Puppy Love in Thunder Canyon

by Christyne Butler

  Annabel ignored the kick to her gut at the memory of how she and Thomas first met, just a few short weeks ago. “Yes, I did.”

  “Do you have any interest in expanding them?”

  Pushing aside her heartache, Annabel was happy for the distraction and equally surprised at how Forrest’s question echoed her own thoughts from a moment ago. “I have been thinking of bringing in more dogs to spread the attention around.”

  “My idea is different.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I’d like to start a support group just for veterans.”

  Annabel thought back to the two servicemen, both recently returned from Afghanistan, who’d come to the first private session she held on Tuesdays. Despite the small size of the group, neither had been back since even though both were still patients here in the hospital.

  They’d admitted to being strangers to one another during introductions, but had instinctively sat next to each other that first time. The chairs had formed a large circle, but the two men had remained emotionally, if not physically, separated from the other patients, both choosing not to speak, even during their turn with Smiley.

  “That’s an interesting idea,” she said, watching as Forrest finally reached out and began scratching Smiley’s ears again. “What made you think of it?”

  Silence filled the room. Annabel waited, hoping he would share his inspiration when he was ready.

  “I often thought about Smiley over the last few weeks. Just that short amount of time I spent with him really had an impact on me.” Forrest kept his focus on her pet as he talked. “Being back on the ranch was harder than I’d thought it’d be. I honestly don’t think I would’ve gone down to the barn to see the horses I still can’t ride if I hadn’t felt—if Smiley hadn’t made me realize how much I missed…”

  Annabel remained silent, watching the array of emotions that crossed the man’s handsome features. It was almost as if she could see his attempts at gathering his thoughts after his voice had faded with his last words.

  “Animals offer an unrestricted love, don’t they?” he finally said, his attention still focused on the repeated motion of his hand moving easily over Smiley’s fur. “No questions, no divided loyalties, no demands or restrictions.”

  Everything Forrest said resounded deeply inside Annabel and made all her hard work with Smiley worthwhile. “You’ve obviously thought a lot about this.”

  “I haven’t had much to do with my time lately but think.”

  “And heal,” Annabel added.

  Forrest lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “Physically, maybe, although that’s taking longer than everyone, including myself, ever thought it would. But it’s what’s going on inside, the learning to let go of…certain behaviors, certain memories, that I think Smiley could help with. Not just for me, but others who have served their country, as well.”

  She could easily understand how letting go or at least learning to live with the memories of serving in a war might be difficult. From the straightforward hurting of being away from their loved ones to the unimaginable horror of living day to day, moment to moment, in a place where each decision could mean life or death, these men and women had been to hell and back.

  “What do you mean by certain behaviors?” she questioned. “If you don’t mind me asking.”

  “Soldiers tend to keep their problems to themselves. It isn’t easy for them to rely on other people.” Forrest’s voice was low, his gaze now focused straight ahead at the large expanse of windows across the room. “Even the men and women we serve with, people who know better than anyone else what you’ve gone through—even talking with them isn’t easy. Throw in family members who are often eager to help, but they sometimes don’t realize how difficult answering even the simplest question can be.

  “We’re trained to lock away our emotions, to focus on the task at hand, to get the job done. Use your head and keep your heart out of it.” Forrest punctured his last words with imaginary quotation marks drawn in the air. “Simple to do during the extreme moments when everything you’ve been taught comes as naturally as breathing, but when the job is done and things get quiet, when you’re alone with your thoughts…it’s a lot harder to keep your feelings under control. For some people denying any sentiment is the only way they can survive.”

  Annabel couldn’t stop comparing Forrest’s words to what Thomas had said to her as they stood in his office just a few days ago.

  He’d been so adamant that there was no room in his life for anything but his work. Somewhere along the way, he’d come to believe he couldn’t have both love and his career.

  In my experience, trusting in love is crazy.

  Had someone taught him that? Was that why he refused to believe her when she told him how sure she was of her love for him?

  “So learning to allow your feelings to be a part of your life again, that it’s okay to even acknowledge the everyday emotions most people take for granted—is that what you mean?”

  Forrest nodded. “I think it’s a good place to start.”

  “So do I.” For the first time in days, Annabel allowed her own emotions to flow freely, the pure joy of what she felt for Thomas to once again fill her heart.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to turn our talk into a personal session just for me.” Forrest offered her that same slight grin as before. “See how easy it is to start jawing when this mutt of yours is around?”

  “That is exactly why Smiley and I are here.” Annabel reached for Forrest’s hand and gave it a quick squeeze. “And I think your idea is wonderful.”

  “So you’ll work with me on this?”

