Nick’s eyes narrowed. “What’s that?”
“I don’t know if she told you or not. I’m getting treated for PTSD.”
“Does that mean she’s already in danger from you?”
Rob looked MJ’s brother in the eye. “I would never hurt MJ.” He took a deep breath and went on. “In fact, we’re planning on dating, trying out a relationship. I went to the VA Outpatient Clinic in Knoxville, and I’ll be in both individual therapy and a support group with other vets.”
“Yeah, so?”
“The support group meets on Tuesday nights, from seven to nine. That means I won’t be here, and she’ll be here alone with Maverick.”
“Okay. I’ll figure out a way to drop over on Tuesday nights, or have her come over to our place. Let’s see what Bo comes up with. Maybe we’re getting all bent out of shape for no reason. Maybe it’s just some old lady who wanted to leave a treat for Maverick.”
They both knew a little old lady wouldn’t crawl over the fence and hide hamburger meat under a bush.
Rob rolled his eyes. “I’ll keep my eyes open.”
“We should know something soon. Bo will fast-track the lab work. If we’re lucky, there will be fingerprints on the container.”
“Hope so. Thanks for showing up for her tonight.”
Nick studied him, but didn’t ask. “You’d better not put MJ at risk. It’s going to be your responsibility to keep her safe.”
Rob nodded. “Hopefully, the sheriff can get some answers.”
Nick lifted his chin to acknowledge him. “Yeah. Move your truck so I can get out, okay?”
***
MJ hung up from her followup conversation with Dr. Waring. They’d decided the vet didn’t need to see Maverick tonight, although she advised MJ to watch him carefully for the next twenty-four hours.
She sat at the kitchen table, waiting for Rob to come inside. Dropping her hand, she idly scratched behind Maverick’s ear. His tail thumped on the kitchen floor in response. “You’re such a good boy. You’re sure you didn’t eat any of that meat?” He cocked his head at her, then turned as the back door opened.
“Hey,” said Rob, as he slid down into the chair next to her. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you guys. I was a jerk.”
“What made you leave?”
“I was frustrated. I felt as if you didn’t understand why I want to learn more about PTSD.”
“Rather than stay and explain, you took off.”
He hung his head. “Yeah. Like I said, I was a jerk.”
“Yes, you were. Listen, Rob. If this is the way you handle things when you’re frustrated, I don’t think we have much of a future. I want a partner, not somebody that runs away.”
“I know. I want to trust you, to confide in you, but I don’t want you to see me as a wuss. This past year hasn’t left me at my best. I hate feeling out of control. I hate worrying my PTSD will ruin my relationship with you. I want to take charge and move through whatever I have to do.”
She reached out and covered his hand with hers. “I know. If you remember, the wars have taken things away from me, too. There have been too many casualties, too much loss. Sometimes I think those left behind have it the worst. We have to pull lives together again.”
“I’ll do everything I can to get over this. I want to be the man you deserve. Can you be patient with me?”
“Yes, but you need to be patient with yourself, too. You won’t overcome this overnight. I’ll help you any way I can, but I don’t want to do anything that might make things worse. Promise me you’ll talk with your counselor about reading up on PTSD. If he gives you the go-ahead, I’ll help you find the materials you need.” She let herself smile, even though it was half-hearted and filled with worry for him. “I know how to research and find resources to help explain things.”
Rob nodded. “Thank you, MJ. I’ll talk with my counselor tomorrow and see what he says. C’mon. We’d better get some sleep.”
He stood and pulled her up, moving her toward her bedroom. He entered and pulled back her covers.
Her heart beat faster at the thought he might join her. Instead, he leaned down and gave her a chaste kiss.
“Goodnight, sweetheart. Sleep well. Dream happy dreams.”
She nodded, disappointed. “Don’t you want to stay with me?”
“I’d love to, but I don’t think I should. Give me some time to fix the parts that are broken.”
She sighed and made a face. “Okay. You weren’t kidding when you said I’d need to be patient.”
He snorted a laugh and chucked her under the chin. “I want a relationship with you, and even though it may take some time to get my life back, it’s important. I need therapy for PTSD. I hope I’ll be worth waiting for, because healing will take time. I think being with you will be worth everything it takes, though.” He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers in a soft, slow kiss before leaving the room.
She lay in bed a long time later, still thinking about Rob and his PTSD. “Help him, Trevor,” she prayed. “Help him recover. He deserves it, but I’m not sure he knows that yet.”
She checked to see if Maverick was on the floor at the foot of the bed. “G’night, Maverick.” He opened an eye and then closed it again. She leaned over the nightstand and turned out the light.
Funny, but she felt better. More hopeful. It almost felt as if Trevor was watching over them as their very own guardian angel. “Thanks,” she whispered.
Chapter Twenty
Whimpering woke her from a nightmare of a man in dark clothing chasing her. It took a minute for her to shake
