Page 15 of My Girl
“We will, JJ. I promise. We’ll get our Gabe back. Oh – I’ve got to go. I’ve just seen the doctor step out of his cubicle.”
“Keep me posted. Love you, Sheri-girl.”
“Love you too, JJ. Chat soon.”
The doctor stopped in front of her as she ended the call with her brother. Taking a seat next to her, the doctor leaned forward, resting his forearms on his thighs. He sat like that for a moment6 as if gathering his thoughts.
“Ms Daniels, I’ve repaired the cut on Mr Stone’s leg. It should heal without any problems. Unfortunately, it will leave a scar, but at least that will be the worst of it.” He sat back and turned his head to look at her. “His mental health is another thing. One that needs addressing urgently.”
“I know. I’ve given it some thought while you were busy, and I think that the best solution for all would be for Gabe to be referred to a clinic. I have a colleague I think would be a good fit for him.” At his confused frown, Sheridan explained, “Sorry, Dr Goodman. I should have told you. I’m a psychologist.”
“Ah. Very good then. I’ll write the referral letter to your colleague, and we’ll go from there, yes?”
“Yes.”
The man got to his feet, preparing to leave. He indicated to Gabe’s cubicle. “I’ve given him something to keep him calm. It will make him dopey, but it’ll keep the panic attacks under control for the moment.”
“Thank you, Doctor. I’ll contact my colleague and see if we can organise to get him admitted today still.” Holding a hand out, she continued, “Thank you for everything.”
“You’re welcome.” He gave her a tired smile. “You can have your colleague page me when she gets here, and we can have a meeting.”
“Will do. Thanks.”
He lifted a hand in farewell and made his way over to the admin desk just outside the treatment room. She, too, stood and went back to Gabe.
Gabriel
Three Weeks Later
Gabriel zipped his suitcase closed. He was excited to be going home. He’d only been at the clinic for three weeks, but it sure as hell felt a whole lot longer. He was so over talking about his feelings and dealing with the death of his family, the trauma of the accident, and how close he'd come to losing both the use of his arm and his career.
He needed to get back to living his life. It had been a long time since he’d had nothing to do with his time, and he was feeling antsy. He was anxious to get back on the road. Unfortunately, the clinic’s physiotherapist had agreed with the assessment of his counterpart in Texas. Going back on the road before six months was up would end his career.
His arm was healing well. He still had a fair amount of work to do, though, to get back his previous dexterity. Muscle memory would only go so far. And then there was the small matter of his feelings for Sheridan. Three weeks with nowhere to go and nothing else to do but think still hadn’t resolved the issue in his mind.
For years, he’d been fighting his feelings for her. Gabriel wasn’t sure at what point he’d gone from thinking about her as a little sister to seeing her as the beautiful, sensual woman she’d grown into.
The kiss they’d shared in her kitchen the day he’d finally lost it was etched in his mind forever. He felt it clear to his soul. That he loved her had shifted into perfect clarity. He just had no idea what to do about it. It wasn’t a topic he was particularly eager to delve into with Jarrod.
Since he’d lost his own family, they’d become all he had in this world, and he had no intention of jeopardising that. But could he simply walk away from Sheridan when the time came? When he looked at her, he could see his forever – his white picket fence and two-point-five children. It hurt his head, and heart, to think about it.
Sighing, he went over to the window. The gardens beyond were breathtaking, and he’d spent many hours out there working through the chaos in his mind. A quick look at his watch told him he still had time before Sheridan arrived to collect him. Once last time in the garden would, hopefully, calm his thoughts.
The memorial rose garden was a riot of colour, soothing his racing mind as he wandered to the middle of the walled-in park. An ornate bench stood in the centre, offering a clear, three-sixty view of their beauty. Taking a seat, Gabriel breathed in the perfumed air and felt that shift to quiet – that moment he felt he could exhale.
He tipped his face up to the sun, absorbing the sound of birdsong and stillness. Let his soul settle. Peace seeped into him, and he felt his entire body unclench.
He got so lost in the tranquillity of his surroundings he was startled when he felt someone drop down onto the bench beside him. Turning his head, he found Sheridan. He took in the soft smile she had on her face as her gaze roamed the garden, appreciating it.
“Are you early, or am I late?” he asked.
“Neither. It’s exactly the right time,” she replied.
“Let me go grab my things, and we can be on our way.”
“Cool your jets, champ. Relax. Enjoy the view. We’ll be back to reality soon enough.”
He leaned back against the bench and tried to do as she’d suggested. The smell of her perfume mixed with the scent of the roses drifted by him on the breeze, making him hyperaware of her body pressed up beside him. He’d far rather it be pressed up against him naked as he–
