Is this how I heal?
He hopes so, because the last month has beenchaotic. Between Will’s slow recovery, Julie’s passing, and the testimonies they had to give about the mayor and the incident in Eminence, he’s drained to his core.
And there’s still thequestionfloating between them.
Now that Julie’s gone, Will can finally do what he’s been planning on doing for years—get the hell out of this town. Owen knows he would have done so already if he weren’t still recovering, despite the mayor being in custody and despite Nate being discharged from the police. That weasel is going to testify against the mayor, which should keep him out of prison. They didn’t get the incriminating recordings they were hoping for, but what happened to Will was enough to bring down the mayor’s house of cards. Doctor Levi was the first to seek a deal, and others quickly followed.
Will has every reason to want out, but Owen’s history with Van Buren isn’t the same. He’s experienced the good as well as the bad. He owes a lot to this town, and he can’t help but wish to stay here. But knowing what he knows, he can’t ask Will to do that. It would be cruel and selfish.
He sighs as he puts the final touches on his drawing. He wishes for things to be as simple as putting that beautiful man on paper, but they aren’t.
They never are.
*
“Would a nice cup of tea help make you less troubled?” Francie asks while they sit behind the circulation desk. She should have left by now since this is his shift, but she started staying longer to keep him company.
“If you can pour some alcohol into it, it might.”
“This is a respectable library, Owen.”
“Is that a no?”
“I have some wine somewhere. Hold on.”
She returns a few minutes later with two cups of tea. He takes a sip, smiling at the subtle taste of red wine. “Just what the doctor ordered.”
“A naughty doctor maybe. And speaking of doctors, how is our favorite patient?”
Owen takes another sip. “Doing better. He can walk for a few minutes without pain, but he won’t be getting back to work for at least three months.”
“Will he be okay financially?”
“Yeah, he should be. Bradley took over the business for now, and I’m helping with expenses since I’m living there most of the time. Will also has insurance, and it seems that being stabbed can be worth some money.”
“And yet here you are, not looking happy.”
He puts the cup on the table and crosses his arms. “Will doesn’t want to stay here.”
“Did he tell you that?”
“A while ago, yes. Before all that shit went down.”
“Language. Maybe he changed his mind.”
Owen shakes his head. “He hasn’t. I can tell he wants to bring it up, but he’s waiting for the right time. I feel it bothers him.”
Francie nods. “That can’t be easy. And what doyouwant to do?”
Answering that question is the easiest thing. “I want him to be happy.”
“And can he be happy here?”
Owen shakes his head, realizing he finally knows what he must do. “No. He can’t be happy here.”
*
“I’m ordering the Salmon Club Sandwich this time,” Owen says as they park in front ofBy the Current.“I took the burger when we were here last time.”
