Her Holiday Hero Page 3

  “If he’ll come, I’ll make room. The members are there to support each other, and talking about it has helped them. But there aren’t any soldiers in the group.”

  “Maybe you should start one for people who have been bullied.” Josh was dealing with some of the same symptoms as someone with PTSD—anger, anxiety and depression.

  “If I only had more time in the day. Even quitting work at the hospital hasn’t changed much because I’m training more dogs now. There is such a demand for them. So you didn’t get any answers about who’s bullying Josh from your meeting with Mrs. Alexander yesterday?”

  “She hasn’t seen anything, and since I didn’t know the bullies’ names and couldn’t describe them, there wasn’t much she could do but keep an eye out for any trouble. Most of the boys in his class are bigger than Josh, so the bullies could be in Mrs. Alexander’s room. Or from the other fifth-grade classes.”

  “They could even be sixth-graders. It was a good idea to get him off the bus. It’s hard for the driver to keep an eye on the road and what students are doing at the same time.” Abbey leaned down and stroked the terrier. “Did Dad give his okay on this dog?”

  Emma nodded. “Your father checked her over and she’s medically sound. It’s Madi’s turn to name the dog. Let me know what she chooses.” Madi was Abbey’s ten-year-old sister-in-law whom she and Dominic were raising.

  “Madi takes her job as name giver very seriously. She’ll stew on it for days,” Abbey said with a chuckle.

  “Not too long. I want to start right away and a name helps. Now that I’m winding down with Shep, I have a slot open.” Since she still worked full-time at the animal hospital, she could train only one dog at a time.

  Abbey took the leash from Emma. “Good. Before long we’re going to need another trainer, or you’re going to have to quit your job here.”

  “Your father might have something to say about that. I’m going to look at training more than one dog. Hopefully that will help.”

  “I know, but the requests for free service dogs have increased over the past few months, especially now that veterans have heard about our foundation and the VA has stopped paying for service dogs. Many of the veterans can’t afford an animal from the agencies that charge for them.”

  “How are the donations coming?” Emma leaned against the exam table, the terrier rubbing against her leg.

  “They’re increasing. My husband is very good at helping to raise money for Caring Canines. Dominic can attest to the good a dog can bring to a person after how Madi responded to Cottonball following her surgery to help her walk again.”

  Emma smiled. “And now Madi is running everywhere. You wouldn’t know she had been in a plane crash twenty months ago.”

  “She’s telling me she wants to learn to train dogs. I’m having her shadow me.”

  “A trainer in the making. There was a time I thought Josh would want to train dogs, but lately nothing interests him.”

  A frown slashed across Abbey’s face. “Because he’s too busy dodging the bullies after him.”

  “I know God wants me to forgive the boys, but I’m not sure I can. Josh has already had to deal with losing his dad. They were very close.”

  “Madi needed a woman’s influence, and I suspect Josh could benefit from a male being in his life.”

  “He has Ben when he comes to visit.”

  “You don’t want to get married again?” Abbey started for the reception area of the animal hospital, leading the terrier on a leash.

  Emma followed her down the hallway. “I know you found love with Dominic, but Sam gave me everything I needed. I’ve had my time.” Abbey had loved her husband so much that when he’d died, it had left a big hole in her heart she didn’t think any man could fill.

  “That’s wonderful, but he’s been gone for three years. I realized when I met and fell in love with Dominic that we could have second chances, and they can work out beautifully.”

  “Says a lady madly in love with her husband. When am I going to fit a man into my life with work, training dogs and raising Josh?”

  “When your heart is ready,” Abbey said. They stood at the entrance into the reception area where a client waited with her cat. Abbey winked at Emma and started toward the main door. “See you later at the ranch.”

  “I’ll be there today, but tomorrow I’m going to be busy baking brownies and scouting out the situation with Captain Tanner. At the very least, my brother wants a report he’s okay. And if Captain Tanner needs Shep, I’ll do my best to persuade him of the benefits of a service dog.”

