Dog Tags for Christmas

by Lindsay McKenna

  Nancy giggled. “No. I’m going to be a teacher. One of my professors said that teaching kids is a lot like training dogs and it would be good experience. It certainly has been.” She glanced up at the clock on the wall over the desk. “Sorry, but I’ve got to run and register for classes today. It was very nice meeting you.”

  Barking filled the room as the back door to the kennel opened before Nancy could reach the front door. Tanner entered and quickly shut out the noise.

  “Hey, Nancy, thanks for handling the training this morning,” Tanner called to her back.

  “No probs.” She waived. “Reports are on your desk.”

  Tanner moved to his orderly desk and laid down a stack of papers and a couple booklets. Bailey knew she should say something, clear her throat, shuffle her feet, but she was simply enjoying the way he moved that big body of his so comfortably around the office. Still in his winter coat, a scarf hanging loosely around his neck, cheeks reddened from the chilly wind, he looked…hot…and oh so kissable.

  She sighed.

  His brown eyes flew to meet hers and a grin slowly spread across his face. “To what do I owe this pleasure?” Without looking down, he slid the stack he’d just set there under some other papers, then came around the desk.

  “We never got to finish the files on the men I certified at Christmas,” she claimed, waiving the folder in her hand.

  He nodded and came closer. “I’m more sorry than you can imagine that we haven’t been able to make it out to supper.”

  She lowered her eyes. “Yeah. Me, too.” When her eyes met his, he was close, very close. Tanner placed a hand on her hip and heat radiated throughout her body.

  He slowly lowered his head to hers. “I’ve missed you.”

  “Hey, Tanner, we’re done,” a male voice mixed with the barking of dogs as the kennel door opened.

  Bailey jumped back, but Tanner didn’t let her go far.

  “Yep. The kennels are all cleaned, the arena has been swept and—,” a second young man closed the door behind him.

  “Oh, sorry, man,” the first said sheepishly. “I…uh…didn’t know you had company.”

  Tanner turned to look at the young faces. “Good job, boys. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Yes, sir.” The first snapped off a salute and the second just nodded before they scooted past and grabbed their jackets on the way out the front door.

  Bailey giggled. “Why do I feel like your little brothers just cau—”

  Tanner grabbed her and pulled her to him. “Before we get interrupted again.” He crashed his mouth to hers without restraint. She gave back as good as she got, opening her mouth for him. As the kiss seemed to go on forever, she didn’t want it to end. Slowly, he eased off until he was peppering her lips with little kisses.

  “Before I throw you over my shoulder and take you caveman style to my house, let’s finish this paperwork then we’ll talk about when I’m taking you out to supper.” Tanner stepped back and looked down at her.

  Bailey was dazed. She couldn’t put a clear thought together if she had to. All her girl parts wanted to grab his hand and head to his house to take his suggestion before he changed his mind.

  The cool air of reality hit her with his retreat. She barely knew Tanner Hill, the man. Sure, they’d worked together, closely, for several months, but in many ways she didn’t know him at all. Taking a deep breath, she cleared her head.

  “I like that plan.” She glanced at the folder then back to him. “Erica will need your estimated costs in order to find funding for these new ones.”

  “I understand.” Rather than sit behind his desk, Tanner gathered the file she’d left weeks ago and gestured for her to sit on the couch. He sat beside her and dropped his long legs on the magazine-strewn coffee table. The warmth of his thigh against hers heated her to her core. Ignoring it, she pulled her copy of the first recipient and they started in, cozier than ever before, yet professionally as she could manage given his spicy cologne.

  Two hours later, they’d finished discussing each veteran and what Tanner would train each dog to do to help. They closed the files in unison. Bailey was so glad to have finished that hurdle, she sighed heavily.

  Tanner glanced at her. “Are you busy right now?”

  “No, not really. I’m off today.”

  “Excellent.” He stood and pulled her to her feet. She landed in his arms and thought maybe they were going to pick up where they’d left off a few hours ago. He gave her a peck on the lips and turned to grab their coats. “Let’s go.”

