Page 31 of The Homecoming

“How did you miss that?” he asked. “Here,” he removed the mechanical release from his wrist and wrapped it around hers. “Hook that into the loop behind the arrow. Leave your finger behind the trigger until you’re ready to shoot.” He helped her hook the release and positioned her finger. “Put the yellow center in your sight line and reach your finger forward and press the trigger, hold it still.”

She allowed him to make adjustments to her stance, her elbow, and her holding arm without complaint. Whatever she needed to do to help him take his mind off whatever he was going through, she’d do. At least the mechanical release made it easier on her fingers.

By the time their mother stepped out on the back porch and told them it was too late to be out here shooting, she was consistently hitting the target. Maybe not the center, but close enough.

“So, you wanna talk about it?” she asked as he pulled arrows from the target.

He shook his head. “Nothing to really talk about.”

“If you say so.”

“What about you?”

“What about?”

“Clearly, you’ve been upset about something.”

“Just a boy,” she said. “No biggie.”

“A boy… Do I need to kick somebody’s ass?”

She laughed. “Thanks, but no.”

19.

The mountain view outside Autumn’s office was not conducive to a productive workday with the spectacular fall color in its full grandeur; she couldn’t help but daydream and stare out the window. All she wanted was to curl up in a comfy chair next to a fireplace with a mug of hot chocolate, a fuzzy blanket, and an enjoyable book. And if she were truthful with herself, Daniel would be there, too. He would coax her out of reading by doing naughty things to her body like he did back in the summer.

She let out a frustrated groan. Why did she have to go there?

“What’s wrong?” Brandon asked, rounding the corner into the office holding a bag of food.

“Nothing.” Whatever was inside the bag smelled up the whole room and turned her stomach. “What is that smell?” she asked.

“Rebecca’s tuna melt.” He held up the bag to show her. “Supposed to be the best in town.”

Nausea hit her like a tsunami and she grabbed the trash can next to the desk in the nick of time.

Brandon returned to the office, bag free. “I set it out on the porch, I’m guessing you don’t want any.”

She shook her head, concentrating on deep breathing.

“I didn’t know you were still feeling sick,” he said. “Have you been to the doctor?”

“I was fine, until you waltzed in here with that.”

The explanation did not appear to appease him. “Do me a favor, just go over to the urgent care clinic and get checked out.”

“I don’t need—”

“No,” he interrupted, “this is coming from your boss. You need to leave, and don’t come back until you go to the clinic.” He paused. “Want me to drive you?”

She scowled at him. “As my boss or as my friend?”

He sighed. “I don’t play the boss card, really. But as your friend, I’m worried.”

No, he’d never mentioned he was her boss, and he’d never once treated her as a subordinate. He was only doing so now because he cared. “Fine,” she relented. “I’m going.”

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