A Masterpiece Unraveled (The Masterpiece Trilogy Book 2) (15 page)

Okay, she'd just go with it for now. She followed him up the walkway.

"Hunter?" the woman asked.

"That's me. This is my girlfriend, Becca." He reached for her hand.

"Ready to see what's inside?"

Why would they look inside?

"Absolutely. If it's possible, could you give us a few minutes alone in there first?" Hunter squeezed Becca's hand.

"Sure," the woman said slowly, opening the door, then took a step back to let them in.

Hunter nodded, moving inside. "Thank you."

Becca took in her surroundings, still confused. The tile on the floor was plain white squared. What was this? What had it been before?

Hunter led her to the middle and took both her hands in his. "I see you're caught off guard. Hear me out?" He kissed her lips gently.

After she nodded, he took a deep breath and started talking.

"I have a vision in my head of this space as a gallery and studio. I see plenty of fun community events. Working with kids doing what you love. If you want, this could be yours. I'll snap it up in a heartbeat and help set up. We'll create a business plan."

She tried to take her hands out of his to tell him why this wouldn't work.

"Not done yet, angel." His eyes bore into hers.

Becca stopped, listening with interest.

"I know you what you're going to say. Or at least, I have a pretty wild guess. Your voice. But the actual events and opening would take a few months, maybe more, to put together. It gives you plenty of time for everything to get back to normal. In the meantime if you want to find something to do immediately for work, Beverly has some ideas, or you could come and work at the facility. Even if your voice comes back soon, I don't know if there'd be any art teacher openings at the schools. You can always apply next year."

Hunter had put a lot of thought into this. It wasn't just one of his spur of the moment ideas, either. This had been well planned.

"I know for some reason you've always hesitated at the idea of having a gallery or even selling at one. That's kind of why I like the idea of you being able to teach, too. It's two for one."

Becca's breath hitched, overwhelmed with emotion from Hunter's thoughtfulness. He still knew her so well. The distance she'd felt from him faded slightly when she realized he still wanted only the best for her. He knew her dreams and wanted to help further them even when she balked.

"I see tears." Hunter wiped one away with his thumb. "Good or bad?" He seemed genuinely worried.

She knew she startled Hunter when she threw her arms around his neck in a big hug. When she let him go, he looked a little shocked.
"You know I don't mean to fight with you so much, right? You still know how to get me right where it counts. I'm touched. I don't know if I can say yes right this minute, but the idea is beautiful and amazing."

"So what do you think?" The saleswoman walked in. Not so perfect timing. Becca wanted to know how long she had to decide. A place like this could be gone in the blink of an eye. She didn't want to commit right away.

"I think we both love it, but are a little hesitant to jump right this minute. How long until you need a definite answer?" Hunter asked, sliding an arm around Becca's waist to pull her close.

The woman pursed her lips and tapped her fingernails against her purse. "Five days. And that's being generous. I see the look in your eyes of how much you want it, so I'll grant a slight extension. This place could go quick."

"Yeah, I know. I appreciate it." Hunter turned to Becca. "We've got some big decisions to make."

At least this time, in terms of this specific decision, it could lead to great things if she put her fears aside.

Chapter Twelve

Today could go any which way. Hunter stared at the tired stranger in the mirror as he shaved. One of the moments he dreaded most happened in a few hours. The doctors appointment. He couldn't put it off. He had to get better, not only for his own sanity, but for Becca, Sienna and all the others who cared about him. The ups and downs between him and Becca had to ease up somehow, and one of the sure ways of doing so would be this appointment. He'd never, ever been so scared of a damn doctor's appointment in his entire life. Not for himself, anyway. How did he start off?
"Oh, everyone thinks I'm crazy. I have nightmares that I try to find clues from. I'm cranky as hell and I blend dreams with reality and hurt the woman who means the world to me."
Might as well bring in the men in white coats from the start!

Grunting, he tapped the razor against the sink and rinsed it. He was surprised there were no cuts as he'd barely been paying attention. A flash of movement from the bedroom startled him.

