“I really do love that part. I remember when I was a kid, getting my first dog. It changed my life.”
He pressed a kiss to her head. “Wicked was my first,” he told her softly.
She leaned back to look at him. “Really?”
Luca nodded.
“He was the perfect match for you as well, then,” Erin murmured. “I believe whole-heartedly in the power of pets healing their owners. You and Wicked are a pair. You’ve been through hell, you’ve recovered together and you’re going to be an amazing team in whatever you do.”
Leaning up on tiptoe she grazed his lips with a kiss. Luca tried to be objective, to decide if what he was feeling was real, and he decided in that second that it absolutely was. Why was he doubting what he felt in his heart?
“I love you, Erin,” he told her, cupping her jaw. “You give me clarity. I can have a thousand thoughts running through my mind but you remind me what is most important.”
“I love you too, Luca. I’m glad I can give you that clarity. You give me way more than that with your attention. For the first time, I can imagine the love my parents felt all those years ago.”
They kissed and Luca could feel the two of them becoming stronger together. If Paul and Hope hadn’t been there he’d have dragged her to bed, but they had to be there for their guests. Later tonight, when the house was quiet he would love her.
* * *
Hope went quiet in a very different way that night as she bonded with her new pet. And Paul seemed more relaxed.
After Hope had been settled into bed, Paul had told them about the crash that had taken her mother’s life. Erin hadn’t realized it but Hope had been in the crash with her mother at the time of her death. The poor baby had had to watch her die, but she refused to speak of that night with anyone.
That was a terrible burden for a child to carry.
When father and daughter left for California the next morning, Erin felt like they were on a good path. Hope had even told them goodbye, taking a moment to give them each a hug.
“You take good care of Sophie, Hope, and if you have any questions have your dad call me.”
“I will,” she told Erin.
Once again Luca and Erin stood on the porch in each other’s arms, watching the truck drive away.
“What time is your interview?”
Luca’s jaw tightened. “Ten o’clock. I need to get moving. Hampton sent me an email last night requesting I meet them at the K9 training facility with Wicked.”
Erin looked up at him in surprise. “Well, that’s different. They’re not wasting any time with you, are they? I told you you would be a hot commodity.”
“I just hope we can do everything they want.”
Erin pulled from his arms and turned to face him. “Are you serious? With the way you two work out? I don’t think you’ll have even a bit of problem.”
Those words rang in Luca’s head later that day as he was introduced to the group of people standing in the shade of the open-air building. There was an impressive gun range on the right-hand side of the property, and the left had false store fronts, cars and other obstacles for canine training. It was a great set-up.
Wicked seemed to sense that something big was happening. He was alert and unapproachable at this moment, and Luca hoped that didn’t detract. Some departments wanted their dogs a little more friendly.
Max Harper, the K9 supervisor, was a big, vocal guy, obviously used to getting his way. Hampton was almost the exact opposite, compact but sharp, and Luca had a feeling Hapton had more power. There was a patrol Lieutenant there as well, Clark, and two other men and one African American female who he didn’t catch the names of. Hampton directed everyone to a set of picnic tables and they all took seats, then they all began to ask him questions.
They didn’t ask anything Luca couldn’t answer, but he knew a few of the questions needed more politically correct answers, which he didn’t give them. He gave them his gut response to the situation presented.
Then they turned the physical interview over to Harper. Wicked listened to every command like his life depended upon it, and was right at Luca’s side the entire time. Luca could tell that Harper was trying to discombobulate him from the start, giving him a set of circumstances it would be difficult for any K9 team to get through, but they did it. Then he sent him on a track of an escaped person. Luca was impressed when he realized that they had hidden a man in a car even before the interview had started. Wicked found him easily. And when they were ‘attacked’ Wicked launched himself into the perfect defense bite, latching onto Harper’s forearm clad in the protective bite sleeve. Wicked released as soon as Luca gave him the direction and circled to heel. Luca could not have asked for a more perfect demonstration of Wicked’s abilities.
In all, he felt like they’d done a superb job. When they asked him to give them some time to talk, Luca and Wicked wandered away toward the parking lot. He got them both bottles of water and checked his phone.
It seemed like in no time, though, Harper was waving him back to the group. The woman stepped forward, holding out her hand. “Mr. Carmichael, my name is Louise Woods. I’m the chief of police for Phoenix PD. Sorry about the subterfuge, but we thought it prudent considering the circumstances. Mr. Hampton is determined to get you on board.”
Luca rolled with the shock of her identity. He’d had other supervisors do similar things before. He was curious why they felt the need this time, but he shook her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”
“You and Wicked are amazing. We’d like to offer you employment, conditional on your completion of the upcoming police academy.”
