by Kaci Rose
"You guys need to get a security team on the place. First Whitney, and now this," I say.
Whitney is Noah's ex, and when they opened the place and started to get publicity, she showed up, trying to win Noah back and latch on for her fifteen minutes of fame. When they tried to get her to leave, she threw a huge fit, and the cops had to be called.
"Yeah, Noah offered Easton the job as an incentive to get better, but we might have to get some volunteers in before then," Lexi says.
"Put some feelers out with some other veterans. They protect their own, and many would be happy to be here and protect these guys, especially if they can partake in events, get some food on shift, and hang out with the guys."
"That's a really good idea. Do you have any contacts?"
"I might know someone. If nothing else, he might know some people," I say, thinking of Jake.
We wrap up lunch, and Lexi promises to talk to Noah's doctor right now, while I head home and switch out Molly and Allie. On the way, I decide to call Jake.
"Hi, Paisley," he says.
"Hey, I have a question for you, and you can say no, but I'd also like to see if you know anyone who would be a fit.”
"That sounds ominous."
"Remember the place, Oakside, I was telling you about?"
"Yeah, the veterans’ military rehab home. I wish they had something like that when I needed it."
"Well, they’re new, and still getting off the ground. They need help working security. Some guys to volunteer just to be there, if things go south. While there, they’ll feed you, and you can hang with the guys, swap stories, participate in events, and all that. Plus, a huge bonus, the guys there love Atticus, so he'd be welcome."
"I'd like that. I need something to focus on," he says.
"Perfect. I’ll have Lexi get in touch with you.”
I hang up, as I pull up to my house.
"I'm sorry, Molly girl, but today, you’re staying home. Catch up on your sleep." She wags her tail and pads off to her favorite couch.
I head to the guest room, where Allie likes to sleep, and sure enough, there she is curled up on the bed.
"Want to go for a ride, Allie?"
She jumps up and follows me out to the car, as I drive back to Oakside. I'm excited to see how Easton and Allie do together. I’m hoping they get on well together, because I think Allie could really help Easton.
I put on Allie's working vest, and her demeanor changes almost instantly. She knows she's here for a reason and is ready to work.
Heading in, I go straight to Easton's room. I don't really want to take Allie to see all the guys, because I want her to bond with Easton.
He smiles, when he sees me.
"How did your lunch go?" He asks, his eyes landing on Allie. "Who's this?"
"This is Allie. She was a rescue I picked up, thinking I'd find a home for her, but she just fit and took so well to training that I kept her. Right now, I'm waiting to find her an owner, because she's passed all her training with flying colors."
He and Allie both stare at each other, but neither makes the first move. I just chuckle, as it's like a really awkward first date.
"Allie, go say hi," I tell her, and she slowly moves over to Easton.
He pets her for a minute then invites her onto his lap, and Allie climbs up and gets settled and just like he does with Molly he pets her like he isn't even thinking about it. I smile and take my seat.
"Do you like her?" I ask.
"She's beautiful."
"She seems to like you," I say, watching Easton look down at Allie, who looks back up at him.
"I think you two would be a good fit.”
Easton looks up at me. "Really?"
"Yeah, I was talking to Lexi, and she agrees. She's talking to your doctor about getting approval, and if he does, she can be yours. We can train her, and she can be here with you even."
I can see it in his face. He wants her, and he likes the idea, but then he shuts down.
"I don't think that's a good idea," he says.
"Why not?" I ask, trying to keep my tone neutral and soft.
"Well, I can't even leave my room, so how would I take care of her? She has to go out, she needs to play, and she doesn’t deserve to be cramped up in a room all day." His voice echoes the anger on his face.
"Oh, Easton. There are so many people here willing to help you. I wish you’d see that. Your nurse can very easily take her to go potty. There’s a courtyard right down the hall, so she won't have to go far. Lexi and Noah can take her out to play. When I visit, I can leave Molly with you for a bit and take her to run. Plus, even now, she has all the freedom in the world, and she'd rather sleep on my guest bed than go run and play."
He stares out of the window and doesn't say anything.
"Just think about it. Easton, you don't have to make a decision today, or even next week. As far as I'm concerned, she's yours. I can bring her with me when I visit, and we can start working with her."
He still doesn't say anything.
"I really just want to help, Easton, and this is the only way I know how. Unless you tell me what else you need, this is what I know I can do." I whisper, but I know he heard me.
"Okay, we can work with her for now."
"Let's get on it then."
"I have a therapy appointment tomorrow. Maybe, you can bring her, and I can take her with me?"
"We’ll be here."
Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Easton
The walk to Dr. Tate's office is much easier with Allie by my side. It's not far just on the other side of the lobby, but it's enough that this is still only the second time I've been here.
The last time I made this walk, all I thought about was Paisley. It was the only way I got through it. Today with Allie, I focus on her, and she makes it easy.
I sit down, and Dr. Tate smiles. I feel like I just ran a mile for PT. My heart is racing, and there’s sweat on my hairline. As Dr. Tate gets settled, I focus on catching my breath.
"This must be Allie."
"Yes," I tell him, as I pat my leg, and Allie climbs into my lap.
