Page 67 of Healing Love

“It’s an invitation to a Red Cross appreciation reception,” she answered glumly.

He squatted next to her chair, cupping her face with his large hand, pulling her gaze to his. “Babe, you don’t have to go. You don’t have to do anything you’re uncomfortable with,” he emphasized.

By now, Bart had turned the TV volume down and looked at his best friend holding Miriam. “Cam is right,” he interjected. “You take care of you first. To hell with the Red Cross event.”

Smiling, she said, “I know I don’t have to go. But it’s not the Red Cross’ fault I got kidnapped. It says it’s just a reception for those of us locally who have served in the last year. I won’t be singled out.”

Cam watched her carefully, seeing the shadow pass across her expression, then reached over and plucked the invitation out of her hands. “That’s it. You’re not going.”

She blinked in surprise. “You can’t just declare I’m not going,” she said, irritation showing in her voice.

“When I’m the one holding you at night when you can’t sleep from the nightmares or I see you stare off into the distance and know that you’re somewhere darkin your mind, then yeah, I can make that decision for you,” he growled.

“I am dealing with things the best way I know how, Cam,” she argued back. “If it’s such a burden being with me, then I can easily move back to my place.”

“Don’t put words into my mouth?—”

“Whoa, you two,” Bart interjected. “It’s none of my business, but I still gotta jump in. You two have been through a lot, but you’ve done it together. Don’t get mad at each other because you’re both trying to make things better.”

Cam looked at Bart in surprise, never having seen a sentimental side to him but, before he could speak, Miriam touched his arm gently.

“I’m sorry, Cam. I know you’ve had to deal with a lot.”

He turned, forgetting Bart’s presence, and lifted his hand to cup her face. “Mi amour. I only want what makes you happy.” He pulled her gently in so that her face was pressed to his chest, next to his heartbeat.

“You’re right. I’m not ready for this event. I’ll send my regrets,” she declared and felt his approval as he released a deep breath.

“Thank God, you two. Now let’s watch some football,” Bart said, plopping back down on the sofa.

24

Miriam slid into Bethany’s car in the parking lot of Golden Arbor and the two friends headed back to the Saint’s compound.

“The men are still meeting, and I knew that Cam had dropped you off at work, so I jumped at the chance to visit Gram and pick you up at the same time,” Bethany explained.

“I’m glad you did,” Miriam replied, smiling. “It’s a nice surprise.”

For a few minutes, the friends talked about mundane things before falling into a comfortable silence. Miriam noticed that Bethany kept glancing over at her without saying anything.

“You want to tell me what’s on your mind?” Miriam asked.

“Sorry,” Bethany said. “I do have something to ask you, but I’m…well, quite frankly, I’m kind of scared to bring it up.”

Miriam twisted in her seat and said honestly, “Iknow we’re still new friends, but I’d like to think that we could talk about anything.”

Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, Bethany began, “You know what happened to me, when…when I was captured by that killer last year. Well, I have found a psychologist who specializes in victim trauma. She practices in Richmond and even runs a group. I want to go…just to check her out and see if it’s worth trying, but I really…well, I was thinking?—”

“Yes!” Miriam blurted out.

“Really?” Bethany asked, her nervousness now replaced with hope.

“Absolutely. In fact, I was thinking that I needed to do something. Cam and I actually had a fight the other day for the first time about him being there for me.” Shaking her head, Miriam said, “That came out wrong. Cam doesn’t mind being there for me, but he doesn’t want me to make things worse.” Then giggling, she added, “Bart was there and actually had to help us stop the argument.”

“Bart?” Bethany asked incredulously. “I’m just getting to know all the guys, but he strikes me as the happy-go-lucky, never get involved type of guy. I don’t think he would know love unless it came right up and bit him in the ass!”

“Well, it’s probably because we were interrupting the football game.”

“Yep, that sounds like Bart!”

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