She let out a whoosh of breath. “Thank you. I’m trying not to let myself get freaked, but I am a bit.”

I reached out and squeezed her arm. I wanted to pull Caelyn into my arms, to hold her and tell her that everything would be all right, but that wasn’t my place. “I’m happy to stay. And it’s understandable that you’re feeling unsettled right now. Cut yourself a little slack.”

“Thanks. I’m going to get ready for bed and I’ll grab you a blanket and a pillow.”

“Thanks.” I surveyed the couch that would be my bed for the night. It was decent-sized but the lumpiness factor might make things interesting. I tried plumping up one cushion after the other, but it didn’t seem to do much good. But I could deal with anything for one night.

“Here you go.”

I turned at Caelyn’s voice and froze in my tracks. She wore a baggy t-shirt and minuscule shorts that had the air in my lungs suddenly disappearing. Somehow, even though Caelyn was petite, her legs still seemed to go on for days. Endless planes of creamy white skin. I couldn’t help but wonder what it felt like. If it was as smooth as it looked.

I gave myself a mental shake. “Thanks.” My voice was gruffer than I intended as I took the proffered pillow and blanket.

Caelyn toyed with the hem of her t-shirt. “Thanks again…for everything. It means more than I can say.”

My ribs constricted at her words. Caelyn deserved someone looking out for her. Someone who made her life easier instead of the other way around. “I’ll do whatever I can to help.”

She nodded. “Well, I’ll see you in the morning. Hope you sleep well.”

“You, too.”

Caelyn turned and headed for a ladder that led to a loft space over the living room.

My brows pulled together. “Where are you going?”

She turned, a smile teasing her lips. “To bed, in my loft.”

“You don’t have a room? You sleep in the loft?”

Caelyn’s cheeks pinked, and I wanted to kick myself. I hadn’t meant to embarrass her. She cleared her throat. “When we were looking for a place to live, this was by far the best neighborhood. I’ll take safety and good neighbors over my own bedroom any day.”

“That’s smart.” I couldn’t imagine how terrifying it would’ve been for a twenty-one-year-old to be searching for a home and having to consider the safety of her young siblings as she did so. “You amaze me.”

Caelyn’s body gave a small jerk. “Why?”

“Because you’ve handled more than most adults and did it while making sure three kids feel safe and loved.”

Her cheeks grew redder. “Any sibling—”

“No.” I cut her off. “Not any sibling would.”