Zac took a sip of coffee. “I’m not sure if the meeting will help. I tried counseling, but I gave up after six months.”
Levi leaned forward. “Our meetings aren’t like your average counseling sessions. Apart from great food, we don’t try and solve everyone’s issues. We build friendships and make sure we’re there for each other when things get tough.”
Zac still wasn’t convinced the meetings would do any good. But he needed help and nothing he did was working. “I’ll make sure I’m there.”
“Good, because I’m not leaving here without you. After we finish whatever you’re doing, you can follow me into town.”
Zac’s eyebrows rose. “I knew there must have been an ulterior motive for you to come here.”
“The meeting was just an excuse. We haven’t spent a lot of time together. I thought I’d make the most of you being in Sapphire Bay before I go back to work.”
“By staining my deck?”
Levi smiled. “You’d better give me a paintbrush or a roller before you talk me out of it. Just don’t tell Brooke what we’re doing. She keeps reminding me that our deck needs staining, too.”
“You’ve got a deal.” Zac took their coffee cups to the sink. Without Levi watching his back, he wouldn’t have made it out of Kabul alive. He trusted his friend more than anyone else in the world, maybe even himself.
If Levi could find happiness after what had happened in Afghanistan, there was hope for Zac. Even if it meant going to another support group full of people dealing with their own demons.
Willow addedanother peeled potato to the pot at The Welcome Center. So far, twenty-eight people had reserved a place at dinner, but there could be more. The center never turned anyone away, even if it meant providing slightly smaller meals for the people who were here.
Sam checked the ovens. “The lasagna is looking good. I’ll make the garlic bread.”
“The potatoes will be done in about twenty minutes.” Willow cut the last potato into quarters and added it to the pot. Making sure everyone had a hot, home-cooked meal was like running a military operation. Thankfully, a lot of people, including the guests who were staying at the center, were only too happy to help.
Mabel walked into the kitchen and pulled a box of cutlery off a shelf. “Willow, can you peel another dozen potatoes? We’re setting the tables for forty guests. It’s cold outside and we might get a few more people wanting a nice hot dinner.”
“That’s a good idea,” Sam said as she opened the refrigerator. “Has anyone seen Caleb? He said he would be here by five-thirty.”
Willow and Mabel both shook their heads.
“Maybe he got sidetracked,” Mabel said. “Pastor John was busy taking food across to the church when I arrived. Caleb could be helping him.”
No one had to ask Mabel what was happening at the church. The PTSD meeting was a regular feature in Sapphire Bay. A lot of people who came to the meetings became regular guests of The Welcome Center. Having somewhere warm and safe to sleep helped as much as having someone to talk to. And there was no shortage of company at the center.
Willow hoped Zac had decided to go to the meeting.
“Caleb’s arrived,” Mabel said as she went into the dining room.
Sam’s husband walked into the kitchen with a smile on his face. “Was someone talking about me?”
“I was wondering where you’d gone,” Sam said as she handed him an apron.
“I was helping John. What can I do?”
Sam kissed Caleb’s cheek. “Finish the apple crumble. The fruit is already in the pans.”
Mabel rushed into the kitchen. “Can someone give me a hand? Jesse McLaughlin has vomited all over his bed.”
Willow dropped a potato into the pot. “I’ll help. Is someone able to peel the rest of the potatoes?”
“I’ll do them before I start the crumble,” Caleb said. “Is there anything else you want me to do?”
“I think we’re okay, but ask Brooke. She knows what needs to happen.”
Willow followed Mabel through the dining area and into the accommodation wing. Jesse and his mom were two of the centers’ long-term guests. Jesse was a smiling, happy, four-year-old who liked to be part of everything that was happening around him.
On their way past the laundry, Willow grabbed a bucket, some old towels, and a bottle of disinfectant. If Jesse had a tummy bug, the last thing they needed was everyone becoming sick.
