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    Finding the Way Back
    Finding the Way Back
    Finding the Way Back
    Ebook114 pages1 hour

    Finding the Way Back

    By E. A. West

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    About this ebook

    A field agent betrayed, tortured, and broken. Can the gentle love of his nurse heal his wounds?

    Ian Grant withstood captivity and ruthless torture on his latest mission. Now home, his body slowly heals from the deep physical injuries. His mind, though, refuses to mend — and his voice refuses to return. Unable to answer the persistent questions of his superior agents, Ian grows despondent. Until he meets beautiful nurse practitioner, Hazel Baker.

    Hazel's job is to treat bodies, but compassion calls her to heal Ian's deeper wounds. Agreeing to care for him long-term from her home, Hazel sees how PTSD unravels Ian's thoughts and behavior. He seems a mental mess, but the warmth in his eyes shows promise, and when he interacts with her four-year-old daughter, the single mother catches a vision of resiliency even Ian doesn't see any longer.

    As Hazel and Ian work on his recovery together, Agency corruption threatens his peace. His trauma can be put to rest only by regaining his voice and speaking against the brutality. Can Hazel's sweet love help him find the way back to the man he used to be?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherElizabeth West
    Release dateJul 26, 2017
    ISBN9780972091947
    Finding the Way Back
    Author

    E. A. West

    E. A. West is a professor of nursing at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Dr. West’s achievements include Nursing in Appalachia: History, Organization, and the Changing Culture of Care (2019) and a book chapter titled “Ethics & Integrity in Nursing Research” in Handbook on Ethics and Integrity in Scientific Research (2020).

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      Book preview

      Finding the Way Back - E. A. West

      One

      Agency Headquarters — Columbus, Ohio

      A summons to the restricted wing wasn’t uncommon, but such a summons from the Agency’s head psychiatrist was enough to strike fear into the heart of any agent. Hazel Baker placed her palm against the biometric scanner and thanked her lucky star she wasn’t an agent.

      As a nurse practitioner for the Agency, she was used to meetings and consultations with high-ranking officials. Of course, the consultations usually involved a simple phone call, but she had attended meetings all over the building. The part that worried her this time was the top-level security required for the patient, which would keep her in the dark about his identity and condition until she arrived at the specified observation room.

      The solid steel door clicked open, and Hazel passed through into a nondescript hallway brightly illuminated by LED bulbs. Few people roamed this part of the building. Aside from a handful of security personnel stationed at random intervals, Hazel was alone on her journey into the secret depths of the Agency. The situation was a bit unnerving after the well-populated halls in the less secure areas of the building.

      Arriving at the specified location only served to unnerve her further. In addition to Dr. Pursley — the head psychiatrist — she found Agency Director Cole, head physician Dr. Hou, and Mr. Wolenczek, the director of field operations. A meeting with the top four men in the Agency was never a good thing.

      Hazel drew in a calming breath and pasted a pleasant smile on her face. You wanted to see me?

      Yes, Director Cole said, his gaze more serious than usual. We need your help.

      Her heart skipped a beat as her smile faded. Of course. What do you need?

      We have a patient in need of specialized care, Dr. Hou said. He is one of our field agents and was involved in a rather difficult mishap.

      Hazel had a feeling difficult mishap deserved an award for being the understatement of all time. What is it you would like me to do?

      Dr. Pursley cleared his throat. We want you to take him home with you.

      What? She stared at the men, trying to decide if they had suffered simultaneous mental breaks. From their solemn expressions, she could only conclude they were serious. You want me to take a field agent home with me?

      After much discussion, we feel it would be in his best interest to recuperate in a home environment, away from the stresses of the Agency. Dr. Pursley gave her what he likely intended to be a confidence-building smile. Unfortunately, it did nothing to allay Hazel’s worry, especially when he continued. You have the necessary skills and experience to care for him, plus your home is in a rural area, which will be therapeutic for him.

      What about my daughter? If this agent is in such bad shape that he needs special care, should he be near a four-year-old?

      Your daughter will be perfectly safe, Mr. Wolenczek said. Ian’s behavior may be a bit erratic right now, but he would never harm a child.

      Does his erratic behavior put me in danger? The more Hazel heard, the less she liked their plan. Keep in mind, I’m the only family my little girl has.

