Chapter 28
If he knew Calla better, or if it had been back before he’d gained some responsibility, no question they would be having sex. Calla deserved better.
He adjusted on the couch, trying to find a more comfortable position.
“How is your leg? Do you need to take it off?”
He met her gaze, wondering if she would freak out if he slid it off. It didn’t seem like she would.
“It’s okay.”
She raised her eyebrows and looked at him doubtfully. “It’s fine if you do. I can leave the room.”
"No, you don't have to." He'd put on some of Griz's shorts earlier so he could more easily take his leg off without having to strip down to his underwear.
He sat forward and removed the prosthetic, setting it aside. Calla didn't move for a moment, then she reached out and almost touched the stump that was sticking out of the shorts.
“Do you mind?”
He shook his head. Not one woman had ever wanted to touch his leg. Of course, he hadn't been with anyone save one woman who took pity on him but then was disgusted by his injury.
Calla didn’t seem disgusted at all as she ran her hand over the bumps and lines left from the surgeries he’d had.
She glanced up, her hand still on his leg. “Do you ever feel like it’s still there?”
He nodded. "Every so often, I have dreams of running or playing ball or doing something that takes two legs. I also have nightmares of the explosion."
“I’m sorry you have to relive that.”
“Yeah, sometimes it’s not even the real explosion but some wild version of events that didn’t really happen.”
“Does massaging help?”
He nodded. “It does.”
Her hand on his leg was making him feel all sorts of things, and if he wasn't careful, she was going to see evidence of it soon.
After a few more seconds, she moved her hand and sat back.
"When I was locked up in my room for days on end, especially when he chained me, I wondered if I was brave enough to cut off my hand or something to escape.
I never tried. I mean, I tried to escape, just never tried to get out when he had me chained and would leave the door unlocked. "
“I don’t know if I would be able to do that. I’ve read stories of people trapped in the mountains or something and them removing limbs, but it would take a lot.”
She nodded. “I’m glad I didn’t have to resort to that. You and your friends showing up was my miracle.”
He squeezed her hand. “Have you started seeing a therapist?”
“Not yet. I have an appointment next week. It’s a video appointment, so I’m not sure how that will go.”
"I'm sure it will be fine. I've done some video appointments, and they are usually good."
She nodded. “I just don’t know even where to start.”
“I’m sure it’s a lot to deliver, but therapists are trained. They’ve heard a lot.”
“I know. I’m just afraid they’ll think I’m lying.”
“Why do you think that?”
She shook her head. “Brent always told me that no one would believe me if I told them what he’d done.”
“He was wrong. They’ll believe you. I believe you, and so do a lot of other people.”
She sighed and closed her eyes. He could tell she was tired, but he wasn’t going to push her to go to bed. If they ended up falling asleep on the couch, that was fine.
Calla woke to someone moving around the kitchen. She had a blanket thrown over her, and her head rested on the arm of the couch.
She sat up, seeing Thario outside with Griz. Guilt washed over her.
When she stood, she made eye contact with Elowen, who smiled at her.
“I guess I kicked him off the couch.”
She smiled. “He liked talking to you. Said it was nice to have someone treat him with dignity.”
“I like him.”
“Good.”
She headed to the bathroom to freshen up before pulling on a pair of sweats and a sweatshirt. After slipping on her shoes, she headed outside to sit with everyone.
“Hey, good morning,” Griz said as he saw her approach.
Both dogs got up to greet her. She scratched both of them, and they ran off together to the other side of the yard.
“Hello.”
“Do you want any coffee?” Elowen asked.
“Not today.” She liked coffee, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to start drinking it every morning.
She sat, and Thario reached over and squeezed her knee. She took his hand and held it for a few seconds.
“Was there any storm damage?” Calla was curious how bad the storm had gotten.
“Not here or at the main house. The electricity came back on around two in the morning,” Elowen said.
"The tree that blocked the road has been cut down and moved," Griz said.
“That’s good,” Calla said. “So when are the guests at the cabin leaving?”
“Tomorrow. That means I need to clean the place up tomorrow afternoon. Someone else is coming in tomorrow evening.”
“Wow, that’s great.”
Elowen chuckled. “It is, but it means I’ll be busy all day. Don’t get me wrong. Having people rent the place out is how I make money, so I’m happy for the work.”
“I can help you clean tomorrow,” Calla offered.
“You don’t have to.”
“I want to. Honestly, I need to keep busy.”
“Okay, I’d love to have your help.”
“My computer equipment may be delivered either today or tomorrow. Are you okay if I help?”
A thrill slid through Calla, but it wasn’t up to her to okay Thario helping. She liked spending time with Thario and would be thrilled even if it was while she was cleaning toilets.
Elowen shrugged. “If you want to, I won’t stop you.”
“Cool. I’ll bring over stuff for lunch.”
“Oh no—“
Thario interrupted. "I insist. You've fed me enough. It's time I bring something to the table."
Elowen raised her hands in defeat. “Okay. If you insist. And thank you for offering to help.”
“I’m happy to. I like spending time with you all.”
This was working out much better than Calla had expected. It seemed like she was going to get a chance to spend a lot of time with Thario. Maybe it would slow down once he had his computers, but she hoped he still came around.