Brock Read online

  “What a perfect idea.”

  She laughed, her voice happily trailing across the open air. “I just couldn’t stand to be inside anymore. Walls were closing in on me, and there were too many people.”

  “I had the same thought looking at how jam-packed it was. Even though the atmosphere seemed happy, it just felt too confining.”

  “Exactly. And Dennis was a sweetheart.” She nodded at the bag in his hand. “Apparently, he did the same for you.”

  Brock hobbled closer. “Yes he did. I probably have ten times more food than you do.”

  “Good. Then I can share yours.” She grinned at the look of bemusement on his face.

  He studied the railing and frowned. “I sure would like to sit down on the top, though.”

  She glanced at his leg and at the logs. “I could shuffle over, and you can have the center seat at the corner here.”

  He hated to make her move for anything that would show him as less than capable, but the last thing he wanted was to end up falling and causing his glass containers to shatter all around them. That would be a little more embarrassing than accepting her offer to move.

  He handed her up the bag, and then, laying his crutch against the railing, he swung himself up to the top of the fence post. Sitting straddled, with his back leaning against the fence to support himself, he settled in. With a big smile, he reached out a hand to Maggie, who’d walked over to check out his arrival. She gently nuzzled his hand, giving a tiny nicker.

  “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”

  “They all are,” she said quietly. “I just love the animals here. Every time I get upset or sad or lonely, I can come here and know they accept all without judgment. They are really beautiful to have around and to be available to hug and hold.”

  “You’ve had a couple of rough weeks, haven’t you?”

  “So have you,” she tossed back. “But Cole will be back tomorrow, so that should help.”

  “It’ll be nice to see him again,” Brock admitted. “But I have a different understanding now. I get that he tried to do too much too fast, and the traveling and adjustment were something that set him back. As I’ve had setbacks of my own, I will do a lot to encourage him to not go that way again.”

  “The opposite effect can happen, just because of that,” Sidney said softly. “Sometimes, we nurture people too much, and then they don’t strive for more. It’s important to do what you can, so your body will allow you to do more without causing injury or stress. Internal tension is just as bad as external. All the applied forces should be even. That’s very hard to attain or maintain.”

  “Very philosophical.”

  Sidney looked off across the green hills. “Well, for the first time ever, I was looking at quitting.”

  He stared at her in surprise. “Because of Marsha? Please don’t let her upset you to that extent.”

  “It’s a lot of things. It’s Marsha. It’s crossing a professional line. It was getting caught and having somebody spread gossip. It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.”

  “It can and likely will happen anywhere. Not just here.”

  She nodded. “True, but for the first time, I guess I’m open to the idea of leaving. This was always my place to work. I felt at home here and that everybody here was part of my family. It just feels odd now.”

  “You’ve really only just arrived, still haven’t had time to properly adjust, and you’re ready to leave? What’s it been, a month? Six weeks?”

  She nodded. “About that.”

  “It’s not enough time. You’ve just barely settled in, and yes, some trouble started.”

  “It’s more than that. I also have to think of my future. What is it I want to do in ten years?”

  “I thought you told me this is where you want to be in ten years.”

  “True, but what if I want a family in the future? How do I handle that?”

  “Don’t most of the doctors and nurses and patients and staff here have families and relationships?”

  She appeared to mull that over for a minute, then nodded. “I guess they do. For some reason, I was thinking I was going to have to leave in order to have a future.”

  That jolted him into silence. So, did that mean he wasn’t anything she wanted in her future? He stared down at the food in his lap, and it suddenly tasted like sawdust. He took a deep breath. He had to know the answer. “Does that mean you’re not interested in a relationship with me?”

  She spun and looked at him. “No, that’s not what I meant at all. Why would you think that?”

  “Because you just said you would have to leave to find your future.”

  She stared at him, her eyes round, and then she frowned. “Because you’re going to leave.”

  “Am I?” He tilted his head and studied her. Looking for some truth on the inside that would tell him they were both heading to the same place. “I can work in Dallas as well as I can work anywhere.”

  “What work?” she asked with curiosity. “I don’t think we’ve ever discussed that.”

  “That’s because so many people think when you’re a military grunt that’s all you are, but I’m actually very good with computers. I’m sure I could get an IT job in the big city.”

  “Won’t you need more training?”

  He shook his head and smiled. “No. This is what I did in the military.”

  Understanding flaring in her eyes, she said, “In that case, that would be perfect for you. Dallas is a massive city. I’m sure you’d have no trouble getting a job.”

  As she said that, their eyes met and held. Heat flashed at that sudden knowing they were on the same page. They were skirting around major issues, looking to see how closely their lives might fit together. He started to lean forward, seeing her stretching toward him. Just before their lips touched, the door to the vet clinic slammed open.

  “Hey, Sidney?”

  They broke apart and turned to face Stan.

  “There you are.” He ambled toward them, two big mugs of coffee in his hand. “Hey, Brock. I didn’t know you were here or I’d have brought another cup.”