  “I’d love to. We’ll need to talk to people here at the hospital in order to pull it together, but I don’t think that’ll be a problem.”

  Forrest pushed himself to his feet. “You didn’t let it stop you before.”

  “Nope.” Annabel stood as well, her smile reflecting her renewed sense of confidence. Hadn’t she told Thomas the first time they’d met that she could be persuasive when she wanted something? “And nothing is going to stop me this time, either.”

  * * *

  The gravel drive crunched beneath the tires of her car as Annabel slowly pulled to a stop outside the oversize, tree-shaded building. There were only a few other vehicles in the Thunder Canyon Animal Shelter parking lot, but none that she recognized.

  Was she too late?

  Smiley pawed at the back of her seat when she turned off the engine. The sounds of their surroundings filtered in through the open windows.

  “Yes, I know.” She twisted around to look in the backseat. “You remember this place well, don’t you?”

  Smiley offered a low woof in response.

  Removing her seat belt, Annabel got out of the car and freed Smiley, as well. She held tight to his leash as he eagerly headed for the front entrance. The office area was empty, but Annabel walked on through until they emerged back out in the bright sunshine as a familiar face met them.

  “Hey there! It’s good to see you two again.” Betsy greeted them with a bright smile. “What brings you here this afternoon?”

  “Hi, Betsy. I was hoping to find a friend of mine, but I didn’t see his car out front.”

  “We only have one visitor here at the moment so I’m guessing that’s who you’re talking about. He parked around the other side in the employees’ section.” The woman smiled and gestured over her shoulder. “You’ll find him right around the corner. Seems to be having a hard time making up his mind. Not everyone is as sure as you were that day.”

  Suddenly unable to speak, Annabel could only nod her thanks as she allowed Smiley to lead her to the familiar path. Rounding the corner, she stopped short at the sight in front of her.

  Thomas, still dressed for work in dark slacks, a buttoned shirt now wrinkled wit
h the sleeves folded back to his elbows, and his tie yanked halfway down his chest, sat on the grass inside a gated area, his lap overflowing with at least a dozen wiggling, happy puppies.

  Three years ago, she’d come here to the Thunder Canyon Animal Shelter, drawn by a flyer advertising how a special pet could change a person’s whole world. Finding Smiley within a few minutes of her arrival had been the most wonderful moment of her life…until the day the two of them walked into a certain doctor’s office.

  Her heart soared as she watched the ease of his smile and listened to his husky laughter as the playful pups vied for his attention. She had no idea exactly why he was here, but it was a sight she could’ve enjoyed for hours.

  Except her pup had other ideas.

  Smiley let loose with two happy yips of his own, causing Thomas and the dogs to jerk their heads their way.

  “Annabel.”

  She offered a small wave, enchanted by the bright flush of embarrassment that crossed his features. “I’d ask if you’re enjoying yourself, but that would be a silly question.”

  Thomas hurried to his feet, brushing at his clothes with one hand because the other cradled one petite pup in the crook of his arm. “Ah, yes. Well, you know…puppies.”

  “Yes, I know.” She signaled for Smiley to sit. He obeyed, but that didn’t stop his back end from wiggling back and forth in time with his swishing tail. “You seem to have found a new friend.”

  He took a few steps forward until only the wired fencing separated them, his gaze dropping for a moment to the surprisingly docile pup, whose tiny head rested contently against his chest. “I guess so.”

  “I didn’t know you were interested in getting a dog.”

  His gaze returned to look at her, the icy blue coloring of his eyes reflecting a contentment she hadn’t seen there before. “I guess it was a spur-of-the-moment decision.”

  Was that a good thing or not? Was he ready to make more spontaneous choices in other areas of his life? And could she possibly be included in any way?

  The questions filled her head, but engaging her mouth seemed impossible at the moment.

  “How did you know I was here?”

  Before she could answer Betsy came around the corner with a young family, complete with two boys, who seemed as excited as the puppies were to have someone new to play with.

  “Hold that thought. I’d like to continue this conversation face-to-face.” He waited until the shelter’s director entered the gated area that allowed visitors to interact with the available pets before he slipped out and started toward her, the pup still in his arms.

  To Annabel’s trained eye the animal seemed to have at least some golden retriever in him, or her. She guessed the pup to be only a few months old, but the familiar coloring of its coat reminded her of Smiley when she’d first brought him home.

  But it was the mixture of tenderness and purpose in Thomas’s eyes that drew her gaze back to his face. Gone was the aloof detachment he’d so easily displayed in his office a few days ago.

