Dog Tags: A romance anthology featuring military and canine heroes

by Kate Kinsley

  He shook his head. “No, she’d look like you, with your red hair and green eyes. A little spitfire, just like her mama.”

  “Or a strapping boy with your broad shoulders and brooding eyebrows. Someone you could toss a football with or teach how to train dogs. Couldn’t you just see two little children playing with Six? We might even get a puppy for them to play with.”

  Kujo drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “We’ve been trying for six months. You’d think by now something would’ve taken.”

  “Yeah,” Molly said, her gaze on Baby Patterson. “I had hoped that by the annual Brotherhood Protectors’ Christmas Party at the Pattersons’ house, I could announce that I was pregnant. Now, I’m pretty sure that isn’t going to happen. I doubt seriously that we’ll even have the Christmas party since Sadie’s had her baby a couple weeks early. Hank’s not going to want a bunch of people in his house with a new baby there and Sadie recovering from childbirth. Nor is Sadie going to feel like organizing and hosting a party. She’ll be tired and up all hours, feeding and taking care of an infant.”

  “Again,” Kujo said, “why is it you want to have a baby?”

  She slapped his arm playfully. “You know why. I want to have your baby. I want us to be a family.”

  “We are a family.”

  “I know,” she said. “Six is our fur baby. But I’d like a human baby, too.”

  Kujo cocked an eyebrow. “Even if it is wrinkly and red?”

  “I promise you, when our baby comes, you’ll be proud, even if it’s purple and polka-dotted because it will be ours.”

  “Hey, you two,” a voice said behind them.

  Molly and Kujo turned to find Hank Patterson standing behind them with his three-year-old daughter, Emma, in his arms. Beside him was a tall, quiet cowboy Molly recognized as Sadie’s brother, Fin McClain. He carried a huge bouquet of white roses, a balloon that said Congratulations and a teddy bear dressed in a pale blue shirt that read, It’s a Boy.

  Kujo held out his hand. “Congratulations, old man, on another successful mission and baby number two.”

  Hank shook the proffered hand and nodded. “I always thought the physical demands on a body were pretty tough for Navy SEALs, but after seeing Sadie give birth to two children, I gotta say, BUD/S training pain ain’t nothin’ compared to giving birth.”

  Kujo turned to Molly. “See? You heard the boss. Why would a woman want to have a baby?”

  Hank chuckled. “Beats the heck out of me. If men were the ones responsible for giving birth, it would be the end of the human race.”

  Molly shook her head. “You guys are too much. A woman’s body is made for this. And our hormones fake us into thinking we want this—that there’s nothing better in the world than holding your own baby in your arms.” She glanced back at Baby Boy Patterson. “He’s beautiful, Hank. Have you chosen a name?”

  “Not yet,” Hank said, staring at his son. “We’re still thinking about it. Before he was born, we’d narrowed the list down to about five names.”

  “Which names did you like most?” Molly asked.

  “I liked Krull the Warrior King, but Sadie nixed that. We came up with Chase, Ledger, Matt, Dakota and Tate.” Hank grinned. “All I know is that he needs a strong name. He’s going to have a big sister who beats up on him all the time. He needs to be a badass to handle that.” Hank kissed his daughter’s cherubic cheek. “Isn’t that right, Emma?”

  “Emma?” Molly raised an eyebrow. “She’s one of the sweetest baby girls a daddy could want.” Molly touched the little girl’s arm. “She’s an angel.”

  “Yeah, but she’s got three years on him now. That little boy is going to take all of her mama’s attention for a while.”

  “You think she’ll be jealous?” Molly asked.

  “It’s a distinct possibility,” Hank said. “Hell, I’m a little jealous of the little guy. I barely get any of Sadie’s attention now.” He winked.

  “You could name him Hank Jr.,” Kujo said.

  “I wouldn’t wish that on any kid of mine,” Hank said. “He deserves a name of his own, not to share mine.”

  Four other men and four women exited the elevator, laughing, and joined them in front of the nursery window.

  “Good for Sadie for delivering a healthy baby boy three weeks early,” Alex “Swede” Svenson said.

