Montana Secrets by Kay Stockham Page B

about that, but I’d like you to understand why I did it. It isn’t often I have a patient so determined not to get better, I have to resort to these types of measures. Now, since you’re awake and showered and here, ” she continued, “why not make the most of it? Let me give you a therapy session.”
    â€œYou may have tricked me out of my room but you didn’t win, Grace. I haven’t agreed to anything.”
    â€œThis isn’t a game, but the only person who’ll lose at this is you. Surely you see that?”
    â€œI said no.”
    She squeezed the mug. She’d pushed him hard today, very hard considering he’d had to accept her help to get out of bed, gotten locked out of his room and forced to the gym. Baby steps.
    â€œCome back over here and finish your coffee. Tell me about your ranch and all the changes you’ve made in the past ten years,” she offered, quickly giving him an alternative to ease the sting of his first refusal. What had she expected? A miracle on the second day?
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œI’m interested,” she murmured, shrugging. “The addition to the house is beautiful. You…you did a good job making it all blend.”
    Seth didn’t acknowledge her words, and gathering her courage, she turned and found herself staring into his eyes.
    Grace realized in that moment that all of her patients had the same look. Older, younger, men, women, children. In the beginning they all stared at her as though searching to find something within her that they couldn’t find within themselves. Strength? Determination? Maybe. She wasn’t sure. All she knew was that it required her to come up with a variety of ways to get them to open up and cooperate. Seth was simply making her do the same.
    Turning back to the table, she fiddled with her shredded napkin, then settled herself more comfortably in the uncomfortable chair and waited, hoping her pose was that of patience.
    Minutes passed.
    â€œYou ever have a patient like me?”
    â€œStubborn? Oh, yeah.”
    â€œI meant the same injury. Did they walk again?”
    She wanted to give him the answer he craved, but couldn’t. She wouldn’t lie. Especially not to Seth. “No. Not exactly. Every case is different, but I promise you I will do my best to help you. If you let me.”
    She glanced at him again, hurting inside when she glimpsed the despair in Seth’s eyes. “Tell me about the ranch,” she urged again.
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œWant to have your door unlocked anytime soon?”
    The anger returned to his gaze, outshining the desperation. “That’s blackmail.”
    She laughed softly. “That it is—so deal with it. Tell me about the ranch, or spend the day in here with me.”
    Seth began talking.

CHAPTER SIX
    â€œY OU, UH, WOULDN’T BE READY for a walk, would you?”
    Grace looked up as she stacked the last of her and Seth’s dirty breakfast dishes, more than a little pleased with how things had turned out. Although reluctant, he’d returned to the table, drunk his coffee and filled her in on ten years of ranching. All in all, the morning had gone well.
    â€œEverything okay?”
    Maura laughed, her gaze lowered. “Not really. Even though I was upstairs, I still managed to hear Seth hollering. I thought we could both use a break.”
    Grace chuckled. “Got that right. That man has a great affinity for hiding out in his room.”
    â€œHe’s pretty much been there since Jake brought him home from the hospital. He gets angrier and angrier as the days go by.”
    Grace lifted the trays loaded with dishes and followed Maura to the kitchen. Neither of them spoke as they passed Seth’s room.
    While they placed the dishes in the dishwasher, Maura explained that Lexi had been picked up by a friend and taken to town for reading hour at the library.
    â€œSo we’ve got about an hour and a half.