The Soldier's Homecoming

by Patricia Potter

  Travis had hoped for more guidance. It was damn little to go on and a hell of a lot on his shoulders. “What exactly do you want me to do,” Travis said.

  “Simply put,” Travis said, “assess existing programs and give us options with pros and cons. Josh has great faith in your ability to do both.”

  Travis inwardly groaned. It was a huge task and lives could depend on it. He was only too aware of the suicide rate among veterans, not to mention divorces and homelessness, but he didn’t feel qualified for it.

  Jubal must have sensed his hesitancy. “The goal in visiting the ranches is determining which seems the most effective for the greatest number of veterans along with the costs.”

  They were questions that challenged and intrigued Travis. He knew about training soldiers. But helping them heal? He was only too aware of the problems they faced. After multiple years of deployments, soldiers returned to families and communities that couldn’t possibly understand what they’d experienced and continued to experience. The most difficult part was losing buddies who had become as close, or even closer than, family members. They’d lived together, depended on each other, protected each other. The band of brothers was a reality, not just a book title.

  That loss along with the fierceness of nightmares and flashbacks, the reflexive response to loud noises, the inability to sleep and the pain of survivor’s guilt made it all but impossible to return to a “normal” life for many. Could horses really be that livesaving?

  Travis knew something of Jubal’s history. After years of dangerous missions, the SEAL had lost his team and been held captive for two years. He saw the raw edges in Jubal and wondered whether the former SEAL wasn’t trying to rid himself of ghosts by banishing them from others.

  “I’d better go,” he said. “I have a lot of work to do. I’m heading out Sunday, instead of Monday.”

  “How did your meeting with the journalist go?” Jubal asked.

  “Interesting,” he said. “It might be difficult to dissuade her from writing about the program and you, and God help you if she connects all the recent marriages and engagements. Covenant Falls will become the Western Love Boat.”

  “Is that why you’re starting early? Getting out of Dodge?”

  “I wasn’t employed to run interference with a reporter,” Travis said. “The salary is way too low. Besides, I’m an outsider. I don’t know anything about anything.”

  To his surprise, Jubal grinned. “Now, that’s the best reason for you to handle her.”

  Handle her? Good luck to anyone who tried.

  “I’m through,” he said flatly. “I picked her up as asked. I suggested to Josh that Eve take over now.”

  “I hear she’s pretty busy with the city budget now.”

  Travis shook his head. He couldn’t wrap his mind around this town and the number of warriors reduced to, well, putty in the hands of the opposite sex.

  Just as well he planned to leave as soon as he fulfilled his obligation to the group.

  “I’m heading back to the cabin,” he said. He left before Jubal could protest. He was not, absolutely not, going to be the go-to person for a reporter.

  Didn’t matter how damned appealing she might be.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  THE NIGHTMARE RETURNED with a vengeance. It was the first time in a month.

  Jenny heard the approaching rumble of the planes. The whistle of bombs and explosions mixed with screams. The air was full of dust and fire and death. She jerked awake.

  Light seeped in from the bathroom. She’d left the light on inside and closed the door halfway. She hadn’t wanted to wake in darkness. She only hoped she hadn’t made any noise.

  She held her breath for a few minutes. There was no pounding on the door, no ringing of the room phone.

  She looked at the clock. A little after four. She knew from experience that she wouldn’t go back to sleep again. Every sense was awake now. She picked up the journal and placed it on the night table. She’d read more than three-quarters of it last night.

  She took a shower. Hot water first to wash away the sweat, and then cold water to wipe away the cobwebs in her head. After she dried herself off, she worked on her shoulder exercises with the folding rod she’d brought with her. She kept at it until the muscles and ligaments in her shoulder hurt so much that she almost screamed.

  She wanted to go outside. Feel fresh air on her face. Wash away the lingering memory of dust and desperation and death. As comfortable as the room was, she felt trapped.

  She pulled on some clothes. Then she left without locking the door. She doubted there were burglars in Covenant Falls. It looked like a model of a small town in a film from the 1960s. Was it real?

  Was Travis Hammond real? She didn’t need complications. She just wanted to heal and get back to where she belonged.

  No one was in the lobby, although it was well lit. She opened the door and took a deep breath of the fresh air. A nearly full moon sat atop the mountains.

  It was clean. Bright. So beautiful it hurt. She knew the mountains. She’d skied and climbed and walked the nearby Rockies while in college, but never had she known the peace she felt here. Maybe Covenant Falls did have a magic of its own.

  She started walking. The streets were quiet, the houses dark. After walking about a mile, she turned back. She went to her room. It was still not time for the fresh coffee and pastries, but she had a coffee machine in her room. She didn’t particularly care for the tiny packages and drip machines, but she needed the jolt.

  She planned the day ahead. After breakfast she would walk back through town, meet whoever she could. Spend more time at the community center. She wanted to discover the heart of Covenant Falls.

  She picked up the journal and tried to read, but her thoughts kept turning to Travis and hazel eyes that never seemed to be the same color. They’d changed with his moods. He’d been cautious around her, but he had a quick sense of humor that emerged when she least expected it.

