No Man Left Behind: A Veteran Inspired Charity Anthology

by Elizabeth Knox

  “You know they have treatments for cancer now and we’ll get you anything you need.”

  “It’s too late for that. This has eaten away at my body for years. Two months a widower and I was told I had a choice to make. I choose to see my angel again and not suffer the agony of treatments. I’m ready to go now.”

  Leo pushed back his sadness forcing his voice to be strong. “You’ve been a rock. The father I’ve needed at times, Sam. I’m not ready for you to go.”

  “You’ll be fine now; I’ve taken care of you and hope you carry on the group meetings.”

  Leo nodded then grinned. “I thought they were just a few friends gathering to escape the hassle of chores and wives.” He reminded Sam of his version of the meetings when Leo had told him he didn’t need group therapy.

  Sam attempted a laugh that ended in a coughing spell.

  “Sir, visiting hours are over,” the young nurse quietly told Leo.

  He nodded and stood. Stepping next to the bed, he and Sam exchanged a goodbye and he walked out saying he’d see his friend again.

  A few days later, Leo stood next to Tom, Henry, and Ryan watching the flag be folded and placed on top of the casket. He had been numb since the news of his best friend’s illness only days ago. Sam had hidden his ailments for years and had become good at it. No one had known until it knocked them all for a loop. As the service came to an end and the few people in attendance began to disperse, Leo turned and was caught by surprise yet again. Hanna stood dressed in a timely black dress and heels quietly away from the small crowd.

  Even though her lips turned up on the corners, no happiness reached her eyes as she turned and walked to her car.

  He stood motionless watching how she looked in that dress and admiring the way it hugged her body. Shaking the thoughts from his mind, he scolded himself for even noticing.

  “Ready?” Tom asked, bringing Leo back to the conversation.

  “Yeah,” he replied and turned to follow the guys to have a drink in memory of their fallen brother.

  It was late when Leo arrived home. Hanna had paced and watched the drive concerned about his long absence. Even though she had no claim on Leo, she worried about his state of mind today. So many questions bombarded her with no answers.

  When he did come through the door, she was sitting at the table with a mug of hot chocolate. He stepped from the stairs, and without any expression, he stared for a brief moment at her then turned toward his bedroom. Tasha jumped from Hanna’s lap and scurried behind Leo into his room before he pushed the door closed. She emptied her mug after a while, then stood and placed it in the dishwasher. Hesitating one last time, she glanced at the closed door then descended the stairs and went to bed.

  Chapter Ten

  Hanna awoke to a tiny tongue in her face. She blinked, trying to focus on the fur coat so near to her eyes. “Well, good morning to you too.”

  She sat up and showered the dog with attention. “Are you trying to make up for abandoning me last night?” she laughed. “I bet Mr. Leo is ready for some breakfast. What do you say let’s go make some?”

  Hanna threw back the covers and hurried through her morning bathroom time before grabbing her robe. “Come on, girl. We’ll get dressed later. I must have overslept,” she talked to Tasha as she pulled the robe on tying it closed tightly around her body.

  When she reached the living room, she spotted Leo on the couch. He apparently had been up a while since he was already dressed for the day. He didn’t look up from staring at the floor in front of him as he leaned his elbows on his knees.

  “I’ll have something cooked in no time,” she commented as she hurried toward the kitchen.

  “Come sit down,” he instructed in a non-emotional tone.

  “Okay,” she replied cautiously, turning and rounding the couch.

  He motioned to the chair she had come to occupy on the rare occasion they sat together.

  She eased into the cushion wondering what could be on his mind. He never told her to sit for no reason. Patiently she waited.

  “How did you know Sam?” he asked.

  “Sam?”

  “The man whose funeral you attended yesterday. The same one who owns the house you were squatting in.” He rolled his head to witness her reaction and reply.

  “You knew I didn’t inherit that house?” Her voice barely above a whisper.

  “Of course I did.”

  She fidgeted a moment before speaking. “I didn’t know him.”

  He narrowed his eyes on her. “I won’t tolerate lying.”

  “I really didn’t. I met him when I came to town. I stopped in that little store. You know, the white building on the corner. A few blocks from the bottom of the hill.”

  He nodded.

  “I stopped to stretch my legs and let Tasha walk and potty. We walked in for a drink and this man sitting near what looked like an old time stove heater struck up a conversation. I sat with him while I drank my Coke. When I looked over the bulletin board for jobs and rentals, he asked a few questions and told me about that house. He seemed to know I was searching for a cheap place to stay and didn’t question my reasonings. Anyway, he said I could stay there until I found something suitable. He told me that he had to move, and the place wasn’t ideal, but it was a free roof until I found one. So, I took it and I never saw him again. Then, yesterday morning, a delivery boy showed up here with an envelope for me. You may have passed him on the road as you were leaving.”

  Once again, he nodded and listened.

  “It was a letter he had written with instructions to be delivered to me on the day of his funeral. I didn’t even know his name was Samuel until then.”

