Page 59 of A Fate of Ice and Lies
Still holding his sister, Javier nodded. “Smash it into a powder in a cup and pour hot water over it.”
“Good.” Elias dropped a hand on Javier’s shoulder and squeezed.
“It looks like Teddy brought you some food as well.” He gestured toward the small bag of food I’d brought with me. “I’ll be back tomorrow with some warm clothes for everyone and to check on you and your family. Tend to your sisters, and if you’re feeling unwell, let me know so I can heal you before you get sick. Once everyone is on the mend, George or Brenton will come get you so you can start working our land for more rations.”
Javier stood, picking Jasmine up with him. She rested her head against his shoulder the same way Victoria rested on mine.
“I could start tomorrow,” he said with a hint of urgency.
“Between what Teddy and I brought, you have enough food for a week or more,” Elias said. With a sigh, he crawled to his knees and pushed himself off the floor. “All I need you to do now is take care of yourself and your sisters. Understood?”
“But,” Javier stammered out, taking a step toward Elias.
The way he looked up at Elias with admiration and trust made me uncomfortable. Not because Elias hadn’t earned it but because I hadn’t seen it. Hadn’t fully accepted everything Elias had done so selflessly until now. Until a sixteen-year-old boy, who should’ve felt defeated by life, looked up at Elias with hero worship in his eyes.
“You took my punishment,” Javier whispered.
“It was far more just for me to receive that punishment than you,” Elias countered.
“You healed my sister and brought us food and. . .” Javier shook his head.
Elias rested a hand on the boy’s lanky shoulder. “You do not owe me anything. You’ll take this time to rest and then come work with me.”
Javier gave him a jerky nod. “Thank you,” he told Elias before he turned his attention to me. “You too, ma’am. Thank you for the food you brought us.”
In my arms, Victoria squirmed in a way that made pain shoot from my lower back. I shifted her position, but it did little to ease the sudden throb.
“If you ever need anything like help with your sisters or”—I stole a glance at Elias and his friends and tried to figure out how they’d feel about me offering him more food—“anything, let me know. I’m at the food bank most days but don’t live too far from there. Ask anyone from town, and they can tell you where I live.”
His dark complexion grew darker with his blush, and he drew his attention to the chipped linoleum floor.
I wasn’t sure if he was ashamed to need help or something else entirely.
“When my mom died, everyone in Colina helped me in some way,” I told him, shifting at the heaviness of Elias’s attention. “I was already an adult, and besides my pet donkey, I didn’t have anyone to look after. You’re doing a great job taking care of yourself and your sisters.”
With a shuffle of his feet, he huffed a disbelieving sound.
“You are, Javier,” I insisted as I hugged Victoria closer. “Not everyone is cut out to take care of others, but you’re doing it. You haven’t given up, and that’s the most important part. And now you have others who want to help you. Let us help you. Okay?”
His eyes rimmed red when they crashed against mine, and he jerked his head in a reluctant nod.
“Appreciate it,” he whispered, pressing his lips together into a thin line.
“We should head out,” Elias said.
He moved his hand toward me but never made contact, letting his hand linger just above my shoulder. For a second, one very stupid split second, I wished he’d touch me again. I wanted to feel the warmth from his skin on mine.
Instead, I rushed out the door and waited for Elias by the foot of the front step. Even under the moonlight, I could see the way exhaustion marred his otherwise perfect face. Could see how strenuous each shuffled step he took was for him.
“Why don’t you head back home, and if Brenton doesn’t mind walking with me, I can give him the medicine and cream I have for you?” I offered.
His shoulders bunched further at my suggestion. “I’mokay without the medicine or cream,” he said slowly as if each word cost him. “Thank you, though. You’re the only one who offered to help me.”
“Elias.” I sighed out his name. I took a single step so I stood closer to him, and when I reached for his hand, through the gloves I wore, warmth spread through my fingertips.
I stuttered out a broken breath and drew my hand away to cup Victoria’s back.
I forced out a cough to clear my throat and maybe my head too. “If you don’t treat your back, it’ll get infected.”
