That was when he knew Catie wasn’t back to her usual self or anything like it. Jaw tight, he took the cookies out of the oven, then slid the cupcakes in. The cookies needed a few more minutes to set. He spent that time warming up a tall glass of milk.

After which he plated four yet-warm cookies and walked over to knock on the door with his foot. “It’s your food delivery.”

He half expected her to tell him to leave it by the door, but she said, “Come in.”

Face clear of makeup, her hair brushed out, she was in bed in her pj’s. She’d pulled the duvet over her lower half and set her legs aside on the floor. Also beside the bed was a simple foldable wheelchair. He’d guessed she might have one here—he knew Ísa and Sailor had one in storage at their place in case Catie ever needed it during a visit. But he’d never actually seen her use one.

That she’d not only gotten it out but was allowing him to see it…

Fuck.

“Here, Your Highness,” he managed to get out past the worry that was a heavy stone in his gut. After she took the plate, he put the glass of milk on her bedside table.

She was already taking a giant bite out of a cookie. Making a surprised sound when the chocolate melted all over her lip, she quickly licked it up and said, “Holy mackerel, hotshot. Where did you find cherries?”

“Jam,” he told her. “Not perfect, but it’ll do in a pinch.”

Catie had stuffed the rest of the cookie in her mouth, had her fingers on another one. “Mmm.”

Since she seemed to be feeling more herself, he dared go back out, get himself a drink and some cookies, and come back to join her. Putting his stuff on the other bedside table, he sat down on the bed with his back to the headboard and his body on top of the duvet.

“You lost your clothes?”

Only at her sharp question did he realize he was still only wearing boxer shorts. Dear Lord, he’d been so worried that he’d turned into a near-naked baker. At least he hadn’t been at risk from oil splatters.

“You being lured by my luscious body?” he shot back in an effort to hide his cock’s enthusiastic reaction to the fact Catie was looking at his all but naked self. He also drew up his leg to better hide the sudden interest in his boxers.

“You wish,” she said and bit into a third cookie.

They ate in silence for a while until Danny said, “How bad is it?”