Page 101 of Hidden Nature

He blew out a breath as Nash said nothing, only walked over to get another cup of coffee.

“And get this. After they let her come home—well, here—and she was being really careful to do everything the doctor and all told her, on Thanksgiving one of the little kids fell down, started crying, and she just automatically picked him up. Pulled a pec muscle, and pretty much had to start all over.”

He gave Tic one more rub and stood. “She’s doing good now, but man, it’s a lot.”

“How much spine do you think it takes to get through that, then put a uniform back on?”

“Pretty sure more than I’ve got.”

Nash glanced over at his brother. “You’ve got plenty of spine. But she’s got more than most.”

Drea caught Sloan as she was leaving for work.

“Early for you,” Sloan said as she let Drea in. “I’ve got maybe five minutes.”

“I told Theo about what happened to you,” she blurted out. “I didn’t tell him, he found out, then I told him. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

“Oh.” Sloan opened the closet for her coat. “Okay.”

“I didn’t say anything about it before, but once he asked me, it all came pouring out. I needed to tell you I told him. I needed to tell you I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right. I mean it,” she added when she saw Drea on the point of tears. “It happened. It’s not some big secret, and he was bound to find out, working in the Rest. I appreciate you didn’t say anything before, but you could have.”

In response, Drea threw her arms around Sloan. “It all came back, and out. When it happened, I was so scared. I tried so hard not to show it, but I was so scared.”

“You did a good job. All of you did. You helped me get through it, all of you helped. And I am through it.”

“I didn’t want you to think—”

“I don’t. He asked; you answered. It’s fine.”

“He’s in love with me.”

“What? I’m so shocked, I may fall over.”

As Sloan pulled back, threw up both hands, made her shocked face, Drea laughed. “Okay, not a real surprise, but it may be that I really think I’m in love with him.”

“A somewhat surprise. I like him, if you need to hear that. What’s not to like? He strikes me as smart, he’s hardworking, personable, he takes cute all the way to adorable, and he looks at you like you’re the only woman in the world.”

“It seems so fast. Doesn’t it seem fast? I don’t know.”

When Drea paced in circles, Sloan let it run.

“It seems fast, but it doesn’t feel fast. We’ve only been together a short time even though it feels… I didn’t tell you, but I had to move on him. New Year’s Eve. He didn’t want to push there.”

“This needs to be a longer conversation.”

“Let’s just say, he’d already hit all the notes, and that night, a symphony.”

“Definitely a longer conversation.” Sloan wrapped on her scarf. “I have to go to work.” Curious, she studied Drea’s face as she put on her coat. “Did Theo tell you they’re remodeling my bathroom?”

“What? No.”

“He gets another point. I asked his brother not to say anything, so he obviously told Theo the same. And that tells me he can keep his mouth shut when asked. Don’t say anything to Mom or Dad, okay? Let the Fix-Its get started first. Then I’ll tell them.”

“I won’t. Dad’s going to sulk a little.”

“I know, so I’m waiting until it’s started to tell him. Then he can come by, make sure they’re doing it right.”

---