The next morning, Raelynn woke up, got dressed and headed to the office. Stopping at Dunkin Donuts on the way to grab breakfast and a coffee had made her was only five minutes late for work. She had just sat down at her desk when the phone on it rang. Raelynn didn't recognize the number but picked it up anyway.
" Detective Reynolds speaking," she answered.
A deep male voice drawled, " Hey Detective, it's Sebastian Beck."
Raelynn's heart gave a traitorous flutter. " Sebastian...good morning. What can I do for you?" she asked, trying to sound as professional as possible.
Sebastian sighed, " I forgot to ask you last night...how long will it take before I can get my gun back?"
He sounded tired. She wondered if he had gotten any sleep last night. " It's going to take a while. It's evidence and you probably won't get it back until the case is closed."
" And who knows when that will be", he added.
" Right."
" So I'm better off just buying a new gun," he stated.
" Probably," Raelynn agreed.
Sebastian growled. " Dammit."
" Sorry," Raelynn said, not knowing exactly why she was apologizing.
" It's not your fault," Sebastian said quietly.
" Did you sleep at all last night Sebastian?" Raelynn found herself asking. Wishing immediately that she could take it back. That was a bit of a personal question that she had no right asking.
Sebastian snorted. " Yeah right."
" Listen...a friend of mine is a really great therapist. I can give you his name," Raelynn said softly. Praying and hoping that he said okay.
" It's a guy?" He asked curiously.
" Yes and he's young. He's in his early 40's, he's really easy to talk to, and I think you would benefit from going to see him," she said.
Sebastian's silence made her gut clench. Her hope plummeted. He wasn't going to..." Okay. Give me his name and number."
Oh thank god! " His name is Jared Walsh," she said, then gave Sebastian his number. Raelynn left out the fact that Jared was her brother-in-law. Sebastian didn't need to know that. " He deals with a lot of law enforcement and military."
" Okay. Thanks a lot Detective. I'll give him a call in a little bit."
" You're welcome. I'll be talking to ya," Raelynn replied.
They said goodbye then hung up. Raelynn immediately called Jared and explained the situation to him. He was more then willing to take Sebastian in as a patient. Raelynn sighed in relief. She was actually worried about the guy. Worried about his mental state. It's traumatic when an officer shoots and kills someone, but a civilian who was protecting kids? That was a whole other level. He needed help getting through this. And Jared would be able to help him with that.
Sebastian's face popped into her head. The distress in his eyes when she first walked in last night hurt her heart. He was swaying back and forth with an infant in one arm and a four year old attached to his leg. How terrified he must have been when he first realized what was going on. The fierce need to protect was etched all over his handsome features. She had first thought that they were his kids and her heart sank just a little. Not that she thought there was a chance for her to be with him, but it did kill her fantasy.
Raelynn had thought about him on and off since that night in the bar. She had wondered if she was ever going to cross paths with him again. To say that this was not the way she had pictured them meeting again was an understatement. Raelynn shook Sebastian free of her mind. She had work to do and she couldn't be thinking about him.
Sebastian walked out of his first therapy session feeling pretty good. He had called Jared Walsh about an hour after Detective Reynolds gave Sebastian his number. Sebastian had been surprised when Jared had wanted him to come in immediately. Jared was awesome. He was funny and kind and listened to everything Sebastian had to say. Then he provided his opinion and insight. He was very knowledgeable and intelligent, which Sebastian liked. He was going to have to thank Detective Reynolds for recommending Jared.
Sebastian headed to the shop. He had called his boss, Bill, and let him know that he was going to be in a little later today - which he was fine with. Bill was the greatest boss ever. As long as you got your work done, he didn't really give a shit what time you came in or left.
The bell rang as Sebastian entered the shop. There were a couple customers milling around. Bill was helping one guy at the counter. He looked up when he heard the bell chime. His eyes flashed with concern as he looked at Sebastian. He nodded at Sebastian before turning back to his customer. Sebastian gave him a reassuring smile as he walked through the showroom to get to the shop.