Free A Forever Masterpiece (The Masterpiece Trilogy Book 3) by Nikki Lynn Barrett Page B

the trauma you went through, it's easy. I'm glad you found some memories." Dr. Ryan folded his hands together and leaned close. "I sense something is off, though. What happened?"
    "Becca." Hunter lowered his voice to just above a whisper. "It was hard on her. Being there in the town and she's no closer to knowing her past. The last night we were supposed to be there, someone attacked Joe and Becca. She-" He stopped, drawing in a ragged breath.
    "She what?" Dr. Ryan coaxed.
    "He brought out a gun, and she kicked it out of his hand. The gun went off." He couldn't say any more. Hunter squeezed his eyes shut. He hadn't been there but the scene played in his mind. "Self defense."
    "She killed him." The words weren't accusatory, they were just a statement.
    "She didn't. No. The gun went off. Becca-" Hunter stumbled over the words. Why was Becca handling this a hell of a lot better than he could? Or maybe she wasn't. Becca refused to talk about it ever since they arrived home. She became defensive when someone brought it up.
    "Hunter, it's okay. Tell me everything that happened. This is big, and we want to make sure you don't have any setbacks."
    Thinking of Becca and how he wished she was by his side now, Hunter explained everything that he knew. The attack, the words the man said, and how Becca had completely panicked and then became calm when they arrived home. He told him about the painting he'd come across, which Becca insisted she didn't want anyone to see because it wasn't finished. "I'm wondering if she'd be able to come talk to you? Does she need a referral to come here?" Hunter hoped that it wouldn't be a big process to get Becca here, if she'd even talk. Despite her saying she was fine, he knew it was a matter of time before Becca's strength broke and all the walls crumbled.
    "Get her a referral, but I'm not the right doctor for her. In the meantime, see if you can schedule your appointments when she's available, too. Why don't we talk about you resuming flying next time? Talk to your boss, see what he thinks."
    Hunter stood and shook his hand, a ritual they'd always done after each appointment. "You know, I was thinking. Since I went to Maryland and found memories just by being at the house, I wonder if I should go to the island where the crash happened. I did have dreams of Sylvia there. Maybe something will spark a memory so I can piece the rest of this together. Becca wants to give up and let it go, but I'm not sure I can. We know how my mind gets."
    Dr. Ryan pressed his lips in a thin line. He took a while to respond. "Do you think it'll be helpful?"
    "I don't know. If I could remember things from my childhood home, maybe something will come up on the island. Sylvia holds the key to stuff. She knows something. Why do I keep dreaming about her on the island if she wasn't there? I know some of my dreams are based on reality. We've learned that."
    "The island is also a trigger."
    "I know. The last time I went around major triggers, I was hit by a car. But I'm better now. I know what to look for. If I can find the answers for Becca, and for myself, we'll have a better chance at letting go. She might be easily willing to go on without knowing, but I'm not sure I can. My family was involved in something, and I want to know what."
    *****
    Becca faced the inevitable that day at work. She bumped into Vince. Literally. Not paying attention and carrying a handful of paint jars, she plowed right into him. One of the jars fell, shattering glass and red paint all over the floor. A vivid memory jolt seized her, and it was like she was back there again, the night a man died by her hand. Don't go there, don't go there!
    "I'm sorry!" she gasped, scrambling to grab a roll of paper towels.
    "Rebecca, it's okay," the all too familiar voice said, sending the heebie jeebies crawling down her spine. Vince. Oh, of all the people to bump into and nearly freak out in front of!
    "I'll clean this right up. Sorry about your shoes." She glanced