“I… I dropped the water,” Brooke stammered, too afraid to look at Lorraine.

“Oh, you clumsy girl,” Lorraine chimed from the doorway, still holding Jonah. “I told her to rest, but she insisted on doing things herself.”

Paige didn’t look at our mother. She knelt, wrapped an arm around Brooke’s waist, and eased her to her feet.

“Don’t worry about the mess, Mom, I’ll clean it later. Brooke’s coming with me. We’ve got an appointment in twenty minutes. Come on, Brooke, I’ve got comfortable clothes for you in the car.”

Brooke looked dazed by the sudden rescue. “But… Jonah…”

“I’ll take him.” Paige turned to Lorraine, stepped directly into her space, and held out her arms. The air seemed to freeze. For one terrible second I thought Lorraine would tighten her grip and drop the act.