Page 53 of Fight or Flight
“Thanks. I don’t know about tough, but I am dedicated to my career, my patients. I’ve been in practice long enough to know that I have a right to a life outside of work, and I do. I suppose growing up with a father who was a psychiatrist rubbed off on me. He would come home and talk about his day. Of course, he never revealed anything about his patients, but he had a way of telling a story about his work that I knew was his way of getting the day off his chest. Because there are times when a patient can be, well, let’s saytrying.Dad’s storytelling was his relief, and I believe it still is when he has a rough day. I keep telling him it’s time to retire, but he won’t listen.”
“If he likes what he’s doing, why should he quit?” Katherine asked.
“He’s getting old,” Tyler stated.
“And isn’t he riding motorcycles?” she teased, remembering his accident.
“That’s not that half of it. He’s a daredevil. I suppose as long as he doesn’t kill himself when he’s working, that’s probably the safest place for him to be.”
Sam and Sophie were lying quietly on the bed. “These two are mesmerized. They’re so quiet,” Katherine said. “I believe they like you.”
“And I like them, too. You’ll have to meet my cat Pickles sometime. What a furball, but funny as ever. He’s quite the entertainer. A show-off.”
She laughed. “Pickles? Where did that come from?”
“His eyes are green, like a pickle. Just wait until you see him, then you’ll understand. He’s the brightest shade of orange, too.”
“Maybe you should’ve named him . . .”—she thought for a minute—“Mango? They’re orange on the inside.”
“A little late for that, but that’s a good name. I’ll remember that if I decide to get Pickles a friend.”
She gave him a sad smile. Would she ever be able to leave her home to visit Tyler to see his silly cat? Or, was she doomed to remain inside forever, imprisoned by her own fear? She needed to get a life. She wasn’t safe here. Until they found the person who broke into her home, she’d feel better if she had another place to stay. She had such a fear of the outside, but her fear of being alone in the house without Tyler would be worse.
“Are there hotels in Blowing Rock?” she blurted out.
“No, but I know a couple of folks who rent their homes out on Airbnb. Lots of hotels in Asheville, if you want to drive a few miles down the road. Are you thinking about leaving, Katherine? If you’re afraid to stay here, I’ll stay with you. Or, you could stay at my house. I’ve plenty of room, a huge yard where Sophie and Sam can run around. No strings, though,” Tyler said. “You’re in a very difficult situation, and that’s putting it mildly, however cliché that sounds.”
Katherine took a sip of her coffee. Could she leave all of this behind, even if it was just temporarily? Could she actually force herself outside in order to go to another place where she would feel safe? If she did, her entire world would change.
“I’m not sure. I don’t feel like I could stay here by myself now. I know I sound like a whack job . . . no, Iama whack job.” Tears pooled in her eyes. She used the edge of the sheet to wipe them away. “I feel so frigging helpless. I have everything in the world except my freedom. It’s insane, I know. I want to go out and be like I used to be. Tyler, I really want you to help me. I’ll do whatever it takes,” Katherine told him. It was all a bit unbelievable, since she’d only just met him, but she felt she’d known him much longer. Maybe in another life, if she even believed in that sort of thing.
He sat on the opposite side of the bed. “Katherine, the mind is a mysterious machine. It controls everything we do. What we think and feel. How we react or don’t react. I’m sure you understand. If you’re determined to face your fears head-on, I promise you will be the best version of yourself. At least I hope so, because, like I said last night, I’m a bit smitten with that woman, and that isn’t changing. But I promise during our sessions, I’ll be your doctor and nothing more. You’ll be able to come and go as you please. No grocery deliveries. No ordering fancy coffee machines from the Internet. You will be able to go out and do these things yourself. Getting there might scare the crap out of you—pardon my language—but I’m just telling you like it is, because I’ve seen my patients go through this. I’ve also seen them get to the other side of this disease. And when they do, their life renews, and they can live again. So I can help you get started and guide you, but you’re the one that will have to do all of the work.”
She took a deep breath. “I’m ready. I want to start today. I’m going to shower, and then I’ll be downstairs in fifteen minutes.” She shoved the sheets aside and got out of bed. Tyler steadied her when a wave of dizziness washed over her.
“I’m here, so no need to be afraid,” Tyler told her.
“I’m so embarrassed. I feel like a two-year-old, but I’d like it if you stayed,” she said.
“While you shower, I’ll go downstairs and make us another cup of coffee. If you need help with anything, give me a shout.”
“I owe you so much, Tyler. I’m not sure I could ever pay you back. Yes, to the coffee, even though you’re probably exhausted. Did you get any rest?”
“I slept on your sofa and had a decent night’s sleep. I woke up a couple of times, but went right back to sleep. In medical school, you learn to sleep whenever and wherever you can. It took me a while to learn, but now I’m a good sleeper, kind of like these two.” He patted the two shepherds on the bed.
“Then let me shower and get on with the day.”
Tyler followed Katherine to her luxurious en suite. “This is the fanciest bathroom I’ve ever seen,” he told her as he looked around. “I didn’t pay much attention last night, but wow. Lots of stuff.”
“There’s a sauna if you want to use it sometime. The tub is good to soak in. I prefer the shower. It’s like a dang rainforest, there are so many shower heads hitting you from every direction. It’s all a bit much, I know, but I love this place and my fancy bathroom. Now if you’ll excuse me,” she said, raising her eyebrows and giving him what she hoped was a sweet and slightly sexy smile.
Tyler’s face reddened. “Uh, yes, sorry. I’ll just step out and go let the dogs out again. And make more coffee.”
“Okay. And Tyler . . .” She stuck her head out of the partially closed door. “When I’m finished with my shower, you’re welcome to have a shower and a shave if you want.” She closed the door before he could answer.
Katherine found it hard to believe how her life had changed in a matter of hours. If she and Tyler were to become a couple, she had Doc to thank. It had started with a phone call. If Doc hadn’t told Carson about her stables, where would she be?
The intruder. What would she have done on her own? Called Doc, as that’s what she did when she was in any situation where she needed someone. But now she was determined to handle her issues by herself. She was a middle-aged woman. A professional. A published author with thousands of readers. She was a multimillionaire. And here she was, letting life pass her by.
