“It looked like you were going to kiss,” she points out, sounding confused.

“We weren’t going to kiss. We’re just friends, and I’m an old man, and it’s none of your business.”

Marina glances at her feet, looking almost disappointed. I pick up her cane and return it to her.

“The hallway belongs to everyone,” Marigold explains weakly.

“You’re right.” I rake a hand over my head. “We were talking. Friends talk.”

“It’s just… you’re less shadowy today.”

I feel less shadowy today, not that I’ll admit it aloud. Even to Marigold. My head droops, wondering how to end this line of questioning without confusing her or making her feel bad.

Marina gives me a curious look as if registering my shadow level. Then, she turns to my sister with a brimming smile. “That’s because I’m his sunshiny nemesis, determined to get him to lighten up.”

Marigold’s lips twitch with a smirk. “He needs to lighten up.”

“Exactly.” Marina meets Marigold in the hall. “Grady’s taking me home, but let’s do a game night soon. Will you let me know when you’re free?”

“Thursday.”

“Thursday, then. Can you drop her off around seven?”

“She has a car,” I report, “when she feels comfortable driving it.”

“I’ll drive. I’ve been to Marnie’s place, so I know where I’m going.”

“Purr-fect.” Marina giggles, prompting Marigold to do the same.

Marina rounds the room, beaming with friendliness—a different woman than the one who scurried into the bathroom. She’s even nice to Colin, though his sheepish look assures me that Mom and Elena had words with him in our absence.

She moves slowly to the car, her cane crunching against the driveway. “You aren’t an old man, Grady.”

Exhaustion laces her words like she’s almost too worn out to say them.

Starting the engine, my shoulders slump. Before I can defend my statement, she speaks again.

“But, I understand why you might feel like one,” she says. “You’re the go-to guy for everything—I know what that’s like. Do you ever just stop and hang out with them?”

“They want me to hang out. I don’t have the time or patience for it.” I pull out onto the main road and head to her place, which isn’t far but feels a world away.

“Why are you their go-to guy for everything?”

“That’s the curse of being the oldest, taking care of the others. But it’s more than that… Dad wanted me to take over the farm when I left school, but my ex-wife, Emma, wanted the city. Emma didn’t work out. Neither did the city. A week after I came back home, I found Dad in the barn in cardiac arrest. He would’ve died if I hadn’t been there. So, now, I’m always there.”