left already. Do you feel ready for tomorrow?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be. Evan put the hardest parts on himself,” Sloan slathered peanut butter on one piece and carefully placed the other piece on top. She paused to rub her temples, reached for the two pills still waiting for her and swallowed them with a deep swig of water.
She frowned briefly before bowing her head the way Dr. Winter had taught her and said a quick blessing before picking up the meager meal and munching thoughtfully.
“Come sit with me,” Cole said softly, taking her by the hand. He carried her plate and napkin, but stopped to add an apple to the meal before leading her with his free hand to the living room. He sat her back on the chaise lounge and put her food in her lap. She curled her legs up beneath her and sighed, looking nearly too tired to keep eating.
“Listen, you may be a medical genius, but you still need to eat.”
Sloan nodded and picked up her sandwich. Cole jumped from his seat and ran back into the kitchen. Moments later, he returned with a tall glass of cold milk and handed it to her.
“Thanks,” she smiled taking a big swig. Self-consciously she dabbed away her milk moustache with her napkin.
Without a word, Cole reached for one of her feet and slipped off her shoe. His strong hands started to rub her foot slowly. “I have very few memories of my mom and dad together before she got sick,” he started. “I don’t know if I blocked them out because I missed her so much, or if I truly have a faulty memory. But one of the few memories I do have is of my mom coming home from work where she stood on her feet most of the day and watching her finally get a chance to sit down. My dad would sit beside her on the sofa, take off her shoes and rub her feet as they talked about their day.”
“That’s a beautiful memory,” Sloan offered softly.
“Yeah. They were really sweet together.” His green eyes turned even crisper at the hands of nostalgia.
They sat quietly, Sloan eating and Cole rubbing her feet, until the sandwich and milk were nearly gone. The apple sat on the plate untouched.
“You don’t have to do this,” Cole said, breaking the comfortable silence.
“I know.”
“I mean, you’ve turned into quite the little fighter in your own right. And you didn’t hurt anyone in Flagstaff. You shouldn’t be going.”
“It absolutely should be me, and you know it.” Sloan reached out to grab his hands in hers.
“What are you worried about?” she asked, searching his eyes for understanding.
“You! It’s just that you shouldn’t have to shoulder the burden of the family. You shouldn’t have to, Sloan. Let me go in your place. Just tell me the plan you and Evan went over and I’ll go. I’m older and…”
“And what? Stronger? Bigger? Cole, I made my decision long ago about which side I would take. I chose to side with Creed instead of stay in the lab back in Germany. I believed if that soldier could be so devoted to a group of people and their cause—well, I respect him enough to take notice of that. Once I got to know all of you, I completely understood for myself why Creed was willing to give up everything to fight for you. I feel just as strongly. Now, I’m not a soldier, but I do have a highly intelligent mind. I can fight this way, Cole. Let me do my part in helping the Winter clan. Let me use my gift.”
“What if they try to turn you against us?”
“Do you honestly believe that would happen?”
“Look at Meg. I would have never believed it if someone told me she would leave us and side with the enemy, but she did.”
“I’m not Meg,” Sloan answered simply.
“If they keep you one hour longer than they’re supposed to, I’m coming in after you.”
Sloan smiled shyly. “That’s probably the sweetest thing anyone has ever offered to do for me.”
Cole met Sloan’s gray eyes with a strong, steady gaze. “I lost my mother. We all lost Meg. I will not lose you, too. Come hell or high water, I’m coming in after you. Know that.”
Sloan looked down at her hand still holding his. “Well, and Evan, too. You’d need to help Evan get out.”
“Evan can take care of himself—not to say you can’t. I just—”
“I know what you mean, Cole. Thank you.”
Cole just blushed. He squeezed her hands, stood and cleaned up her plate, leaving the apple within reach and took her dishes back to the kitchen. When he returned, she had curled into a ball against the corner of the chaise. The night was cool so Cole grabbed a soft throw and draped it over her.
“Want to watch a movie?” he offered.
Sloan sighed. “I’m pretty sure I’ll doze off before it’s over.” She yawned deeply, as though on cue.
“That’s okay. I’d just like to sit beside you for a while.”