Page 58 of Fight or Flight

“They’re all good, no matter which direction you’re looking in,” Tyler said. “One of North Carolina’s bonuses.”

Signs advertising BLOWINGROCK’SFORDDEALERSHIPand POORMAN’SAUTOREPAIRcame into view as they drove toward town. Katherine wasn’t sure how many miles they’d gone, and she was about to ask, when Tyler’s cell phone rang, startling her.

He pulled onto the shoulder before answering. “Dr. Newlon.” He spoke in a very professional tone. “Yes, I see. Thank you.” He ended the call, then pulled back onto the highway.

“Everything okay?” Katherine asked. “Do you need to get to your office?”

“No, I’m fine. Rose is taking care of my patients.”

He’d waited a beat too long to answer, so she knew something was wrong. For the first time since she’d walked out of her house, Katherine felt the tiny fingers of panic tickle their way up her spine, raising the hair on the back of her neck.

Chapter Seventeen

Katherine clenched her fists, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath in. She then slowly eased it out, as she’d practiced so many times.In. Out. In. Out.

“K, are you okay?” Tyler jerked the Bronco to the side of the road for a second time, shifting into park. “Katherine, look at me.”

She shook her head. “Home,” she managed to mutter. “Take me home.”

“Dammit, no. You are not going to drop out of life, Katherine. Not now, not when you’ve just gotten a taste of what’s beyond the end of your driveway. You’re having the fight-or-flight response because you feel safer at home. Relax. I’m right here, and I promise nothing is going to happen to you on my watch. Breathe deep. Deeper,” Tyler instructed. “Exhale slowly.”

Katherine nodded, following his instructions. Her heartbeat slowed a little; her fear was manageable now. What had caused that instant relapse? When she could speak, she said, “I don’t understand. One minute I’m my new—old—self, and the next I’m ready to hide.”

Tyler turned in his seat as much as he was able so that he could face her. “It’s very common. Panic attacks come out of the blue. You of all people should know that. Don’t let it discourage you, K. You have already accomplished so much more than many of my patients. Many took years to get where you are now.”

“Truly?” she asked.

“When you get to know me better as a man and a doctor, you’ll see for yourself and come to your own conclusions about me, but I’m not a liar. Yes, I am telling you the truth, but I can’t reveal my patients’ identities. It would be unethical.”

Katherine listened to his words. But it didn’t matter what he said, just that he spoke. She had realized what had prompted the attack. She was unsure if she should reveal the truth to Tyler. They had only known each other for a few days. How could he affect her so?

“You stopped talking after you got that phone call. I think that’s when it started.” She was embarrassed, especially at her age, so she turned away.

Tyler reached across the console, gently cupping her chin and turning her face toward him. “K, I’m sorry you had another attack. If hearing me run my mouth all the time helps, then call me a mockingbird.”

She leaned into him, and he kept her chin cupped in his hand. “Okay, Mockingbird.”

He grinned. “You’re sure you want to continue?”

She had the choice to opt out or go the full distance. “I’ll continue.”

“Wise decision.” Tyler removed his hand, then cranked the engine again.

Katherine guessed there would be many more episodes such as this.

“All of this will help us work on a treatment plan,” Tyler said, holding true to his promise to keep talking. “For now, let’s plan what we can do to surprise Doc.” Tyler came up with several suggestions, each one more outrageous than the last. Katherine realized he was trying to distract her and make her laugh, and he succeeded. Katherine felt calm listening to Tyler. He had a ripe sense of humor, and she liked that about him.

“I need to turn around,” he said, pulling to the side of the road yet again. “We passed the turnoff to Doc’s a mile back.”

“You’re kidding,” she said, laughing. But she couldn’t help wondering if he’d missed the turnoff for another reason.

“Are you distracted because of the phone call?” She knew it wasn’t her business, but she’d heard a change in his tone. Professional, yes, but there was more. If he wanted her to know, he would tell her.

“Actually, it was Detective Davidson.”

Alarm bells ringing, Katherine now had to know. “Did he find out who broke into my house?”

Tyler turned onto a dirt road. “He’s waiting on more results to come in.”

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