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Blake’s thoughts froze.
“You’ve been talking to Annie,” he said, half accusation and half…he didn’t know what.
“She believes that you plan to live alone the rest of your life because of this thing. Because you’re afraid of what you might do.”
“Wouldn’t you be?”
“Depends.”
“On what?”
“How well you manage yourself. What control you’ve been able to gain over it. How often these episodes happen. How much it actually affects your ability to be productive every day.”
“One episode could be all it takes.”
“So could an explosion with my gas grill. Or a car accident. Does that mean you’ll never drive anyone?”
Cole didn’t understand. The ramifications of living as he did weren’t something anyone could understand if he hadn’t been there….
“Let me ask you this.” Cole was in one of his irritatingly positive, dog-with-a-bone modes. “What does your doctor say about your chances of having a relatively normal family life?”
Blake’s sessions with Dr. Magnum were confidential.
“Have you asked her?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
It didn’t matter what she said. She wouldn’t have to live with any consequences.
“Blake?”
“She sees no reason whatsoever that I can’t marry and raise a family.” He bit out the words. They were like salt in a wound. Because no matter what the doctor thought, if Blake didn’t believe it, then nothing else mattered.
BLAKE WAITED ANOTHER half hour. Called Annie four times more, and then called Becky. He didn’t know her. Had to look up her number in the phone book. Other than the one night, he’d probably never even been around her—unless she’d been in the diner on some poker night when he’d stopped to eat.
But Cole had spoken of her so often, in reference to Annie, that he felt as if he knew her. More importantly, he knew how well she knew Annie.“Blake? Is something wrong? You need help?” Annie’s friend asked as soon as he’d identified himself, her voice filled with concern.
And sympathy…Which was one of the reasons no one knew about his disorder. Or the other residual effects of captivity. He didn’t need folks walking on eggshells around him.
“I’m looking for Annie,” he said. “Have you heard from her?”
“Not since this morning. I had some trouble with my son and we talked a couple of times.”
He hadn’t realized Becky had a son. Had only just recently put together that Annie’s best friend was also Luke Chisum’s ex. “Is everything okay?”
“As good as can be expected when a single woman is raising a fifteen-year-old boy.”
“He’s pushing his boundaries, huh?”
“You could say that.”
Blake had no idea why he was engaging this woman in conversation. He’d never properly met her, and yet here he was, acting as if they were old friends.
Just because she knew Annie so well? Did he have it so bad that he was latching on to his ex-wife’s life? Trying to live with her vicariously, since he’d never be doing so for real?
God, he hoped not.
