The morning sun streamed softly through the gauzy curtains, painting the room in golden light. River sat on the edge of the bed, his knees slightly apart, his phone pressed to his ear as he spoke in that boyish, teasing voice that always melted his father’s heart.
“Pa,” he said dramatically, stretching the word like a child who hadn’t grown up. “You don’t have to worry about me, okay? I’m perfectly fine. You’re the one I’m supposed to be worrying about.”
A gentle chuckle came through t