  At the door Abbey turned back and answered, “He may need more than Shep. Animal companionship is great but so is human companionship.” She gave a saucy grin then left.

  Emma faced the receptionist and lady in the waiting room. “Ignore what that woman said. She doesn’t know what she’s talking about.” Emma turned and headed for exam room one to prepare it for the next client. The sound of chuckles followed her down the hallway, and heat reddened her cheeks.

  *

  On Wednesday, Jake’s hand shook as he reread the letter from the army. He was being awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his heroic actions in the mountains in Afghanistan.

  Why? I’m no hero. Not everyone came home. Those left behind are the true heroes.

  Guilt mingled with despair as he fought to keep the memories locked away. The bombs exploding. The peppering of gunfire. The screams and cries. The stench of death and gunpowder.

  The letter slipped from his hand and floated to the floor. He couldn’t protect all his men. He’d tried. But he’d lost too many. Friends. Battle buddies.

  He hung his head and his gaze latched on to the letter. Squeezing his eyes shut, he still heard in his mind the words General Hatchback would say when he gave him the medal during the Veterans Day Ceremony—six weeks away. And no doubt, his father would be there.

  No, he wouldn’t go. He didn’t deserve it. He’d done his duty. He didn’t want a medal for that. He just wanted to be left alone.

  The doorbell chimed, startling him. He jerked his head up and looked toward the foyer. He went to the window and saw the delivery guy from the grocery store. Using his cane, he covered the distance to the door at a quick pace and let the young man in.

  “Hi, Mr. Tanner. I’ll put these on the counter in your kitchen.”

  While Morgan took the sacks into that room, Jake retrieved his wallet from his bedroom and pulled out some money for a tip then met the guy in the foyer. “Thanks. See you a week from tomorrow.”

  “I’m off next Thursday. A big game at school. Got to support our Trojans.”

  “When will you be working next week?” Jake handed him the tip.

  “Friday afternoon and evening.” Morgan stuffed the money into his pocket.

  “Then I’ll call my order in for that day.”

  “You don’t have to. Steve delivers when I don’t.”

  Jake put his hand on the knob. “That’s okay. Friday is fine. I’ll have enough to tide me over until then.” He was used to Morgan. The young man did a good job, even putting his meat and milk into the refrigerator for him. He didn’t want a stranger here. Jake swung the front door open for Morgan to leave.

  “Sure, if that’s what you want.” The teen left.

  When Jake moved to close the door behind Morgan, he caught sight of Emma and a black and brown German shepherd coming up the sidewalk. He couldn’t very well act as if he wasn’t home, and there was no way he would hurt her by ignoring the bell since she’d seen him. But company was not what he wanted to deal with at the moment.

  Then his gaze caught the smile that encompassed her face, dimpling her cheeks and adding sparkle to her sky-blue eyes as though a light shone through them. He couldn’t tell her to go home. He’d see her for a few minutes then plead work, which was true. He had a paper due for his doctorate program.

  “Hi. How are you doing today?” Emma stopped in front of him, presenting him with a plate covered with aluminum foil. “I brought a thank-you gift. Brownies—the thick, chewy kind. I hope you like chocolate.”

  “Love it. Ho
w did you know?”

  “Most people do, so I thought it was a safe dessert to make for you. I love to bake and this is one of my specialties.”

  “Thanks. You and my neighbor ought to get together. Marcella is always baking,” he said, with the corners of his mouth twitching into a grin, her own smile affecting him.

  “And bringing you some of it?”

  “Yes.” He stared into her cheerful expression and wanted to shout there was nothing to be upbeat about, but something nipped his negative thoughts—at least temporarily. Her bright gaze captured him and held him in its grasp.

  Since Saturday, he’d been plagued with memories of their meeting that day. He’d even considered going to her house and seeing how Josh was. He only got a couple of feet from his porch before he turned around. They were strangers, and she didn’t need to be saddled with a man—even as a friend—who was crippled physically and emotionally.

  Jake stepped away from the entrance. “Come in. I have to put away the rest of my groceries.” For a few seconds, panic unfolded deep inside him. He was out of practice carrying on a normal conversation with a civilian after so many years in war-conflicted areas. Sucking in a deep breath, he shoved the anxiety down.