  “Did he send you to me?”

  “No.” Her surprise at the question was evident by her eyes. “He said for me not to be afraid of the neighbor if I run into him, he’s more bark than bite. That’s all he said about you. He was really interested in Tasha though. He said a friend of his used to have a dog remarkably similar to her. He never said who, but he hoped I would meet him.”

  “That’s it?” Leo asked, not certain what to believe.

  She nodded quickly, hoping he wouldn’t be mad. Something was off with his mood today and she was not sure of what to say.

  “Was he a close friend?” she eventually asked.

  “No one closer,” he answered quietly.

  “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”

  “I believe you.” He paused a long time and blew out a breath before continuing. “Didn’t even know he was sick. He hid it from everyone. Only a few days ago, he asked me to bring our group to the hospital to see him. That’s when he told us.” He paused again. “I’ve been trying to make sense of our last conversation. But it’s finally beginning to make sense now.”

  He straightened from his knees and leaned back against the couch. “He said he had taken care of me. A little lady would fight my demons. Then he said it’s not a woman who fights the demons. I considered it might be the medications causing his thoughts to be off. But it wasn’t. He was clear as a bell.”

  “I’m not sure I understand,” Hanna said.

  “You said he was interested in Tasha,” Leo reminded her.

  “Yeah. Then he asked about me. My goals and dreams. Things like that. Just conversation topics.”

  “Oh, he had more in mind than just idle conversation. He knew that fence had a hole in it. It did when he had a dog. That mutt would escape and come here all the time. He knew Tasha would find the hole and you would come here looking for her. I would meet either you or her soon after you moved in.”

  “Are you saying he set this up?” Hanna questioned in surprise.

  Leo nodded as a smile began to appear, however faint. “That old buzzard’s telling me how to live my life even from the grave.” He chuckled. “That’s just like him. Get the last word in and laugh about it.” He dropped his head to the back of the couch. Just as quickly as his amusement at the situation appeared, it disappeared and was repla
ced with grief. His eyes blurred as he blinked, attempting to focus on the ceiling above. He was not good with grief. He wasn’t even sure how he was going to move past this shock for some time. As he squeezed his eyes tight, he felt delicate arms sliding around his body. He squeezed his eyes even tighter, unable to push back the tears that had been threatening any longer. He knew how he would survive. Slowly he wrapped his arms around the body pressed against his side. Yes, he had a fighter next to him who was not afraid of demons.

  At that same moment, the shrill bark coming from the floor reminded him that he had a little lady who fought demons too. “Come on, girl,” Leo called Tasha as he raised his head from the cushion. Still holding Hanna in his arms, he moved just enough to allow Tasha to squeeze in the hug also.

  They remained sitting like that for some time before the tiny dog wiggled her way to Leo’s face and licked his chin. He loosened his hold on Hanna and stretched his neck to see Tasha.

  Scrubbing his hand over his face, he took a deep breath. “If you still want to stay here and make this arrangement long term, I can put a doggie door in so Tasha can see both of us.”

  “Of course, I want to stay. And you don’t have to put in a doggie door. I can just leave the door open for her to roam the house as she wants.”

  “You would be comfortable with that?” he asked with hope.

  “If I didn’t trust you, I wouldn’t still be here.” She straightened but remained on the couch next to him.

  “I remember my grandpa. He would yell out during the night at times. Sometimes, he would get up during the night and pace the floor. Other times, he would move to his recliner and fall back asleep. I didn’t understand it when I was small. But as I got older it made more sense. Not that I totally understand, but I know now they call it PTSD.”

  His eyes narrowed as he listened. No one had ever mentioned this to him. Everyone he knew skirted the issue. Even he did most of the time.

  “He was in World War II. I don’t know what he did or where he was stationed. All I know was that he was young at the time he was drafted and came home an old man inside. That’s what my grandma told me. He never spoke of it and if anyone was brave enough to ask, he ignored their questions.”

  Leo was at a loss for words. He continued to stare at the sweet face that was continuing to become sweeter. He felt that he should be angry at her for bringing up these feelings in him. Such a mixture of emotions, good and bad.

  “I’m sorry if I’ve over-stepped,” she said quietly. When he remained silent, she added, “Maybe Sam knew what it was like. What if he did think Tasha could help you? Would that be so bad? He seemed to be an incredibly wise man.”

  Leo turned his attention to his lap where the dog lay on her back with her head hanging over his leg. If anyone walked in and saw her position, they would question if she were alive. She loved having her belly rubbed and completely relaxed every time.

  “You know, when my mother had her Pomeranian, she was long-haired too. But she would keep it trimmed, at least around her legs where it gets matted from dragging through the dirt and mud. Tasha has been missing a few grooming appointments, hasn’t she? I believe she’s become more hair than dog.”

  Hanna jerked up her head in surprise staring at Leo. “It was you he was referring to having a dog like Tasha?”

  Leo only nodded.

  “I had no idea. I really thought you hated her at first.” After a brief pause, she added, “Or me. Or both of us.”

