“Yes, Theo.”
This was not the time to be struck by that docile tone that Henry sometimes used when answering him. That would be hardly appropriate at all, and yet Theo’s breaths staggered and his heart quivered and his stomach bubbled pleasantly.
But as he crouched down to organize the books on the floor, he glanced at Henry—slumped in the chair and valiantly putting the soldier’s face back together—and thought that this man did not just need physical healing. He needed something much more. He needed to rebuild trust and self-worth. He needed to feel useful. He needed to feel deserving of love.
And Theo thought that he might like to be the one to help with all that as well.
* * * *
Henry wanted to say yes. Henry wanted to say yes to everything Theo ever asked of him. He wanted to lean
