Page 39 of A Soldier's Destiny
Chapter 14
Aquick check of Rori’s room told him it was empty except for his Angel. Stowing the gun, he sat down on the edge of her bed. Stroking the side of her damp face until her eyes fluttered open, he was hoping to bring her out of whatever horror she was experiencing.
“Angel? Rori, are you okay?”
“No. Please no. Oh God. Please don’t. Oh God.” The words were barely above a whisper. She was still in the grasp of the nightmare and he had to get her out of it.
“Angel?” When she still didn’t answer and just looked at him with wide terrified eyes, he pulled her across his lap and cuddled her in his arms. “You’re okay, it’s just a dream. You’re safe. I promise no one will hurt you.”
Rori leaned into his chest, her body shaking as she sobbed. Not sure if she shook from fear or the force of her tears, he rested his chin against her head and whispered over and over that she was safe while he rocked her.
Her tears ripped his heart to shreds. It was one hell of a nightmare to leave her this shattered. A sickening thought slid through him, that it was his fault. Seeing him again couldn’t have been easy and probably stirred up memories she’d put away. He’d been so relieved to have found her that he hadn’t considered what it might do to Rori.
The tears and shaking slowed. “I’m sorry.”
“For what, Angel? You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“It’s happened before. The nightmare, I mean. It was…”
“My fault.”
“What? What do you mean your fault?”
“I’m sure seeing me again stirred up all kinds of ugly you tried to forget.”
“No, it wasn’t your fault. I have them all the time. A lot more than I like. It used to be every night, now not so much. I’m sure all this stuff hasn’t been helping.”
“And you didn’t think you should tell anyone?”
“Why? They’re just dreams. They’ve gotten better. At first, I had them every night.”
Jasper swore under his breath. Didn’t she realize she had PTSD? It affected more than just the military. She’d experienced a traumatic event.
“Because if you talked to someone they could help you deal with the dreams and more.”
“What more?
“Angel, you have PTSD. You might not realize it, but you have the signs.”
“You’re wrong.” It wasn’t the time to discuss this. She should be sleeping, getting rest for whatever was going to be thrown in their path tomorrow.
“Okay, I’m sorry. Do you think you can get back to sleep?”
“I don’t know. Most of the time I just get up and go down to the bakery.”
“You’ve only been sleeping for about two hours. How about a massage? I’ve been told I’m quite good at it.” He felt her smile against his chest. At least he’d finally said something right.
“You’ve been told, hmm?”
“Yup. I’ve been told I’m better than the spa.” The punch line had the effect he’d been going for as she giggled.
“I guess it couldn’t hurt to try.”
“Good choice. If you tell me where your lotion is, the one that smells great, I’ll use that. Then you can lie down and lift your nightshirt.”
“You’re really observant, aren’t you?”
“Angel, my life has depended on it more than once.”
