and fancy stuff is out, just simple walking or trotting will have to do for now.”
He scanned the next page in the file. “One more thing, your eye tests indicate some extra therapy is needed. I’m sending a machine home with you that will help you regain the reading speed you have been accustomed to. Brad can help you learn how to use it then you can work on your own. Don’t get discouraged if it takes a while for this skill to be regained. Just keep working at it.” He met her gaze. “Now it’s your time. Do you have questions?”
“Yes, sir. Is it feasible for me to start making plans to live alone?”
He nodded. “I don’t see why not. Just be honest with yourself about what you can and can’t do. Be aware that it will probably be at least a year before you reach your full recovery. So don’t push too hard.”
Looking over at Brad, as if dismissing her, the doctor said, “By the way, I’d like to talk to you about working with another one of my patients as soon as Casey feels she can manage without you. He’s not as good-looking as Casey but he needs long-term therapy and is eager to get out of the rehab center.” He returned his attention to Casey.
Casey said, “Maybe you and Brad could discuss the possibilities now. Vera and I need to do some shopping. We can meet Brad back at the hotel for dinner.”
“Are you sure you’re not too tired?” Brad asked.
Rising with easy grace, giving no indication of how badly her body had been damaged, Casey nodded. “I feel great. Dr. Newton has pretty much given me my life back, and I want to celebrate by spending some money on new clothes.”
Both men laughed.
“Just like a woman.” Dr. Newton faced Brad with a wide grin. “I believe she is back to normal.”
Casey laughed along with the men. Outside, her mood changed. What a dumb thing to use for an excuse. Now she had to really and truly go shopping. She hated to shop, but she screwed up her courage, determined to appreciate the experience. She would enjoy her excursion and be grateful she was able to shop.
Once alone, Casey rang Vera on the cell phone. Her breathless answer made Casey ask, “What are you doing?”
“I just placed a call to my husband, Ray. He’s supposed to call back any minute. He may get to come home early. I got an official-looking letter, but it was delivered to Brad’s address here in town rather than being sent to the ranch.”
“Then I’ll get off the line. Brad is talking with the doctor about another patient, and I’m going shopping. See you at dinner. Bye.”
“Bye.” The click of the phone made Casey smile. Vera had more important things than shopping on her mind. Feeling free, Casey drove to an elegant little boutique she would have never considered going into before. Stepping onto the plush, mauve carpet inside the shop’s door sent an excited shiver up her spine. Today she’d shop for the fun of it. Never before had she wanted feminine clothes. Today she wanted someone to help her find clothes that made her look subtly glamorous.
She found the saleslady was more than happy to oblige. It was a banner day for the boutique and a new education for Casey.
Later, at dinner, an excited Vera broke the silence before their salad had even arrived. “Do you suppose it would be okay for me to stay here and get things fixed up for Ray’s homecoming?”
Casey spoke up. “I don’t see why not. Dr. Newton said I’m able to manage by myself. What do you think, Brad?”
“I’ll run it by Tres when I talk to him tonight. It seems like we’re all ready to make some changes.”
“How did your discussion about a prospective new patient go?” Casey asked.
Brad leaned back in his chair. “Good. We went over and visited with the man. He sustained some serious injuries in a construction accident. He has a long, hard road of rehab ahead, but his attitude is good. He’s chomping at the bit to get out of the center. We’d live at his place near the lake and go
He scanned the next page in the file. “One more thing, your eye tests indicate some extra therapy is needed. I’m sending a machine home with you that will help you regain the reading speed you have been accustomed to. Brad can help you learn how to use it then you can work on your own. Don’t get discouraged if it takes a while for this skill to be regained. Just keep working at it.” He met her gaze. “Now it’s your time. Do you have questions?”
“Yes, sir. Is it feasible for me to start making plans to live alone?”
He nodded. “I don’t see why not. Just be honest with yourself about what you can and can’t do. Be aware that it will probably be at least a year before you reach your full recovery. So don’t push too hard.”
Looking over at Brad, as if dismissing her, the doctor said, “By the way, I’d like to talk to you about working with another one of my patients as soon as Casey feels she can manage without you. He’s not as good-looking as Casey but he needs long-term therapy and is eager to get out of the rehab center.” He returned his attention to Casey.
Casey said, “Maybe you and Brad could discuss the possibilities now. Vera and I need to do some shopping. We can meet Brad back at the hotel for dinner.”
“Are you sure you’re not too tired?” Brad asked.
Rising with easy grace, giving no indication of how badly her body had been damaged, Casey nodded. “I feel great. Dr. Newton has pretty much given me my life back, and I want to celebrate by spending some money on new clothes.”
Both men laughed.
“Just like a woman.” Dr. Newton faced Brad with a wide grin. “I believe she is back to normal.”
Casey laughed along with the men. Outside, her mood changed. What a dumb thing to use for an excuse. Now she had to really and truly go shopping. She hated to shop, but she screwed up her courage, determined to appreciate the experience. She would enjoy her excursion and be grateful she was able to shop.
Once alone, Casey rang Vera on the cell phone. Her breathless answer made Casey ask, “What are you doing?”
“I just placed a call to my husband, Ray. He’s supposed to call back any minute. He may get to come home early. I got an official-looking letter, but it was delivered to Brad’s address here in town rather than being sent to the ranch.”
“Then I’ll get off the line. Brad is talking with the doctor about another patient, and I’m going shopping. See you at dinner. Bye.”
“Bye.” The click of the phone made Casey smile. Vera had more important things than shopping on her mind. Feeling free, Casey drove to an elegant little boutique she would have never considered going into before. Stepping onto the plush, mauve carpet inside the shop’s door sent an excited shiver up her spine. Today she’d shop for the fun of it. Never before had she wanted feminine clothes. Today she wanted someone to help her find clothes that made her look subtly glamorous.
She found the saleslady was more than happy to oblige. It was a banner day for the boutique and a new education for Casey.
Later, at dinner, an excited Vera broke the silence before their salad had even arrived. “Do you suppose it would be okay for me to stay here and get things fixed up for Ray’s homecoming?”
Casey spoke up. “I don’t see why not. Dr. Newton said I’m able to manage by myself. What do you think, Brad?”
“I’ll run it by Tres when I talk to him tonight. It seems like we’re all ready to make some changes.”
“How did your discussion about a prospective new patient go?” Casey asked.
Brad leaned back in his chair. “Good. We went over and visited with the man. He sustained some serious injuries in a construction accident. He has a long, hard road of rehab ahead, but his attitude is good. He’s chomping at the bit to get out of the center. We’d live at his place near the lake and go
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