This didn’t mean Kathleen was offering a solution by any means, but she seemed like the type of person to get things done. If there was anybody to put my trust in, it was Kathleen.

TRY NOT T-O WORRY, Kathleen signed, then chucked me under the chin. ALL OK.

It’ll all be okay, I told myself as Kathleen and I parted ways and I went outside to find Beau.

I sure hoped so at least. Thinking about whatever Nina was going to throw together for my birthday had me feeling queasy, but putting on a happy face and going along with it was the least I could do. Without Nina, I wasn’t so sure where I would be in the tangled web that was Engelmann.

I had to throw Beau into that equation too when I saw him outside, leaning against his car with a book in hand, like always. My heart did this stupid little jump when he looked up as I approached and smiled warmly.

FEEL BETTER? he signed when I stopped in front of him, tossing his book on the roof of his car.

I was going to answer his question honestly, but there was something else I’d rather do first.

I curled my fingers around Beau’s collar and tugged him down to my level so I could kiss him, because why not? Didn’t seem like Beau minded either since he was kissing me back.

BETTER NOW, I signed once I let him go.

Chapter 33

CHAPTER 33

Can’t do birthday stuff today, I texted Nina late Saturday morning, curled up on the couch in the living room with Connor beside me. Little bro not feeling well.

Connor had a rough go of it this morning, hacking up more mucus and fluid than usual, and his discomfort was evident. There wasn’t much I could actually do to help him except stick close and watch Spider-Man cartoons—his go-to when he wasn’t feeling well.

Nina texted back almost immediately, wanting to know if Connor was okay and if there was anything she could do to help. I assured her everything was fine, just that we would have to reschedule the birthday stuff for later. I still wasn’t feeling super celebratory, even though I appreciated her enthusiasm for making my day memorable.

Don’t worry, said Nina’s next text. We’ll bring the party to u.

Repeatedly texting Nina from there on, telling her how unnecessary it was to bring the party to me, was pointless.

The doorbell rang a little over an hour later, the lighting in the living room flashing on and off for a couple seconds. When I opened the door, Beau and Nina were standing there on the front porch, holding a stack of pizzas, a happy birthday balloon, and what looked suspiciously like a few presents.

They both said, “Happy birthday!” rather than signing it, their arms full of birthday paraphernalia.