The Hollow Hills - 23. Chapter 23

Alannah

As I drove from Liam’s house to the farm, the fog rising from the evergreens that lined either side of the road brought to mind tales of Tír na nÓg and hapless visitors who entered the mists, never to be seen again. Me gran told the stories with relish. I think she enjoyed the looks of fear they inspired, no doubt in an effort to keep me from going astray like me ma did. Whenever I did something wrong, she threatened to send me the Irish Otherworld to let its inhabitants—the Tuatha Dé Danann—deal with me.

I wasn’t afraid of the mists, Faery, or anything, really. Me biggest fear growing up was that ma would return and want to take me back to Dublin with her. I loved living with gran at the farm. I had Duke and Paint and later, Charlie, as my companions. We would gallop eagerly across the misty Irish countryside, jumping fences that were supposed to keep in other livestock, until it was time to start the day’s chores.

Speaking of chores, I was headed to The Hollow Hills to complete the same daily routine I’d had since me ma dumped me at gran’s when I was seven.

I’ve always been a morning person. Some of me happiest memories were of early morning rides across the Irish moors as the sun turned the skies crimson as it rose from its slumber. Josh was a morning person out of necessity and habit from a lifetime taking care of horses. I was usually up before him and had the coffee ready so he could enjoy a cup before starting our breakfast. I’d always considered myself a decent cook, but Josh’s skills in the kitchen put mine to shame. I appreciated having a meal waiting for me at the end of the day and knew I was spoiled.

I arrived at the farm late enough that I figured Josh would be in the middle of making breakfast. I knew he wasn’t sleeping due to Galen’s issues, so I thought he may even be done cooking. So I was surprised to find the house dark when I stepped through the front door into the mudroom. I switched on the kitchen lights and started a pot of coffee, figuring Josh was having a bit of a lie-in. I didn’t want to disturb him, since sleep was so precious.

I peeked into the living room to check on Galen. The couch was freshly made with smooth sheets and a blanket folded neatly over them. It was also empty. Cold dread settled into the pit of me stomach. Galen was in a bad place mentally, and one of my fears was that he’d see only one way out. I darted to Josh’s room and burst through the door.

“Joshua! Wake up, love! Galen’s missing!” I yelled, then stared at the scene before me.

Josh lay on his back with Galen nestled into his side. Galen’s arm was around Josh’s chest, and his head rested on his shoulder. He looked peaceful. He stirred when Josh jumped at the sound of my voice. Josh scowled and put a finger to his lips.

I nodded and grinned like a bloody fool as I backed out of the room and headed into the kitchen. I gave Josh five minutes, tops, before he joined me. I was dying to know the story behind what I had witnessed. I poured two cups of coffee and added cream and sugar to one before placing them on the table.

About three minutes later, Josh yawned as he entered the kitchen and sat down in his usual seat. He sipped his coffee slowly as I stared at him and bounced my leg in annoyance. “Well?” I finally asked.

“Well, what?”

I rolled my eyes. “Ye know damn well, what, ye bloody pillock.”

He took another sip of coffee. The corner of his mouth upturned, making him look younger. “Galen had a rough night last night and decided to join me in my bed.”

I raised an eyebrow. Bloody men. Getting anything out of them was like pulling teeth. Josh sighed.

“He had a nightmare, but this time it was different. He kept yelling my name and had somehow tangled himself up in his blanket. It scared him so much he—” Josh fiddled with his mug before looking me in the eye. “After I untangled Galen and got him cleaned up, I had to put the bedding in the wash and disinfect the couch. I had him use my bathroom because it’s bigger. When he finished, instead of going back to the couch, he crawled into bed with me. We were enjoying a peaceful night’s sleep for a change.”

“That’s great, love, and probably good timing with the doc arriving today.”

“Yeah, I hope so.”

“Liam will be here around 2:30.”

Josh stood and stretched his arms over his head. “Sounds good. I’ll go check on Galen, then start breakfast.”

I watched him as he strode through the living room into his room. His step seemed somehow lighter, and I hoped that in helping heal Galen, he would somehow heal himself. I knew Josh, probably better than he knew himself. One thing I learned over all the years I’d known him was how much he kept everything inside. He felt things very deeply, despite not letting his emotions show.

After breakfast, Galen and I headed to the barn to start the morning routine. For now, I kept his tasks simple—feeding the horses, scrubbing and refilling water buckets, sweeping the barn aisle—until he gained the strength to do more physically demanding chores. I planned on having him groom a couple of horses. The contact with the animals would be good for him, and it would help build his stamina.

I was so lost in planning me day that I completely forgot to tell Galen to skip Pendragon’s stall. The big bay horse had been sent to me for rehabilitation after being abused by some asshole trainer. The animal had thrived under the care he received here, enough so that I leased him to a client I thought he’d do well with. I never hated being wrong more in me life.

