Page 23 of Rediscovering Rubi

“Coffee for you, baby, and I got pancakes this morning, plus some bacon and fruit.”

“Oh, I… just fruit for me, please,” she said.

She didn’t want to tell him that she shouldn’t be eating pancakes. That she couldn’t bear the idea of ingesting so many calories in front of her smoking-hot husband. As she sipped her coffee and picked at her fruit, her emotions began to spiral.

“You’re awfully quiet, baby,” Logan remarked.

“Mmm,” was all she said, hiding behind her coffee cup.

“Babe,” he said, his tone commanding as he took the cup from her. “Tell me what’s going on.”

She blinked a few times, willing away the tears that lurked behind her lashes.

“I’m…” She stopped herself. “I was about to lie to you,” she admitted. “I was about to say I was fine, but the truth is, I’m not. I guess… I guess I am dropping a little bit.”

“Is that really it?”

His gaze was hard on hers, making her squirm. He knew her too well. And she didn’t want him to know what she was thinking, what she was feeling right now.

She just shrugged again, unable to even begin to formulate an answer.

He got up and came around to her side of the table, hugging her from behind. “Rubi. Baby. It hurts to see you like this. And I hate to know I can’t help you through it. Would it be easier to talk to someone other than me?”

“Like my sister? I’m close with Pearl, but you know I could never talk to her about… about what we’re doing here. Or any of the other military wives, either.”

“No, definitely not your sister, or the wives.”

“Then, do you mean Claudia and Reese?”

“Yeah, maybe. But they also have a good therapist here. Two, I think I read—a married couple—but I feel like you’d be more comfortable with a woman. If I can make you an appointment, would you be willing to go?”

There was so much hope in his voice she couldn’t bear to reject his suggestion, even though she wanted to bury the bad feelings. But maybe it would help.

Maybe.

She took in a deep breath, then exhaled. “Okay. I’m willing to give it a try.”

“Great. I’ll call down to the desk right now.”

Logan had walked her through the lobby and to the door of the therapy office, then given her a kiss on the cheek, telling her he’d be in the cafeteria across the hall having a snack and a cup of coffee while she was in session.

The message from Catherine Denten, one of the resident psychologists at the Ranch, had said to just go on in when she arrived, but standing outside the door, she was nervous.

She took a breath and turned the knob, then slowly pushed the door open.

“Hi, you must be Rubi.” Catherine Denten stood behind her desk but came around to greet her. She was a tall, slender woman with dark hair and dark eyes, and maybe ten years younger than Rubi. “I’m so glad to meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Denten.”

She waved a hand. “Oh, call me Catherine. Can I get you anything to drink? A bottle of water? A cup of tea?”

“No, thank you. I’m fine.”

“Alright. Well, just let me know if you change your mind. Come and sit down, and let’s chat,” she said, gesturing to a pair of chairs angled to face each other.

The woman had looked a bit intimidating when she’d first walked in, but she had a soothing voice, and she was so warm and friendly—like everyone she’d met at the Ranch, really. She supposed it made sense, given that this was a safe space for the vulnerable Littles.

“So, I understand you’re here to reconnect with your husband—and him with you. Do you feel comfortable giving me a bit of your history?”

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