Retribution (Secrets & Lies #3)(2)
I can't help it, I nearly skip down the steps, jumping over the last three to land with a thump at the bottom. Andrea, my half-sister, is sitting on the couch in the living room, giving me an amused look as I come down. “You're in one heck of a hurry.”
“Carson and Nathan just got home!” I reply, trying not to jump up and down. Andrea gives me a knowing look, and I take a deep breath, calming down. “Sorry, you're right. It's just that Nathan's been getting so much stronger, I've been so nervous about everything. After he started having problems with his kidneys last month, I've been worried about him, that's all.”
Andrea sets her books aside and gets up, coming over to me. It looks like she's been reading a book on computer programming, not your typical holiday reading. But then again, Andrea is anything but the typical woman. Even though she's tiny, standing six inches shorter than me, and barely a hundred and ten pounds, there's a strength to her I don't think I'll ever have. Carson's already invited her to stay on at MCS, our art gallery chain, but she hasn't decided yet. She's thinking perhaps she'll work on her own and do some freestyle investing, or maybe she'll partner up with Jackson, our brother, who is also learning how to invest.
“'Lissa, I know you're worried about Nathan. He's a strong man though, and he's been feeling better. You know, you really should come with me when I have him do his rehab workouts in the barn,” she says, taking my hand. “You could see for yourself how good he's doing.”
I shake my head, nervous. I hate that every time pressure comes into my life or that I think about Nathan I get nervous, because when he comes to me I feel like things are a little better than when he's not here. But I can't help it, I'm just not strong like Andrea is. The things I’ve been through and seen have shaped me this way, and I hate it. In our family, the only person weaker than me is Baby Andrea, Jackson's daughter, and she can't even walk yet.
“I can't do that, Andrea. You know I'd just screw it up somehow.”
Andrea smiles gently and reaches up to cup my cheek. “No you wouldn't. I've told you, I think Nathan would appreciate it if you did come out and see what he's doing. Just like you enjoy it sometimes when I come out and help you with your sculpting in the barn.”
I blush. I know that Andrea loves me, and she's the best sister I could ever hope to have. In the four months we've known each other, we've grown closer and closer every day. She and Carson are my lifelines, but I can't help but be just a little bit jealous of their relationship. They're in love, and I still have to sit down to wrap my head around it on a regular basis. I can't object though, since they aren't related by blood, and their love is beautiful and pure.
Regardless, Andrea doesn't understand the storm of feelings inside me whenever I think of Nathan. Strong, dedicated and stoic, Nathan is even more of a safety blanket than having Carson and Andrea around. “I... I just can't, Andrea.”
Before Andrea can respond, the back door opens, and I hear Carson and Nathan come in. “Hey girls, we're home!”
Andrea gives me a supportive smile and takes my hand to lead me as we head toward the kitchen. “Welcome back,” Andrea greets, letting go of my hand to give Carson a hug and kiss. “How was town?”
“Oh, you know,” Nathan replies, taking a seat at the kitchen table. Even though we're on vacation, he's dressed as he always is when he leaves the farm. He looks impeccable in his black linen suit and tie, his white shirt pressed and perfect. Underneath his jacket I can see the slight bulge caused by his shoulder holster and the ever-present Colt 1911 he carries under his left arm whenever he goes anywhere near New Orleans itself. Sometimes he even wears it when he's around the farm as well. He's very careful about our family's security, even if it's been quiet for months, and is always on guard to protect us. It's just one of the many things that I like about him—his dedication.
“Come on Nathan, spill it,” Andrea says, smiling. “I'm not letting you go play with your new teas in your collection until you tell us how the doctor's appointment went.”
“Well, he gave me a full workup, and he is going to call with the blood lab results,” Nathan says, choosing his words carefully. “From what he was able to do at the clinic, he says I'm as close to one hundred percent as I am ever going to get. My left kidney is always going to be at about fifty percent from now on, but unless I plan on doing an Ironman Triathlon, it shouldn’t be a problem. I just have to stay hydrated and eat healthy.”
“Fifty percent?” I ask, worry creeping into my mind. I can feel my heart starting to race, and I force myself to take a deep breath. I hate my anxiety issues, but if Nathan said it's not a problem, I’ll trust it. “What caused that?”
“A combination of the poison, and that bout of pneumonia I caught back around Halloween, he thinks,” Nathan says, standing up and coming over. He puts a calming hand on my shoulder, and I take strength from his light jade eyes, even the scarred one. He thinks it makes him look scary, but to me, it makes him look even more noble. He looks like a man who has his flaws, but still cobbles himself together to do his best. A real man, not some sort of imaginary superhero. “Basically the antibiotics I took reacted with my body in a bad way. It’s okay, 'Lissa. Really. I’ll be fine.”