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“It's different,” I whispered.

He brushed a kiss along my temple. “Tell me how it's different.”

“I have you. I have my family. I shouldn't need a stranger's help.”

Graham was silent. I liked that. He was really thinking about what I said. He didn't just reject it out of hand.

“That makes sense, and I would agree with you if you didn't have these nightmares.”

I gave a weak laugh. “Oh yeah. The nightmares.”

“It'd be best if you could get a referral.”

“Oh great. Then everybody would know my business.”

“Can't you think of someone who has used a psychologist that you might get a name from?”

God, he made it seem so reasonable. “No. But I know who I can ask.”

This time Graham chuckled. “I can guess. It's the woman who knows everything.”

“Yeah. Little Grandma.”

The Down Home Diner smelled like heaven at ten in the morning. Coffee, bacon, and something cinnamon-sweet wafted from the kitchen. Little Grandma sat in her usual spot at the hostess stand, even though she hadn't officially worked here in years.

“Joy, honey. Come sit.” She patted the chair next to her. “You look tired.”

“I haven't been sleeping well.”

Her sharp blue eyes studied me. At one hundred and three, she missed nothing. “The dreams?”

I nodded, not even surprised she knew. “Graham thinks I should see someone. Like I did in London.”

“Smart man.” She folded her weathered hands in her lap. “Nothing wrong with needing help, child. The strongest people know when to ask for it.”

“I just... I don't want everyone in town knowing.”

Little Grandma laughed, the sound like wind chimes. “Honey, half this town has seen Dr. Liu at one point or another.”

“Dr. Liu?”

“She's over in the medical building on Maple. Good woman. Discreet. She helped a friend of mine after her husband passed. Strong woman. You’d never expect she’d need help.”

“Really?”

“Really. Grief is grief, whether it's for a person or for the life you thought you'd have.” Little Grandma reached over and patted my hand. “Trauma is trauma, whether it happened in London or in our own woods.”

My eyes filled with tears. “How do you always know exactly what to say?”

“I've lived long enough to see most everything, child. And what I've learned is this: healing isn't weakness. It's the bravest thing you can do.”

She pulled out her ancient flip phone and scrolled through her contacts with surprising dexterity. “Let me call Dr. Liu and set up an appointment. I’m sure she’ll see you this week.”

“I don’t want to get preferential treatment.”

“I’m just going to explain the circumstances. She’ll fit you in.”

“Thank you.”