Down the Hidden Path Page 6

  He knew she wanted to know the information that wasn’t in Caleb’s chart. But not just that, she wanted to know Miah’s plans where his brother was concerned. He sat his own cup down on the coffee table and looked out over the mountains beyond the picture window. Gray’d made no mention of the lodge or the amazing view. None of that mattered to her. Gray was all about people. Not creature comforts.

  “He suffered the traumatic brain injury in a Humvee accident. They were traveling along a ridge and hit an IED. The Humvee went off an embankment. He was trapped. They got him out, but there was a lot of damage.”

  “Tampa has one of the best TBI facilities in the country.” She took a sip of the hot cocoa.

  “Good?” He nodded to the mug.

  Her silver eyes dropped to it. “Incredible. I’d forgotten you’re a hot-cocoa master.”

  He had become one. Because of her. In all the time they’d spent together, it seemed she was always the one helping him. He’d wanted to give back. Cocoa was her favorite. “I still remembered my recipe.”

  “You should patent it.”

  It was good to see her smile. Finally, she almost seemed relaxed.

  “So, with the extent of his injuries, he’ll need to relearn certain things.” She watched Miah over her mug. “How long has Caleb been in Tampa?”

  “Three months. They have a step-down program where he could stay another three, but he just wants to come home.”

  She placed the mug on the table in front of them. “Are you sure he’s ready? That last three months would help give him the skill set he needs for living life. I’ve read up on their program. It’s done amazing things for our soldiers returning home with traumatic brain injuries. You need to understand, certain parts of his brain aren’t functioning normally. Things could get very challenging for him as well as you.”

  Miah threaded his fingers together on his lap. “I know, I know. I tried to encourage him to stay, but . . .” He shrugged. “You know Caleb.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Yes. McKinley stubborn.”

  “He’s made great progress already.”

  “Will they even let you bring him home this soon?” Gray’s brow furrowed.

  “Yes. He’s completed the necessary rehabilitation. They’d like him to stay, of course, but—”

  She waved a hand through the air. “I know. McKinley stubbornness.”

  “I need a professional to sign off on the lodge. The paperwork states that it will be a safe environment for him. I’ve leveled all the floors down here, have got a bathroom working on this level, and made a ramp outside in case the few stairs to the front porch are an issue.”

  Gray smiled over at him. “You’re a good big brother.”

  There was a catch in his throat. No, if he’d been a good big brother, he’d have talked Caleb into leaving the military before this happened.

  “Reading over his limitations, I think you’ve covered the basics here. He can get to the kitchen, restroom, bedroom; you’ve removed tripping hazards and have dedicated spaces for furniture. That will all make an easier transition for him, but, Miah, there’s so much more to brain injuries than the physical things.”

  He knew that. Had already been warned about it. But where some of the soldiers were embracing the next level of therapy, for Caleb it was beginning to take a toll. A soldier was only as strong as his mental state.

  “Caleb has some behavioral issues, am I right?”

  “Frustration, mostly.”

  Gray leaned forward. “For you it may seem like frustration, but for him it feels like the world is falling apart. Throwing him into society before he’s ready could pose a huge threat to his progress. Plus, what are your goals? Caleb needs goals. Something he’s working toward.”

  “Getting well.”

  She pressed her hand firmly against the folder. “Getting well for what? A goal, Miah. Not just a destination. Didn’t they walk you through all of this? I seem to remember them offering classes to family members. Caregiving classes.”

  “Yes. They did. I got through the first few hours, then got a call that my pipes had busted. I had to leave.”

  He watched her closely as she weighed his words against what she’d read in the file. His hold on the situation was slipping. In another moment, Gray would stand and tell him she wouldn’t sign off. He had to make her understand.

  “Gray, that’s why I need you. Obviously, Caleb needs daily therapy. That’s what he’d get if he stayed in Tampa.”

