Page 26 of Rescuing Ryder

“Group sessions have proven helpful in healing. It helps you to recognize you aren’t the only one who has experienced traumatic events. Even Whiskey refused at the beginning and now he runs them,” she informed him clinically.

They reached the stairs to the hospital’s front doors. Two vets gathered teens for the nature walk. A young, lone veteran stood to the side of the group, appearing as if he lost hope. Ryder briefly wondered if he seemed like him, making Tex, Wolf and his team concerned for him. Hell, he caught himself walking toward the stranger to offer him hope before realizing he had nothing to give. When he glanced at Claire, she had already walked through the doors and disappeared. He frowned, wondering what wound her up.

Turning toward his cabin, he went to change and find Whiskey. If Claire didn’t want to break some confidential bullshit with him, he’d at least send one of her coworkers her way.

An hour later,he waited while the five soldiers exited the room. Whiskey cleaned up the remaining cookies and poured himself a cup of coffee as he glanced in Ryder’s direction.

“Claire said you might come down to join us. I’m surprised you did, but I’m glad you made an effort. It helps if you participate in the discussion,” he prompted.

Ryder frowned. The session made him want to run from the room. They discussed the trauma of losing limbs, losing their brothers and sisters and divorce. He shut them out when theyarrived at guilt. Ryder didn’t intend to hear their version of it. He carried it inside his chest daily.

“Maybe next time,” Ryder pacified him. “Did you see Claire today? She said she didn’t feel good and canceled our meeting.”

Whiskey added cream to his coffee before addressing him. “I didn’t meet with her today. She called me and asked if I minded if you joined us. She didn’t mention feeling sick.”

“Did she say anything about feeling unsettled in the new house?” he asked.

Whiskey shook his head. “No. She’s excited about finally moving in,” His brow furrowed in concern. “Did she say something to you?”

“She asked if I knew anything about security alarms. Serenity’s a far cry from Seattle. I can’t imagine you experience much crime in town.”

“Hmmm. Matthew would install a system in the new house if she asked him. The women plan to surprise her with a housewarming party once she gets settled,” Whiskey pondered.

“Thanks. I’ll check in with Dr. Winters,” Ryder informed him as he left the room and headed to find the Doc.

A few minutes later, he located Chase in the nursery bent over his wife’s shoulder while she fed and rocked their daughter. Another child lay sleeping in the crib beside them.

He crept inside the door until Chase glanced up. He whispered something to Kassie, who smiled at him.

“Did you need something?” Chase asked quietly, careful not to disturb the babies.

“Can I talk to you outside?” Ryder asked.

Dr. Winters glanced down at his smiling wife and child before following him to the hallway.

“Claire canceled my appointment today mid-session and said she didn’t feel well. She asked about a security system and seemed off,” he informed the doctor.

Dr. Winter’s mouth firmed, surprised by Ryder’s announcement. “She texted me asking for the rest of the day off. Claire didn’t say anything about an alarm. Does she need Matthew to install one for her?”

“I’m concerned why she needs one in a small town like this one. Doesn’t it strike you odd?” he asked.

“No. She has confidential records of patients. I even keep an alarm at home, and I live here. It’s another form of keeping our patients’ confidentiality,” Dr Winters explained.

Ryder’s protective mode settled a bit on hearing the explanation. Of course, it made sense. Her behavior, however, didn’t. Why did he sense something else bothered her?

“Thanks. I wanted to check on her. She seemed a bit distracted from her usual self.”

“I appreciate you checking in. Kassie’s meeting the women for lunch in the community kitchen. I’ll ask her to stop by and see if she needs anything.”

Ryder nodded. He turned and headed toward his cabin feeling relieved that one of her friends might discover why she acted oddly. Rubbing his chest, he walked through the hospital doors, and for the first time in a long time, he didn’t think of his team. Ryder shook his head, attempting to hear the voices of his brothers but he only saw the big, green eyes and blonde hair of the woman who consumed his thoughts more than he liked to admit.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Kassie knocked on the door when she discovered the doorbell didn’t work. When Claire didn’t answer but her car sat in the driveway, she knocked harder. A few minutes later, Claire opened the door.

“I didn’t miss an appointment, did I?” Claire asked as she stepped aside to allow her in.

“No. I came to ask if you might want to join us for lunch. Since you live here now, I wanted to invite you,” Kassie explained as she viewed the newly painted home.

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