  “How’s she holding up?” Swede’s girl, Allie, asked.

  “She promised she’d make it through the holidays before she delivered,” Swede said. “What happened?” He winked at Hank.

  “He’s my boy.” Hank’s chest puffed out. “Eager to get out of tight places and spread his wings.”

  “Guess that means the holiday party’s off,” Alex “Taz” Davila shook his head. “We were all looking forward to it.”

  His girl, Hannah, raised her hand. “Don’t get us wrong. We just love getting together with rest of the Brotherhood. With the party only seven days out, we wouldn’t want Sadie to go to all that trouble after just having a baby.”

  Hank frowned. “I’ll talk with her. Maybe we can have it at a location other than the ranch.”

  “We could all make it happen and take the burden off Sadie,” Molly offered. “She does so much already. We’d love to pull it together for her.”

  “Again, let me speak with Sadie. Sadie loves Christmas. She plans so far ahead, she might have the entire party set, and I don’t know about it.” He grinned. “She’s been humming Christmas tunes since Halloween and had the Christmas decorations up on Thanksgiving Day. That’s how she rolls. A baby won’t slow her down.” He looked from Kujo to Molly. “When are you two going to have children of your own? I thought you were planning on having a kid soon.”

  Kujo’s jaw tightened. “Some plans don’t work out, no matter how much you try.”

  “Still not pregnant, huh?” Hank touched Molly’s shoulder. “Sorry to hear that. I’ve heard of people who’ve tried and tried to have a baby. When they finally give up, it happens.”

  “I’m sure that will be how it happens for us,” Kujo said.

  “You’re not giving up yet, are you?”

  “Not yet,” Molly said.

  “We’re still willing to keep trying the old-fashioned way,” Kujo said. “The next step would be to have my little swimmers tested to see if I’m shooting blanks. And I’d rather have my fingernails pulled out than to produce a specimen in a cup.”

  “It could be me. My eggs might not be good,” Molly said, wrinkling her nose. “We just don’t know why it isn’t happening.”

  “I’m sure it’s only a matter of time.” Hank shifted Emma on his arm. “Ready to go see Mommy?”

  The nurse in the nursery had just changed Baby Patterson, returned him to his bassinet and rolled the cart to the door.

  “That’s our cue,” Hank said. “We’re going to see Sadie.” He turned to Kujo and Molly. “You know if the stress is getting to you and it’s keeping you from getting pregnant, you can always use the hunting cabin in the Crazy Mountains just to get away from the TV, internet and telephone. Sometimes, all you need is a place to go relax and get to know each other again. The key to the cabin is located underneath the flowerpot on the front porch. You’re welcome to use it anytime. I’m sure Six would enjoy a romp in the snow up there, too.”

  Molly tilted her head, considering. “Is the cabin even accessible at this time of the year? It’s been snowing up in the mountains.”

  “I’ve been up there after one of the major blizzards of the year. With the right truck, you can get there.” Hank tipped his head toward Kujo. “Kujo’s truck will make it up there. Anyway, it’s a thought. Now, I’ve got to go see my beautiful wife who has given me two beautiful children. This will be the first time Emma gets to hold the baby.”

  Fin stepped ahead of Hank. “Let me go in before you and Emma. I want to congratulate my sister and give her these.” He held up the bouquet. “I’ll only be a moment.”

  “Sure.” Hank gave Fin a head start
, and then followed him down the hallway to Sadie’s room.

  Kujo and Molly didn’t want to disturb Sadie, Hank and Emma’s joyous bonding with Baby Boy Patterson. They left the hospital and drove away in Kujo’s truck.

  Molly turned to Kujo. “What do you think about Hank’s offer?”

  “What offer?” Kujo asked.

  “Weren’t you listening?” Molly shook her head. “He offered to let us use the hunting cabin in the mountains as a getaway. I have the next three weeks off for vacation from my job, and you don’t have another assignment with the Brotherhood until the middle of January. Why don’t we do it?”

  He glanced her way. “Just going up to relax?”

  She nodded.

  “Not going to be monitoring your ovulation cycle?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “Not once.”