  “That’s right. They simulate living in society, but it’s in a controlled environment. So much safer for the soldiers.” She sat the folder on the coffee table by her cocoa.

  “Caleb has had about all of the controlled environment he can handle.” Miah reached over, placed his hand on hers. “Please, Gray. I need you to sign off on the paper. Then, I need to hire you to help rehabilitate him.”

  She pulled a deep breath. “Do you have any contact with your grandfather? Grandfather Havinger? You know I see him in Laver now and then.”

  Miah blinked, trying to catch up to the change of subject. “Uh, no. None of us have spoken to him.”

  She tugged her bottom lip into her mouth and bit down. “The kind of care you’re talking about will be expensive, Miah. Your grandfather could—”

  Miah stood. “No. He couldn’t. He wanted to take our mom away from us, Gray. When she was dying, he wanted to send her off to Europe. Or have you forgotten?”

  “For an experimental treatment.” There was a pleading tone to her voice.

  “A treatment that had shown zero results.” His own voice rose in frustration, so Miah corralled it as best he could. “Listen, Mom set up trusts for each of us. The money isn’t an issue.”

  He could plainly see her doubt. Of course, Gray didn’t know how much money they had, just that the treatment and care could be exhaustive.

  “Tell me about the building alongside the lodge.”

  Another quick change. Somehow this all fit together, even if it was only Gray who knew how. “It’s an indoor pool. Drained. So, I guess it’s a giant hole in the ground. Why?”

  “Does Caleb still love the water?”

  “Yes.”

  “How expensive would it be to fix? It could be a really great form of therapy for him.”

  Miah rubbed a hand over his face. “More than I want to spend right now, but if it’s necessary . . .”

  “It’s not. We’re near the lake. When summer rolls around, it will be useful. Caleb can fish, swim. All of that just seems like normal activities, but for him, everything is now therapy. Do you understand?”

  “Yeah.” He could run the numbers. See if the pool could be worked into the budget. He’d just been bragging that the money wasn’t an issue. And now here he was, counting dollars to see if he could rebuild an indoor pool. Of course, the lodge had taken a hefty chunk, and he’d done his homework on what therapy could cost.

  “I really appreciate you coming, Gray. Jamille told me the going rate for an OT. I’m willing to pay that and more if that’s what it takes. I could use you full-time to start, then maybe after a few months, part-time. Can I count on you?” He just wanted to close the deal so they could move on to making a rehab plan for Caleb.

  “I’d be happy to sign off on your paper, Miah. I already have, in fact. But I’m afraid you’ll have to find another therapist. I have to turn down the job. I’m really sorry.”

  And she stood up and strode to the front door, leaving him with his mouth hanging open. The click of the latch snapped his attention. “Wait.”

  She paused, standing in the doorway with the sun slipping in around her.

  “Why?” His heart was sinking.

  “I’m just not the person for the job. Run an ad in the Laver Community Hospital’s employee newsletter. I bet you’ll have five therapists fighting for the position.” She
smiled. But it was that same detached grin she’d offered at the taco stand.

  “I’d always thought you were really fond of Caleb.”

  Her chin rose a degree and that’s when he saw the truth. There was a big part of her that wanted to take the job. It just wasn’t the part that was in control. “I always thought of him as the little brother I never had. Caleb was really special to me, Miah. More than I could ever say.”

  “Just not now that he needs you.” He hadn’t meant to say that and he hadn’t meant for all the bitterness to accompany his words, but this didn’t make any sense. When she hadn’t known it was being offered by Miah, she’d mumbled the word miracle in reference to the job. She needed a job. He had a job perfect for her.

  Gray swallowed and he watched as a carefully placed veil slipped over her features. “I’m sure it’s difficult to understand.”

  His gaze narrowed on her. What was that? That cool, collected attitude? As if she’d spent the last several years covering her real feelings. Fear, quick and sharp, shot into his heart. “Gray? Are you in some kind of trouble?”