Luca grinned and nodded his head. “Absolutely, ma’am. Thank you very much for the opportunity.”
The Chief had been one of the more quiet people interviewing him but as she spoke now he could totally understand why she’d attained the position she had. Her brown eyes were sharp with intellect and he could tell by the way she stood that she’d been a beat cop for a long time.
“We’d like to do some publicity on you,” she continued, watching him carefully. “We’ve hired several veterans and we like the public to be aware of that. Because of our climate we have a very large year-round veteran homeless population, and it’s nice to see the upside of veterans rather than just the downside.”
“I would totally be on board with that,” Luca nodded. No, he didn’t like his picture taken and all that crap, but if it was for a veteran cause he would do it.
Harper came up to him, grinning. “Sorry about being a hardass on you, boy, but it was all part of the test.”
Luca grinned. “Seriously?”
Harper nodded, scrubbing a hand over his mostly bald head. The man’s demeanor had completely changed, his face more relaxed. “You have an incredible animal there,” he said, nodding at Wicked. “Don’t tell my people I said it but you did things they struggle with. Might have you helping me out with some of my problem children.”
Luca took his offered hand. “I would be happy to, sir.”
A grinning Hampton gave him a stack of pre-employment papers and instructions on what to do next. They wanted him in the academy the following week, so he had to get his medical and the rest of his tests done as quick as possible.
When they released him he drove away, but he had to pull over into an empty lot just to get his head on straight and breathe for a few minutes. There were so many emotions roiling through him. Pride in the job they’d done, satisfaction that they’d remembered everything. A little fear of what was coming, but excitement too. He drove home grinning.
Erin came out onto the porch when she heard the truck. She was grinning before he even climbed out, and he wondered what she was smiling about.
“Why are you grinning?” he asked her.
“Because I can see on your face how satisfied you are. Even if you didn’t get the job that look tells me the process was worth going through.”
“And if I did get the job?”
/>
She laughed and stepped down a step so that they were eye level. “Then I would tell you congratulations, even though I already knew you had it in the bag.”
He shook his head at her as he stepped close. “I don’t know why you have so much confidence in me.”
“Because I love you, darling. And I don’t think there’s anything that you and Wicked can’t do. I assume Wicked is part of that job?”
He nodded, nibbling at her lips. “He is, yes. We kicked ass. He hadn’t forgotten anything.”
“It’s not been that long since you were working.”
Luca pulled her into his arms, a little stunned at how little time had actually passed. “Yes, you’re right. Just feels longer sometimes.”
He rested his cheek against hers and pulled her hips tight to his. “Maybe we can go inside and celebrate?”
Without a word she turned and led him inside.
Epilogue
Three months later, almost to the day, Erin watched Luca and Wicked stand with the rest of his academy class and take oath to the Phoenix Police Department. She snapped a couple of pictures with her phone, amazed at how far they’d come. Luca was stronger than she’d ever seen him, both mentally and physically. The pride he took in his new position was there to see in the way he stood with his partner, feet planted and hands clasped before him.
“Would you look at him,” Leona breathed. “I never could have imagined seeing him in any kind of uniform again.”
Erin shared a smile with her. It had been touch and go with Luca’s parents. When she’d first called to let them know that he was being sworn in soon, Leona had answered, and there had been a decent sized blow-up. Leona had been pretty brutal when she realized Erin was the one hired to take care of the ‘damn dog that almost killed my son’ and was now sleeping with her son. She’d kind of lost her shit. Erin thought the phone had been dropped but Mr. Carmichael had taken it and listened to her invitation.
“Thank you very much for calling us, Ms. Knox. We’ll let you know within a few day’s time.”
Erin honestly didn’t think they would fly down, but they had. Luca had been shocked and a little angry she’d gone behind his back, but this was a pretty big thing not to be a part of.
“If I had the chance to have my dad at everything, I would,” she’d told him softly, reminding him that his parents were getting older. He’d nodded his head and kissed her, then three days later welcomed his parents into their home.
Actually, he parked their suitcases in the apartment above the barn, then told Erin about it, giggling the entire time. This would so piss off his mother, he laughed.
“You’re rotten,” she told him firmly, but that was where they stayed.
Leona wasn’t completely on board with Luca working with Wicked again, but Erin thought that seeing him this way, with other K9s in the crowd, would help.
His father, on the other hand, was ecstatic about the job. He shook hands and smiled, and when Luca introduced her as his girlfriend Tony had wrapped her into a giant hug, thanking her for watching out for his son. The family resemblance was strong between the two of them and Erin could see what Luca would look like thirty years from now.