Just Becca. Their eyes met. Right there was a huge reason to face it all. The only woman who'd ever managed to capture his heart. And Sienna,too. That way he didn't ever make her cry with an angry outburst as he had a few weeks ago aimed at her mother.

Becca edged toward him, her eyes full of compassion. She slid her hand over his face before leaning in for a kiss.
"You're terrified about this, aren't you?"

Was he that transparent? "Very. I don't do well with talking to people, not about these things. Look how long it took for me to even let you know. I don't know what the hell they're going to say. I've done a lot of regretful stuff in the past few months. You're worried I'll leave because of what we find out from your past? Well I'm terrified you'll leave because you can't handle me and whatever is wrong. I couldn't even blame you if you did." But he'd be devastated, no doubt.

"Despite how much we fight and push, I don't want to go anywhere, Hunter."

"And I don't want you to be afraid of me anymore." Though the past few days had been decent, she still seemed afraid.

Becca stared back at him.
"I'm trying."

"I know," he whispered. What if it wasn't enough? What if they were too far gone and broken to repair things? How long could they try to stay strong for the other? "Let's go get this over with." He grabbed his wallet and keys, nearly stumbling over a shoe left on the floor.

Becca put a hand on his elbow and faced him.
"Want me to drive? I can tell you're not concentrating well."

He almost protested, then realized she was only trying to help. He gave himself a mental pat on the back for keeping his tongue in check. If he could keep himself from getting on the defense, he'd take it. "Yeah, that's fine. Thank you."

Hunter gave her directions while they were en route. The closer they got to the doctor's office, the more nervous Hunter became. Weird sensations formed in the pit of his gut. He clenched a fist and fidgeted in his seat. Wow, he really was bad off.

Becca turned and found a parking spot. They were here. Hunter stared at the building, wishing it wasn't there. No, he wished he weren't there. Why was getting help so damn difficult? Was it going to make that much of a different knowing what was wrong instead of not knowing? He'd still be the same screwed up person.

He blew out a breath, counted to three and forced his legs to cooperate. He was halfway across the parking lot when Becca caught up to him. She took his hand. They walked into the office together squeezing hands. Literally squeezing. Guess they were both nervous about this appointment.

Hunter filled out all the paperwork still holding Becca's hand. The first time he let go was when he walked back to the desk to hand over the clipboard with the paperwork and his insurance card. The gray haired woman behind the desk smiled and nodded at him. "I'll just make a quick copy of your cards and then the doctor should call you back soon."

He figured he'd wait at the desk for his card. Once the woman came back and handed them over, Hunter moved to sit with Becca. He was halfway down when the door opened and his name was called. Hunter straightened, took another deep breath, and marched ahead. Becca followed close behind. They were taken to a small room and sat in the chairs on the right side of the room side by side, their hands still clasped together.

"So you're here for a referral," the male nurse noted, staring down at his clipboard. "Nightmares, trouble sleeping, rash behavior..." he muttered while writing something.

Jeez, that made him sound like ... something bad. Hunter bit his tongue and slid a hand through his hair.

"While you wait for the doctor, I'd like for you to fill out this questionnaire."

Hunter took the papers and stared at the questions. All about 'the event' it asked.

Which one? The plane crash? The crappy landing after his divorce? Or the one with Carrie trying to do who knows what? He clicked the pen repeatedly trying to decide, then figured he'd ask. "I'm not sure what event I need to be answering about," he admitted.

The stare he got back was questioning.

Hunter sighed, explaining them all. He couldn't tell what the man was thinking by his facial expressions. He informed him to do the best he could and the doctor would come talk to him soon.

Becca tapped him on the shoulder. He turned her way.
"May I see?"
She pointed at the questionnaire. He handed it to her. She spent a few minutes going over the questions, then put the clipboard in her lap to sign.
"I'd say answer the questions about the night you had a rough landing. Then go back from the beginning when you talk to the doctor, from the crash we survived and the events of the last few years. There's no telling where it originated and caused your nightmares and everything else, but from what you've said, I think the biggest trigger was your rough landing."

