Free Healing Hearts by Margaret Daley Page A

and switched off the bedside lamp. He left the door open when he came out of the room. In silence Abbey and Dominic made their way downstairs, but the second he wasn’t with his sister, Dominic’s upbeat expression collapsed.
    In the foyer, Abbey rotated toward him. “The new dog is up to you.”
    “I’m fine with that. We can work out something around your schedule and Madi’s physical therapy, which starts tomorrow. I’m glad she’s back home and in her own room. I think that will help her.”
    “I agree, but that isn’t what’s bothering you, is it? What’s wrong?”
    Tension tightened his features. His eyes darkened. Something was wrong, but he didn’t trust her enough to tell her. Abbey ducked her head, disappointment spreading through her.

Chapter Five
    D ominic faced Abbey in the foyer, his breath trapped in his lungs until they burned. He released a swoosh of air and massaged the back of his neck, the tension down his spine making it feel as if a steel rod held him upright. “Have you ever been torn in two different directions?”
    “Sure. When I was a mother and wife trying to also finish my master’s degree, I often felt like three different people and had a hard time juggling those roles. Is this about your work and your sister?”
    “Am I that obvious?” He tried to smile, but it didn’t stay long.
    “I know you received a call from Samuel, and when you came back to say good-night to Madison, you were struggling to stay cheerful. I could see something was bothering you, and you were trying not to let Madison see.”
    “Do you think she knows something is wrong?”
    “She’s sharp, but she was tired and too busy trying to get you to read another chapter of Nancy Drew.” Abbey looked around then moved back to the stairs and sat. “It’s been a long day. What’s happening?”
    He joined her, feeling the past months crashing down on him. Gabe sat on the floor between them, and Dominic reached out to stroke the dog. “I need to go to the funeral Friday. My employee’s body was delayed returning from Costa Sierra, and now the family can finally bury him. I want to be there for them. They have gone through so much. I also need to talk with my other two employees in person. I thought of flying them here, but they need to be with their families in familiar surroundings. They went through a horrible ordeal because they’re my employees.” An invisible band about his chest tightened.
    “And you have Madison here needing your support, as well? Is that what you’re thinking?”
    He nodded, not sure he could formulate the necessary words to explain his dilemma adequately. “Madi wakes up every night from bad dreams. I’ve tried to get her to tell me about them, but all she wants to do is cling to me. I have a monitor in her room, but even with it, I don’t know she’s having a nightmare until she’s crying out. Her covers are all twisted up, so the dream has to be going on for a while.”
    “Gabe is good at detecting when a nightmare is starting. I’ve dealt with this before with my daughter. I know how hard it can be. I know...” Abbey’s words faded, and she averted her gaze.
    Pain flitted through her expression. She swallowed hard and chewed on her lower lip, her stare fastened on the floor.
    “I’m sorry, Abbey. This is stirring up memories that are hard for you.”
    A long silence hovered between them before she asked, “How long do you need to be in Houston?”
    “I could leave late Thursday afternoon and be back Saturday night. I want to attend the wake Thursday evening and the funeral Friday, then meet with my other employees on Saturday. Do you think Madi would be all right with Mrs. Ponder? She lives here and could watch Madi.”
    Abbey frowned. “If you’re asking me, then you already have reservations about leaving your sister alone with your housekeeper.”
    “Yes. She tolerates Madi, but she sees it as her duty to keep the house clean and cook the meals, not