Page 2 of Operation: Discovery

“There’s a device in the barn I use for mounting and dismounting. You’re welcome to use it if you’d prefer to be more independent. Otherwise, whoever is assigned to you will be able to physically help you get seated in a saddle and that might be less hard on your body.”

The Lord knew exactly how far he’d pushed himself to get where he was. He didn’t feel disabled. He felt challenged. There was a difference, but Rebecca wasn’t even to the place yet where she could make that choice. She was still mourning the loss of ‘normal life’. He prayed that Heather Rose’s drive to get everyone walking again didn’t increase Rebecca’s depression.

“Am I going to fit in here if I don’t ride?” Rebecca bit her lip. “I’m just not ready for something so new.”

Connor slowly nodded. “You’ll absolutely fit in. You’ve got time. You’re welcome to stay here as long as you need. You’re safe here. You are you. No one can take that from you.” He pointed to the rules on the wall and quickly explained them to Rebecca.

Brendon tuned out that part because he’d heard it a million times in a million different ways and he wasn’t so sure he agreed with them, but they came with the job. He preferred the original Ten Commandments to Connor’s improvised ones. But those rules had worked to keep the ranch running smoothly so far.

“Brendon, why don’t you show Rebecca to her room?”

Brendon gave a nod and waited for Rebecca to back her way out of the narrow space between the two couches, then out the door. He was used to maneuvering around in Connor’s office, but that would take time for her. “Follow me,” he said once he reached the hall.

She slowly pushed the hand rim, letting the chair do most of the work. He led her to the end of the hall. On the left was an office they’d used for storage for Christmas trees, decorations, and books that had no place anywhere else. Now, the room was clean with a lowered bed in the center, making it easier to do a chair-to-bed transfer. A nightstand stood close to the right side and her one suitcase waited atop the bed, ready to be opened and relieved of its contents.

“Are you too tired to unpack right now? I can move that if you want.”

She shook her head. “I can lay on the other side for now. Thanks.” She pushed her way inside.

“My office is the one across the hall if you need anything, and a nurse will be here later today to help you with whatever else you might need. She’s here specifically to help you.”

Rebecca closed her eyes. “Good. I was more than a little worried that one of the guys around here would have to help me dress and take baths. I’m not quite capable of doing that alone yet and I wasn’t looking forward to asking for help.” She didn’t maintain eye contact and clenched her hands together.

With her past, he couldn’t blame her discomfort. Even without her past, he couldn’t. “I’ll send her over as soon as she arrives, so you can discuss your needs with her. Don’t be afraid to tell her what you do and don’t need help doing.” He slowly backed out of the room, wishing he’d been half as direct with Dee back then.

“Dr. Ruse, thank you.” Rebecca rolled slowly around the bed and locked the wheels on her chair.

“Call me Brendon, and you’re welcome.” Usually, thanks didn’t come until much later. He hoped that the trauma that brought her to Wayside wouldn’t hinder her healing, but she was already proving to be different from any other case he’d worked on before.

ChapterOne

Asoft noise by Brendon’s office door made him look up as memories slammed him hard enough to take his breath away. Dee Heather Rose stood in the doorway wearing a pair of colorful, shapeless scrubs that somehow managed to make her look just as tiny and muscular as she had years ago, like a gymnast or dancer. Her hair was pulled back in a standard ponytail and still the color of hazelnut coffee. Her eyes matched her hair to perfection.

She had been the nurse at his side when he’d come back to the States after the injury that made him paraplegic. They’d formed a bond from the moment they were introduced and became close very quickly. Too quickly.

Her glance nervously danced over his room, the pictures, the screens on his walls for meetings, then back to him.

“Good morning,” he said. Though he was sure it would be anything but.

She came inside two steps before she answered, the clean scent of her hair or soap tickling his nose, then she clasped her hands together in front of her. “Brendon. It’s been a long time.”

He wanted to be rude, to say it hadn’t been long enough. Yet, his faith was like a filter over his mouth, making him want to fight against his sinful nature. Fighting against anger was the right thing to do. Letting himself be angry was the easy way out, and therefore the wrong way. “A long time.” He settled for sounding calm and aloof.

She took a seat, then looked him straight in the eyes. “Look, I’m going to be here for the next few months to help a patient of yours. I’m happy to do it. A lot has changed since we parted ways. I just wanted you to know that I’m the right woman for this job. I can help Rebecca.”

People change all the time.He’dchanged. Connor had made the decision for Dee to be here. Now he’d have to do what three other Wayside men had already done: face their regrets. That, in itself, was a stress. All three of the others were either married or planning a wedding in the next year. That would not be how his story ended.

“I’m glad. It’s our mission to make sure these people leave here well-equipped to face the challenges of life. A person who’s had the use of their legs up until recently, then suddenly doesn’t, has unique challenges that most of our guests don’t. Rebecca has literally doubled the usual trauma of one of our guests.”

Her pretty mouth formed a flat line. “I know. All too well. I’m sure, with our history, there could be the potential for discomfort. I just want you to know that I’ll do my best to keep our relationship completely professional.” Her cheeks grew pink.

He wondered just what made her suddenly blush and realized he’d been staring at her lips. He quickly focused on her eyes. “Good. That’s the best for all involved.”

She nodded quickly. “I agree.” Dee stood and held out her hand. “I’m glad we can put our past behind us and work together.”

He wasn’t so sure he could leave their past alone, but he reached out to shake her hand, anyway. What was the harm in touching her? They’d parted years ago when she had refused to let him be content with the life he’d been given. He now enjoyed life and saw every day as an exhilarating challenge. She’d wanted him to try every possible option to walk again, until she’d finally pushed him away. Obviously, she wasn’t content with who he was. Without that, love wasn’t possible.

The moment their hands touched, she gasped. A strange feeling skittered up his arm. She squeezed his hand tighter, and her gaze locked with his.

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