Wyatt shrugged and turned up the corner of his mouth. “I don’t know.”

Jax’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “Thanks for stopping by.” She went to pat his shoulder, but Wyatt grabbed her hand and held it.

“Be patient with her, Jax. She’s going through something that we can’t understand. I see it in her eyes—it’s hard and it’s dark.”

Jax had never heard him speak so seriously. “Okay. I will.” They said their good-byes, Caleb hugging Wyatt tight around the neck.

They walked to Gretchen’s room, and Amanda’s voice could be heard just outside the open door.

“Are you sure you’re okay? You’ve barely said a word since this morning.”

Jax couldn’t hear Gretchen’s answer, and she started to have second thoughts about bringing Caleb by. What if he upset Gretchen and she had another seizure? Jax watched Caleb’s curious eyes as he followed doctors, nurses, and patients. He was practically entranced by everything going on around him. This child was their whole world. He couldn’t ever bring Gretchen harm.

“Remember, Mama is a little hurt, and she’s having a hard time remembering things, but she’s very excited to see you.”

“She won’t cry again?”

Jax wished more than anything she could erase that memory from Caleb’s mind. “If she does, it’s because she’s so happy to see you, Cricket.”

Caleb stood on tiptoe in an effort to see into Gretchen’s room through the small window. “I see her!”

“Come on,” she said, grabbing his hand and leading him into the room. “Go say hi to Mama.”

She watched him run to Gretchen and climb up on her bed. Without hesitating, Gretchen wrapped her arms around Caleb and held him.

“Not too tight, Cricket, Mama’s still healing,” Jax said, hoping she didn’t sound too concerned. She hadn’t realized how deeply she feared the possibility of a disconnect between Gretchen and Caleb until now.

“She’s the one crushing me.” Caleb’s voice was muffled against Gretchen’s shoulder.

Gretchen released Caleb and wiped away her tears. “I’m sorry. I’m just really happy to see you.”

Jax needed to lighten the mood before she lost her composure altogether. She raised the white paper bag in the air with a proud smile. “I can’t imagine a better way to celebrate than with ice cream,” Jax said, handing out everyone’s treats. After everyone was armed with their dessert, a spoon, and napkins, she took a seat and opened her own mint chocolate chip. It was half melted, but Jax shrugged and dived in anyway.

“You just missed Wyatt,” Amanda said between bites.