  Brock smiled at the friendly doctor. He was a man he’d be happy to call a friend. He was a good-hearted soul. A flash of relief glimmered through him that Stan didn’t have any interest in Sidney on a personal level because he really wasn’t up for a competition.

  Brock held up the dish in his hand. “I’m still eating—not quite ready for coffee yet, thanks.”

  Stan handed Sidney a cup. “This is a great idea, you guys. I should do this myself. Sometimes it’s just nice to come out and enjoy the sunshine.”

  “Isn’t that the truth?” Sidney said with a smile.

  Maggie trotted a few steps closer to come and see Stan. He reached through the fence post to give her a good scratch. Brock watched as Stan interacted with the horses, seeing that same natural affinity and an innate joy to be one with the animals.

  “You have a special relationship with the animals and a very special place to work here,” Brock said. “Not only are you working with the animals all day long but when you take a break, you naturally come out to visit and socialize with them as well.”

  “Actually, it’s often a lot nicer,” Stan said with a smile. “The reason they are in my place is because they’re hurting and need help in some way or another.” He patted Maggie on the nose. “These guys are all in good shape—fit, happy, healthy and enjoying life. Sometimes it helps to get away from the pain and come and see the joy.”

  He glanced up at Brock and added, “The same goes for you two. You’re dealing with your own pain. Sidney’s dealing with the pain of a lot of people. Coming out here is all about renewal.”

  Brock smiled warmly. “We all need that.”

  Chapter 15

  Sidney agreed with both men. In fact, that was exactly what she was here for. It wasn’t that she wanted to move, it was just that the first upset of returning home again had disrupted her life so badly. It was honestly the first profes
sional dispute she’d had since she first came here. Then again, she may have avoided a lot of drama by her frequent absences for school. There were a lot of people here, along with a lot of personalities. She had to remember that fact. And if she was staying, she’d have to find a way to get along with Marsha. At the same time, it also took a lot of pressure off her shoulders to think maybe she wasn’t going to have to leave.

  With that thought, the grass suddenly seemed greener, and the sun a whole lot brighter. She realized the thought of leaving was more difficult than she’d imagined. She would’ve made peace with it, but it wasn’t necessary, and therefore, Marsha was not going to be allowed to be an excuse. That meant she had to make peace with the situation somehow.

  When the three of them had finished the food and drink, they walked back into the vet’s office and spent the next half hour cuddling the animals. She picked one up, hugged and kissed and cuddled it a couple times, then put it back down again and picked up the next. It just went with part of her mood. After they were done, she and Brock made their way upstairs to the kitchen to return their dishes. Dennis saw them coming, and his face broke out into a big grin. They handed over the leftover containers and thanked the man profusely.

  His merry laughter rolled through the big room, which was almost empty now. “It was a great idea. If you want to do it again, just let me know.”

  Sidney no longer wanted a coffee, but she definitely wanted dessert. Brock was likely to want some, too, so they moved down to the dessert table where Brock picked up a piece of the chocolate cake she’d been eyeing earlier and a coffee. They walked back out on the deck and into the mellowing, early-evening sunshine. As she sat there at the empty table, her face lifted to the setting sun, she realized just how absolutely perfect this place was.

  “You look like you’re feeling better,” Brock said.

  “I am. I just had to make peace with a few issues. It’s stupid to let something small ruin something so important to me.”

  “Marsha and this place?”

  She nodded. “Of course, it helps to know you might be staying close, too.” She shot him a teasing glance. “Apparently, privacy around this place doesn’t exist.”

  He laughed. “I see that. It might be easier if people know we are an item.”

  She nodded. “It might.”

  “Are we an item?”

  She turned to look at him, her eyes flashing with delight.

  “Are you asking me?” she teased. “Aren’t you going to be a macho male and make it a fact?”

  Something in his eye glinted. “Who, me?”

  She chuckled. “I get it, I’m just teasing. You don’t need to be tough, here. But I’m pretty sure that’s not a big part of your personality anyway.”

  “Well, I used to be tough. I just don’t know that I still am. Maybe, but I don’t really feel like it. Once I get back on my feet and into independent living, things might change. Who knows? On the other hand, a lot of who I am here is a result of all that’s gone before. I’m different now. Better.”

  She looked over at him and smiled a slow, gentle smile. “I’m really glad I’m with this person here. Too often there are layers to our individual personalities we never let anybody else see. It’s only through struggle that we get to see the inner person. I really admire and respect the man I’ve met here.”

  “Damn. I do feel like I need to confess, though. Because after all that kiss and your stuff, I did start to wonder if I should be asking for another therapist.”

  Silence.

  “I guess that’s normal,” she said in a low voice.

  “I didn’t ask. You brought it up before I had a chance to. I was going to talk to you about it first to see if you felt it was an issue. But then when you asked Shane to look after me, I realized that you’d already considered the issue.”

  “What did he say about your care?” Her gaze focused on him. “It’s been a hell of a day, if I forgot that.”

  “It has been a hell of a day. But he was very happy. He said that—you’d been your usual self—a consummate professional.”