  Kujo raised his eyebrows. “We’re not going to obsess over getting pregnant the entire time we’re up there?”

  Molly sighed. “No. I’m kind of tired of the whole process.”

  “Although I’m a stud,” Kujo puffed out his chest, “sometimes, it’s hard to perform on demand.”

  She laughed out loud. “Like it’s ever hard for you to perform on demand.”

  “True,” he said with a grin. “But it does take some of the fun out of it.”

  She laid her hand on his arm. “I’m sorry.”

  He shook his head. “Sweetheart, don’t be. I want this baby as much as you do. But if it doesn’t happen, I’ll be all right. I’m just worried about you.”

  “Well, if we can’t get pregnant,” Molly smiled brightly, “we can always adopt more retired working military dogs like Six.”

  “He does seem a little bit restless lately,” Kujo remarked.

  “Did you notice that his limp has practically gone away?”

  Kujo smiled. “Yes, I have, and I’m happy for him.”

  Molly glanced at him. “So, we’re doing it?”

  Kujo grinned. “Looks like we’re going to the mountain cabin.”

  Smiling broadly, Molly clapped her hands. “Good. I’m looking forward to it.” Maybe at the cabin, they could get some rest, and maybe get back some of their lusty mojo that had gone by the wayside with the push to make a baby.

  When they arrived at their home, Kujo helped Molly down from the truck. She hurried inside to pack clothing and blankets for their stay in the cabin. She might be overpacking, but they needed enough supplies to stay a week in the mountains. In a basket, she packed sheets, down-filled comforters, towels and washcloths and a couple of candles for ambiance and light.

  The cabin had no electricity or running water. For baths, they bathed in a nearby stream in the summer. In the winter, they’d have to heat water from melting snow. It would take a lot of time to heat enough water over the open fireplace to fill the large metal washtub. For the most part, spit baths would have to do.

  Six greeted them at the door, tail wagging in a somewhat subdued manner.

  “Is it me, or is Six depressed?” Molly asked.

  “I don’t know what’s wrong with him,” Kujo said. “But maybe we need to take him to a veterinarian before we go out to the mountain.”

  Molly tilted her head. “Or maybe the mountain is just what he needs. If he gets worse, we can bring him back down.”

  “He definitely hasn’t been himself lately.”

  “Do you think he’s lonely?” Molly asked.

  “He used to be in a kennel with dozens of other military working dogs.” His eyes narrowed.

  Molly’s brows knit. “Do you think he’s missing other dogs?”

  “He’s been with me for over a year,” Kujo said.

  Molly’s lips tightened. “And with me almost as long.”

  “We’re his pack now.”

  “Well, I think he’s sad.”

  He glanced sideways at her. “You think we need to get another dog to keep him company?”

  Molly’s lips turned up on the corners. “Is that what you’d like me to get you for Christmas? A playmate for Six?”

  Kujo shook his head. “I’m not much into Christmas. If a playmate is what will make Six happy, I don’t see a need to attach it to Christmas.” He glanced at Molly. “Don’t get me wrong. I want Six to be happy. But why wait until Christmas?” He went back inside and came out with a bag of dog food, Six’s dog bed and several chew toys.

  Molly smiled. “I feel like those couples with small children. They pack everything and the kitchen sink.”

  “For now, Six is our baby,” Kujo said.

  “And he’ll always be,” Molly said. “He means as much to me as he does to you.” Maybe they didn’t need a baby to be happy…

  Chapter Two

  “Speaking of Christmas…” Kujo cleared his throat as he emerged from their house, carrying a suitcase.

  Molly laughed. “Were we speaking of Christmas?”

  “Earlier,” Kujo said. “If you want me to get something for you for Christmas, tell me what it is. Please don’t make me guess.”

  “Not a thing.” Molly patted his face. “I have everything I want in you.”

  His lips thinned, and he frowned. “Now you’re scaring me.”

  “No, really. I have everything I want in you.” She leaned up on her toes and brushed a kiss across his lips. There was one thing she wanted for Christmas. So far, he hadn’t given it to her.

  A baby.