"You already seem much more relaxed than last time. I think she’ll be good for you. How are things, since the last time we talked?"
He always starts the session off with the same question.
"A little better, but still not good." I give him my standard answer.
Each day is a step forward, and each time I see Paisley I feel better. Every time I feel like I can push a little bit more, and then that becomes my new normal. Then, the next time I push more until it becomes my new normal.
"Paisley makes things easy. Walking to the lobby, and now I can walk here. That's thanks to Paisley. I still wouldn't do it just for fun, but I think it's a step. The nightmares have all but stopped and been replaced by dreams of her. She gives me something to look forward to," I say.
"So, is this much more than a friendship?"
"No, we’re friends and nothing more. Would I like it to be? Definitely, but I'm not there yet. I doubt she’ll want someone as broken as me. Plus, she's a catch, and I doubt she’s even available."
"It's good you recognize that you aren't there yet, but you aren't broken. I don't want you to see yourself as broken. You were in a traumatic situation, and you needed to find a way to deal with it. It's very normal. As for as her being available, you won't know, until you ask."
If I'm honest, I'm scared to ask her, if she's seeing someone. I like to think she's available, and if she isn't, I don't know how it will change how I feel around her. The anxiety I feel that she might be seeing someone is almost too much, and I need to change the subject.
"Her dad came to see me," I admit.
"How did that go?"
"I guess Paisley talked to him about me, and he wanted to visit because he knows I don't have family left. We talked a lot like old times. He filled me in on people I knew, and then told me if I needed anything to call him and gave me his num
ber. Then, he asked to visit again."
"What did you say?"
"I told him he could. It was good talking to him. I felt like my old self just like I do, when Paisley is around."
He nods, and then there’s a small silence, and I know what’s coming next. It's the question he always asks, when there’s a lull in the conversation.
"Are you ready to talk about your time as a prisoner of war?"
"I don't know what you want to talk about. I was a POW locked in a dark room and tortured for a year. Now, I can't stand people touching me or sneaking up on me. When I step outside my room, it feels like the walls are closing in on me."
Dr. Tate takes notes and motions for me to continue talking and says, “That's more than you have been willing to tell me before.”
I know what he isn't saying. I'm making progress no matter how small.
"It's going to take time," I say.
"And the right push, for the right reason," he says.
Paisley pops into my head. She’s my reason for pushing. My reason for wanting to be better.
"Maybe, I've found my reason," I say.
"I think you have."
I wrap up my appointment with Dr. Tate, and Allie and I start heading back to my room, but we get stopped by Lexi in the lobby.
"Hey, Easton. How is Allie doing?" She smiles down at the chocolate lab, who is winning everyone's hearts.
"Good.”
"Listen, I just put in the fruit and vegetable gardens outside. It's slow going, and if you ever feel like getting outside, we could use your help. The garden is enclosed with stone walls, and we can even close the gate. It's really relaxing with a waterfall and fountains. It makes a great picnic spot." She winks at me.
I nod and head back to my room. I'd love nothing more than to take Paisley out for a picnic in the garden, but it's going to be a while still. But it's definitely something to work up, too.
Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Paisley
I'm waiting in Easton's room, while he's at his therapy appointment with Allie. I killed some time checking my emails, updating social media, and reading some of the books that Easton has been reading. It's not my thing, but the book seems pretty good. I might read it, so we can talk about it.
Now, I'm getting anxious to have him back. He should be wrapping up soon, so I'm up and pacing around. As I'm looking out of the window like Easton always does, I hear the door close. Finally, he's here. I smile and turn to him, only it's not Easton.
It's the kitchen guy.
Sneering, he says, "You got me confined to the kitchen in the basement."
"Umm, well not exactly." I stammer, wishing more than anything I had Molly with me right now.
"Yes, that’s exactly what happened. I've been here minding my own business, until that dog of yours snarled at me. Then, they took me off the patient rooms on this floor. No big deal, until your dog lunged at me again." He says, stalking over to me.
"Listen, ummm…" Crap, I don't even know his name.
"Alec. My name is Alec."
"Listen, Alec. I'm not sure why Molly acted like that. She hasn't done that before, but I don't even have Molly with me. I've been bringing in a new dog."
When did he get so close? I register him a second before he lunges at me and pins me to the wall with his hand around my neck.
I try to stay calm, because I know panicking won't save me now. I can't yell, so screaming for help is out of the question. There’s a patient in the room behind the wall, but who knows if anyone is there, or how thick the walls are. That seems like my best option, so I start kicking the wall and pounding my fists on it.
"Stop it. So, here’s what you’re gonna do. You’re gonna go down and tell the dumb, little blonde that Molly is the problem. That she's out of control, and you won't be bringing her back here anymore. You tell her that I shouldn't be punished, because of the dog. Got it?"
I nod my head the little I can.
"Good." He leans in, so his lips are against my ear, and I feel like I could climb out of my own skin. This must be what it's like for Easton. Just having this guy’s breath on me makes me want to claw my skin off. It's so bad I forget how hard it is to breathe, and I’m only able to focus on his breath on my skin.
