Page 5 of Blind Trust
“I do, too,” she said. “But she has healed physically to the extent she will heal, and now she has to wrangle the emotional aspects of her recovery. You can help. There aren’t many men who come here, for her to talk to.”
“She’s amazing,” he said. The beautiful woman he was attracted to had survived more than many veterans he knew.
“She is,” Leah said.
“Where’s the guy now?”
“Behind bars for a very long time,” she said, her gaze hardening.
“Not in for life?”
“The prosecutor was new.” She shook her head. “And not a good one.”
Brian watched Leah’s face as she spoke, keeping his thoughts to himself. Thoughts of what he could do to the man filled his mind. The guy was lucky to be behind bars.
Leah studied his face as well, no doubt using her therapist’s skills, and likely reading his emotions. He knew he had to keep his temper under control. He could manage that. He wasn’t one to do something stupid.
The past was nothing he had any control over. What he could do was protect Cecelia now, and in the future, to make sure no one else hurt her. And that was a job he would take very seriously.
Hearing her story had brought out his protective instincts.
“The best thing you can do for Cecelia now,” Leah said, “is to understand where she’s coming from. She has fears about going beyond the boundaries of the ranch and has deep fears about going on a date. It’s not aboutyou; it’s about going on a date withanyone. And her PTSD may kick in if you do convince her. The recent arson attack on the ranch house hasn’t helped things. She needs someone to talk to besides me. She needs a friend.”
He nodded, listening. “We can start out being friends,” he said. “But I’m still going to keep asking her out.”
“Good.” Leah nodded. “That will boost her self-esteem. Just don’t push her too hard. Keep it light.”
“Will do,” he said.
So, Cecelia’s afraid to go out on a date? Then we won’t go ‘out’. We’ll go in.
If he couldn’t get her to go out on a date to a place away from the ranch, then he’d have to date her here at the ranch.
There was more than one way to woo a woman.
He’d go slow, and she’d learn she could trust him.
Trust had to be earned, and that took time.
* * *
The following week,Brian walked into the ranch house carrying his lunch. Cecelia could always tell it was Brian when he entered the room, because he smelled so good.
Today the scents she was picking up on were Brian and something yummy, likely a sandwich.
Her stomach growled, and she realized she was hungry though it was only eleven o’clock. Early for her to eat lunch and early for him to be here.
“Hello, Brian,” she said, with a smile. “You’re early today.”
“How did you know it was me?” he asked as he stepped over to Cecelia’s desk, holding his lunch.
“By your scent,” she said, her smile deepening. She was not about to tell him how good he smelled.
“Again with the scent. You’re like a bloodhound,” he said. “You always know when I am near.”
“A little,” she said and laughed.
“How are you today?” he asked, his tone deepening.
