Hold Her Heart (Words of the Heart) by Holly Jacobs

thought, but now I give thanks every day for all the selfless people who have signed up. It takes a special kind of person to be willing to do something like that for a stranger. People who are willing to give of themselves—literally—for someone else.”
    “There haven’t been any matches yet, though,” I said.
    He forced a smile and squared his shoulder. “That doesn’t mean there won’t be one tomorrow.”
    Maybe sometimes, when you’re scared to your core, finding the will to act brave is an act of bravery in itself.
    I reached out and patted his forearm. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
    “Siobhan, if you need to get home . . . ,” he started but trailed off as I shook my head.
    “I can work here as easily as there. And I think right now I need to be here.” I paused and added, “I want to be here as long as you don’t mind.”
    He hugged me. “Mind? No. Pip would be able to come up with a word that is the direct opposite of mind , but I can’t. I’ll just say that we’re thankful that you are here. I just don’t want you to think we’re taking advantage of you. You’ve been such a help with Fi, but I know you have your own life.”
    “Ned, I didn’t know I had a sister. And even if I had, I don’t think I could have been prepared for Fiona.” She was a force of nature. “She’s amazing. She had birthday parties for me. She showed me the pictures of them.”
    He nodded. “She made me take a picture of your cake every year, and she started her scrapbook. We look at them every year.”
    “I couldn’t leave her like this. She’s aching for Piper, and I can’t change that, but I can be here for her and try to make it easier.”
    “You have made it easier. Thank you. I’m not sure any of us have remembered to say it enough, but thank you.”
    I started for the door, but he said, “Siobhan, I’ve read those articles about nature versus nurture over the years. I never paid much attention to the debate. But since I’ve met you, I’ve decided that I believe in both. Your parents raised you to be a loving, caring woman. But I think there’s a chance that you inherited the size of your heart from Piper. She says that everything she’s done was for you, and I know you were the impetus, but I suspect that even without being nudged in that direction, she would have done those things. It’s in her nature. And I see so much of that nature in you. That doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate everything you’ve done. Thank you.”
    I didn’t know what to say to that, so I simply nodded and hurried out the door. Rather than go back to the house next door, I walked along the side of the house and let myself in the garden gate.
    I walked to the bench by the milkweed. There were small solar lights along the now well-trodden path. They provided enough light to outline the path, though I suspected that even a month ago, when the trees were thick with leaves, the lights were less useful.
    I wondered if there was any way to find lights that had a collection panel that could be moved to a sunnier location and still power the shady garden lights next summer.
    I’d have to look into it. I suspected Piper would love to have a more sustainable lighting source next year.
    A tiny voice in my head added, if she’s still here .
    I sat on the bench and looked back at Piper, Ned, and Fiona’s house. There was a light on in the kitchen, and one shining from the upstairs hall. I could imagine Ned and Fiona sitting together and talking about Piper. Fiona was worried. He’d reassure her.
    I heard someone on the path coming from my backyard through the hole in the fence.
    “I saw Ned’s car come in, and when you didn’t come home, I suspected I’d find you here.”
    Logan sat down next to me on the small bench. His thigh was pressed against my thigh; his arm, pressed against mine. “How is she?” he asked.
    Neither of us needed to clarify who she was. “Holding her own.”
    “Would you like me to move the