Joshua clenched his teeth, hating what he was about to say. “Chrissy, I’m not your taxi service, I’m your therapist. If you’re finally willing to address this problem, come to the clinic for your regular therapy session, and we’ll discuss how to move forward from this point.”
“You won’t help me?” she cried, and Joshua felt his chest tighten with anguish.
“Iwillhelp you, Chrissy. I’ve been trying to help you for months! The one who won’t help you isyou!” He blew out a quick breath. “I have to go. If you want my help, I’ll see you on Thursday for your regular session.” He ended the call and handed the phone back to Miranda, lifting his head to meet her eyes. “Damn!” he muttered.
“Josh, I know you hate taking a tough love stance like this, but...” Her face quirked in helpless frustration. “Remember Psychology 101,” she said. “Once you’ve touched a patient, it’s no longer therapy.”
“Miranda, I’venever—” Joshua began.
“I know that!” she interrupted. “That’s not what I meant. Her connection with you is no longer doctor-patient. It’s become personal. She’s looking to you as a rescuer, and that is something you dare not allow.”
Joshua leaned against his car, his lips drawn tight across his teeth, his eyes closed. “That’s my fault,” he said at last. “She was an abused child, and I felt a connection because of it.” He glanced up at his boss. “You’d think I’d know better.”
“None of us know better, Josh. That’s why we monitor each other. So we can speak up if we see one of our colleagues slipping into dangerous territory.”
“Colin warned me about her. About Dale too.” His head gave a taut shake. “He said the guy scared him.”
“Listen to your husband. He’s got a police officer’s instinct about people like Dale.”
Joshua scoffed out a laugh and opened his car door. “And it’s unerring.” He laughed again. “As he never hesitates to remind me.” He threw his boss a wave. “See you tomorrow, Miranda. And thanks.”
At home, Joshua moved to the porch and collapsed onto their glider. He rocked back and forth as he watched the sun easing its way behind the mountains. He glanced down the road now and then hoping to see Colin’s car. A sick heaviness muddied his stomach any time he thought about his conversation with Chrissy. It went against his every instinct to turn away from a patient as he had done today. But he knew it was the right thing to do. Not just for her but for himself as well.
“Tough love,” Joshua muttered, then spotted Colin’s car coming over the rise and got to his feet. He walked to the driveway and waited while Colin pulled in.
“Figure out where you want to go?” Colin asked, grinning up at him through his open window.
Joshua hissed out a short, frustrated breath. “I’m sorry, babe. I forgot to think about it.” He moved to the passenger side and got into the car. “You pick,” he said leaning over the console to give Colin a kiss. “Anything you want is fine.”
Colin tilted his head, peering at Joshua. “You OK?”
“Ach! I’m just annoyed with myself.”
“Why?” Colin asked as he backed the car out of the driveway. “And if you leave it to me, we’re getting pizza. Last chance to change your mind before I head to Domino’s.”
Joshua laughed and shrugged. “Pizza is fine. And I’m a little upset because I had to blow off Chrissy today.” He shot Colin a quick glance. “He beat her up again, and she wanted me to give her a ride.”
“Youdidn’t,did you!”
“No. I told her I wasn’t her taxi service and if she wanted help to come in for her regular therapy session.”
“And now you’re feeling like shit about it.”
“Kinda.”
“Did she call the police?”
Joshua snorted out a derisive laugh.
“Right,” Colin said with a sneer. “Then you made the right choice. And you didn’t blow her off, Josh. You offered your help in the way that was most appropriate.”
“She’s confused.”
“She’s not the only one. Why in god’s name doesn’t she call the cops on this guy?”
For a moment Joshua was silent, and Colin glanced his way. Joshua’s head was tilted, and his handsome, angular features were twisted in an angry frown. “Sheloveshim.”
“I don’t get it,” Colin replied. “What the fuck is there tolove?”
