“Wherever they are,” Linc said, “they’re out of cell range, which means they could be anywhere around here.”

“Why don’t you two get something to eat?” Molly said. “The fridge is full of leftovers. We’ll keep an eye on Simone for you.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Colton said. “I’m starving. Come on, Luce. Have something to eat. You’ll feel better if you do.”

Though she wasn’t sure she could eat, she followed him into the kitchen and took a seat at the table while he made sandwiches for both of them. He wolfed his down while she picked at hers.

“Eat, Lucy. She’s fine. Everything is fine.”

“My stomach is still a mess. I’m not sure it’ll stay down.”

“I’m an expert at holding your hair when you’re sick. I’ll take care of you.”

His reminder of the time he’d come to her rescue when she had food poisoning made her smile. “I’d rather skip the whole being-sick part of the program.”

“You need to eat, babe.”

She made an effort for his sake, even if she really didn’t want the food. “I’m so bummed this happened today of all days, when Emma was off doing something fun for a change. She never gets a break, and the one day she does…”

“Shit happens. She knows that.”

“I wish I could be more like you. Nothing ever gets to you or rattles you.”

“Lucy, honey, I was as rattled today as I’ve ever been. Your beautiful niece was entrusted to me to teach her to ski, and she got hurt on my watch. Trust me when I tell you it was upsetting for me, too.”

“It wasn’t your fault. Like you said, shit happens. I’m just thankful she only hurt her arm.” Lucy tried not to think about how much worse it could’ve been.

“Now you know why I insist on the helmet. Skiing is dangerous. People get hurt. It happens. Ask Will about the crash that ended his Olympic dreams.”

Lucy cringed, imagining a crash bad enough to end a skiing career.

“This was a fall on the bunny slope, babe. As bad as it was for us, knowing our intrepid Simone, she’ll want to get right back on skis again as soon as she possibly can.”

“I like the way you say that, our intrepid Simone…”

“She is nothing if not intrepid.”

“I like the our part, too.”

“You know I love her like she’s my own niece. What’s not to love about her? She’s adorable and sweet and curious and so polite and funny. And she’s incredibly smart. I’ve never met a smarter nine-year-old.”

His kind words about Simone invoked an emotional reaction in Lucy that had her brushing at tears.