Page 108 of Trusting Skulls

I lean over, glancing down the hall to make sure Ash is still with Rachel. When I sit back, Raffe lays his hand over mine.

His small act of kindness dislodges the lump in my throat, and I spill everything. I tell him about Graham and all the years that led up to the event on the mountain.

When I hear the door down the hall open, I snap my mouth shut. Raffe pats my arm. “I’ll be right back,” he tells me, handing me another tissue.

I hear him talk quietly to Ash, and then he returns.

“Did … did he leave?”

“He did. He had to get to the shop. I told him we’d meet up with him later today out at the farm. I have to run over there to drop off the mountain of baby clothes that Rachel has already bought for Willow. Let’s just say I’m becoming good friends with my mailman.”

“I’m sorry. Here I am dumping my problems on you when you already have so much on your plate.”

He pats my cheek lightly. “Stop. We all have problems. Don’t think I won’t share mine with you too.”

“Really though, how are you guys doing?”

“We’re living one day at a time.”

I nod. “Rachel has been a life saver. She was my link …” I pause, remembering her and my conversation about the dragonfly. “It was nice seeing someone from the club,” I finish softly.

He’s quiet as he runs his hand down his beard. He looks at me curiously. “Her last session with you must have been impactful on you both.”

I nod my head with too much enthusiasm. “Yeah, I mean, yeah. We had a good talk. Um, maybe I should go in and see her so we can get started.”

Raffe shakes his head and places his hands on his knees before standing. “I’m going to go get some yard work done while you’re here, but holler if you need anything.”

“I will.”

When I knock on Rachel’s door, she’s having a coughing fit. I rush in and grab her water from the end stand. “Should I get Raffe?”

She shakes her head and waves for me to sit down beside her on the bed. “Sorry about that,” she rasps. “My meds just dry out my mouth so bad, and it gives me a damn tickle in my throat.”

I wait as she pops a little candy in her mouth.

“If you don’t feel up to this …”

She holds up her hand. “I’ve printed out all of the exercises you should be doing once you get your boot off. When do you go back to the doctor?”

“Next week.”

She nods as she hands me a folder. “I talked to Ash, and I’ve put him in charge of making sure you do them.” She tips her head down, looking at me over her glasses. “You’re young, and the break was clean. You’ll bounce back quickly.”

“This is great. Thank you.”

“So, now that we’ve got that squared away, I would still like you to come over a few times a week to help me. I’ll pay you.”

My head pulls back. “Rachel, gosh, you don’t need to pay me. I’d be happy to help you with whatever you need.”

“Well, I’m still paying you, because I can and I want to. Ash told me you like to write. I’m going to be writing letters for a lot of people. I was hoping maybe you could help me with that.”

“Of course, but I think it would be better if you wrote them in your own handwriting.”

She lies back. “I understand, and I will, but if time …” Tears begin to pool in her eyes. “If I get to where I’m not strong enough …”

“Then I’ll be here to happily transcribe for you.”

“Good.” Raffe passes by the window with the mower. “There’s so much I want to do for my family before I go. It’s the blessing in all of this. I get to prepare.”

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