“Thank you,” Tuck said as he sat down. Charlie and I moved just a bit closer so we could see over the couch, but still stood in the doorway. The sheriff and Katelyn moved behind Tuck as they observed.

“I’m going to press very gently on your arm,” Tuck said. “It might hurt just a little, but I’m going to try to feel what’s happening with your bones.” The boy nodded and held his arm toward Tuck, who took a minute to remove the sling it was in. “Are you able to bend it?” Tuck asked.

Brent shook his head. “No.”

Then Tuck held the boy’s forearm, his gaze shifting away as he used his hands to assess, moving his fingers around the elbow area. His hands were large, but seemingly very gentle as his thumbs pressed here and there. Brent’s expression was pained, though he didn’t pull away.

I had this sudden flash of Tuck hunkered down next to one of the vets on our farm as the man checked one of the goat’s legs. I had no recollection of how the animal had been injured or what the treatment had been, but that was because I hadn’t been watching the vet—I’d been watching Tuck, taking advantage of him being so focused on something that I could let my eyes linger on him to my heart’s content. Tuck had asked question after question, wanting to understand, wanting to help. And I’d been glad for the chance to watch him, but also, unreasonably jealous of that damn injured goat he’d been so interested in.

The memory hurt in some way I couldn’t exactly explain, an old scar suddenly pulled tight.

“When you fell, did you catch yourself with your hands?”

“I… I think so. Yes.”

Tuck set Brent’s arm gently back onto his chest and turned to the sheriff. “His arm isn’t broken, it’s just dislocated. You can feel where his elbow is out of alignment if you’d like.”

“You’re sure?”

“Very. Listen, like I said, I’m not a doctor.” His eyes moved away for a brief moment. “My training is limited. But I do know that if the bone isn’t set right, it won’t heal properly, and it will continue to cause pain. Getting it back in place should reduce the pain almost immediately. And then it will heal correctly so that he has full use.”

Katelyn’s eyes widened, and she looked up at her father before addressing Tuck. “Can you do it?”

“Yes, I believe so.”

The sheriff gave a reluctant nod. “Brent,” he said, “are you willing to let Tuck try to align your bone? It might hurt for a few minutes.”

“Only a few minutes?” the boy asked.

“Yes,” Tuck said. “I’ll try to be as quick as I possibly can. You’re going to have to be brave though, okay?”