  Not from lack of trying and being a good sport about it while they’d been attempting to get pregnant. What had been amazing sex early on in their relationship had become a chore, trying to catch every ovulation cycle. They really needed to stop trying.

  This trip to the mountains was a chance to get away from everything. If they didn’t have a baby…oh well.

  They had each other, and they had Six.

  Kujo packed a bag of groceries for them and a couple of steaks for Six. Before long, they were loaded up in the truck and heading into the mountains. As Kujo drove, he shot glances in Molly’s direction.

  She caught him looking and smiled. “Seriously, I don’t need anything for Christmas. I have everything I need in you and Six.” She scratched behind the dog’s ears.

  Six leaned into her hand as she scratched.

  “Molly,” Kujo said, “you need to let me know what you want for Christmas. I’ve heard that when a woman says don’t get me anything, it’s code for, Get me something good…really good.”

  Molly’s eyes widened. “That’s just not true.”

  “No?” He stared at her sitting with her arms crossed. “Then what is it you really want? A new gun, a grill for your pickup?” He raised his hands, palms up. “Give this dog a bone. I have no idea what you might like.’’

  “I’m serious,” she said. “I don’t need anything. I can get anything I want, when I want.” She shrugged. “I have what I need. And that’s you.”

  “If I could give you that baby you want,” he said, “I’d give it to you today.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “You always say the baby I want. What about you? Don’t you want a baby, too?”

  He reached out and took her hand. “Sweetheart, I’d be over the moon happy to make a baby with you, to be a daddy to a child…to our child. But, if it doesn’t happen, I’m like you…you’re all I need.”

  She gave him a weak smile, tears welling in her eyes. “Me and Six.”

  He laughed. “You and Six.”

  “What about adoption?” Molly asked, her gaze going to the front windshield. “How do you feel about adoption?”

  He tilted his head to the left. “I feel like there are a lot of kids out there who need a steady homelife, a pair of parents who could love them unconditionally and will look out for their welfare, education and happiness. Yes, I would be open to adoption. Even for older children who’ve been lost in the system.”

  “You don’t have to worry about me loving you any less if we add a child to our home.” Molly turned toward him, a soft smile on her lips. “I have enough
love in my heart for you and a dozen children.”

  He snorted. “Did I say I was worried?”

  “No,” she said and squeezed his hand. “But there are some men who are jealous of the time a woman spends with a child or children that they father. And there are some women who focus all their attention on the children, with nothing left to give to their husbands.” She raised his hand to press a kiss to his fingertips. “I promise that once we have a child, I won’t forget you. You’re the other half of me. You’re who makes me complete.”

  “I want a child…more than one. I also know children eventually grow up and move out,” he reminded her.

  Molly nodded. “Exactly. And it will be you and me again. I’m okay with that. More than okay. You’re a special human, a man with a big heart beneath that gruff exterior. You’re my best friend, my lover and the man I plan to grow old with. I can’t imagine spending my life with anyone else but you.”

  He glanced toward her, his gaze capturing hers. “Good. Because I feel the same.”

  He turned off the main highway and drove along a gravel road that led up into the mountains, climbing higher until they were in the snow line. Though it had snowed recently, the lower elevations had already melted. They encountered patches of the white stuff in low spots, where the trees shaded it from the sun’s rays. The higher they went, the less the snow had melted until they were traveling through a white winter wonderland. Another turn off the wide gravel lane took them onto a one-lane path, marked on either side by flags that indicated either side of the path. The fir trees were closer to the sides of the road, forming a tunnel of darkness.

  When they finally emerged into a clearing, Kujo felt that familiar rush of relief at the sight of the hunting cabin, normally used in the fall before the snows cut it off from civilization. As he pulled up in front of the building, he looked around, a frown tugging at his brow. “I hope we don’t get a blizzard up here.”

  Molly grinned. “If we do, we can weather it together.”

  “Seriously. If one of us gets hurt, a blizzard would make it impossible to get help.” His frown deepened as he came to a stop in front of the small cabin where they were supposed to stay for a week. “Maybe it’s not such a good idea to stay here.”