“He questions the reasons behind every action in therapy, but I can handle that.” In a matter-of-fact manner with patience, she explained what issue each activity addressed and the science behind it. Most times then they could move on. “But what I’m struggling with is how he keeps looking at me—” Carly searched for the right words, finally deciding on snarky sarcastic ones. “He looks at me all caveman like. As if he’s going to throw me over his shoulder and carry me off.”
And I’m starting to think that’s not a bad idea.
“Oh, my. Seriously?” Carly nodded and Addie continued. “Let’s open that wine. We both need drinks for this conversation.”
When she and Addie reached the kitchen, the hominess surrounded Carly. Large and yet cozy, the painting of a bluebonnet field and other nods to the state gave the space a Texas flare. Carly imagined the room as sunshine streamed in the window over the farmhouse sink and the bay windows in the breakfast nook. Anyone would feel at home here. Addie poured them each a glass of wine. After a long drink, Carly said, “I can’t believe he’s driven me to drink. In a week. Less than that since his first session was on Monday, and today’s Thursday. It scares me to think what he’ll drive me to next week.”
Throwing herself at him in the barn? Oh, wait. She’d already done that, too.
“Maybe I should get you that straw,” Addie teased. “I’m sorry it’s been hard working with Owen, but he’s dealing with so much. He was all over the place emotionally when I stopped by the other day to ask him if he wanted something of Landon’s.”
Guilt bolted through Carly. Maybe her week hadn’t been so bad after all. “Here I am complaining about work, and I’d forgotten all you’re dealing with. Do you need help going through things?”
“Don’t you dare apologize for confiding in me like a friend. I don’t want anyone feeling they have to treat me differently.”
“Got it.” Carly squeezed her friend’s cold hand. “But seriously. Is there anything I can do? If you need me to help sort through things, whatever.”
“I’m going to forget all that for tonight.” She raised her glass. “Here’s to our newest venture. May the friendship and the fun be as good, if not better than the books.”
Addie nodded to the cupboard above Carly. “You can get the serving bowl for the salsa and tortilla chips.”
After seeing to the task, Addie poured the salsa into the smaller center circle and dumped the chips in the outer section. Carly gazed into the living area. With a fireplace, big-screen TV, and plump, puffy furniture, the room was perfect for cuddling up to watch a movie. Her gaze lingered on the large photo on the mantel. Her heart tightened. She recognized it as a wedding photo, probably of Addie and Landon with their parents.
Life could take unexpected turns in an instant. The fact slammed into Carly. What would she have to show for her life if she died tomorrow? A career helping strangers. Important work, but they came into her life, stayed a while, and drifted away. Hopefully better off than before they’d arrived, but there had to be more than this. What about someone who helped hold her together in rough times, who made her laugh when she wanted to cry, and held her when the laughter wouldn’t come?
The way Owen had done more than once, a little voice taunted.
“There has to be more I can do to help, and I’m not talking about getting ready for tonight,” Carly said.
“My and Landon’s parents have been a big help. I boxed up what I wanted to keep, and his parents are storing everything else in their garage. I also made a list of the items I think Landon would want people to have, and my parents are helping deliver those. But for the record, you’re doing exactly what I need by helping Owen.”
“I’m not sure I’m doing him any good. We’ve disagreed about the silliest things.” Carly rattled off the list from their initial session. “If I’d said it was cloudy, he’d say it was partly sunny to see if he could get me to lose my patience.”
“That doesn’t sound like Owen. Sure, he likes to joke around, but not to tick someone off.”
“I think it’s a control issue and told him so. Then I said I wasn’t the best therapist for him. I suggested turning over his case to Joni.”
“He didn’t go for it?”
Carly shook her head at the image of Owen, his face drawn and weary, his gaze locked on her with trust. When her heart tightened, she grabbed the wine bottle off the granite countertop and refilled her glass as far as possible without it overflowing.
“I like roller coasters but working with Owen feels like being on a ride that never stops. I don’t know what to think. He looks at me as if with me he can take on the world and win. He thinks I’m the only one who can help him.”
“That’s exactly why I asked you to work with him.”
“I’m not sure that’s best for either of us. His faith in me and our past could hinder his recovery.”
“Or, it could be what helps him the most and exactly what you both need.”
Addie’s words left Carly shaking in her boots. It would be easy to slip into a relationship with Owen again, to confide in him, and cling to those broad shoulders for support when Ryder and her father’s issues weighed her down.
But now wasn’t the time to start a relationship, not with her life in transition. Once she’d mapped out a plan, had a few adventures, and knew what she wanted, she could consider dating. Even then, Owen wouldn’t be on her list.
“Please, stick with him. With you taking charge of his case, I won’t worry as much. He’s trying so hard to pretend nothing has affected him.”
So much for asking Addie to let her out of her promise.
Carly’s index finger traced the rim of her wineglass. Since Owen kissed her, she couldn’t go longer than ten minutes without wondering what making love with him would be like now. From there, her imagination was off and running, leaving her needing a cold shower. “You know, it’s hard to act professional with someone when you’ve seen each other naked.”