"If you don’t, I’ll find you wherever you are, and then punish you down and dirty, little girl. You got that?"
I don't have time to answer, because the door opens, and this time it's Easton with Allie by his side. Allie jumps into action, and the man who never spoke a word, when he first got here and still only speaks to those he trusts, doesn’t speak he yells.
"Get your hands off of her!" Easton roars. He yells so loud that the glass in the window next to me rattles. It startles Alec so much that he drops me, and I collapse to the floor, gasping for air. My hands fly to my neck, which is already sore to the touch.
It's hard to breathe, but when I look up, the sight in front of me blows my mind. Easton has Alec pinned to the floor with a hand around his neck, and his knee on the center of his chest. Allie is standing between me and them. Easton delivers one hard, powerful blow that knocks Alec out.
This is what Lexi, Noah, and Kaitlyn see when they reach the door, and their jaws drop.
"He... attacked... me." I gasp, pointing to Alec.
Noah is on his phone, but then hands the phone to Lexi, while he comes and takes over for Easton in case Alec wakes up.
The moment Noah is there, Easton is on his feet and at my side. No hesitation, he just wraps his arms around me and pulls me against him.
"Are you okay?" He asks.
"Yeah, thanks to you.”
I feel so safe in his arms, and despite everything that just happened, I melt into him. I don't know when I’ll get the chance to be in his arms like this again, so I take in every detail. His woodsy scent, and the feel of his muscular arms around me sends tingles throughout my body. A moment later, he's lifting me up and carrying me to the couch, where he sits with me in his lap.
Allie jumps up on the couch right at his side, and I cuddle into him, trying to get my heart rate back to normal. Though being so close to Easton, I doubt that will happen.
"Is this okay?" I whisper.
"I think I need to hold you more than you need to be held."
"Good, because you make me feel safe."
"Cops are on their way. Paisley, is there someone you want me to call?” Lexi asks me anxiously. “Your dad, brother, mom?"
"No, I’ll call them later, but not right now.”
Lexi nods, knowing I mean more than I'm saying. Calling anyone will draw attention to Easton being here, and I'm really not ready to share him yet.
As the adrenaline of the event wears off, I start to doze just as the cops get there. All eyes turn to me, as I tell the story of what happened. Easton lightly rubs my back the whole time. As I talk about what Alec said to me, Easton's hand on my hip tightens.
When I mention how hard he was holding me to the wall, Easton gently tilts my head up to look at my neck. I guess there are some marks there, because one of the cops takes some photos. As if to soothe me, Easton gently runs his fingers over my neck, before pulling me back into him.
They cart Alec away in handcuffs, and after Kaitlyn checks Easton’s hand to make sure he's okay, they clear the room, and it's just Easton, Allie, and me.
"I don't think I got to say thank you yet," I tell him with my head resting on his shoulder.
"You don't have to thank me. I’ll always protect you." He says, and we both let that hang in the air.
"Are you sure you're okay with me sitting in your lap?"
"Very okay with it. I'd be more upset, if you moved."
Allie finally settles and lies down next to Easton with her head on my lap. I pet her, and we sit in silence.
"Such a good girl, Allie," I say.
"She did help me in more ways than one today," he says.
I remember the dog treats Lexi gave me and reach for my bag.
Easton's grip on me tightens, as I lean back to look into his eyes.
"I'm just reaching for my bag. It has some treats for her in it," I say, and he loosens his grip just enough for me to reach for my bag that’s on the coffee table in front of us.
I pull out the treats, and Allie's head pops up, as I offer the bag to Easton.
"You feed her, sunshine," he says.
I pause at the nickname. It's new, but I really like it.
"She's your dog, so you dish out the rewards." I smile at him.
"I'm not ready for her to be here full-time."
"I know, and I already talked to Lexi, Noah, and Kaitlyn. They all agree they'd help care for her. But until you’re ready, she’ll stay with me, even though she’s yours."
He nods and takes one of the treats from the bag and feeds it to her, all while leaving one arm around my waist.
"Can you stay awhile?" He asks.
I pull out my phone, and it's barely three p.m. "Let me call my parents and let them know what happened. Then, I’ll stay through dinner, if you want?"
"I'd like that."
I go to stand up to make the call, but his arms tighten around me.
"I'm just going to call my parents.”
"You can do it right here. I’ll be quiet."
"I like this new side of you," I snuggle back into him.
"I guess I’ll call my dad, since he knows about you, and I can tell him everything, and he can tell a shortened version to my mom and brother.”
"Sounds good."
"Hey, sweet pea." My dad answers.
"Hey, Dad. I have to tell you something, but then when you tell Mom and Leeland, you need to leave Easton out of it," I say.
I hear a door close. "Okay, I'm in my office."
"First, I'm fine, but there was an incident here at Oakside." I pause, trying to figure out how to word it.
"Just tell me what happened."
"Well, there was a guy working with the kitchen staff that Molly didn't like. She snapped at him once in Easton's room, so Lexi and Noah reassigned him to the dining room. Easton and I were out for a walk with Molly last week, and he walked by, and Molly lunged at him. After that, Lexi and Noah confined him to the kitchen."