The way she looked at him, he started to wonder if she was still talking about herself, or if she was giving him some sort of subtle hint. In the next breath, he dismissed the notion.

Hannah had her own family and friends to help her. He was certain she wouldn’t want or need his help. Still, the memory of the devastated look on her pretty face dug at him.

“When you see her, please let her know how sorry I am.”

He opened his mouth to say he didn’t expect to see her again, but wordlessly he pressed his lips together. After all, Bluestar was a small island. The odds of running into her were high.

“I’ll do that,” he said, liking the idea of bumping into Hannah.

“Oh, before I forget.” Aunt Birdie’s face lit up. “I have something for you.”

“For me?” He was confused. How could his aunt go shopping when she’d been in the hospital and now in this physical rehab facility?

She smiled and nodded. She reached over to her bedside stand, but when her yarn rolled off her lap, she rushed to grab it. Ethan sprang into action, grabbing it before it fell to the floor. He handed it back to her.

“Thank you.” Aunt Birdie rolled up the yarn and placed the ball securely on her lap.

“Tell me what you want,” he said, “and I’ll get it for you.”

“It’s in the drawer.”

He opened the top drawer in the bedside table. Inside he found a package of cheddar cheese crackers stuffed with peanut butter. A smile pulled at the corners of his lips.

He picked up the cellophane package. “Is this what you wanted?”

She nodded once more. “Yes. I saw them and remembered how much you used to enjoy them when you were a little boy.”

A smile tugged at his lips. “I haven’t had them in years. But how did you get them?”

“There’s a vending machine at the end of the hall. When I was taking my mandatory walk last evening, I saw them. I went back to my room, got some change, and went back.”

“You walked the hall twice?” He knew how painful walking was for her, so this gift—this memory from the past—meant so much more to him.

She nodded. “Don’t tell anyone but I wanted to do it. The more I move, the sooner I can go home.”

He knew how anxious she was to be discharged, but he also recalled the doctor saying that her recovery would take time. “Well, thank you. They bring back good memories.” He placed the package of crackers in his pocket. “Now what can I do for you? Maybe I can bring you something from home to make you more comfortable here?”

“Now that you mention it, I could use some more yarn. I have this plum shade in a red bag next to my desk in the living room. Would you be a dear and bring it with you when you come back?”