“Once we feel like real live human beings again, I said we should take turns in the kayak. The lake is just lovely,” Nikki said.

“I think Nikki is the only one kayaking today,” Andrew said. “The boys will probably be homebodies. Too bad it’s not the fall. Football would be a great excuse to miss a beautiful day and just veg on the couch.”

Kate thought she saw Andrew give her brother a nervous glance.

What’s with him today?

A jagged bolt of pain in her hip overwhelmed her thoughts. She dragged in a long, hissing breath, squeezing her eyes shut.

“Oh, dear, are you all right?” Nikki said. Kate felt pressure on the edge of the bed and Nikki’s soft hand on hers.

When she felt she could finally speak, she said, “It’s just my hip. That’s the way it says good morning.”

What she didn’t tell Nikki was how her left wrist had popped out when she went rigid from the pain. She twisted her hand under the covers and felt it slide back in.

Nikki had a tissue in her hand and was wiping Kate’s forehead. “Look, you just rest and we’ll all take care of you.”

“I’ll be fine. Ask Andrew. This is just business as usual.”

Ryker didn’t even try to conceal the dread in his eyes. She could tell he was scared too. Scared for her. She wished she could tell him everything would be fine, but she wasn’t up to starting the day with a lie.

The last thing she wanted was to have them standing over the bed with long faces.

“Guys, there’s no sitting around the house today,” she said. “Go out, get some sun at least. I’m going to chill with my But-But and sleep to old movies.”

Andrew ran his fingers through her hair. “Are you sure? I’m happy to be at your beck and call.”

She took his hand and kissed it. “Give me your boo-boo hand.” She kissed that one too. “Now get out of here. I’m starting to feel like I’m on display.”

“Your wish is our command,” Ryker said. “We’ll just get changed and grab some sunscreen.”

Nikki gave her a finger wave, following Ryker to the bedroom.

Andrew sat next to her and found the oldie movie channel. “How’s that?”

It was a Humphrey Bogart movie she’d never seen before. Too bad she wasn’t going to be able to stay awake long enough to see how it ended.

“Perfect. I’m sorry I’m such a bum today.”

“I knew you’d need to rest and recover. You just lay back and chillax.”

“Chillax?”

“Yeah. It’s what all the kids are saying.”

“I really don’t think so. Maybe kids from ten years ago.”

He kissed her forehead. “You’re not street like I am. I won’t hold it against you.”