“Okay.” His concern ebbed away. “Not like I can go anywhere. This cast itches something fierce.” He settled his head into his pillows, and that faraway look came into his eyes again. Mary Beth sat down. He’d managed a relatively complex conversation without zoning out, for the most part. Good enough. She didn’t want to trigger a flood of recollections that he wasn’t equipped to handle.

Even though she burned to know whether he remembered as far back as the quarrel right before the accident, she wouldn’t dream of asking him that. If he eventually brought up the subject, she would . . . well, she didn’t know what she would do.

Now that he’d turned a corner, that meant Bobby Joe needed her more than ever. She owed him her undivided attention and tender loving care. The embrace she’d shared with Parr in the emergency room seemed like a long time ago.

Mary Beth took Bobby Joe’s hand in hers and held it, palm to palm. Bobby Joe’s long fingers curled around her diamond engagement ring. “You’re still my girl, right?”

“Yes. Of course.” He didn’t seem to notice the fractional hesitation in her reply. She was wearing both of the rings he’d given her, in fact. And—still hidden between her breasts—the ruby strawberry on its fine chain.

It was theoretically possible that someone could find it if she ever took it off and hid it somewhere at home. Against her skin, resting over her heart, the tiny gem was safe. Mary Beth knew exactly where it was at all times. It meant something to her still. She couldn’t say exactly what, but then no one was asking.

There was a knock on the open door. Mary Beth looked up, startled. Parr stood on the threshold as if he’d been stopped there by an invisible force field.

Clearly, he’d heard Bobby Joe’s affectionate question. And her automatic response. From the troubled look in his eyes, she could tell he didn’t know it was automatic. Too bad.

She couldn’t let go of his brother’s hand just because Parr was looking at her. But Bobby Joe inadvertently helped with that particular problem. He pulled his hand free and waved to Parr. “Come on in, big bro.”

Parr walked into the room, glancing around but not commenting on the move to the bed by the window. Mary Beth reminded herself that he’d been here already this morning. Maybe he’d even helped with the changeover.

Rather than stand apart from the injured man on the bed, he brought over another chair and set it beside Mary Beth.