“Sounds exciting. Do you mind sharing more?”
“You know Gramps served in the army.”
“Yep. I know that was very influential in your own decision to enlist.”
“Yeah, it was.” She decided to spill everything. This was Gideon. Her teenage crush and friend who’d served in the army as well. He’d even been in Afghanistan the same time as her and Vance. But while they’d been in the same country at the same time, she’d never laid eyes on either man during her service there. And strangely enough, she hadn’t seen either of them during all her visits home over the years.
“He was a medic but encouraged me to follow my dream of being a surgeon. Gramps left me just under five hundred acres and everything on it. It’s about the only thing in that town that hasn’t changed.”
The once small town of Whitestone, Tennessee, was no longer small. It had grown up over the years, thanks to the influx ofnew businesses, tourists, Airbnbs, and more. With its convenient proximity to Nashville, the home she’d loved for most of her life was almost no longer recognizable.
“Grams said neighborhoods are going up all over the place around Mom and Dad’s place.” He scowled, then shrugged. “But what can you do?”
“Not much, I guess. Progress will be progress, but you grew up in that house. On that land. Are they being pressured to sell to developers?”
“Of course. It’s about sixty acres of prime real estate.”
“Will they?”
He sighed. “I know they’re thinking about it. It’s a lot of money to say no to.”
She raised a brow. “I don’t see them being swayed by money.”
“No, but with Jacob gone and just me being left...” Jacob, his older brother, had been killed in a car accident when he was only nineteen years old. “Well, let’s just say they’ve lost a lot of their passion for the land. They’ve been talking about downsizing and enjoying their golden years while they can. This would give them the means to do that. And then some.” He hesitated. “And it would allow them to get away from the constant reminder that Jacob isn’t there anymore. Not that they’ll ever forget, but a change might be nice.” He rubbed his chin. “They still have his bedroom exactly like he left it twelve years ago.”
“Ohhh...”
“I know. It’s not healthy. They keep the door shut, but still...”
“I can’t even imagine how hard that is. Now that you’ve said that, selling kind of seems like a no-brainer then.”
“You would think, but they’ve offered the place to me—to inherit.”
“Do you want it?”
He rubbed a hand over his chin. “I haven’t decided, but even though I’m in the construction business, I’m not sure I want to see another subdivision put in either.” He frowned. “How didthis turn into a conversation about me? Finish what you were saying.”
She smiled, then frowned. “I never thought I’d say this, but I may have to sell some acres. Just enough to provide what I need to fund the dream for it. But even with that, I think his vision will live on long after I’m gone. I’ll need all kinds of help, of course. With the animals, maintenance, counseling, and so on.”
“You think they’ll come? Vets with issues?”
She shrugged. “I know PTSD isn’t exactly the most talked-about thing. Especially by those of us who have it, but this is something that’s needed, and I’m trying to step out of my box of ... shame ... I guess, and do something for the men and women who want to do the same and overcome. I think this place can do that.”
He blinked. “You said you suffered from it as well. How so?”
“I don’t have trouble with gunfire or loud noises like Vance indicated. Mine manifests in dreams. Nightmares that feel so real it’s like I’ve time traveled back to that time and place.”
“To what time and place?” Still his voice stayed soft, almost inaudible over the noise in the restaurant.
Maya looked around. She didn’t want to tell him there. Or anywhere really, but no one was paying them any attention. “To the place where bullets were flying and bombs were exploding and—” She swallowed hard but forced the words out. “And people I cared about were dying right next to me.”
He sucked in a hard breath. “Maya...”
“You don’t have to say anything. It was horrible and I dream about it. Sometimes in broad daylight with my eyes wide open.” There was more, but if she told him about Laura, she might not be able to stem the tears. “I don’t really do that at the ranch. Something about being there fills me with peace, dulls the nightmares, the PTSD, and lets me breathe again.” She closed her eyes and visualized the rolling green hills. Acres and acres of pastureland, trees, and grazing livestock. When she opened her eyes, Gideon was watching her with such an intent expression that she gulped.
And landed back in the present.
Fatigue hit her. Slammed into her with the force of a raging bull. She signed the bill to charge the meal to her room. “Well, enough about that. Walk with me to my cabin, will you? I’m exhausted and need to get some rest.”