  Heat flashed up her neck with pleasure as she heard his words. “I’m glad to hear that. But I also went to Dani and had a talk with her about it. I suggested all the therapists should do some round-robin checking up on patients, just to see how they are doing. It makes sense. We’re all going to have a different view of each injury and how to proceed.”

  “Yes, Dani told me.”

  Sidney sat back in her chair. This whole situation was snowballing. Not only were other patients second-guessing their own therapists, but some of them had gone to Dani with their questions and concerns. She sighed. She was going to have to talk to Marsha one of these days. At that moment, Marsha walked into the dining room. She caught sight of Brock and Sidney and froze.

  Shit. It looked like that future conversation was about to happen now.

  Sidney glanced at Brock to see if he had noticed Marsha’s arrival. “You might want to go to your room. I don’t know if Marsha’s looking for a fight, or what.” She sighed and added, “I do need to talk to her.”

  Brock studied her face, turned to look at Marsha and said, “I’ll stay right here, thanks.”

  She winced. “I really don’t need an audience.”

  “And yet, you might. Maybe with a witness, the truth will come out.”

  She studied his face and nodded gratefully. “Good point.”

  Her heart started to pound inside her chest. She was so very non-confrontational. Yet, she was also the one known for calling a spade a spade. She wondered for a moment if there was even a chance Marsha would just brush it off, but when she glanced at Marsha again, the woman was stomping in their direction. Before Sidney could take one more breath, Marsha was already standing in front of her, hands on her hips.

  “So, there you are.”

  Sidney straightened in the chair. “Yes, I’m here, did you want me for something?”

  “I’ve reported you’re fraternizing with a patient to Dani.”

  “Fraternizing? Interesting phrase.” She smiled at Brock and said, “If you mean the friendship developing between Brock and me, that’s fine. Dani already knows.”

  Marsha’s lips thinned. “So, it’s okay for you to be friends with a patient but not for me?”

  “It’s okay for all of us to be friends with patients,” Sidney said. “It’s not okay when that friendship affects how we do our job.”

  Marsha’s lips turned into a sneer. “So, of course, you haven’t had any problems being detached in your work with Brock?”

  Sidney barked out a short laugh. “Of course, you’re perfectly right. I’m not perfect. I’m not detached. When you care about somebody, you can’t be detached. However, as professionals, it’s our job to do the best we can, and when we can’t, we need to rely on others and ask them to help out.”

  “That’s not likely to happen.” Marsha shook her head. “It appears you have the complete run of this place.”

  “I’m sorry you feel that way. I was hoping we could find a decent working relationship moving forward.”

  “It’s got to be you or me,” Marsha said. “There’s no way in hell I am working with you.”

  Sidney nodded wearily. “Again, I’m sorry to hear that, and I wish you luck with finding another job. You’re very talented—I’m sure there’s lots of places that would be happy to hire you.”

  Marsha looked at her, nonplussed. “I’m talented?” She shook her head. “How does that fit in with everything else you said about me?”

  “I said nothing about you. I told you that you weren’t being detached and had missed seeing some things that needed to be seen. All you had to do was ask somebody else to see if your perspective was skewed because of the relationship.”

  “Oh, sure. It’s not like you’ve ever done that.”

  Sidney was damned happy to reply to the woman’s accusation. “Yes, in fact, I have.” She motioned at Brock. “I had Shane run Brock through t
he paces, to see what I might’ve missed.” She paused. “For that matter, moving forward, that is going to become common practice between all of us. To be discussed at tomorrow’s meeting. It has already been cleared with Dani.”

  “What’s going to be common practice?”

  “More teamwork. Having another therapist see how the work is going, so it’s not just one person’s prognosis, because each of us sees progress in a different way.”

  Marsha’s face was an interesting play of emotions. It was as if she liked the idea, but she didn’t want to like the idea.

  “Oh.”

  “Every time something like this happens, we have to learn from it,” Sidney said. “I didn’t expect to have a friendship with Brock, but once I did, I realized I hadn’t really understood what you were up against.”

  “I wasn’t Andrew’s lover,” Marsha sneered.

  “That’s good because Andrew is happily married. However, Brock is not, and I’m not his lover, either.”

  “Oh?” Marsha’s face was a study of consternation as she looked between Brock—who was sitting back, quietly watching the two of them—and Sidney. “But I saw you in the pool?”

  “Absolutely, you saw a kiss between two people who are fond of each other. Between people who are looking to have a relationship, and who were caught by surprise at just how much there was already between us,” Sidney admitted. “A kiss that was probably too passionate, but it was past work hours, and I was not on the clock. It was our own personal time, in a pool we are entitled to be in. I’d have preferred nobody saw us, of course. But I would have also preferred those that saw us would not have tattled or severely embellished the story out of malice. You also have to understand Dani has security feeds all over that area. So of course, she checked out the videos to see for herself what happened.”

  “Oh,” Marsha said in a small voice. “I didn’t know that.”

  “In the many years Dani’s been running this place, she’s been up against almost every possible scenario between two people. When she runs a complex of this magnitude, with hundreds of people—employees, patients and visiting staff, not to mention all the support staff—including the veterinarian clinic—she needs to know what is happening.”