All the Shiny Things: A Kate Reid Novel (Kate Reid Series Book 1) Read Free Page A

treatments came up. But after reading more about the idea of the relaxation therapy, she was warming to it and would bring it up to Dr. Reyes. Of course, Katie was unsure if the doctor was willing or capable of performing such therapy, having only ever known of Dr. Reyes’ work with troubled families and victims of abuse. The Advocacy Group, her employer, was involved in everything from victim’s assistance programs to substance abuse clinics to community outreach. If Dr. Reyes couldn’t help her, she probably knew of someone who could.
    There was no denying Katie had a knack for research and she was always looking for ways to solve problems, be it her own, or others’. Whatever it was, Katie had a desire to learn everything she could on a subject in which she had interest. This was likely the reason her work at the foundation was so invaluable. Her caseload often involved detailed research.
    An overhead announcement began. “Please turn off your electronic devices, place your seats in their upright positions, and stow your personal belongs. We will begin our descent into San Diego momentarily.”
    “Spence.” She nudged him. “Spencer, we’re getting ready to land. Wake up.”
    “Okay, I’m awake.”
    “How are you feeling?” she asked.
    “Better; not great, but better.”
     
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    The predictably comfortable weather signaled that they were home. The sky was still clouded, but by mid-afternoon, the sun would burn off the remaining haze that rolled in with the tide.
    Their two bedroom apartment was teeming with the odor of pent up, damp sea air when Spencer opened the door. “I’d better open some windows.” He pulled back the curtains to bathe the living room in light and lifted the old single-pane windows to allow the fresh air inside.
    Katie headed for the bedroom and dropped her small bag on the bed. Immediately, she tossed her clothes to the floor and hopped into the shower.
    Just as she stepped out, Spencer appeared with a cold bottle of water in his hands. “Here you go. Thought you might be thirsty. Oh and Sam called your cell. Looks like she left you a message.”
    “Okay, thanks.” She pulled on a tank top and shorts and wrapped her thick dark hair in a towel. The cell phone on her nightstand buzzed again, indicating a waiting message. Katie retrieved it and held the phone to her ear. “Hi, Katie, it’s me. I just want to thank you for everything you’ve done for me over the past several months. You made my wedding truly the best day of my life. I’ll tell you all about Fiji when we get back. Take care of yourself. Love you. Bye.”
    Katie smiled and pressed the delete button. “Love you too, my friend.”

 
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    T heir second floor apartment was fairly close to Pacific Beach; the place was small, but suited the both of them for now. In fact, it was almost close enough to get a clear view of the ocean, if Katie turned her head just right while standing on the third step outside the front door, and peered through the alleyway of the condos across the street. Then, the view was perfect.
    Her commute to the office was thankfully brief on this Monday morning and when she arrived, Katie passed through the tall glass doors which opened into the lobby. The third floor was where she’d spent the past couple of years, in a cubicle with high walls, offering a veiled sense of privacy. Inside the company directory, she found the contact information for Dr. Reyes.
    “There’s one more thing, doctor,” Katie said, sitting at her desk. “What are your thoughts on hypnotherapy?”
    “I’ve used some forms of it for assistance in addiction treatments. Generally, stressors in a person’s life can cause a whole host of problems. I believe that’s what we may be dealing with here and hypnotherapy may be of some use. But first things first; we need to get you in here so that we’re able to talk about your situation in an objective manner; so how about next Thursday at