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“No. In fact, he kicked me out. Said I was driving him crazy. Hovering. He says I’ve been hovering a lot.”
Dana bit her lip but said nothing.
“What? Do you think I’m hovering?”
“Yes.”
He stared at her. “What am I supposed to do? He still needs help whether he admits it or not.”
“Yes, and I imagine he’ll ask for help if he needs it. But, Levi, Asher is a grown man. He was a freaking Green Beret. He’s completely capable of taking care of himself in most cases. And when he’s not he’ll tell you.”
“He wouldn’t let me drive him to his appointments. He let me take him to the first one and then he said he wasn’t going to be any more of a pain in my butt than he had to be. He hired a college kid to drive him. But now that he’s found a prosthetist and physical therapist closer to Whiskey River he’s planning to drive himself.”
“He doesn’t want to impose on you.”
“He’s my brother. He’s not an imposition.”
“Are you worried about Asher driving himself?”
He thought about that. “No. He should be fine, especially since it’s only over to Last Stand.”
She took his hand and pulled him along with her to an unoccupied bench by Booze’s statue. “All right, then. What’s really going on?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t know what to do to help him. Most of the time I don’t know how to reach him. The most he’s talked to me was when we argued about him moving out.”
“Maybe you’re expecting too much too soon.”
“Maybe.” He was silent, then finally blurted out his biggest fear. “Do you know how many veterans commit suicide every day?”
“Oh, Levi.” She put her hand on his arm and squeezed. “Of course you’re worried. But do you really think Asher is suicidal?”
“I don’t know. I don’t think so… No. But I do think he’s depressed. And if he was suicidal and I missed it, which I could, I’d never forgive myself. He’s so damn closed off.” He shook his head. “God, I don’t know what to do.”
“You need to find another support group for veterans’ families and friends.” When he started to deny it she held up a hand. “Don’t give me the ‘I’m not a group sharing kind of guy’ excuse. Do you want to help Asher?”
“You know I do.”
“Then get over yourself and try another group. It won’t hurt and it just might help.”
Damn. He hated to admit it but she was right. “You’re really tough.”
“When necessary. You can start looking tomorrow. Now, let’s go have fun. First I want to vote on the scarecrows. Then I want to go to the petting zoo.”
“The petting zoo? Isn’t that for kids?”
“I didn’t see anything about no adults allowed. It’s for anyone who wants to pet the cute animals. And I do.”
“All right. Lead on.”
At the scarecrow exhibit they ran into Harlan and Savannah. “Where’s that precious baby of yours?” Dana asked after they all greeted each other.
“Liam is with my parents,” Harlan said. “They came into town to see everyone. Especially their first grandchild,” he added with a grin. “We’re not staying long. Mommy here is anxious to get back.”
“As if you’re not,” Savannah said.
“Do you have pictures?”
Savannah laughed. “What do you think?” She pulled out her phone and began to show them pictures.