  As she passed him, a whiff of her flowery scent wafted to him—lavender. His mother used to wear it. For a few seconds he was thrust into the past. He remembered coming into the kitchen when his mom took a pan of brownies out of the oven. The aromas of chocolate and lavender competed for dominance in his thoughts, and a sense of comfort engulfed him.

  Emma turned toward him with that smile still gracing her full mouth. It drew him toward her, stirring other feelings in him. He’d had so little joy in his life lately. That had to be the reason he responded to a simple grin.

  “It’s this way.” He limped ahead of her through the dining room and into the kitchen.

  “I like this.” Emma put the plate on the center island counter. “It’s cozy and warm. Do you cook?”

  “No, unless you call cooking opening a can and heating up whatever is in it. My meals aren’t elaborate. A lot of frozen dinners.” Jake’s gaze landed on the German shepherd. Beautiful dog to go with a beautiful woman, but why did she bring the animal with her? Had his strange behavior the other day scared her somehow? When a panic attack took hold of him, it was hard for him to do much about it, which only made the situation worse.

  “That’s a shame. You need to come to my house one evening. I love to cook when I have the time.”

  “What keeps you so busy you can’t cook very often?” Jake asked, resolved to stay away from any topic about him as he began emptying the sacks on the countertop. Focus on her. A much safer subject to discuss.

  “Training dogs, working a full-time job at the animal hospital and trying to raise a child who’s giving me fits.”

  “Things aren’t any better?”

  “No. The Cold War has been declared at my house. He didn’t appreciate my talking to his teacher.”

  Jake whistled. “Yep, that will do it.”

  “Are you taking his side? Are you saying I shouldn’t have talked with his teacher about his being bullied?”

  Jake threw up his hands, palms outward. “Hold it right there. I am not taking anyone’s side. That’s between you and your son.”

  “I could use your help with this situation.”

  He scanned the room, looking for a way out of the kitchen and this conversation. He didn’t want to be in the middle between a mother and son. “I don’t know the boys who ganged up on Josh.”

  “But you saw them. Can you describe the culprits? Even one of them?”

  “Maybe the smallest kid. Brown hair, brown eyes.”

  “Good. Do you have a piece of paper and a pencil?”

  “Yes, but…” Staring at the determination in Emma’s expression, he realized the quickest way to get rid of her was to give her what she wanted—at least the little he knew. He crossed to the desk under the wall phone and withdrew the items requested.

  Emma took them. “I love to draw. If you tell me what he looks like, I’ll try to sketch a portrait of him. Brown hair and eyes as well as a small frame fit a lot of kids in Cimarron City. So let’s start with what shape his face is—oval, oblong, heart shaped? Is his jaw square, pointy, round?”

  Staring at the dog sitting near the back door, Jake rubbed his day-old beard stubble. He’d forgotten to shave this morning. He was doing that more lately. When he glanced down at his attire, he winced at the shabby T-shirt and jeans with several holes in them. If someone who didn’t know him walked in right now, that person would think Jake was close to living on the street. Suddenly he saw himself through Emma’s eyes. And he didn’t like the picture.

  The military had taught him always to be prepared and to keep himself presentable. Lately he’d forgotten his training. The least he could do was change clothing. He wouldn’t shave because her visit was impromptu, and he didn’t want to give her the wrong impression—that he cared. He knew better than to care, not with the upheaval in his life.

  “Your visit has taken me by surprise. I’ll be back in a minute.” He gestured to the kitchen. “Make yourself at home. I have a large, fenced backyard if you want to put your pet outside. A big dog like that probably requires a lot of exercise.” He wanted to add: I won’t hurt you. I’m only hurting myself.

  “That’s great.”

  As she walked to the back door, Jake slipped out of the kitchen and hurried to his bedroom. He felt encouraged she wasn’t afraid of him since she was putting her German shepherd outside. Somehow he would beat what he was going through…but he didn’t think he could by the time of the medal ceremony on Veterans Day.