  Her eyes fluttered. She tried to hide it. But he’d seen the crack in the marble shell. “No.” She smiled and it was almost convincing. It would be convincing to someone who didn’t know her so well. “Quite the opposite, Jeremiah. Thanks for thinking of me. Give Caleb my love.”

  The door clicked closed behind her.

  Gray scrutinized her reflection after changing her clothes yet again and traipsing to the living room, where the ancient full-length mirror clung to a wall by the front door. “Other than you, David, guys are a great big pain in the butt.”

  He’d been reading a manga book, sitting cross-legged on the couch when she passed him. Nana’s house was warm with the fire blazing in the cute little square fireplace. Cozy. But inside, Gray was all ice chips and frozen organs. Winter had settled into River Rock with all its chilly glory and for the first time, her town felt cold outside and internally. It made no sense whatsoever, things were the same as they’d always been, but knowing more and more McKinleys were in town made the space feel small. And frigid.

  David dropped the book on his lap and pivoted to watch her inspect the angles of her reflection.

  “I hate this one,” she said.

  “It’s a nice dress, Gray.”

  She turned to face him, arms outstretched. “Even the bat wings part?”

  He bit his cheeks when she fluttered her arms, causing the material to dance. He laughed. “Maybe not that part. Can you tuck them in somewhere?” His face scrunched.

  “What was I thinking?”

  David went back to his manga book. “It’s just a date, Gray. No big deal.”

  Oh, it was a big deal. Too big. Which made it even worse. She was a thirty-one-year-old woman who typically didn’t date. “It’s been a while.”

  “I know. You’re like a dinosaur. Date-less-a-saurus.”

  She reached over the couch, grabbed his sides, and trickled her fingers over his ribs. He jumped, laughed, wriggled free, then grabbed her wrists and held her away from him.

  “You’re really getting strong, David.”

  His honey eyes glistened. “Stronger than you.” The front of his button-down shirt was wrinkled from lying on the floor in front of the fire. He’d stoked up the blaze earlier and now had a soot smear on his cheek.

  “That’s not saying much; after all, I’m practically extinct. Now, since I don’t have time to sew up these stupid bat wings, please tell me what to wear on this cursed date.” She snapped her fingers. “And be quick about it. I want to be changed before your mom gets here to pick you up.”

  “She’s coming in this time, you know. You can’t keep her on the front porch forever.”

  Oh Lord. That was all she needed. “I just wanted to have more of the interior done before she saw it. Your house is so nice, pristine, pretty.”

  “Like a museum.”

  Gray sighed. “Yeah.” When Angie had started volunteering at the senior center, she agreed to let Gray pick David up at school three days a week and drive to River Rock, where they’d work on algebra and other subjects Angie referred to as “above her own pay grade.” That suited Gray fine. She loved being the first one to hear about his day.

  David stood and strode into her bedroom, where the closet door hung open and outfits littered the bed. “This is a nice place, Gray. Feels warm and homey. Plus, I can ride my skateboard in the kitchen down the slope in the floor.”

  Gray covered her face with her hands.

  David stood at the closet inspecting the choices. He spun to face her and shrugged. “I got nothing.” Then his eyes landed on her jeans and sweater in the corner. She’d discarded them after throwing them on earlier in the day to run to the store. He pointed to them. “Wear those.”

  A black turtleneck and True Religion jeans. She could add her tall black leather boots. “Really?” she asked him.

  “Sure. You look great in that.”

  Oh. Huh. She hadn’t thought about wearing jeans. They did fit her nicely and made her feel sort of svelte and powerful. Like the perfect cross between a big-city girl and the hillbilly she really was. She closed one eye and pointed at him. “Good choice.”

  Gray shooed him out and changed quickly. She was just tugging on her boots when the doorbell rang. Oh no. “I’ll get it.”

  But it was too late. David had run to the front door and threw it open. Angie stood on the other side and pushed her way in as David stepped aside. “It’s about time I see this place.” She gave him a quick hug.