  He stopped right in front of her, leaning down to give Smiley a quick pat hello. “Hey there, Smiley.” His attention returned to her. “Okay, now. How did you know where I was?”

  “We were on our way to your office when we ran into Marge at the elevator. She mentioned you’d left the shelter’s website up on your computer when you left for the day.” The words tumbled from her mouth, her eyes drawn to the ease with which Thomas stroked the pup’s soft fur. “She, for whatever reason, thought I might like to know that.”

  “Of course she did.”

  Annabel couldn’t stand it. She once again decided to jump in with both feet and trust in the love she felt in her heart and the warmth in Thomas’s gaze.

  “You know, I don’t want to ruin a good thing. Correction, this great, amazing and wonderful thing that’s happening right at this very moment, but to say I’m a bit confused is putting it mildly.”

  Thomas motioned toward a nearby bench. “Do you think we could sit for a moment?”

  Annabel nodded, a thrill racing through her when Thomas laid his free hand at the small of her back as they made their way across the yard. Smiley sat again when she and Thomas did, his gaze moving between her, him and the pup that settled easily in Thomas’s lap.

  “Everything’s okay, sweetie.” She reassured her pet with a gentle pat, hoping the simple phrase would calm her, as well. “You can say hello.”

  Smiley quickly sniffed at the now-snoozing puppy then offered a low sigh before stretching out at her feet, his head resting on his paws.

  “Wow, two quiet dogs. That’s a bit unusual, isn’t it?”

  Thomas’s words had Annabel returning her gaze to his. “Yes, it is, especially for a puppy. Do you have any idea what you’re in for? Puppies demand a lot of time and attention. They need to be cared for, fed, bathed, trained, but most of all they need your love.”

  “I know all that.” His smile was genuine. “I guess I’ve finally found the right one for me.”

  The whirlwind of emotions battling inside her was suddenly too much to contain. Annabel squeezed her eyes closed, but a single tear managed to escape anyway. “Thomas, you’re driving me crazy here.”

  His touch was gentle as he cupped her jaw, his thumb brushing over her cheek to wipe the tear away. “Then the feeling is mutual. You’ve been nothing short of a beautiful, passionate and maddening presence in my carefully controlled world from the moment we met.”

  She opened her eyes. “What exactly does that mean?”

  “It means my life changed in a way I never expected a few short weeks ago and as hard as I tried not to allow it to happen, you found a way past my defenses. And no matter how hard I pushed, you never gave up on me.”

  “I’d say that’s pretty evident considering I followed you here,” Annabel whispered, following her heart and all the love she carried inside for this amazing man. “I meant what I said to you three days ago. My feelings haven’t changed. I love you.”

  This time it was Thomas who closed his eyes, his head dropping forward, pressing his forehead gently to hers. “I was so afraid I’d waited too long. That I was too late.”

  “Late for what?”

  “To ask for another chance?” He pressed his kiss to her temple for a long moment, and then leaned back again. “Will you take a chance on me?”

  Annabel’s heart beat wildly in her chest. This was exactly what she wanted, what she’d hoped for when she’d decided less than a hour ago not to give up on him, but to believe in the sincerity of his words? “Thomas, you have to be sure of what you want, what you need in your life.”

  “I want you. I need you.” He pulled her closer, his arm moving to wrap low around her waist. “I think I’ve known that all along. That’s what was so scary, how easily you came into my life, as if you were meant to be here, with me. I love you, Annabel, and I’m going to for the rest of my life.”

  She laid a hand over his where it held the tiny bundle in his lap. “This…all of this is going to take a lot of hard work and commitment.”

  He smiled, his fingers lacing through hers. “And time, attention and love. Yeah, I got it. So, do you think you and Smiley have enough of all those things to share? For both of us? I think me and this little guy come as a package deal.”

  Annabel leaned forward and met Thomas’s kiss while Smiley offered a resounding bark of approval. They broke apart with a shared laugh. “Two for one? How could we resist?”

  * * * * *

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  Chapter One

  So this was what all the secrecy, giggling and whispers had been about.

  Micah Muldare sat on the sofa, looking at the gift his sons had quite literally surprised him with. A gift he wasn’t expecting, commemorating a day that he’d never thought applied to him. He’d just unwrapped the gift and it was now sitting on the coffee table, a source of mystification, at least for him.

  His boys, four-year-old Greg and five-year-old Gary, sat—or more accurately perched—on either side of him like energized bookends, unable to remain still for more than several seconds at a time. Blond, blue-eyed and small boned, his sons looked like little carbon copies of each other.

  They looked like Ella.

  Micah shut the thought away. It had been two years, but his heart still wasn’t ready for that kind of comparison.