Saving Easton by Kaci Rose
Chapter 9
Paisley
Molly and I are back at Oakside and decide to visit a few other patients, before we go to Easton’s room. Molly has a good time. She really enjoys visiting the other guys and soaking up the attention. There are a few guys on the back porch, who have fun tossing a ball around for her. She's a big hit with them, but after some running around, she’s looking at me, and I know she wants to go see Easton.
So, I take the long way to his room, stopping to see Lexi in the lobby, but Molly gets impatient with me and starts pulling me along.
"Guess she’s telling you who is boss today." Lexi laughs.
"Guess so." I laugh.
We get to Easton's door, and as soon as he sees us, he stands up. Molly stops and cocks her head to the side watching him. When he takes a few steps forward, she’s at his side.
"To the lobby and back?" I ask.
He nods, and we wait for him in the hallway.
Once he joins me, I smile and ask, "So, what should I talk about today?"
"Your friend who helps you train the dogs."
"Oh, Amanda. She's older, not quite old enough to be my mom, but close. I was just over there with Atticus, and he passed his tests with flying colors. Jake, his owner, has started working with him, and it's great watching them together. My favorite part of the job is the training with the dog and their owner." I keep the conversation going, as we slowly start down the hallway.
"But Amanda, she’s more of a dog person than a people person, so the fact that she took me under her wing means a lot. She always greets whatever dog I have with me first. She has several dogs that she has rescued and can't be used as therapy dogs, so they just wander the property. She owns about thirty-five acres. All the furniture in her house is pet friendly, and they have free rein of the place." I tell him, as we reach the Lobby.
Lexi is still at the front desk and offers us a warm smile.
"Do you want to walk to the desk, or maybe, out to the courtyard?"
"The desk," he says.
Then, he shocks the hell out of me and starts talking.
"A buddy of mine was an MP, military police, and he had an MP dog. He said the training for the dog and him was ruthless, but the bond he shares with the dog is like nothing he’d ever seen."
"Yes, when you take the time to train them, and you’re working with them night and day, there’s a bond. It's always hard to let the dog I train go, but it makes it easier, knowing who they’re going to and that they’re making a real difference in a person's life. You'd be a great candidate for a therapy dog, when you get out of Oakside." I say, as we reach the desk.
"Hey, Easton. How are you liking that book?" Noah asks, walking up.
"Pretty good, and I’m about halfway done with it. There’s another in the series, I guess?"
"There are five in the series, and we have them all in the library. I can bring them to you later," Noah says.
Easton nods, and then we turn back towards the hallway. He takes a deep breath, and we start back to his room.
"So, I won't be in tomorrow. I have a family dinner at my parents’ house, and my brother and his girlfriend will be there. My mom doesn't know it, but I'm taking Molly. I don’t like his girlfriend and neither does Molly."
"Why not?"
"It's hard to put into words. One, I always trust Molly's instincts, as she’s trained to read people. Two, she never says anything too mean, but she always finds ways to insult me. I get this feeling she’s using my brother for something, but for what, I have no idea. He doesn't have any money, he's not famous, and he's lazy and kind of a slob. I know she doesn't love him just by how she acts, so I really have no idea."
"Have you told him how you feel?"
"He knows, and I haven't hidden that I don't like her, but until I can voice exactly why, I've kept it to myself," I say.
We get to his door, and he looks over at me, and the corner of his mouth tilts up just the slightest bit.
Without thinking, I say, "You know, Easton, if I didn't know any better, I'd say this felt like a date."
I instantly regret what I said. My face heats in embarrassment, and I look away. He heads into his room and sits in his chair. I take a few extra minutes to find Molly's treats in my purse, before sitting down.
"You know, in school I had the biggest crush on you." He says, shocking me.
"Really?"
"Yep, but you’re Leeland's little sister and strictly off limits. Well, then at least."
I slowly walk over and hand him a treat for Molly. He takes it carefully not letting our fingers touch.
Sitting down, I admit, "I had a crush on you, too. It's why I'd spend so much time around you guys."
His eyes are a stormy gray and intense, as he looks at me. I'd give anything to know what he’s thinking, but the heat in his eyes is making me uncomfortable, too. He's always been hard to read because he's good at keeping his emotions in check. I guess that's why I had no idea he liked me that way growing up.
I clear my throat. "So, am I still not telling Leeland that you're here?"
"If you don't mind. I promise, I’ll talk to him, but I'd like to have made more progress before I do. Your brother was always pushing me, even when I didn’t want to be pushed, so I feel I need to be stronger first."
"Oh, trust me, I know. At one point in my life, I had to have it out with him, because he was in a phase where he thought he knew what was best for everyone, and really he didn't. He barely has his own life together. He's gotten better, but not by much," I say.
"So, will I see you the day after tomorrow?"
"Yes, I’ll be here, if that's okay?"
"Paisley, I want you here. So, whenever you can be here, no notice required is fine by me."
"Good. Then yes, the day after tomorrow."
As I’m leaving, I pass Lexi and Noah at the front desk.
Both smile at me, as I walk up.
"You got him out of his room again." Lexi squeals.
"He's doing a little better each day. I think the key is not to push him; he can push himself. He just made a comment about not wanting to see my brother just yet, because my brother always pushed him too hard. So, just go at his pace. It might be slow, but I think we’ll get there."
"Thank you seems too insignificant," Noah says.
Mandy walks up from downstairs. She’s the charity coordinator and handles all the donations, fundraising, and all that. She started here as an intern when they were just getting off the ground, and Lexi brought her on full-time, when they opened.
"Paisley, everyone is calling you the miracle worker," she smiles.
"What?" I ask.
"You’re getting Easton out of his room. I think you’re giving Dr. Tate a complex that he couldn't figure out how to do it first."
At that, I laugh. "Well, I have one thing he doesn't."
"Boobs," Mandy says dead serious.
Lexi and I start laughing, causing a few heads to turn.
"Okay, two things. I was going to say I have a history with Easton. I think that has been a big help."
"Well, whatever it is, keep doing it," Lexi says, and they all agree.