Page 34 of The Doctor's Twins

All things considered; I would have been safer in the army than I was with Mateo. At least I would have come away with fewer bruises and a whole heart.

“Come,” Ben said, “I want to show you something.”

He had the same look in his eyes as a young boy before he showed you his treasured toy collection. I followed him up the stairs, where he stopped in front of a closed door. Then, Ben opened the door and stood aside so I could step into the room.

“This is where I pretend to be Bruce Lee,” he said with a naughty chuckle.

It felt as if I’d stepped into a dojo in an old Japanese movie.

“It’s where I practice.”

“What a beautiful room.”

I imagined Ben in his white suit with a black belt around his waist. He must have been quite a fierce opponent to have won all those trophies and medals. Where was he when Mateo was kicking the snot out of me?

“What are those,” I asked and pointed to the corner of the room.

“That is an agility ladder. Keeps me on my toes…literally,” he smiled. “Then there’s a grappling dummy that tends to fight back, a few breaking boards, and a few other bits and bobs.”

“Is that a Samurai sword?” I asked and pointed to the wall.

“That is my pride and joy. It’s a Samurai Katana I bought when I was in Japan.”

“It’s stunning.”

“Would you like to hold it?”

“I’d love to.”

“Okay. But be careful. It’s ridiculously sharp.”

“You mean, like a scalpel,” I grinned.

“Touché.”

Ben took the word down from the wall and handed it to me. I was fascinated by the handle.

“The wrap on the handle is called the ito.”

“It’s so intricate,” I said and ran my fingers over the design.

“The sword was made by an old warrior.”

“It must have set you back a few paychecks.”

“Worth every penny.”

I handed the katana back to Ben.

“We’d better get back downstairs. I’m sure the gang is about ready to be fed,” he said once he’d placed the sword back in its place.

“Thank you for sharing your passion with me, Ben.”

“You bet.”

I was enjoying myself more than I’d expected. Being near Ben was calming. He had such an immovable inner strength—I was drawn in. It wasn’t the same energy I got from being around Mateo. I had only been with my husband for two years, but it felt as if I’d matured emotionally after the ordeal. I went into marriage as a child and emerged on the other side as an adult.

It was an odd thought.

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