Chapter 20
The following day, Hannah’s gaze swept over her room.
Dr. Meyers spent two hours with her explaining her options.
They increased her therapy appointments, much to her disappointment.
She knew logically anyone who refused to speak for two years probably needed guidance.
Yet, after leaving the hospital for a short time, she needed to get out.
She no longer wanted to hear the sounds of machines beeping, nurses interrupting her sleep to take her blood pressure, or having another meal brought to her on a tray.
Sighing, Hannah paced the room. When did it become small?
It felt as if the boredom over the last two years refused to continue.
Staring out her window no longer felt like her favorite pastime.
It felt more like she wasted the last two years.
The fear and paranoia remained and the nightmares haunted her.
Her body may have shut down, but her mind went complacent.
When she finally gave herself permission to think and feel, it forbade her to go back to hiding in her shell.
“Hi, Hannah,” Kassie said, smiling as she entered her room.
“I want to get out of here,” she blurted.
Kassie’s eyes flared wide before her expression turned neutral. “Where do you want to go?”
Hannah sat for a minute, undecided. “I don’t know. The noise bothers me now. I don’t like people coming into my room at night,” she confessed.
“We have a cabin subdivision where veterans transition before returning home. Of course, I’ll need to check with Dr. Meyers to ensure she’s onboard.
If she approves, you’ll be responsible for getting your own groceries and getting around.
We have a van to take people to town, and it runs on a schedule.
Do you feel ready to take it on?” Kassie asked, regarding her closely.
“It makes me feel overwhelmed. But this room feels tiny, like the walls are closing in on me. I’m afraid to go outdoors, but I’m scared if I stay inside, I’ll lose my mind…again.”
“It’s understandable,” Kassie agreed. “How do you feel about a walk to check them out? I’ll see if Dr. Meyers can accompany us.”
“Doesn’t it seem weird to you to call her Claire one minute and Dr. Meyers the next?” she asked.
“We like to maintain a professional manner here at the hospital. Outside it, we’re friends,” she explained.
“I know. I saw how all of you interacted with one another. You trust those men,” Hannah said, biting her nail.
“I do, with my life. Leo and the team have saved a few of us on the mountain,” Kassie agreed.
“What’s the deal with him and all those socks? They have crates of them and how stupid he set up an auto shipment,” Hannah said, annoyed.
“What do you mean?”
“I worked in supply. Leo seems like a smart man. I don’t see him clicking all those buttons while on the phone with you. I’d love to get my hands on his computer to see what he did,” she said, as she imagined fixing the problem.
Kassie took out her phone and hit dial. “Hi, Leo. I’m in Hannah’s room.
Did you know she worked in supply? She says she’d love to get her hands on your computer to figure out your ‘sock gate’ problem.
” A second later, she placed her device in her pocket.
“He’ll be here shortly. Leo says if you fix it, you can name your price. ”
“Ha,” Hannah said. “Men say anything when they’re desperate.”
“Leo’s rarely desperate. Well, only when he’s in trouble with Catherine,” she joked.
Five minutes later, the man himself entered her room and placed his computer before her. “Do you want a job?”
Kassie gasped. “Leo, she’s a patient.”
“It’s not as if we haven’t hired others. Hell, Liam’s here,” Leo said, determined.
Hannah bit her lip as she turned the computer toward Leo. “I need your password.”
Leo typed it in and returned it to her. “The receipts are in the file marked shit show.”
Hannah clicked on the folder and compared the notes. She typed in the website and read the fine print. “How many orders did you accept?”
“Whiskey took the first one and they delivered the second,” Leo said grumpily.
“Hmmm.” She picked up her phone and dialed the number listed on the website. “Hi. May I speak with Eugene Parks, please?”
She waited while they transferred her.
“Eugene Parks, speaking. How can I help you today?”
“I’m the chief supply specialist for Serenity Securities. I’m calling concerning the invoices marked 10-429 and 12-429. I didn’t approve this last shipment. I’ve checked the paperwork and there’s not an auto shipment code listed anywhere. When can I expect you to pick up your error?”
The man stuttered. “I’m unable to accept any returns. You’ll have to call customer service and arrange it.”
“May I speak with your manager, please?” she asked, firmly.
“He’s not in today,” he hastily replied.
“I see your office and warehouse are located in Seattle. I’ll have my employees load it up and bring it to you.
Then, I’ll stop by and speak with customer service myself.
I checked the order form and there isn’t an auto shipment option.
We’re not about to take on your problems. Either you send someone here today to pick up your little mishap or my men will drop them off at customer service with your name on every single box, do I make myself clear? ”
“Ugh, yes, ma’am,” he said with panic in his voice.
“I’ll expect someone here no later than 2:00 PM,” she ordered before hanging up.
She shut down the screen and slid it back to an astonished Leo.
“They’re trying to unload their unwanted merchandise on you.
The first order’s on you. When you accepted the last batch, they took advantage of you.
Plus, you’re paying too much. For the amount you ordered, you should be paying a quarter of the price. ”
“What do you want?” Leo asked.
“Nothing. It felt good to take out my aggression on something,” she said, smiling.
“Nope, you saved me a bundle. Name your price,” Leo demanded.
“A simple thanks will do,” she assured him.
Leo narrowed his eyes. “I’m serious, Hannah. I employ veterans from this hospital. Patch can vouch for me. Wait a minute, he’s probably not a good example because he’s an asshole. Kassie can tell you when she stops laughing,” he grumbled.
Kassie’s laughter filled the room. “I take back what I said about him being desperate.”
“I can’t work for you. Yesterday, I came because the ladies went with me. You can’t provide me with a personal escort every morning,” she reasoned.
“Done. Can Sparky and Cole bring you over?” he asked seriously.
“No. I can’t work there. I’ll need an office and right now, staying closed up in a room doesn’t appeal to me,” Hannah said, avoiding his gaze.
“Bear sometimes works remotely. What about something like that?” he insisted.
“Calm down, Leo. I’m speaking with Claire about moving Hannah to one of the cabins while she continues therapy. Why don’t you give her time to settle in? She has experienced a wild couple of days,” Kassie advocated.
Leo sighed, rubbing his forehead. “I need you, Hannah. I’ll work with you on accommodations.”
“May I think about it?” she asked. “I don’t even know what I want.”
“Don’t push her,” Kassie warned. “Take your time, Hannah. You have no obligation to Leo. He may be desperate, but he knows the rules.”
“Shit, Kassie, I’m past desperate. She knows what she’s doing. Between the babies, extra staff, and the team in Texas, I’m drowning.”
“Leo,” Kassie growled.
He held his hands up in surrender. “All right. All right. If you change your mind, let me know. I appreciate your help, Hannah.” He gathered his items and winked before leaving.
“Wow, he’s intense,” she whispered.
“He’s under a lot of stress. A friend of ours has disappeared, and the team’s trying to locate her,” Kassie informed her.
“With the addition of the new employees, setting up the other team and a new baby, he’s stretched too thin.
Don’t take it personally. Let me talk to Claire and I’ll call you when she’s available to tour the cabins with us. ”
“Thanks, Kassie,” she murmured as Kassie left the room.
Her body hummed as she recalled working the familiar task.
It felt like home. She may not have enjoyed the military, but she did love her job.
Organization, paperwork, and supplies called her name.
She glanced out the window and at the clock.
Usually, Cole visited her by now. Since she came out of her stupor, did he deem her healed and didn’t want to see her?