Page 112 of Captivated

Then it hit him.

The old Nate wouldn’t have even said yes to a shoulder massage. He wouldn’t have let someone in that close.

Through his walls.

Close enough to touch.

To make Nate feel something… new.

His phone buzzed, and Nate peered at it.

Zeeb: I’m bringing breakfast. Hope you’re hungry. Just waiting on the home fries.

His face grew hot.See? You were reading too much into it.

He should have trusted Zeeb.

His phone buzzed once more, but this time it was Dad.

You got a minute?

Nate hit speed dial. “For you? Always.”

“I figured you’d be awake. Everyone usually gets up early on the ranch.”

“Is everything okay? I mean, you’ll see me in two days’ time.”

“Everything’s fine.” He paused. “This weekend would normally be a visit to Deliverance, but I’m calling to say I won’t be going.”

Nate frowned. “Why not? You love staying here.” And now he could understand why.

“Yes, I do, but I’d rather be here when you get home. Otherwise I won’t have seen you for three weeks. I don’t count the few hours I saw you last weekend. And besides, there’s always next month. So I’ll cook something amazing, and you cantell me all about your stay.” Another pause. “Still enjoying it? More importantly, do you feel it’s done you some good? I know I should wait to hear all this on Saturday, but I woke up thinking about you.”

Nate sat on the couch, still with the towel wrapped around him.

“Something’s puzzling me, if I’m honest.”

“Oh?”

He pondered how best to frame his thoughts. “I think it’s done me a lot of good, but what bugs me is… I don’t see why it should have.”

Dad fell silent.

“You still there?”

“I’m trying to get my head around that last statement. So let me see if I’ve got this right. You feel you’ve made progress, but what confuses you is whatfacilitatedthis progress? What’s wrong with acknowledging your success, accepting it?”

“Because I can’t,” Nate blurted. “Why now, Dad? I’ve been in therapy for how long? So why does it feel as if I’m finally breaking through? Learning to ride, spending time with the horses…. Don’t get me wrong, it’s been amazing, but I can’t see it having such an effect.” He took a breath. “I need to know this is real, that I’m finally making some headway. Salvation is a wonderful place, but it isn’t a miracle cure. There has to be some other reason.” His stomach clenched.

Dad’s silence told Nate he didn’t have an answer either.

“Might I make a suggestion?”

Nate’s breathing hitched. “If you’ve got one, I want to hear it.”

“You’ve met Sol, haven’t you?”

“Yeah.”

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