She nodded and gave his hand a gentle squeeze.
“That was a very brave thing you’ve done. Mr. Watson is fortunate to have you as a friend.”
He shrugged his shoulders. “Jack suffers more than I do. The war didn’t simply scar him; it destroyed him. I feel as though…” His throat tightened and he turned his face away, unable to admit his secret shame. She would despise him for it.
“What? Please talk to me.” She scooted closer and wrapped her arms around him from behind, resting her cheek on his shoulder. The embrace, so gentle and comforting, obliterated that last barrier inside him keeping his heart safe from her.
“When I see Jack, see how broken he is over what we faced during the war… and I come away with a few harmless nightmares, I can’t help but wonder what that says about me. Is my h
