When All Else Fails (A Push of a Button Novella)

Chapter Five

She slumped over to rest her head on his shoulder. "Stuff happened at home."

He grimaced. What could have happened at home that was so bad? And why did it look like she'd been wearing the same clothes for the last week? "You want to talk about it?"

She shook her head.

"Then here's what we're going to do." He took her hand in his and rubbed soothing circles against her wrist with his thumb. "We'll finish dinner, and then I'll put something on the Screen. You can sleep while I watch the movie or you can watch. But you're going to at least eat dinner."

She sighed in defeat, but she sat up when he nudged her with his shoulder. He stirred the split-pea soup, normally one of her favorites, and offered her a spoonful. She eyed it, and he frowned at her. "Vivian McGayen, I'm not going to ask twice."

She shot him a mulish look, but it held less spark than usual. At least she had enough presence of mind to register his stern tone and get fussy about it. Without a word, she let him feed her. He got half the bowl into her before she refused more, whispering that any more would make her sick. If she hadn't eaten in the last two days, it probably would, so he let it go. Half a bowl was better than nothing. He managed to get a cup of water into her too and then he ushered her into the bedroom where his Screen was set up.

He eyed her clothes. She couldn't stay in those. They were dirty and smelled. He shook his head and slid open a drawer. His clothes would have to do. Selecting a sweater and some sweats that would be far too long but might fit her waist, he turned to her. "Here. You can shower and change in the bathroom."

She swayed on her feet and shook her head. "I... I don't think I can manage a bath on my own, Seb." Her voice slurred.

He winced. How long had she gone without food, sleep, and plenty of water? "Where have you been staying, and why haven't you been taking care of yourself?"

"I've been..." Her attention wandered, and she didn't seem to be entirely aware of where she was even with the food and water in her.

"You've been?" His heart dropped into his toes, and he forced himself not to immediately scoop her up and bundle her off to see a doctor.

She put a hand on the bed to steady herself and blinked at him. "I've been wandering around... I guess?"

"On the streets? For three days?"

"Two weeks..."

Lord have mercy! Two weeks? He raked his hands through his hair. She needed a bath, clean clothes, more food and water, and probably a doctor given her state. "I think maybe I should take you to see a doctor."

Panic replaced the vacant look, and she shivered, tears welling up in her tired eyes. "No. No, Seb. Please. No doctor."

He tugged at his hair with a groan. Of course not. A doctor's visit could be tracked. "Why didn't you come here sooner?"

"Because they know I would. They'd come here first."

Her family? Yes, that much was true. They'd asked him if she'd stopped by a week ago, but he'd assumed she'd had a fight with them and wanted her space. It happened sometimes now with their differences in beliefs, and sometimes she needed to get away. But nothing like this had ever happened. He scrubbed a hand down his face. "You're sure you can't manage a shower or a bath on your own?"

Her legs shook, and she stared longingly at his tub, the fresh clothes on the bed forgotten. Obviously, she wanted one, but when her legs gave out and she ended up sitting on the floor, her head in her hands, he knew the answer. She couldn't manage it on her own. The fact that she'd managed to walk all the way to him—she hadn't taken public transportation if she'd waited this long to see him just to make sure they wouldn't find her—was a miracle in and of itself. He rushed over and picked her up, trying to ignore how skinny she was. He'd have to help her shower, which meant she wouldn't be as clean as he'd like because he was not going to strip her. It just wasn't happening.