  “I’ll get my stuff.” David tromped off to the far bedroom and Gray watched from the safety of her room as Angie’s eyes scanned the space. First the cracked walls, the spot of missing ceiling tiles, the peeling wallpaper. Her face said it all. Disgusted. But probably too sweet to say so.

  Gray emerged from her room, hoping Angie would also notice the lovely fire in the fireplace, the pictures of David, sitting on the mantel, the warm quilts and how she’d tried to make it feel like a home. “It’s a work in progress.”

  Angie blinked. “Yes, I can see that. It is safe, though, right? You’ve had the wiring checked?”

  “Oh yes. Of course. That’s the first thing I did. The whole house has been rewired. It was built in 1903. Sort of historical.” Stop it. Stop trying to justify the mess that it was. She’d had no idea how much work would be involved in renovating.

  Angie moved to take a step and the floor creaked. “Is this—” She shifted her weight from side to side.

  “Unlevel, yes. Eventually, they’ll have to jack up the floor.”

  Angie nodded, hands folded in front of her. “Are you still thinking of moving back to Laver?”

  Gray chewed on her cheek. She didn’t know why the image of Jeremiah skated across her mind at the question. “Yes. I really wanted to finish the place and try to make it a home, but I’m not getting many hours at the hospital and this is—” she waved her hands around the room, “—a huge undertaking.”

  “Well, Bill checked with his friend who owns the apartment complex downtown in Laver. He has a cute studio apartment he can let you have. You could save some money. Get back on at the community hospital.”

  A studio. Meant no room for David. Also, no outside space. Not that it was her job to provide those things, it certainly wasn’t, but she’d just hoped . . . she’d hoped . . . well, as her nana used to say, “Spit in one hand and hope in the other and see which one fills up fastest.” Plus, she’d left the Laver Community Hospital a few months ago. It was a nice enough facility but only offered nights. Of course, work was work, and right now she barely had enough to make ends meet.

  Angie dusted imaginary lint from her coat. “Gray, I was wondering if the two of us could get together for coffee soon.”

  Something about the way Angie said that caused a thread of apprehens
ion to skitter over Gray. “Yes. Is everything okay?”

  She brushed a hand through the air. “Yes. Just . . . well, with Bill expanding the business, we’ve taken a bit of a monetary hit.”

  When Gray frowned, Angie painted on a bright smile. “It will be worth it. Just growing pains. But . . . I just need to talk to you.”

  “Anything I can do to help.”

  Maybe Angie was worried about David’s college fund. Maybe they were thinking of borrowing from it. Not that that was any of Gray’s business, but still. She’d been involved with the plans from the beginning. Or maybe Angie just needed a shoulder to lean on. Gray could do that. Angie and Bill had done so much for her, she’d be honored to return even a tiny bit of their kindness.

  David popped his head out of his room. “Gray, you can’t sell this place. It’s too awesome. Mom, there’s a graveyard just a few blocks down. A graveyard. We went for a walk there the other night. It’s totally creepy and cool.”

  A wide-eyed smile was frozen on Angie’s face but her eyes skittered to Gray.

  “I was telling him about the history of the town.”

  This brought a sharp frown to Angie’s brow. And Gray realized the error of her words. Her heart raced to undo the damage. “Just boring dates and events. Anyway, the graveyard has become somewhat iconic.” Don’t worry, she wanted to say, no mention of David’s biological father or his family’s history.

  David came out of the room with his coat on and a backpack across his shoulders. “Gray has a date with a cat doctor.”

  Really, did he have to tell everything? “He’s a veterinarian. We went to school together.”

  Angie clasped her hands in front of her. “You look very nice, Gray. Classy and comfortable. Perfect for a first date.”

  Angie was trying to be nice, but comfortable? Like an old flannel shirt? Or comfortable like a worn-out recliner?

  “I told her what to wear.” David beamed. “She was going to dress like a bat.”