  After rummaging in his closet for something nicer to wear, he began to change. He caught sight of himself in the full-length mirror on the back of the door and froze. He didn’t know the man staring back at him in the reflection. He sank onto his bed and plowed his fingers through his unruly hair.

  I just want some hope, Lord.

  Chapter Three

  Jake hadn’t kicked her out of his house yet. That was a good sign. Emma knew how much control meant to him right now because Ben had gone through a period where he tried to manage everything around him. He needed to know what was going to happen next. The trouble was life wasn’t predictable, and that was where Ben had problems. He’d lost his patience and laid-back attitude, but in the past nine months he was getting them back. He was realizing finally that God was the one in control and He was always there to help him through. Did Jake believe in God?

  After letting Shep out into Jake’s backyard, Emma glanced around the neat kitchen, an olive-green-and-gold decor—no doubt his grandmother’s touch when she lived in the house. She’d asked Marcella Kime, who went to her church, about Jake and this place. His grandmother had lived here until she died last year. The family hadn’t sold it yet, so Jake must have decided to move in.

  One sack of groceries was left on the counter. While she waited for Jake to return, she emptied the bag of food, then prowled the room. Maybe he skipped out the front door. When she heard a bark at the back one, she let Shep into the house.

  She knelt and rubbed her hands along his thick black and brown fur. “I think the man is trying to send me a message,” she whispered near the German shepherd’s ear. “He doesn’t know yet that I’m relentless when on a mission. He needs help and you. He’s the reason Ben is alive. I owe Jake.”

  She nuzzled Shep, relishing the calmness that came from loving on the dog. In her house, there was always a dog she was training. With her full-time job, bringing a trainee home helped her to be around more if her son needed her. But the animal would eventually move on to another person. She’d found it easier not to have her own dog in case there were territorial issues when a new canine came for training. But maybe one day….

  “Did he decide not to stay outside?”

  Jake’s question startled her, and she gasped. She swiveled around. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

  “Sorry. I’ve learned to move quietly.”

  Emma straightened. “My husban
d made enough noise to alert the neighbors. Josh is just like his dad.”

  “What happened to your husband?”

  “He died three years ago. He had epilepsy. It got worse over the years, and then he had a seizure he never recovered from.” While on a ladder putting up Christmas lights because she had mentioned she wanted some. She’d intended for the teen next door to do the chore—not Sam. Guilt nibbled at her composure, and she shut it down. She was here to help Jake and possibly get some information concerning the kids bullying Josh.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Life has a way of changing and throwing you a curve when you least expect it.”

  He flinched. “Yeah, I know what you mean.”

  For a few heartbeats her gaze connected with his, and her stomach flip-flopped. The intensity in his look weakened her knees. She grasped the countertop.

  As Jake moved to put away the canned goods and boxes from the last sack, she noted his change in clothing, trying to keep her attention somewhere besides those dark, compelling eyes. He still wore jeans but without any holes and a navy blue polo shirt. She saw his actions as a good sign. He wanted to look nicer for her, and that gave her hope.

  “We can go into the living room, and I’ll try to describe that last child I caught bullying Josh.”

  Emma retrieved the pad and pencil. “I appreciate it. I’m not sure what I’ll do when I find out who the bullies are, but I need to know, if for no other reason than to help my son deal with the situation.”

  She went first toward the living area off the foyer. Shep walked beside her. Inside the room, she headed toward the couch. Her foot stepped on something, and she peered down. A sheet of paper—a letter? She picked it up as Jake entered. Her gaze lit upon the subject of the letter.

  She swept around. “You’re being awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. Congratulations!”

  Jake stiffened. A thunderous expression descended over his features. He limped toward her and plucked the letter from her hands. “No reason to congratulate me because I survived when many didn’t.”

  She eased onto the couch behind her, Shep sitting at her feet, close enough that she could stroke the back of his head and neck. She looked up into Jake’s warring gaze as he skimmed the contents of the letter, then balled it up, crossed to the trash can and tossed it.