Erin’s own mother was on the other side of Leona, beaming proudly. Erin had laid down some ground rules for new boyfriend etiquette, and so far Linda was abiding by her rules and being respectful of their space.
After the swearing in they all went to lunch, then headed home. Luca would start his regular shift the following Tuesday, after a long weekend off.
As they trooped into the house she greeted the dogs, then encouraged them into the back yard as the parents came in. There was a little surprise she had planned.
Crossing to the pantry she retrieved the cake she’d had made for Luca and Wicked and set it on the island. When he walked into the kitchen and saw the cake he grinned, then laughed. The decorator had added a dog and a cop car, with the dog holding a set of handcuffs in his mouth. The dog didn’t look anything like Wicked, more like a Heinz 57, but it was too late to complain.
The parents chuckled and even Leona cracked a smile.
“That is adorable,” he told her, leaning over the island for a kiss. “I love you, babe. Thank you for making this such a special day.”
“I love you too, Luca. I’m very proud of you. I’ll get some plates.”
Erin retrieved the plates and returned to the island, then stopped. Everyone was watching her.
“What?” she laughed.
Luca cut a piece of cake and held it out to her. Erin was confused why he’d cut out such a big piece, until she saw it. There, glittering where the handcuffs had once been hanging in Wicked’s mouth, was a diamond ring, planted into the icing. Erin would have dropped the plates if her mother hadn’t grabbed them from her.
She looked at Luca, stunned. “How long have you been planning this?”
“About as long as you have,” he grinned. Retrieving the ring he tongued the icing away, then knelt down in front of her.
“Erin Renee, you have completely bowled me over. From the first time you wrote me, your light has defeated my dark. I’m so thankful you entered my life when you did. You gave me hope and courage to continue fighting, and I love you more than I can tell you. Will you do me the honor of marrying me?”
Erin couldn’t see clearly because of the tears in her eyes, but she nodded her head. “You know I will. I love you more and more every day. I would be honored to be your wife.”
The parents cheered as the two kissed, and the dogs sang choir in the back yard.
About the Author
NY Times and USA Today Bestselling author J.M. Madden writes compelling romances between 'combat modified' military men and the women who love them. J.M. Madden loves any and all good love stories, most particularly her own. She has two beautiful children and a husband who always keeps her on her toes.
J.M. was a Deputy Sheriff in Ohio for nine years, until hubby moved the clan to Kentucky. When not chasing the family around, she's at the computer, reading and writing, perfecting her craft. She occasionally takes breaks to feed her animal horde and is trying to control her office-supply addiction, but both tasks are uphill battles. Happily, she is writing full-time and always has several projects in the works. She also dearly loves to hear from readers! So, drop her a line. She'll respond.
Also by J.M. Madden
If you missed Book one in the Helping Hands, Healing Hearts series, you can look it up here at Amazon. It’s in KU right now, so if you are a subscriber, you can get the book for free!
Healing Home
Wicked Healing
Healing Hope
The Dogs Of War- men who trusted their government and were horribly betrayed.
Genesis-Free
Chaos
Destruction
Retribution
If you would like to read about the ‘combat modified’ veterans of the Lost and Found Investigative Service, check out these books:
The Embattled Road ( FREE prequel)
Duncan, John and Chad
Embattled Hearts-Book 1 (FREE)
John and Shannon
Embattled Minds-Book 2
Zeke and Ember
Embattled Home-Book 3
Chad and Lora
Embattled SEAL- Book 4
Harper and Cat
Embattled Ever After- Book 5
Duncan and Alex
Her Forever Hero- Grif
Grif and Kendall
SEAL’s Lost Dream-Flynn
Flynn and Willow
SEAL’s Christmas Dream
Flynn and Willow
Unbreakable SEAL- Max
Max and Lacey
Embattled Christmas
Reclaiming The Seal
Gabe and Julie
Loving Lilly
Diego and Lilly
Her Secret Wish
Rachel and Dean
Wish Upon a SEAL (Kindle World)
Drake and Izzy
/> Mistletoe Mischief
Cass and Roger
Lost and Found Pieces
The Lowells of Honeywell, Texas
Forget Me Not
Untying his Not
Naughty by Nature
Trying the Knot
Other books by J.M. Madden
A Touch of Fae
Second Time Around
A Needful Heart
Wet Dream
Love on the Line
The Billionaire’s Secret Obsession
The Awakening Society- FREE
Tempt Me
If you’d like to connect with me on social media and keep updated on my releases, try these links:
http://www.jmmadden.com/newsletter.htm
www.jmmadden.com
FB-Authorjmmadden
Twitter- @authorjmmadden
And of course you can always email me at [email protected]
Wicked Healing Page 18