Page 34 of Rescuing Ryder

The smile Ryder carried on his face disappeared. “What do you mean?”

“You’re talking a lot about her. I’m happy she’s helped you, but she has a job to do,” he reminded him gravely.

“Nah, you got it wrong. Did I mention I’m switching to a different doc? She’s got a full load and I’m transferring over to Dr. Hill,” Ryder explained as he ran his hand through his hair and walked in a circle outside his cabin, not remembering how he even got there.

“Melody and I will touch base with you soon and plan a visit.”

“It sounds great, man. Listen, I gotta run. There’s another group session in twenty minutes and I want to make it,” he made an excuse to cut the call.

“We’ll see you soon,” Tex bid him goodbye.

“Thanks.” Ryder disconnected the call. He entered his cabin, grabbed a beer from the fridge, twisted the top off, and downed a few gulps. His stomach churned and his chest grew tight as he thought about his time with Claire. Ryder loved it when he made her laugh. She didn’t get offended by his smart-ass comments. When Claire asked him questions, she never felt intrusive or overbearing until she pegged him the other day with the stupidexercise with the blindfold. She seemed to genuinely listen to what he said. Then again, her job was to listen toallthe patients.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Claire hung up the phone. Dr. Klein didn’t return and her calls to Detective Stewart remained unanswered. After her next appointment, she planned to drive to Seattle and demand some answers. Claire briefly considered asking Chase and the SEAL team leader, Leo, for some advice. Knowing the protective men, they’d help her, which became the crux of her problem.

David Kilner didn’t care who he hurt; a couple of the team’s wives announced their pregnancy. Recently, Kassie and Chase adopted Tori and Catherine gave birth to Grace. She refused to put them in jeopardy, especially when the last communication from the detective stated Mr. Kilner remained locked up tight and she worried for no reason.

Claire absently rubbed her back, thinking the couch in her office needed replacing. Over the last couple of weeks, the thing tortured her relentlessly. The purchase wasn’t meant to become a bed, she bought it for the comfort of her patients who used it for an hour at a time. Claire decided it sucked as a nightly retreat and as soon as she got her act together, she vowed to buy a more comfortable sofa.

A slight knock made her glance up to see her new patient. A young woman, who lost her arm. Sara struggled with the loss of her limb and nothing Claire tried worked to get through to her.

“Come in, Sara,” she greeted her. “Did you help with the service dogs today?”

The quiet young woman shook her head. “I didn’t feel like working with the puppies. I went to the library instead.”

Claire sat down opposite Sara. “Honey, you need to socialize. Dr. Winters informed me he talked to you about the prosthetic arm. Did you give it any thought? I’m happy to stay with you while you ask any questions or while you’re fitted.”

“I haven’t decided anything yet. Kassie said to take my time and ask as many questions as I need. Did my dad call yet? He promised to come visit, but I haven’t seen him since the accident,” Sara told her.

“It’s important for you to feel comfortable. It’s a big decision. Your dad remains at the rehabilitation facility. Once he heals, we’ll ensure you two see each other. We can video call him later if you want. I’ll set up a time with his care team.”

Sara smiled and nodded.

“How about we set a list of goals for next week? Do you think if we list three items, you can finish them before our next session?” Claire encouraged her. “Then we’ll call your dad and you can discuss your options with him this evening.”

“I wish he lived here with us on the mountain. With my mom gone, I can tell he’s lonely and sad,” Sara confessed.

“Sara, your dad needs time to heal, like you. Losing your mom in the accident was traumatic for both of you. How about I see if we can find someone to take you to Seattle to visit him?”

The young woman beamed. “Thank you, Claire. I miss him. Maybe I’ll go see the therapist and she can show me how everything works.”

“Why don’t we make it a goal and you can tell me about it on Monday? I heard one of the veterans searching for some teens to accompany him and Whiskey for a nature walk. Why don’t you join them? I’m sure Kim and Noah will chomp at the bit and I’m worried Kim will tire out. Can you keep an eye on her for me?” Claire used Sara’s need for helping to push her out of her comfort zone.

“Sure, I better see if I can find them.” Excited to walk outdoors, Sara jumped up and exited the office. Claire made some notes and wrote down a list of Sara's goals. Later this evening, she’d place them on the back of her door. She called the rehab center and scheduled a video call with Sara’s dad’s team for 1700.

Finishing the afternoon, her thoughts turned to Ryder. Claire knew she made progress with him because of his reaction to her questions, but it hit him too fast. Ryder faltered and bailed when pushed too soon. From his records, she read the comments from other medical professionals and guessed where they went wrong. Determined to get him past the hurdle, she needed to gain his trust so he would accept what he already knew.

Ryder needed to face the facts. He did everything possible to save the men on the fateful day of his team’s demise. Ryder loved fixing people and things. His need to make everything better was part of his core personality and she noticed it in his actions, from fixing the items she bungled to rendering first aid and his unconscious efforts to support his fellow veterans, especially the young man Scott.

When the attack occurred, Ryder felt helpless for the first time in his life. With his limited resources and overwhelmed by the number of wounded needing immediate attention, he couldn’t save them. If only he understood he did everything right and nothing wrong.

Leaving the hospital, she drove into Seattle to meet with Detective Stewart’s supervisor. Hopefully, he’d take things more seriously than his subordinate.

Entering the building, she insisted upon seeing the captain. The officer at the desk requested she take a seat.

A few minutes later, he returned. “I’m sorry ma’am. Captain Greene’s holding a meeting and can’t be disturbed. Detective Stewart can talk to you in a few minutes.”

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