Steam poured from the dishwasher vents as Mandy wiped the counters. Breakfast was over hours ago. Where was Danny? All morning, she’d resisted the urge to call Doc and check up on him, but enough was enough. Ignoring the soaking pans in the sink, she picked up the cordless phone. A quick exchange with Dr. Chandler’s nurse, Shelly, put Mandy’s mind at ease about Danny’s injury. But where had he gone?

The door slapped open, and Bill burst through. “I’m hungry. Is there more cinnamon bread?”

“Of course.” Mandy wrapped a leftover slice in a napkin and poured him a glass of milk.

“Where’s Danny?” Bill took a bite.

“I don’t know.”

“He didn’t leave, did he?”

“I don’t think so. He didn’t check out.” Although that’s what she wanted him to do, the thought that he could be gone left an empty space inside her.

Bill looked doubtful. He ripped another chunk off his bread. Mandy chewed her thumbnail. Should she check Danny’s room for his things? No, he was free to come and go as he pleased. He hadn’t made her any promises. At the most, he would be here for two weeks. But the apprehension in her brother’s eyes doubled the hollowness inside. One more reason Danny had to leave immediately. Bill was getting attached to him. When Danny went home, Bill would be devastated.

“After Danny leaves, can I call him?” Was Bill reading her mind?

“Sure. Did you like talking to Reed yesterday?”

“Uh-huh.” He finished the slice and took a long swallow of milk.

“I’m glad.” She should have thought of letting Bill call. Maybe she’d been wrong about a clean break being the best way to handle the situation. Everything she did for Bill seemed to be wrong.

Bill downed the rest of his milk and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Mandy handed him a napkin.

“I thought he forgot about me.”

Ugh. Mandy rubbed her forehead. She’d definitely made the wrong call on that. Exhaustion pulled at her. The dirty pans beckoned. Danny’s words echoed in her mind: everyone needs to be useful.

She pushed up a sleeve. “I could use some help. Want to dry the dishes?”

Bill’s face brightened. “Sure.”

Mandy tossed him a dish towel. She scrubbed her way through the stack of pans. Bill carefully dried each one and put it away.

“Thanks.”

“I like helping you, Mandy.” Bill tilted his head.

“I know. I’ve been really busy. Sometimes I forget to ask.”

“If you ask me for help, you won’t be so busy. Can I do anything else?” Bill asked.

She almost asked him to bring in the mail but changed her mind. “The porches need to be swept.”