Page 63 of Surgeon's Surprise Baby
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The following dayWhitney came over early and Ryan picked up Aria to go see her father.She hadn’t told him she was coming to see him since she wanted to be sure he didn’t tell her not to come.And she was beyond glad that Ryan was going with her.Aria knew she shouldn’t be leaning on him so much.If he really had planned to leave and was only staying out of duty, she didn’t want any part of it.
But she needed him now.She couldn’t face going to see her father alone.
Had she overreacted to what the Realtor had said?Could Ryan be telling the truth when he said he hadn’t even remembered the conversation with Melvin?That the conversation had meant nothing and wasn’t even on his radar.Should she take Ryan at his word—that he loved her and Sophie and didn’t want to leave them, didn’t want to move on?
“You’re awfully quiet,” Ryan said.“Are you worried about seeing your dad?”
“Yes.I don’t know what to expect from him.Whether he’ll be glad to see me or tell me to leave.”
“Why would he do that?He came to Marietta to see you.And he isn’t staying with you because he doesn’t want to be a burden.Just like he told you.”
“Like he didn’t want to burden us—my mother and me—with his PTSD.He waited twenty years.More than twenty years, Ryan.”
Ryan was silent for a long time.She felt him glance at her.“You don’t know anything about PTSD, do you?”
“Just what he told me.And what little you’ve said.And what I read when I researched it.But no, I don’t have firsthand experience with it.Not really.”
“I know about it.Personally.”
“What do you mean?”
“I had—probably still have—PTS.”
She stared at him.“You mean from the war?When you were a combat surgeon?”
“Yes.From a particular incident.”He laughed but he didn’t sound amused.“I didn’t even realize it until after I left you in Denver.Some doctor I am.”
“What… what happened?”When he didn’t answer right away she said, “Maybe you should pull over.”
He shook his head.“No, let’s go see your father first.I’ll tell you after that.”
“This is why you’ve been so sympathetic to my dad.”
“Partly.But I’ve seen a lot of vets with PTSD.He’s far from the only one.”
“Why haven’t you ever told me?”
“I buried it.Mostly.I’ve spent the years since running from it.But right now you need to see your father.Talk to him.Be with him while you can.”
Ryan pulled into a parking space in front of a small building.“This is it.”
“Will you come in with me?”
“Yes.But I’m leaving you and him to talk alone.You and he need some time with just the two of you.”
“What if he rejects me again?Maybe he just wanted to see me to explain and now he wants to disappear again.”
“I don’t think he will but there’s only one way to know.You’re strong, Aria.Whatever happens you’ll be okay.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because I know you.You are one of the strongest people I’ve ever known.”
She wished she was as certain of that as Ryan seemed to be.
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