  “I don’t hate either of you. But if you want to get her groomed, we can do that,” Leo offered, accepting the fact Hanna may stay a while. Daring to hope she and Tasha would stay indefinitely.

  “I have been taking care of that myself to save money, although you can see I’m not very good at it.”

  “That’s settled. After breakfast we go in search of a dog groomer.”

  Hanna smiled her agreement. Excited to know she had found a place that felt like a home and no longer needed to worry about her future, at least for as long as this man allowed, she threw her arms around him once more before standing.

  When she popped a kiss on his cheek, he stiffened, watching her disappear into the kitchen.

  Sam was right, a little lady would fight his demons better than he could alone. He finally admitted to himself that since Tasha had been around, he felt more relaxed. Also, there had been times when he felt those horrible images threatening his mind and Tasha seemed to find her way to him at just the right moment to chase them away.

  And Hanna. Never did he imagine any woman would be so kind and understanding as she had been. During the time they had come into his life, Leo could feel the changes come over him. Instead of looking forward to his solitary days, he eagerly waited for Hanna to appear. Anytime that tiny handful of a dog was near, he could feel contentment in the air. He had never felt this calm since returning home from his stint overseas, not even when he rejoined the wife he had loved.

  Leo grinned at Tasha hopping into the chair Hanna had just vacated. Who would have ever thought something so small and ordinary as a Pomeranian could change a life? They say surprises come in all sizes. How true Leo found that to be. His life was transforming into a new season just as the leaves outside were becoming bold and falling to the ground. This little warrior of a dog was boldly pushing his demons to the wayside, helping the wall he had hidden behind start to fall.

  THE END

  Other Books by Jewelz

  Voodoo Troops MC Series

  Brick Solid

  King Loyal

  Rash Awakening

  Nova Redemption

  Ghost Knight

  Cowboy Tough

  A Brick Solid Christmas

  Laying Brick

  Silent Chains MC Series

  Carving Stone

  MC Standalone

  Steele Velvet

  Billionaire Romance

  More of You

  About the Author

  Jewelz Baxter and her husband call Louisiana home. They love

  spending time with their children and grandchildren whom all live

  nearby. When not writing or spending time with family, she can be

  found on a motorcycle exploring the back roads with her husband.

  Connect with Jewelz

  e-mail: authorjewelzbaxter@gmail.com

  FB: Author Jewelz Baxter

  FB Reader Group: Baxter’s Babes and Bikers

  Instagram @ authorjewelzbaxter

  Website: www.authorjewelzbaxter.com

  Healing Love

  Cedar Rose

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you to Elizabeth Knox for taking a chance on me. To my dad for being a great dad and supporting me. To my mom in heaven, I hope you and Savannah are proud. Savannah, I miss you every day. You were my dog, you stuck with me through deployments and Mom leaving us. And to Boo Boo, stay cute.

  This is for my brothers and sisters in arms. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

  Chapter One

  Sienna

  I sigh as I grab my bag and head off the plane, home at last. I’m glad to be home, but it’s not where I want to be right now.

  The military is or was my life. My family used to joke that I was married to the military. I guess I was. When I signed on the dotted line, that was my vow, to serve and protect. But things change and here I am, back in my small hometown, not knowing what I’m going to do with my life.

  I hate change. Funny statement since there was a lot of change in the military, every day you had to adapt and overcome.

  But my life was mapped out for me. I knew what I was going to be doing from sunup to sundown. I mean we even know the outfit for the day, ACUs and cap, maybe a jacket in winter. But now I have no idea what I’m going to do and it’s tearing me up inside.

  I walk down the gang plank and head out to where my parents will be picking me up. All my stuff was shipped home, so all I have is my backpack.

  My mom sees me first and steps out of the car
and rushes over to me.

  “Welcome home.” She hugs me tight; I can hear the tears in her voice.

  “Thanks, Mom,” I mumble.

  My dad slides an arm around my shoulders and leads me to the car, it feels nice, like he’s protecting me.

  “Glad to have you home, Sienna.” He smiles as he opens the door.

  “Yeah.” I nod. He’s a veteran so I think he understands my anxiety more so than my mom.

  It’s a couple hours’ drive to home. We don’t have an airport in our town. And while I love visiting the big city, I just want to get home.

  “Bug will be happy to see you.” My mom turns around to smile at me.

  “I can’t wait to see her,” I say, showing a little bit of life.

  The one thing that got me through deployment were pictures of my dog. I got her as a puppy and when I went on deployment, my parents took her in. I never got her back.

  “Do you have everything for Mystic?” She points at the carrier I have with me. My cat.

  “I’ll go to the store when we get home,” I tell her.

  “Nonsense. We can stop on the way,” she says.

  My dad nods.

  When I told them I was getting out, they told me I would always be welcomed at home, even with the cat. And Bug and Mystic get along, so that’s a plus. I settle in for the drive, thinking about the day I got both puppy and a kitten and I smile for the first time in months.

  Chapter Two