Page 6 of Haunted Heart
“Then I’ll wash the dishes.” He smiles.
A few minutes later, he props his forearms on the door frame watching me smooth the quilt on the guest bed.
“You didn’t have to do that. I’d have been fine on the couch, but I do appreciate it. Before you go to bed, would you give me a key to the front door? I want to go out and check around a bit to make sure everything is secure.”
Going to my room, I open my dresser and pull-out Guy’s set of keys. Handing them to Caleb, I show him which key fits what door. “I’ll shower and then it’s all yours. I—thank you for staying. I guess I am a little jittery.”
Reaching out, he brushes my hair behind my ear. The soft swipe of his fingers along my hairline sends a ripple of warmth over me. I lift my head and our gazes meet. There is a gentle understanding in his eyes. As if he knows how hard I’m trying to keep it all together. His soft smile is warm and understanding.
“I’m here, Grace. I’ll watch over you. Get a good night’s sleep. We can talk more in the morning.”
He’s not back when I get out of the shower, so I go to bed, leaving my door cracked open a little. I don’t sleep until I hear his voice softly by my door. “I’m back, Grace. Everything is fine and the house is locked up. You can sleep now. I’ll keep you safe.”
I do feel safe, and something else I refuse to name. Sleep comes quickly.
Followed by the nightmare....
Guy, Guy, where are you? I can’t see you through the smoke. I need you. Don’t leave me. Please, don’t leave me...
Shh, sweetheart, you’re going to be okay now. You aren’t alone anymore... I loved you....
“Shh, babe. You’re okay. It’s just a nightmare. You aren’t alone. I’m here. You’re safe. Open your eyes and look at me. It’s Caleb. Look at me, babe. I’m here.”
When I open my eyes, the faint glow from my night light is just enough to recognize Caleb. “I?—”
“It’s okay, babe. You aren’t alone. I’m right here. I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
“Stay.”
“I will. As long as you need. I’ll stay.”
Shifting, he slides onto the bed, lying so he can settle my head on his T-shirt covered shoulder. I place my palm over his heart and hitch my leg over his thighs.
“Rest, babe. You’re safe.”
I wake alone with the smell of coffee filling the air. Coffee? Guy liked tea.
Caleb. I glance at the second pillow and see the indent from where he lay. It wasn’t a dream. He did hold me all night.
Feeling more rested than I have in months. I glance at the clock. It’s only five-thirty. I slip from bed and pull on my robe. Crossing to the partially closed door I glance out.
Caleb is lying on his back on the floor in only a pair of shorts. His hands are under his buttocks, his face is strained and he’s kicking his raised legs, counting softly:
“1. 2. 3, 195. 1. 2. 3, 196. 1. 2. 3, 197.... 1. 2. 3, 200.”
Expelling, he relaxes on the hard floor, eyes closed, and just breathes.
“How did you get the burns on your calf and arm?” I ask.
He vaults to his feet and grabs for his shirt.
“Don’t. I want to see. I want to understand. Did it happen at a fire you were working with the hotshots?”
Ignoring my request, he pulls on his shirt and the sleep pants he wore last night. “No. It was a war zone. There was an explosion and fire. One of my teammates was down. I was able to get to him and carry him out. I got injured a little in the process. They’re ugly, but they don’t stop me from being able to do my job. I—I’m sorry you saw them.”
“They didn’t let me see Guy. I guess there really wasn’t much to see. I struggled with that. Maybe they were right. It was better I remember him the way I saw him last.”
“Burns are the hardest for victims and survivors to deal with. They were right to keep you away.”
