Read Love's Miracles for Free Online

she’d been talking for almost half an hour. He hadn’t noticed the
time. The subject had his attention, but she didn’t want to lose his trust.
    “I’ve
already talked longer than you allowed, so I’ll be going now.” She gathered her
papers and stood while stuffing them in her bag. “Many times the reactions are
delayed. They show up after you’d thought the subject forgotten. That causes
stress in itself.”
    He
swung around, surprised that she looked ready to leave. Margo grabbed the
literature she’d brought and approached.
    “I’m
staying at the Fort Bragg Inn if you want to discuss any of this further. For
now I’ll leave these pamphlets for you to read. It describes symptoms of
posttraumatic stress disorder – P.T.S.D. You see, it’s so common they’ve even
given it a name.”
    Her
smile was reassuring as she handed him the pamphlets, but it froze on her face
when he straightened and stared into her eyes.
    “You’re
going to be on your way all right. You’re going to climb into that Bronco,
forget the shrink stuff, and get out of here. Don’t ever come back .”

Chapter 3
    Margo
placed the reading material in his grasp. “Many people have difficulty sharing
their personal concerns with a doctor of the opposite sex. If the fact that I’m
a woman distracts you, I can refer you to a male psychologist.” Fred came to
mind and she concentrated on him in order to ignore Zane’s gaze. “In fact, the
V.A. Center might be a good bet for you. Interaction with other vets has proven
very successful for some men. The doctor is a veteran also and can relate to
your problems.”
    He
shifted pamphlets to balance on his hip. “I don’t have any problems, remember?”
    Margo
shrugged. “You probably don’t. But it’s always good to know where assistance is
in case the need arises.”
    It
was time to make a move. She excused herself to use the bathroom. Zane set the
pamphlets on the table, strode out the door, and stopped by the rough plank
rail.
    Margo
hesitated, observing the fit condition of his body as he stretched. His arms
reached skyward while he rotated his head. Living in the wilderness certainly
hadn’t harmed his physical condition. Even though he was sweaty and covered
with blood, she was aware of a definite beauty in him. Seeing him in this
rugged environment and looking as primitive as he did, it was hard to picture
him in a business suit sitting in an office. Then again, Vinnie had said he
spent most of his time at the docks or on the boats. That was easier for Margo
to picture.
    After
freshening up, Margo followed him back outside and paused on the porch to
glance up at the sky. The sun was low on the horizon, casting long shadows across
the meadow. She wouldn’t like driving that road in the dark. She’d better get
going so that she could make it to town before sunset.
    “I’d
like to return tomorrow and answer any questions about the material.”
    He
didn’t respond and she didn’t press him. At least he was contemplating the
suggestion. His grip tightened on the rail before he lifted heavy-lashed eyes.
“You can come out here, but I’m not talking.”
    Margo
bristled with annoyance but didn’t let it show.
    He
stepped closer; too close. “Forget the shrink bit. The war was years ago. And I
detest the big play for attention that the vet issue is going for now. I went.
I served. I handled it.”
    “So
why are you here?”
    “Enjoying
life.”
    She
glanced across the meadow. It was an island refuge surrounded by miles of dense
forest. Giant redwood trees stood guard against the world.
    Right.
Something was hurting inside Zane. It wasn’t anything she could pinpoint. He’d
had no outward sign of delayed stress. She sensed it. He held too much in; kept
his body too much in check. That kind of hiding covered a lot of inner pain.
    “We’ll
talk tomorrow.”
    ***
    The
door to the Fort Bragg Inn opened with a soft chime. The expression on the
clerk’s face changed from welcome to