Cole seemed… no, felt different than anyone she’d ever met. The dogs adored him, and he never made her do anything she didn’t feel comfortable doing. He made her feel… safe. After months, she felt like her body relaxed and let its guard down. Still wary, she waited for the strike, but the man didn’t let her inability to speak daunt him. In fact, he brought her the moon when she couldn’t see the stars.
Her thoughts drifted to her parents. They always ate dinner, and she and her mom always decorated the Christmas tree. Her father never participated. He must’ve believed it women’s work. Goodness knows, Hannah failed him by merely existing as a girl. She refused to let her mom down.
“What’s got you preoccupied over there?” Cole asked, interrupting her morose thoughts.
“I’m thinking about my parents,” she said softly.
“Why does it make you sad? Your expression went from happy to hurt,” he said. “Don’t let anything ruin today. You made a brave and scary step and I’m damn proud of you.”
Her eyes teared at his words. “Thank you. You’re very kind.”
Brody stood and put his head in her lap as if he felt her messy emotions.
“I have a ton of questions to ask you, but I’m afraid if I do, you’ll retreat and never speak to me again,” Cole confessed.
“No. I like talking to you,” she admitted.
“I hope you like speaking with Kassie, Doc, and Scarlett. They’ll be here after they help clean the kitchen,” he informed her. “I told them to let you enjoy your meal, but if you need more time, I’ll tell them to wait,” he assured her.
She petted Brody’s head. “No. They’re good to me. Scarlett snuck in when she was a patient. Sometimes she brought her Braille books.”
“She worried when she came down with the flu. Little did I know what kinds of books you ladies read. I swear I haven’t blushed this much since puberty,” he said, raising his hands. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m completely vested in Tad and Vera’s story. Will she ever forgive him for using his nozzle to put out his ex’s fire, or will she find a pole of her own?”
Hannah giggled. “Some books sound corny while others tell a story about a couple who persevere against all odds. It’s nice to see people get their happily-ever-after.”
“Do you like other genres?” he asked while taking a bite of his dressing.
“Scarlett loves thrillers. I don’t like them. They make me feel weird at night when it gets dark. I prefer fantasy, a more realistic romance, or second chances,” she informed him while she dipped her fork tines into the cranberry sauce.
“Can I ask you something?” he asked, placing his fork on the table.
“What?” she said warily.
“Why don’t you leave the room? Don’t you miss the sunshine on your face or the smell of the leaves after it rains? The team gave me a cabin near the training center. It’s in the middle of the woods, and I love the screened-in back porch with the glass roof. I put a hammock out there to sleep in when it rains. There’s nothing better than a nap during a storm. On a calm night, I can see the stars.”
Hannah glanced down at the dog’s head in her lap and sighed. “Bad things happen when I go out there,” she whispered.
“Why do you think that?” he asked curiously, not sounding judgmental.
Hannah frowned and turned her gaze to the window. He saw the longing in her eyes. “I’ve stayed at other hospitals. When I left the room, I saw things,” she said hesitantly.
“Like visions? Or people?” he asked quietly. “My friend always felt like someone hid in the shadows. Every night, he double-checked the locks on the windows and doors. Sometimes he went outside to walk the perimeter.”
“I’m afraid,” she said, avoiding his gaze. “They’re waiting for me to relax and then they’ll attack. Sometimes, I think you’re a dream. Maybe I’m having an illusion right now, and I’ve never spoken a word.”
Cole rose from his chair and bent on one knee, taking her hand. “You’re very much awake, Hannah. I’m happy you’re here, and I hope you’ll continue to stay with me.”
Brody whined, pushing Cole to the side.
“Obviously, Brody feels the same way,” he said sarcastically.
Hannah smiled shyly. The puppy’s head whipped up and she let out a yip as if agreeing.
“They’re ganging up on me,” Cole complained, laughing. “You’ll have to trust us, Hannah. We will never lead you astray.” He rose and returned to his seat. “Do you know how security works on this mountain?”
“No. I’ve never left the room,” she said, focusing on her plate.
“How’d you feel if I introduced you to my team? Scarlett’s name at work is Sparky. I bet you can guess why. She did this to my eye,” he exclaimed. “Leo and the men take the security on the mountain seriously.”