Wordlessly, he nodded. It got him thinking. He'd had a hell of a rough few years. Losing Jeff and the way it made him feel that he couldn't save his friend in the program. Feeling the loss of not staying with Becca. Having a family and then having it break up because he and Eva were never compatible. Was there ever going to be such a thing as normal for him? Didn't he and Becca deserve a little bit of it after all they'd been through?

He started to write, even though his writing came out in scribbles. His hand trembled.

Becca reached out and covered his hand. When he looked up at her, she moved it.
"It's going to be okay."

This sweet woman and her brave face. What would he do without her? "What if it's not?" he whispered. He felt the vulnerability within him and heard it in his voice. "What if I'm always plagued by guilt and nightmares?"

"That is why you're here. To fight the feeling of helplessness."

"I don't want to be a lost cause." And he had to say that out loud why?

Becca shook her head.
"You're not a lost cause. I love you, Hunter. I haven't shown it as strongly in the last few weeks, but you mean everything to me. I'm going to be strong for you again."

Choked with an intense emotion, Hunter held her to him. "You're always strong, Bec. You're my rock and I don't know what I'd do without you."

The door opened, and the doctor walked in. "Hi there, Hunter. I'm Dr. Ross."

That name slipped from the man's lips and Hunter immediately remembered the kind woman who'd talked to him at the hospital twenty years ago. He pulled away from Becca and focused.

"So, let's talk about what you're feeling. I've looked over your chart and the reason for your referral. Seems like you've had a lot of trauma recently. I know this isn't going to be easy, but we need to discuss these events."

And so it began.

*****

Becca watched Hunter as he struggled to talk about everything the doctor asked him. She already had a suspicion where he was going with this and why, but the path to get there was painful for both Hunter and herself. Listening to him relive the crash and the five days after out loud broke her into pieces. Hunter's hand found hers again and squeezed. The doctor watched both of them carefully while Hunter talked. She wished she could hug him and make all of his pain disappear. All the guilt he carried and continued to carry. Every burden he took on as his own. Every painful event, especially those within the past four years. The first time they talked about it after reconnecting was painful. This time, it seemed even more agonizing.

It seemed like an eternity as the conversation continued. Now Hunter had to bring up the nightmare where he'd pinned Becca against the wall and the events afterwards. She squeezed her eyes shut, hating this so bad. A little piece of her died, hearing how much this tore him up, and it upset her even more that she'd been so afraid of him.
I'm sorry, Hunter.
A tear slid down her cheek.

Hunter stopped talking and tried to pull his hand from hers, which she'd gripped even tighter.

"I'm sorry, Bec," he whispered, pulling her close. "I know this is hard for you to have to relive and hear, too." He clung to her.

The doctor stood up from his chair and left the room, leaving Hunter and Becca stunned. What just happened? Minutes later, he returned with two Styrofoam cups which he handed to them. "Give yourselves a break before continuing, if you need to." Understanding flashed in his eyes.

Hunter chugged the water quickly, while Becca drank it slow. Then he talked about the last few weeks.

The doctor folded his hands together, covering his mouth. Becca could tell he was totally stunned by their situation. Well, she couldn't blame him! The whole thing honestly sounded like a continuous mystery show or something. If only. If this were all fiction and they were the creators, she'd change everything as much as possible.

This was their reality.

"Hunter, this is a sure case of post traumatic stress disorder to me. Now, before I do an official diagnosis, I want to talk a little more about-"

Hunter jumped to his feet. "How could I have PTSD? The crash was twenty years ago! Why would I get it now? This is something people like me don't get, isn't it? I mean ... I hear about soldiers and-" He kept shaking his head.

Becca tugged on his hand, hoping he'd sit down. It worked. He glanced at her with a stricken, pained frown on his face. She already knew. She and Shara had talked about this often, but for it to finally be said by a professional was hard. He sank down on the chair and slumped back.