Page 106 of No Contest
I set the chair down carefully. Didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I didn't move.
"I'm not alone." Rhett's mother's voice was firm. "I have neighbors. I have my book club."
"You know what I mean."
I drifted back inside, lingering in the kitchen doorway where I could see into the living room.
Rhett sat on the couch, still in his funeral suit. Sloane perched on the armrest beside him. Their mother was back in the recliner—her spot.
"There's room in Nipigon," Sloane continued. "The kids would love having you closer. And the schools—"
"I'm not moving to Nipigon."
"Then what's the plan?" Sloane spoke in that careful counselor tone. "The house needs work. Dad was supposed to handle the roof and furnace."
"Rhett can handle it."
I watched Rhett's shoulders tense. His jaw clenched.
"Right, Rhett?" His mother looked at him. "You'll help. With the house. You know how."
He didn't answer immediately, and Sloane jumped in.
"Mom, Rhett's got his own business. His own life. You can't assume—"
"I'm not assuming. I'm asking."
Rhett's hands rested flat on his thighs.
"Of course," he said. "Yeah. I can help."
Sloane watched him. Her counselor radar pinged. "Rhett—"
"It's fine." He stood abruptly. "I should check on Mae and Liam. Make sure they're not hypothermic."
He walked past me without making eye contact. I heard his footsteps on the stairs, then the creak of floorboards overhead.
His mother and Sloane sat in the living room, the conversation suspended.
I cleared my throat.
Both women looked at me.
"Kids want to go back outside," I said. "Before it gets dark. I'll take them."
"Oh, you don't have to—" Sloane started.
"I want to." I grabbed my coat from where I'd left it draped over a chair. "Give them a reason to burn off some energy before the drive home."
I moved toward the stairs and called up. "Mae! Liam! Round two! Last chance for snowman construction before dinner!"
Thunder overhead. Excited voices. Rhett appeared at the top of the stairs with both kids tumbling past him, already arguing about who got to make the head this time.
Our eyes met for half a second.
He mouthed:Thank you.
I nodded and herded the kids toward the mudroom, leaving him alone with whatever conversation was happening in the living room.