  She tried the journal again, reading the words of the Scottish trader who’d journeyed half a continent for a brother who didn’t live to see their dream come true. Charlie, the romantic, would love the tale.

  Her niece would love everything about the town. It held a strange pull for her, too. Maybe she was ready for a little peace.

  Did she really want to go back to the Middle East? There were so many stories to be told there, but the loss and suffering of the people had drained her.

  Maybe there were important stories here, as well. Stories not about wars, but people like Angus, who saved the life of an enemy, or a small town working to make life better for veterans.

  She took a chair, curled her legs under her and found the entry where she’d left off.

  * * *

  AFTER A RESTLESS SLEEP, Travis woke at dawn. He was relieved Danny was doing well. More than well. Danny seemed happier than at any time since he’d met him, except maybe the day he got his new prosthetic. From his few meetings with Jubal, Travis knew the former SEAL would look after Danny.

  He got out of bed, pulled on a pair of jeans and walked to the dock. He sat on the bench and watched the first glimmers of dawn crawl over the horizon. The peace soothed the violence that had colored so much of his life.

  An eagle, probably looking for breakfast, soared above him. He doubted it worried about the future or felt piercing loneliness. He’d had few visitors during the past two years beyond his ex-fiancé and several military friends.

  He turned his thoughts back to Jenny. Despite her injury in Syria, she obviously loved her independence. He knew from the articles he’d found that she’d been in many of the Middle East hotspots. A lot of the stories were about civilians trying to exist in a war zone or surviving a terrorist bomb. There was empathy in the stories, a connection to the people she wrote about.

  Her experiences, though, hadn’t dimm
ed a contagious smile that had probably lured many people to say more than they’d ever intended.

  Dammit, he wanted to see her again, spend time with her and discover more about her. But this was no time to get involved with a woman, particularly when he knew it would be temporary. He needed to start building some permanence now, whether it was the army or academics or something else. She had made it clear that she liked her freedom.

  So why couldn’t he get her out of his mind?

  Time to get back to work. Today was Friday. He had a lot to do before Sunday. He’d ordered and read books on equine therapy and rehab programs and accumulated a growing file of different programs in the country. He kept finding new ones. The demand was strong. In his usual methodical way, he’d jotted down questions as he researched.

  He left the dock and walked toward a path winding up the mountain, located behind the cabin. He hesitated once he reached the foot of the path. He’d tried it on his first visit to Covenant Falls, but it was steep, and he’d stumbled several times before heading back down. He was better at walking now, more aware of his ankle’s limitations. Maybe he would try it later.

  Once back at the cabin, his thoughts turned to his trip ahead. He’d already checked the mileage from Covenant Falls to Fort Hood. It was a long car trip but he really looked forward to it. He’d been cooped up in hospitals and rehab for two years. The freedom of the road was enticing.

  He made coffee, fried three eggs and toasted some bread, then settled into one of Josh’s extraordinarily comfortable chairs and started reviewing the materials he’d gathered.

  There seemed to be no competition between the programs. By their very nature, participants were limited, and there was an ongoing demand.

  Travis felt a responsibility to them. He’d been the person who sent men and women to train unreliable allies in hostile territory. He’d watched them cry over a fallen comrade but rarely for themselves when they went home without legs or arms or prospects of a job or future.

  It was midafternoon when the phone rang. It was Josh. “You are coming for steaks tonight, right?” Josh asked.

  “Sure,” Travis said.

  “I think I told you Eve invited Jennifer Talbot.”

  “I think your steaks overcome any reservations I have. What time?”

  “Six thirty good for you?”

  “Fine.”

  There was a pause. Then Josh said, “Can you pick her up and drive her here? Stephanie and Clint were going to do it, but she’s been called out on a lost person, and Clint is going along with her. No telling how long the search will last.”

  After accepting the dinner invite, he couldn’t very well say no—as much as he wanted to.

  Or did he?

  He didn’t answer immediately.

  “Don’t worry,” Josh said, interpreting the silence. “Eve’s not matchmaking. Both of you are here temporarily. Eve knows that. It’s just that Ms. Talbot doesn’t drive, and we’ll be busy cooking.”

  What could he say? That he was smitten with her, like a teenager?

  He surrendered, feeling a jolt of anticipation. “I think I can manage that,” he conceded.

  After the call ended, Travis looked up the number of the inn on a list next to the phone and called Jenny. She wasn’t in, and he left a message that he would pick her up at a quarter after six. He hoped that Eve had reached her about dinner.

  He drank another cup of coffee and decided to try the path up the mountain again. It was just as steep as he remembered, but he was careful. By the time he reached a lookout about halfway up, he sat down and rested. Frustration filled him. He used to run twenty miles. Now his leg ached in less than half a mile. His ankle had stiffened and didn’t want to work. He looked at his watch. It was nearly five. Time to start heading back. He needed to have a good stiff drink. Then he’d check with Jenny to make sure she received the message.

  * * *

  HE HEADED FOR the inn. He was surprised to see Jenny step out of the doorway as he pulled up. She was wearing black slacks and an emerald green blouse that matched her eyes. Her short, copper-colored hair was damp and framed her face. As before, her only makeup appeared to be lipstick.

