Page 55 of Mended Hearts

“Oh.”

“But I didn’t know the extent of everyone’s injuries. I was the last one to leave the hospital and was sent straight home.”

Her hand tightens around mine.

“Do you suffer from PTSD?”

Normally, these questions would make me feel as if I’m being interrogated and I wouldn’t answer them, but with Echo, I’d talk about the weight of animal poop if it meant I was privileged enough to have a conversation with her.

“No, I don’t. Mine’s all natural.”

She snorts. I begin rubbing my thumb in circles against the delicate skin of her hand.

“Something happened to Brian over there. It’s damn near like he’s been possessed.”

Dropping her hand, I turn and face her. “Did he hurt you?”

She looks down and shakes her head.

“You’re going to have to do better than that.” I lightly grab her face, directing her to look at me.

“He didn’t hurt me. He’s just mean.” She sniffles. Her eyes meet my stare as tears begin to spill down her face.

I open my arms and, without hesitation, she’s in them again. I hold her tight against my chest as she cries. I begin talking once her body starts to still against me.

“The mind can be a scary place. While I’m not excusing his behavior and really want to hurt his feelings or face for the wayhe’s made you feel, I believe Brian left a physical war to now be trapped in a mental one.”

“And how does one win that war?”

“They first have to realize they’re in it,” I say, brushing the hair off the side of her face.

She sits up and wipes her face of all evidence and then stands.

“Okay. I came here to get away and get my mind off things.” She holds a hand out to me, pulling me up. “Help me get my mind off things.”

THIS WASN’T WHAT I was expecting when I agreed to help get her mind off things. I believe I was tricked by a pretty girl. I roll the paint roller through the pool of white as Echo does the same from the other side of the kitchen.

“I thought you finished this back in August.”

“No, I only managed to get the front part of the house done. So just the back part minus my old room, and the porch are all that’s left.” She stretches her body skyward, trying to reach as much of the wall as she can.

“You okay over there?” Lynsie walks in, eyeing me with one brow raised, completely amused by catching me watch Echo.

“Did someone call for beer and pizza?” Dax announces, carrying two boxes of pizza in one hand and a twelve pack in another. Lynsie’s empty-handed as she should be.

Echo turns around, giving Lynsie a big smile. “So glad y’all could come over.”

“What? You had to call for backup? I wasn’t good enough company for you?” I tease her.

“Oh hush.” Echo waves me and my bruised ego off. “I merely called in reinforcements.”

“It’s good to see you, Dax.” She walks up to my brother and playfully smacks his cheek. “I see that peach fuzz is finally thickening up,” she jokes as she rubs his facial hair.

I run my fingers along my wooly beard, jealous. I have facial hair. Why isn’t she touching mine? Lynsie glances over, catching me in the act, and she snickers. I drop my hand before Echo catches me, too.

I really like the idea of my brother and his wife being here because it’ll keep any other awkward moments from happening. But I don’t like the idea of this project being cut in half. The four of us will knock this out in no time. Then what will I do to justify staying near her?

“So, Dax. Do you plan on starting your own woodcarving business?” Echo asks, striking up conversation as we all sit around the pizza, eating.

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