Page 27 of Code Trauma

“Oh no! What happened?”

“It’s a long story. Ask Garrett if you’re still speaking to him.”

Surprise flickered across Rachel’s face and Holly sighed. “I’m sorry. That was petty.” She paused. “Did you know he was married?”

“No.” Rachel’s features tightened, and a fist curled at her side. “I can’t believe I was such an idiot.”

“Oh, honey, you weren’t an idiot. Just deceived by a very good deceiver.”

Rachel shook her head. “I’ve got to get back to work.”

She hurried away, and Holly nodded to Andy. “I’m ready, I guess.”

Andy escorted her to his car while the sheriff went in search of Dr. Mann.

The trip to the motel took all of three minutes, and soon he was standing inside her door while she set her bag on the bed. The fact that she insisted on getting it herself, refusing to let him carry it for her, spoke volumes. “Holly, can we please talk?”

“I’m still processing, Andy.”

He sighed and dropped his chin to his chest. “All right.” He turned to go.

When his hand landed on the knob, she covered it with hers. “Wait.”

“What?”

“I’m not being fair to you. If you want to talk, then we should talk.”

His burden shifted. “I would really appreciate it.”

She gestured to the small table in the corner. “Have a seat.”

He did, and she lowered herself into the chair opposite him. “Andy, I love you. If I didn’t, I would have just walked away from you. But I don’t do that with people I love.”

“Like I did?”

“Yeah, pretty much.”

He nodded. “I know. But thank you for sticking with me.”

“I’m going to be honest. I’m having trust issues.”

“I know. And all I can do is promise to never do that to you again.” He cleared his throat. “My therapist is helping me understand that my childhood has had a big impact on who I am as an adult. And ... I have trust issues of my own.”

“Of course you do. Who wouldn’t?”

“But that’s just it. I thought I’d gotten past all that. I met you—as an adult—and it was everything I’d dreamed of for years. Being with you, loving you, ... it changed me. In a good way.”

She bit her lip, and tears flooded her eyes. “I’m glad to hear that.”

“And then Chris was killed, and it nearly killedme. All my life, I’ve handled my problems on my own because I had to. My counselor pointed out that I simply don’t know how to lean on someone else for emotional support.” He frowned. “And I guess I have to admit that’s true. But,” he took her hands, “I want to learn. And I want that person to be you.”

She sniffed and nodded. “I do too, Andy.”

“Then we can try again? Will you give me a second chance?”

She smiled. “I want to.”

“I want you to.”

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