  She opened the passenger-side door before he could get out.

  “You got shanghaied again,” she said with that quick smile. “Thanks for picking me up.”

  “You’re welcome.” He concentrated on driving the short distance. “How was your day?”

  “Good. I spent most of the day at the community center going through newspapers, and I had another burger at Maude’s. And now steaks. I’m a happy person. I wanted to meet more people but ran out of time.”

  “I have to warn you that, in addition to some very good steaks tonight, there’s a mob of dogs.”

  “I like animals,” she said. Then she added, “Eve said you and her husband served together.”

  “We did.”

  “Did you see about your young friend?”

  He nodded. “Yeah. He’s good. Learning some skills other than war.”

  The words popped out of his mouth without warning. There had been so many kids, all so young. Eighteen. Nineteen. Twenty. Like his brother.

  He took a deep breath. The army had been his life and the Rangers his family. He didn’t regret it. He was proud of his service, of the men who had served with him. But in the hospital, he’d seen so much loss. He’d also seen so much gallantry.

  She asked softly, “Did he serve with you?”

  “No. I met him in rehab.”

  “He has no family?”

  “No. Foster kid. They throw them out of the system when they’re eighteen. No education beyond high school. No stipend. Not even a ten-dollar bill. Just get the hell out. He felt his only choice was the army. Now he has to survive with one leg.” He tried to suppress the anger he felt. “The problems facing foster kids would make a good story,” he said. “A lot better than one about a small town.”

  “I’ll remember that,” she said, ignoring the implied criticism. “I would like to meet him.”

  They reached Josh’s ranch. Travis smelled the smoke from the grill and steered Jenny toward the back of the ranch house once they’d both left the car. Josh was busy nursing charcoal and hickory in his grill.

  She hadn’t met Josh Manning before but went right to him, holding her hand out. “I’m Jenny.”

  Josh took it. “I’m Josh, and this fellow next to me is Amos.” The Malinois standing guard next to him regarded her with cautious eyes.

  “May I say hello?” she asked.

  “He would be offended if you didn’t,” Josh said.

  She stooped and Amos sniffed her. Then he licked her hand. She scratched behind the dog’s ears, and he made little whining noises of approval.

  “You passed the friend test,” Josh said.

  “He’s a military dog, isn’t he?”

  “Was. He’s retired, along with me. And if you like animals, you’ll love my stepson’s herd. They’re undisciplined and drive me crazy, but they’re lovable, and they came with the package.”

  “Don’t believe him,” came another voice from behind Travis.

  He turned to see Eve behind him. “He adores them,” she added. “And they return the feeling.”

  Eve went over to Jenny. “I’m Eve. It’s so good to meet you in person.”

  “And I’m Jenny. Thanks for the invitation.”

  “I’m a little behind in the kitchen,” Eve said. “Why don’t you come inside and have a glass of wine while I finish the salad?”

  Jenny nodded. “Sounds good.”

  The two women disappeared indoors.

  Josh smiled at Travis. “She’s pretty. She also has good taste in dogs.”

  Travis ignored the comment. “Where’s my buddy and his menagerie?”

  Josh raised an eyebrow. “I
might just sue you for alienation of affection. I used to be my stepson’s hero. Now it seems you are. Nick’s been waiting for you all day. I finally convinced him to feed and water the horses. I’m sure he’ll be here any minute to get another pitching lesson.”

  “He’s got a good arm,” Travis replied.

  “Well, you created a monster. I have to catch balls every night now.” Josh changed the subject. “How are you on the trip? Got it all worked out?”

  “Pretty much. It’s eight hundred miles to Fort Hood, and my appointment with Dr. Payne is at eleven Tuesday. Leaving Sunday will save me the pain of an eight-hundred-mile drive in one day.”

  “I was worried about that. You sure you don’t want to fly down there and rent a car?”

  “No,” Travis replied. “Tell you the truth, I’m looking forward to a road trip.”

  “Okay. It’s your choice,” Josh said. “I like the programs you’ve selected.”

  “It’s a good mix,” Travis replied.

  Josh took another sip of beer. “Wish I could go along, but I have a prospective client coming this week. A husband and wife are thinking about moving their business here. They live in California, where the business taxes are sky-high. Someone told them about our town.”

  “What kind of business?”

  “You’ll like this. Kind of ironic. It’s a maker of dog and cat beds for a chain of pet stores. It’s a small business but would employ ten or twelve people to start. The owners like this area and hated the traffic in Los Angeles. They also like to employ veterans, which is one of the reasons Covenant Falls caught their attention. The low taxes more than compensate for additional shipping costs. It’s exactly the type of business we’ve been trying to draw.”

  “Considering the number of dogs I’ve met around here, they’ve found the right place,” Travis observed. “They can make a profit just by selling to your family.”

  “I mentioned that,” Josh replied with a grin. “They’ll need a building, small but expandable. My partner, Nate, is an excellent builder and knows how to do it on a budget. I can work with the bank on financing. And, if they do move here, they’ll need a house. Means a few more jobs and maybe some home sales.”