Page 13 of Bear's Heart

Rye grinned.“Another sister.”

“Is she into design, too?”

“No.Hannah’s a nurse and wrapping up her degree in Missoula.We’re hoping she’ll be moving back once she graduates at the end of the year.My family really misses her, especially Jasper.”

“He’s the one with CP?”

“He’ll be nineteen this year.”

“You said he’s doing better since you moved?”Bear asked.

“He’s working with a physical therapist that’s been helping him with his strength and mobility.She’s also really pretty, which motivates my brother.”

Bear laughed.“Sounds just like the motivation he needs.”

Rye gestured.“I just had a thought.Why don’t you make your current bedroom and bathroom suite more accessible, not less?That way when you go to sell the house, you’d have something unique on the market.It’s hard to find a home that is accessible for different needs, and if your downstairs suite could accommodate someone like my brother Jasper, or others who can’t manage stairs, you’d be helping people out.Lots of families want a ground floor suite for their parents or in-laws.And should you decide not to sell the house, you have a space that works for you.”

“Your sister suggested the same thing, but I don’t want to invest more in this house.I’m not ready to sell it, but I’m also unwilling to put more money into it.”He glanced down into his coffee before looking up at Rye.“I would appreciate you giving me a bid for replacing the bathroom door and basic touchups and repairs—like covering up the hole from my fist in the wall.”

“Do you have any objection to me including Josie?She could use the work.She has to put together a portfolio to graduate.”Rye quickly added, “Best of all, she’s very affordable.She’s free right now.At least until she graduates.”

“That would be taking advantage of her.”

“No.Trust me.You’d be doing her a favor.”

Bear studied Rye a moment.“You’re protective of her.”

“We’re close.Adversity breaks some people, while it brings others together.For us—Josie, Hannah, and me—the challenges just made us grow closer.”

“You’re lucky.”

Rye’s head inclined.“I am.”

*

Rye phoned Josieas he left Bear’s ranch.

“How did it go?Any problem getting the door in?”she asked.

“He didn’t know I was coming.”

“Was that a problem?”

Rye sighed.“Josie.”

“So, tell me what happened.”

“The door is still in the back of my truck.”

“Oh no!”

“He’s decided he doesn’t want to stay in the house.He’s going to start looking for a place that would already be accessible.”

“But he can’t sell the house with that bathroom looking like a teenager took a bat to it.”

“I don’t think he used a bat, but he’s agreed to get the damage fixed.”

“Seems as if you got along much better with him than I did.Everything I said annoyed him.”

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