When I saw the state of the bay gelding in Florida, I immediately terminated the lease and made arrangements for him to be shipped back to the farm. He had arrived late the previous afternoon in worse shape than when I had first met him. Caroline and I were the only ones who could get near him. He was terrified of men.

My heart pounded when I saw Galen open the latch to Dragon’s stall. “Galen! No, lad!” I yelled as I sprinted down the barn aisle. I was too late, though. He had already slipped inside. I slowed down right before I reached the stall so I didn’t frighten the poor gelding any further. I stared in awe as the big bay stepped closer to Galen, ears pricked forward, ignoring the feed in his bin. He lowered his head and placed it against Galen’s chest. Galen reached out and stroked the silky neck. Dragon blew air out of his nostrils, then started chewing—a sign of trust and acceptance. After about a minute, the horse moved away and stuck his mouth in the feed bin to eat his breakfast. Galen made brief eye contact with me as he left the stall and moved on to feed the next in line. I stared after him, wondering what the bloody hell I’d just witnessed.

After all the horses were fed, I decided I’d have Galen groom Dragon. I put the horse on crossties in the grooming stall and handed Galen a box of grooming supplies. He removed a round, black rubber currycomb and moved it in circles along Dragon’s side. The horse blew air out of his nostrils in a quick burst and lowered his head. I left them alone and completed me own chores.

Dr. Daniel Snowden arrived promptly at three o’clock. He was a handsome man, with black, curly hair and a neatly-trimmed beard. I’d been expecting someone older and stodgier. After introductions, he sat at the kitchen table and reviewed all of Galen’s medical records. He listened while Liam related Galen’s decline and behavior over the past few months. He frowned when he reviewed the list of medications Galen was taking. Finally, he asked to be introduced to his new patient.

Dr. Snowden watched as Josh headed into the living room and returned with Galen in tow. Galen glanced at Liam, me, and finally the doctor. His emerald green eyes narrowed and he stepped closer to Josh, hiding behind him while keeping his eyes trained on the newcomer.

“Galen, this is Dr. Snowden. He’s here to help you,” Josh said.

Galen reached for Josh’s hand and turned toward the living room. Josh stood in place. “Please, listen to him.”

“Hi, Galen. You can call me Daniel.”

Galen let go of Josh’s hand and retreated to the living room. Josh exhaled. I could see the frustration written all over his face. He ran his hand through his hair.

“I’ll try again.” He turned, but stopped when the doctor spoke.

“Hold on a minute. Let’s give him time to process my presence. From your descriptions and his behavior, I’d say he’s suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder. I’ll try approaching him and see what happens, then I can formulate a treatment plan.” Daniel rose and walked to the entrance of the living room, but didn’t enter. He gestured toward the couch. “This is where he’s been sleeping?”

Josh nodded. “Yeah, until last night.”

“Where did he sleep last night?”

“With me.” Josh’s smile made me smile.

Daniel raised an eyebrow. “What changed?”

“What do you mean?” Josh asked.

“Something broke him out of his usual routine. What happened?”

Josh frowned. “Well, he had a nightmare. Which isn’t all that unusual, but this time it was so bad he… um… well… he wet himself. It was the middle of the night, so I brought him into my bathroom to clean up. When he finished, instead of going back to the couch—which I had cleaned up—he climbed into bed with me.”

“Are you two in a relationship?”

Josh looked at Galen, then at the floor. “No,” he replied quietly. “We’re… friends.”

“He seems to rely on you,” the doctor stated.

Josh shrugged. “I’m familiar to him, I guess.”

I snorted, causing Josh to scowl at me and the doctor to raise an eyebrow.

Doctor Snowden stayed about another hour before heading out with the promise to return the next day. He observed Galen for a while, then made some adjustments in Galen’s medication. He said it would take a few weeks for the changes to take effect, so we shouldn’t expect to see immediate results.

I stayed at Liam’s that night after having a talk with Josh. I offered to stay and help take care of Galen, but I think we both knew that Liam needed me more than Galen did.

We lay in bed together, me curled up into Liam’s side. “What did you think of the doc?” he asked.

I shrugged. “Hard to say, love. He seemed to have Galen’s best interests in mind. Only time will tell.”

My head lowered as Liam’s chest compressed as he let his breath out. “I guess. I wish he could have done more.”

“Galen can’t be fixed overnight. He survived something unimaginable. He’s exactly where he needs to be right now. Just have a little faith.” I stroked his chest. “Ye’re exactly where ye need to be right now too, love.”

Liam smiled and nodded. “I’m glad you’re here.”

We lay in silence for a few minutes, and I could feel the tension in his muscles. I leaned up and kissed him.

“What was that for?” he asked, smiling.

“Do I need a reason?”

He laughed, the deep rumble from his chest vibrating throughout me body. “Nope.”

I kissed him again, deeper this time, and pulled him on top of me. I knew exactly how to take his mind off his broken cousin.