"Of course," said Anton, "if that is what you would prefer. I could use some additional help, if you would like something to do in the interim." Work, he'd found, worked wonders to help ease the feeling of helplessness, even if it wasn't the same sort of work to which Raine was accustomed.

"Like the laundry!" Ryder chirruped, and then whispered to Anton alone, "please please not the cooking."