      Mr. Wolenczek opened his mouth, but Dr. Pursley interrupted. Nurse Baker, I understand your concerns. You have every right to be worried about your safety and that of your daughter, but I honestly believe you both will be fine and that recuperating at your house will be beneficial to Ian’s recovery.

      Hazel shifted her gaze to the glass wall several feet past the men. The light coming from the room indicated it was occupied, but she couldn’t see whoever was inside. Most likely, it was the mysterious Ian they were discussing. But how could she in good conscience take home a field agent in such bad shape he needed to recuperate outside the usual facilities? And what did Mr. Wolenczek mean when he said erratic behavior?

      She returned her attention to Dr. Pursley, ready to jeopardize her job if necessary to protect her daughter’s physical and mental well-being. I need more information before I make a decision. What exactly is wrong with this field agent that would require him to spend time at my house?

      He was taken prisoner during a mission. We don’t know the full extent of what he endured, but there was physical evidence of torture. He still has a couple of healing wounds you will need to keep clean and bandaged.

      The poor man. Kidnapping, torture, and even death were risks all field agents accepted as a part of the job, but few expected to actually deal with such things. Wait. How can you not know what he endured? All agents are debriefed as soon as they return from the field.

      We attempted to debrief him, Mr. Wolenczek said. He hasn’t spoken since his rescue, although Dr. Hou assures me there is nothing wrong with his vocal chords.

      Dr. Pursley cleared his throat. That is one reason we believe time in a home environment, especially a rural home like yours, will aid in his recovery. Whatever he endured has traumatized him badly, and staying in this institutional setting isn’t doing him any good.

      Hazel’s heart broke. The agents she had met were all such strong people, outgoing, full of confidence. To know that one had been completely broken by his assignment made her want to accept the task of helping him to recover. However, there was still one matter she needed to know more about before she gave her consent.

      What is the erratic behavior Mr. Wolenczek mentioned?

      The four men exchanged glances, and Hazel grew suspicious. Surely, they hadn’t lied when they said she and her daughter would be safe. Had they?

      Dr. Pursley motioned her toward the glass wall. Ian’s behavior is a bit unpredictable, but he doesn’t appear to be dangerous. At times he wanders restlessly. Other times he appears almost catatonic. He tends to either sleep all the time or not at all.

      She stepped up to the glass and finally caught sight of the man in question. He sat on a padded bench bolted to the wall, head down and hands lying palm up in his lap. His dark hair was in need of a comb, but he appeared to have shaved that morning. The pale blue scrubs hung loosely on him, and Hazel wondered if he had always been so thin or if he had been starved during his captivity.

      As you can see, he’s not particularly wild or out of control. Dr. Pursley turned toward her, his gaze full of sincerity. Ian Grant is a good man. Until his captivity he was a great field agent, one of the best. While we would like to see him be able to one day do the job again, it is much more important to get him to the point where he can function in society.

      Hazel studied Ian, who seemed completely unaware of being observed. Is there anything I should or shouldn’t do to help him on the road to healing?

      Don’t sneak up on him. He has a rather violent startle response right now. Dr. Pursley scrubbed a hand across the back of his neck. He isn’t likely to harm you if you do happen to startle him, but it seems to set back his recovery each time it happens. With that in mind, always make sure he knows you’re there before you touch him to change a bandage. It occasionally takes a little while for him to realize someone is speaking to him, but it’s best for his mental health to wait until he acknowledges your presence in some way before you touch him.

      I’ll keep that in mind. Hazel focused on the psychiatrist. What injuries does he have?

      I’ll let Dr. Hou explain those. Dr. Pursley looked at the trio of men waiting down the hall. Dr. Hou, Nurse Baker would like to know about Ian’s injuries.

      Of course. The doctor joined them and handed Hazel a chart. This details his condition since he was brought in.

      She opened the chart and skimmed the pages. Ian had endured horrible treatment at the hands of whoever had taken him prisoner. Malnutrition, dehydration, cuts, internal bleeding, cracked ribs, burns, sprains, dislocations — the list was long and stomach-churning. She closed the chart and met Dr. Hou’s gaze. How long ago was he rescued?

      A month. As you can see, he has been through a lot. Dr. Hou sighed and looked at his patient, who hadn’t moved. "Most of the physical injuries have healed at this point. His ribs will be sensitive for a few more weeks, but they’re healing nicely. The only real medical

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