Page 7 of Haunted Heart
“How is your friend doing?”
His face goes blank and he heads to the counter. “You want coffee or tea?”
“Coffee.” I follow him to the kitchen, and it strikes me that’s he’s already comfortable making his way around the house. He’s one of those people with the confidence to own whatever space he’s in.
The opposite of me. Half the time I’m unsure in my own home.Should I move this? Buy this? Plant the pretty flower? Go to dinner when a friend asks?’
I glance around. I’ve owned this house for over ten years and still it looks the same as when my grandparents first brought me here as a teen.
He still hasn’t answered my question. His shoulders are tense, his movements controlled.“You can talk to me. What happened, Caleb?”
“He lost part of a leg and arm. The whole side of his body was badly scared.”
“But he was alive.”
“He-ah-didn’t see it that way. He was upset that I didn’t just let him die, instead of forcing him to be a damn cripple.”
‘How is he now?”
“Have no idea. He told me to leave. He never wanted to see or talk to me again. He... Gleason was my best friend. Even knowing how he felt, what he would have preferred, I... I couldn’t have done anything different.”
“Oh Caleb.” I round the table and wrap my arms around him from behind. “I’m not a firefighter or a soldier, but I’ve learned how precious life is. I would have taken Guy anyway I could. You did the right thing. You did what you had to do for your own conscious. How long has it been?”
“Four years.”
“You should try to reach out to him. You were both dealing with a lot at the time. You had your own injuries. You’ve adapted and moved on. He may have changed his mind with time, too. The pain and trauma were affecting his thinking at that time.
“After I lost Guy, I started volunteering at the veteran’s treatment center that Maura started. I’ve seen some of the most despondent veterans heal and have hope again. With time.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Instinctively, I give him another side hug. “How about pancakes with the coffee?”
“Sounds great. I’ll help.”
I reach in the pantry for the mix and syrup. Turning back to him, I pause. “Caleb, you don’t have to hide your scars from me. I’m stronger than you think. I’ve learned to take the blows. I always get back up.”
CHAPTER 5
Caleb
“Any issues last night?” Jaxon asks as we unload the lumber and siding.
“Her security yard light didn’t come on. She said it’s been out a couple weeks. I want to check it out today. I also found what looked like tracks from the highway that ran through the woods around the back of the studio. Have there been any episodes of vandalism around here? Or around town?”
“No. Clay would have said something.” We both go silent as we work patching the studio wall.
“Caleb and Jaxon, you haven’t stopped for almost three hours. I have chicken salad and egg salad sandwiches. There’s coffee, tea or cold drinks. Please take a break and rest for a few minutes.”
Jaxon straightens and smiles. “Food. You’re speaking my language.”
She smiles back. “Porch or kitchen table?”
“Nice breeze today. I vote for porch,” I chime in and Jaxon nods.
Lunch is relaxed and companionable. Just chilling with a friend and a beautiful woman. Been a long time since I’ve had down time. And even longer since I’ve spent normal time with a woman. Hell, it’s been longer than I like to think since my last hook up.
Yeah, and that isn’t happening with Grace. She’s too damn good for you.