  “Where?” Bailey wasn’t sure if they were headed the short distance to his house or out to an early lunch. She was in a simple red sweater, jeans, and ankle-high snow boots. “I’m not sure I’m dressed appropriately.”

  He turned and looked her up and down. “You are absolutely gorgeous.” He kissed her nose. Then he snickered. “You might be a little overdressed for where we’re going.”

  “Where are you taking me?” She loved this playful side of Tanner.

  “You’ll see.” He held her coat for her to slide her arms into then he faced her and adjusted the collar. “Do you trust me?”

  She nodded and ordered, “Lead the way.” Bailey followed him through the kennel where he pointed out several dogs and the timetable until they’d be ready for their veterans. They exited into a space so large his big truck looked small, but she knew it wasn’t. Tanner opened the passenger door and before she could ask how he expected her step up that high, he picked her up by the waist and planted her on the seat.

  “Buckle up,” he ordered and dashed around to his side as the overhead door rose. He climbed in with ease.

  They were headed down a narrow two-lane road within a minute. It always amazed Bailey that they could be so close to D.C. yet in a rural area. She loved the countryside filled with homes, like Tanner’s and Case’s, that had been there for over a hundred years and then there’d be a brand new apartment complex next to a shopping center where she could get groceries and her dry cleaning. Dulles was only twenty minutes away and she could fly anywhere in the world.

  Horses nipped at sprigs of grass poking through clumps of snow, black cattle tromped in line toward a farmer with a big round bale of hale speared on the front of his green and yellow tractor. The gray sky threatened more snow but the temperature hovered around forty at the moment. The night would bring a different story if the weather-guessers were correct. A terrible storm with accumulation predictions of up to three feet was headed their way.

  “You’re smiling.” Tanner broke their silence.

  “You have no idea how much I love the beauty of this country.” She didn’t look at him for fear she might miss something out the window. Every tree, bush, animal, flower fascinated her. It was all wild. No one had color-coordinated the plantings for maximum effect, then selected the proper mulch to offset the design. This was God’s canvas and His hand at work, for the most part. They passed planted fields with cornstalks cut off at knee height and the remains of harvested crops where man had taken advantage of gentle sloping hills.

  “I guess, since I grew up here, I don’t see it the same way.” Tanner turned onto a narrower, less maintained road. “To me, it’s been the same most of my life. Over the last few years, some of the smaller farmers haven’t made it, so their kids had to sell the land off to developers who put in gas stations and condos.”

  “Like mine,” she noted.

  “Yes, like yours,” he admitted.

  “Thank you for sharing this beauty with me.” Bailey reached over and squeezed her hand. When she would have pulled back, he held it and wove his fingers through hers.

  “We’re almost there,” he announced.

  Bailey didn’t care. She was enjoying the ride. They drove along a bubbling stream. What would it be like to live next to a pretty scene like this? Her gaze wandered into the woods. Were deer in there? What other animals lived around there?

  She was tossed against the door as they turned down
a bumpy road. When she looked up, a century-old farmhouse filled her view. And a huge red barn stood behind it.

  “Whose house is this?” she asked.

  “This is the old Crane place.” Tanner drove up beside the house and parked next in line to an SUV, a silver pickup, a black jacked-up pickup, and an old red truck that had seen better years a decade or two ago. “You met Sally and Mike at the party.”

  Excitement splashed over her as she realized why there were there.

  Bailey had the door open and was determined to figure out a way down.

  She was going to touch a cow.

  Chapter Eight

  As Tanner drove past a field of milk cows munching on what little grass was there, he remembered the sheer joy on Bailey’s face when she touched a bovine for the first time. She had been so tentative, literally sticking one finger through the wide gap in the fence. After her first encounter, she bravely petted the animal with her whole hand.

