Chapter 17 Part 17
Maggie
A loud groan woke her up, and she shifted on the bed. She was still groggy from the painkillers she’d taken earlier, but then she heard Asher in his room.
“Guloona, wadrega! Wadrega!” She frowned and shifted her feet to the floor. Her crutches weren’t too far away, so she shuffled until she reached them. “Matah pistaul rakra.” He mumbled something else she couldn’t make out as she stepped into the hallway.
His door was open, as was hers, and she moved slowly toward his room. His curtains were open, and the moonlight provided enough illumination for her to see him. He was asleep, but his hands were gripping the sheets beneath him. “Don’t make me shoot you!” His voice held anguish, sounding like he was in pain.
Once Maggie had made it to the edge of his bed, she sat down, and lowered the crutches to the floor. She wasn’t sure if she should wake him. She placed her hand over his fist and rubbed his knuckles. “Asher.” His hand flattened against the sheet before gripping her hand in return. He was frowning, sweat covered his forehead, his breathing was ragged, and now she was worried about him.
“Asher!” When she shook his leg with her other hand, his eyes popped open. He looked around wildly for a few seconds before realization set in, and he seemed to sag against his pillows.
“What’s wrong?” He looked intently at her, trying to see if she was hurt somewhere.
“You were having a nightmare,” she said softly.
Asher closed his eyes, lowering his head. “I’m sorry, I woke you.”
“Are you okay? You were saying strange words in your sleep.”
Asher shifted off the bed, and walked toward the bathroom. After he switched the light on, Maggie’s eyes trailed his movements. He splashed cold water on his face but avoided looking in the mirror. She could see scars on his back, and when he turned, she saw the scars on his torso. Previously, she’d been too enamored with him to notice, but now they stood out like a beacon.
“I dream of the boy I killed in Afghanistan,” he said, as he sat down next to her, resting his elbows on his knees. “He was probably around twelve or so. I asked him to put his gun down, but he kept aiming it at me. I begged him to drop the gun, but he pulled the trigger twice, before I shot and killed him.”
Asher stood up and pointed to the two circular wounds on his abdomen. His eyes looked bleak, filled with sadness, and his voice had a cold edge to it.
“You had no choice,” she whispered.
“He was still just a kid,” Asher said, shaking his head.
When Maggie linked her fingers through his, he turned his head to look at her. “How often do you dream of him?”
“Almost every night. It was one of the reasons I took an honorary discharge. I just couldn’t do it anymore.”
“It was you or him, Asher. Even if he was still a child, he aimed that gun at you,” Maggie said.
Asher shook his head. “It’s not as black and white as that.” He shifted off the bed and stood in front of her. “I’ll take you back to bed.” Asher moved almost soundlessly, as he carried her back to her room.
“Asher?”
“Yeah?” He tucked the blanket around her.
“Will you lie down next to me until I’m asleep?”
Asher blinked, looking at the empty space next to her. “Sure.”
Asher walked around the bed to lie down on the covers, his arms straight next to him. It didn’t take long for his breathing to even out, and Maggie sighed softly. She wondered if his dreams were PTSD, and if he had any triggers. She didn’t want to push him, but she was glad he talked about it.
Within a few minutes, Asher’s hand moved to his abdomen, and curled as if holding something, his index finger straight, almost looking like a gun. She closed her eyes, feeling better with him in the room with her, hoping that it was having the same effect on him, too.
Maggie stirred and smiled before she even opened her eyes. She stretched her arms out but met only empty space. Her eyes snapped open, and she turned her head. She could see where he’d slept, but now the linen was cool to the touch.
“Good morning, Maggie,” Asher said, from the doorway, and she smiled when she saw Melody in his arms. Once she straightened to a sitting position, he placed Melody on her lap.
“Good morning.”
“Again, I’m really sorry about last night.” Asher looked down briefly, as Maggie chuckled.
“I slept like the dead knowing you were here,” she said, making him smile.
“Eden’s on her way over so I can go help with the chores, but I’ll be back at about 10:00, which gives you time to have breakfast, and wash your hair,” Asher said.
Maggie’s hand went to her hair automatically, and she tried to smooth it down. “I washed my hair yesterday.”
Asher chuckled, as the front door opened, Eden’s voice hollering from downstairs, asking if they were decent. Asher met Eden at the top of the stairs, and Maggie listened to his footsteps until the front door closed again.
“How are we doing this morning?”
“I feel bad that you spend your days looking after me and Melody,” Maggie said.
“Then stop; I love spending time with Melody here. She’s the nicest person on this ranch, plus she’s always happy to see me,” Eden said.
“She’s happy to see everyone,” Maggie replied, laughing at the look on Eden’s face.
“Just give me this one thing. I like to pretend I’m her favorite, but we all know it’s really Asher. Her face just lights up when she sees him.”
Maggie nodded her head. It was true. Asher inspired happiness wherever he went. “I guess he has that gift.”