Saving Easton (Oakside Military Heroes Book 2)(13)

We talk some more, and he suggests taking up a hobby. Painting, coloring, reading, writing, and puzzles, were some of his suggestions. Then, he said once I was ready to leave the room, exercise or gardening would be beneficial. None of it appealed to me, but I might talk to Paisley to see if she has any ideas. Maybe, we can find something we can do together.

When our time is up, Dr. Tate takes his things and leaves, and I have to say it was the most pleasant session we have had to date.

I decide to try moving around, so I slowly start pacing my room. The more I do it, the easier it is, as long as the door is closed. The knock on the door makes me jump and panic slightly, as I make my way back to my chair.

It's Noah who peeks his head in, and he instantly knows something’s wrong.

"What's wrong? What do you need?" He asks.

"Just need a minute. Was up and moving, when you knocked, and it was a bit too much." Once I calm, he looks more relaxed.

"Pushing more boundaries?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I'm here for you in any way I can. All you need to do is ask."

"Well, Dr. Tate said I should start a hobby. I've never been a hobby person. Haven't had time," I say.

"You know, Lexi is really good at photography. We could get you a computer with some editing software to do photos. Some guys here do puzzles. We also have a library. Lexi's dad is a contractor, and we can teach you some basic woodworking."

"Can you bring me a book? Something action packed and nothing horror. You know the drill."

"Sure thing. I'll ask Brooke since she helped stock the library." He says, heading out.

Brooke is the head nurse here, and the few times I've interacted with her, she's been really nice. She was Noah's nurse in the hospital, and then she and Lexi bonded, and she followed them here.

Noah shows back up and holds up a book. "This one Brooke says has a Mission Impossible meets Ocean’s Eleven feel. Where do you want it?"

I take a deep breath time for one more push today. "Can you bring it here?"

I'd say Noah is the closest thing to a friend I have other than Paisley, but he's never been more than a few steps into my room. So, I'm not surprised, when shock crosses his face.

"Just go slow," I tell him, and he nods, taking slow steps with his eyes on me I'm sure, watching for any change. He gets close enough to hand me the book, and I take it. I find with him it's the same, as when Paisley is here. My anxiety is up a little, but I still feel safe.

He goes back to the door and smiles. "Let me know how you like it." He nods and heads out.

I think I've done enough pushing my boundaries today. Paisley should be here tomorrow, and that means some more pushing tomorrow.

This isn't as bad as I thought it would be. It seems the more I push, the more I find it doesn't bother me like I thought it would, and I have no idea when that happened.





Chapter 9





Chapter 9


Paisley





Molly and I are back at Oakside and decide to visit a few other patients, before we go to Easton’s room. Molly has a good time. She really enjoys visiting the other guys and soaking up the attention. There are a few guys on the back porch, who have fun tossing a ball around for her. She's a big hit with them, but after some running around, she’s looking at me, and I know she wants to go see Easton.

So, I take the long way to his room, stopping to see Lexi in the lobby, but Molly gets impatient with me and starts pulling me along.

"Guess she’s telling you who is boss today." Lexi laughs.

"Guess so." I laugh.

We get to Easton's door, and as soon as he sees us, he stands up. Molly stops and cocks her head to the side watching him. When he takes a few steps forward, she’s at his side.

"To the lobby and back?" I ask.

He nods, and we wait for him in the hallway.

Once he joins me, I smile and ask, "So, what should I talk about today?"

"Your friend who helps you train the dogs."

"Oh, Amanda. She's older, not quite old enough to be my mom, but close. I was just over there with Atticus, and he passed his tests with flying colors. Jake, his owner, has started working with him, and it's great watching them together. My favorite part of the job is the training with the dog and their owner." I keep the conversation going, as we slowly start down the hallway.

"But Amanda, she’s more of a dog person than a people person, so the fact that she took me under her wing means a lot. She always greets whatever dog I have with me first. She has several dogs that she has rescued and can't be used as therapy dogs, so they just wander the property. She owns about thirty-five acres. All the furniture in her house is pet friendly, and they have free rein of the place." I tell him, as we reach the Lobby.

Lexi is still at the front desk and offers us a warm smile.

"Do you want to walk to the desk, or maybe, out to the courtyard?"

"The desk," he says.

Then, he shocks the hell out of me and starts talking.

"A buddy of mine was an MP, military police, and he had an MP dog. He said the training for the dog and him was ruthless, but the bond he shares with the dog is like nothing he’d ever seen."