  It was really too bad she’d gotten called back to her office on an emergency. He wouldn’t know the first thing about dealing with someone suicidal, but thank God for people like Bailey who had helped the man through the rough patch so he wouldn’t become one of the twenty-two veterans every day who commit suicide. But the ordeal had taken a toll on her. She’d called that night to apologize, which was sweet of her, but she’d been so tired they’d cut the conversation short.

  Wow. Had it really been two weeks since they were at the Crane farm? Time had flown by, between his college classes, and the flu that had swept through every one of his employees and volunteers. Tanner had even been stricken for forty-eight hours. Erica was the best sister in the world. She’d learned to make Nonni’s magical chicken soup and had taken care of Chrys’s puppies while he was down and out, all while avoiding the bug.

  As soon as Tanner drove through the equipment door into the converted barn, he looked at the backpack, filled books, on the seat beside him and felt overwhelmed. Not just were there text books, but he also had online work to complete. At least the college had given him twelve credits toward his degree. He was ten percent done before he got started and the Post 9/11 GI Bill would pay for his classes.

  His sister, the research genius, had found him a scholarship to cover books and lab fees for all his science and math courses. Just because he was an EOD guy in the military. Good thing because he’d loved every second of the chemistry lab he’d attended that afternoon.

  This new educational part of his life seemed to have slotted into place quickly and easily.

  Too bad his love life hadn’t found a groove yet. He and Bailey hadn’t been able to find the same night off so they could go out on a date. But she was expected in a few hours to drop off the names of three more vets approved for psychiatric service dogs. At least he’d get to see her. Maybe hold her. Or even kiss her.

  Two hours later, Tanner watched Bailey’s little sports car zip down his driveway. In the surprisingly-warm, late January sun, she’d skipped the winter jacket and had thrown a bright yellow scarf around her neck over a green sweater. Her dress slacks fit loosely, but he’d memorized every curve of her body long ago.

  “I’ve only got an hour,” she announced as she blew through the door. “I haven’t packed, and I’ve got an eight o’clock flight for California.”

  Tanner stepped to her and took her by the hands, guiding her to the couch. “Take a deep breath, Bailey. You have plenty of time.” He inhaled deeply and exhaled to the count of six. He repeated the exercise and she breathed with him. One more time and she was visibly more relaxed. “Now, tell me about these men.”

  Bailey beamed. “We have our first woman certified for a service dog.”

  “That’s wonderful.” He kept his voice low and calm, allowing her to hear each of his breaths. She was matching him and calming. For the first time, it dawned on him. Bailey needed a service dog. He mentally scanned his dogs in training and couldn’t come up with the right one. He’d work on it. “So tell me about our first female recipient.”

  Tanner made notes on his copies, covertly glancing at his watch to be sure he didn’t take too much of her time. He kept her on task and on time. After completing the intended training portion of her paperwork, he rose and offered her a hand to help her stand.

  “See, ten minutes to spare.” Tanner pointed to the office clock. She stepped into his arms.

  “I’m sorry we haven’t found time for that date.” Her eyes were filled with regret. “And now I’ll be gone for a week.”

  “And you’ll be back in a week, and we can compare schedules then,” he reassured her and pulled her in closer. He’d wait forever for her. He bent to kiss her.

  Woof. Woof. Woof.

  Danger. The word screamed through Tanner’s brain.

  That was Apollo’s warning bark. Tanner straightened and his gaze darted to Apollo. “Show me.”

  When the dog headed to the front door, Tanner scanned the parking area. He hadn’t heard anyone drive up. A person on foot was much more dangerous, so he reached across his desk and grabbed his Glock from the top drawer.

  “What’s wrong?” Bailey called.

  Tanner had forgotten all about her for a second. “Not sure. Apollo alerted me.”

  “Got another one of those?” She nodded to the gun in his hand.

  He stared at her wondering what she’d do with a gun, before he realized she would do the same thing as he would. Back up would be good.

  She whirled around. “Forget it. Mine’s in the car, and I’m better with it than I’d be with anything you gave me.”

  The dog pawed at the door and looked at Tanner as though telling him to hurry up.

