Page 11 of No Room to Breathe
Devyn felt another shiver across her senses and the pieces snapped into place.Samantha had been hovering around Cade to help him.An apologetic effort that was backfiring in a big way.She was caught where she didn’t belong and Cade, sensing her, wasn’t healing.“Of course you are.Samantha understands that.More than anything, she hopes you’ll find someone stronger to love and build a new life with.”
He shook his head.“Too soon, Norris.”
She didn’t bother pointing out that she was only delivering the message.“You’ll know when.”
“I still see her.In that tub.”
“I know.”It didn’t have to be that way forever, if she could help him.
“That wasn’t her,” he repeated.“Not her at all.”
Devyn took a deep breath, relieved to be back on familiar ground.She knew how to use memories to break patterns and reframe emotions.To kickstart healing.“Tell me what you remember,” she said.“Tell me your favorite things about Samantha.”
“I don’t know,” he muttered.
“You do.”She squeezed his hand just enough to emphasize her psychic nudge without making it obvious they were still connected.
The words flowed, slowly at first.He talked about the first time he saw her, about their first date—an afternoon at the zoo.The adventures of moving in together, the surprise birthday she’d thrown for him.And her startling acceptance after he walked in late from a long, harrowing day on the job.
On a roll, he shared more as the fondness and affection overrode the grief for a few minutes.Underneath it all, she worked quickly, weaving an emotional veil around his memories of finding Samantha’s body.Nothing that would close off his access to a very important part of his life.Just enough to shelter him a little.A dose of self-care he needed desperately.If he couldn’t sleep, he couldn’t heal.And if couldn’t relax in his apartment, he couldn’t sleep.
As a detective, Cade faced more stress, anxiety, and death than the average person.He’d been telling himself—and everyone else—that he was coping when he was in fact losing the battle.
She suspected he hadn’t moved out of their apartment because doing so would pile abandonment onto the mountain of failure.Helping him today would allow him to make that decision with clarity and confidence when he was ready.
She’d finished all the shoring up he needed, but he was still sharing stories of his life with Samantha.Devyn stayed right there, listening until he went quiet.He seemed a bit baffled as she walked him back to the police station.
He looked weary, but no longer despondent.She counted it an improvement.More importantly, when he walked into the building, he seemed to be alone.
She felt a cool touch glide over her arm as she turned for her car.She hoped it was Samantha’s farewell.After such a heartache, the woman deserved peace in the afterlife.
Chapter 4
Aweek after his bizarreand inexplicable time with Ms.Norris, Cade caught himself smiling as he headed for the station.His steps felt lighter, the sunlight seemed brighter and warmer.His thoughts were clear.
He didn’t want to give Norris the credit, so he ignored her involvement and enjoyed the changes.