  As soon as the door was open, Apollo shot toward the house and through the doggie door.

  Tanner raced to his home. Had someone invaded it? Was there a fire? Gas leak? Disasters shot through his mind with every step. By the time he’d reached the top step to the enclosed back porch, Bailey was right beside him, her Smith & Wesson in hand.

  Apollo barked on the other side of the door.

  “It’s clear.” Tanner and his dog had entered too many homes overseas together so he could understand the different barks.

  As Tanner and Bailey cautiously walked through the back of the house, clearing each room as they went, the dog sat in front of the gated laundry room as though patiently waiting for the humans to do their thing.

  The puppies were in there.

  Dread bathed Tanner in sweat.

  He fortified himself with a deep breath and glanced at the tile floor. Chrys paced looking from her pups to him. They were all squirming and playing. That was a good sign. None were lying still and away from the others. Even better. So what was the problem?

  “Oh my word,” Bailey declared as she peered around the door jamb. “They have grown so big.” She glanced up at Tanner. “Is this what Apollo was upset about?”

  “Seems to be.” But Tanner was baffled about what was wrong. He looked down at his faithful dog and his mate who continued to pace around their offspring. If Chrys needed to go out, she’d jump over the kiddie gate and let herself out the doggie door. Exasperated, Tanner looked at Apollo and asked. “So what was the problem?”

  The big dog leaped over the gate and started herding puppies toward Tanner and Bailey. He picked up the first and examined him from nose to tail. Then grabbed another.

  Bailey follow suit. “What am I looking for? Keep in mind that I’ve never had a dog before so please be specific.”

  “I haven’t a clue,” Tanner admitted. He juggled so he could pick up the last puppy, his third. As he looked at the two boys in Bailey’s hands, he knew. “Where’s Noel?”

  Tanner jumped into the laundry room. Down on all four, practically on his head, he looked under the washer and dryer. The now freed puppies decided that he was there to play and climbed all over him. One had his pant leg, pulling with sharp little teeth.

  “She couldn’t have gotten up here, could she?” Bailey pointed to his
clean, folded clothes on top of the dryer.

  “No. It’s up there because I made the mistake of leaving it on the floor once, just for five minutes while I answered the phone, and she’d crawled into the basket and fallen asleep.” He grimaced. “This isn’t the first time for me to play Hide and Seek with Noel.”

  Bailey burst out laughing. “When did you find her?”

  “When I dumped my clothes onto my bed.” She’d about scared ten years off his life when his neatly folded, clean clothes had moved a second before they flew in the air and she bolted across his king-sized bed. “I chased that little bit for ten solid minutes before I caught her. She’s a fast one.”

  Shoulders now shaking, Bailey was in full-body laughter.

  “It wasn’t that funny.” Tanner pretended to pout as he stood to move the dryer. He loved to hear her laughter. He didn’t care that it was at his expense. “I’m going to tip this up and I want you to look underneath.”

  Bailey entered the fray and checked the bottom of the dryer.

  No puppy.

  “Okay, it’s time to search the house.” Tanner stepped over the gate and started to slip. He caught himself with both hands on the door jamb. “At least that’s a good sign.”

  At Bailey’s blank look, he explained, “Piddle.” He reached into the laundry room and grabbed the paper towels. He was going to need these. He sniffed the air, thinking he might find more Noel presents.

  “Here, Noel,” Bailey called and clapped her hands.

  “She’s only five weeks old, so unfortunately, she doesn’t know her name.” Tanner got down on his elbows and knees and started through the house. He loved the high-gloss, old plank floors but as he looked under every chair and anywhere large enough for a puppy, he thought about a maid service, especially since he was so busy. The dust bunnies were multiplying and cleaning had never been his thing.

  As he made his way into the dining room, the view stole his breath. Bailey’s butt stuck up in the air as she crawled between the trestle table and the antique side board his great grandfather had built. He couldn’t stay there so he headed down the hall. The spare bedroom remained closed to conserve heat, so he bypassed it. The bathroom didn’t take long.