Dog Tags: A romance anthology featuring military and canine heroes

by Kate Kinsley

  How long had he been home? Chances were good the reason I didn’t know was because he hadn’t left the house since returning.

  That was going to change.

  I picked up my pace and Zeus matched my speed as we made a beeline to the bakery. Honey Buns was already open since it attracted the early morning coffee and pastry crowd.

  Perfect.

  I looped Zeus’s leash onto the hook provided right outside the bakery and bent to pet him. “I’m going to be right inside here for one minute. Then I’ll be back. Okay?”

  He laid down and rested his head between his paws. I took that as a yes and strode inside.

  There I found Bethany sliding a tray of her signature pastry onto a shelf in the glass display case.

  She straightened, giving me a view of her “Honey Buns—We’ll Leave You Sticky” T-shirt.

  “Good morning, Stephanie” she greeted. “What can I get for you today?”

  “G’morning, Bethany,” I replied. There were some amazing looking things in the case. Cupcakes, cookies, even a pie, but I had a plan. “Can I have four honey buns boxed to go, please?”

  “Sure thing.” She smiled. “Any coffee?” she asked.

  As good as the fresh-brewed coffee smelled, I knew I couldn’t handle Zeus’s leash and a box of pastries and a coffee so I shook my head. “Very tempting, but I can’t today. I’ll stop in again tomorrow.”

  “Sounds good.” She nodded and rang up my total on the vintage register.

  I paid with the cash I always tucked into my pocket before our walk and thanked her, grabbed my box and stepped outside.

  Part one of my plan complete, I grabbed Zeus’s leash from the hook and he and I made our way back up Main Street toward home. Or, more accurately, toward the Timmerman house.

  I paused at the end of the sidewalk that led to the front door.

  Just as I was steeling my nerves to knock on that door and risk the wrath of one or both of the Timmerman males, I heard a lawnmower start. Or at least try and fail to start.

  I also heard the accompanying obscenities at the failure. Then finally, the steady buzz of the engine got louder until the riding mower, and the man driving it, came around the corner of the house and into view.

  Michael was in a tank-top today rather than shirtless, but his bulging biceps were still on full display. But in spite of the heat he wore long pants.

  I noticed he was operating the machine with his right leg. The leg with the missing foot.

  My gaze dropped to the prosthetic he hadn’t been wearing yesterday. I pulled my gaze up as he drove straight at me, braking just in time to avoid running me over.

  He cut the engine and glared with those blue eyes that would have been breathtaking if they didn’t project such annoyance.

  His dark brows low, he said, “Yes?”

  “Hi,” I greeted brightly, hoping my good mood would counteract his bad one.

  “Hi.” Those brows rose but his tone remained flat.

  “I, uh, brought you and your dad some honey buns from Bethany’s.”

  “Why?” After the third one-word sentence in a row I had to give him credit for remaining consistent.

  I lifted one shoulder. “I don’t know. Just being neighborly. Consider it a welcome home.”

  He shook his head. “How do you even know me?”

  “I was a freshman when you were a senior.”

  He cocked up one brow. “Forgive me if I don’t remember you.”

  No surprise there.

  Chances were good I was painting sets for the school play while he was out on the football field practicing. Or, more likely, in the backseat of his car practicing something else on one of the cheerleaders.

  “That’s fine. It wasn’t like we ran in the same circles or anything.” I laughed. He didn’t. “So anyway. Here.”

  I thrust the bakery box at him. He stared at it from his seat on the lawn tractor and I realized he had nowhere to put it if he took it from me.

  “Or I could run it up to the porch and leave it there for you,” I suggested.

  “Yeah. Do that.”

  Why did I imagine he’d edited out the word idiot from the end of that sentence? If so, I’d just count myself lucky that he had left it unspoken.

  “All right. I’ll just do that then. Come on, Zeus.” We trotted up to the front stairs and left the box on the top step, before turning around and heading back.

  He watched, unmoving, unsmiling.

  “So, uh, enjoy.” I delivered a small wave and pivoted for the street, intent on getting away from there. And away from his stare, which looked half baffled, half annoyed.

  “Hey!” The sound of his voice stopped me.

  Uh, oh. Was I in trouble? I turned. “Yeah?”

  “Thanks.”

  It was only one word, and it was delivered with the same lackluster tone, but it was civil and courteous and so unexpected and welcome that I couldn’t help but smile.

  “You’re welcome.” I tugged Zeus down the road before Michael saw me grinning like a lunatic, all over one little thanks.

  But it was more than that uncharacteristic display of common polite courtesy. Michael was out of the house. Making an effort to take care of the property.

  Slowly but surely, he was coming out of his shell. He’d come around eventually. I was sure of it.

  I was calling phase one of this plan a success. Tomorrow, on to phase two. I couldn’t wait.

  Chapter Three

  The following morning was no less stifling nor was I any less nervous for the next phase of my plan. But I was nothing if not determined.

  Zeus in tow as both my inspiration and my motivation, I waltzed directly up to the front door and knocked, before my nerves could get the better of me.

  I’d been worried about what Michael would think of my being here again with nothing but the flimsy excuse I’d rehearsed to explain my presence.

  What I should have been concerned about was the possibility that Michael might not be the one to answer the door.

  When the door opened, there was Michael’s father, standing in the opening, glaring at me with the same expression as his son had.

  “What?” he asked.

  Now I knew where Michael got his conversational skills.

  I smiled as sweetly as I could. “Hi, I was looking for Michael.”

  His graying brows drew down over bloodshot blue eyes. “Why?”

  “I got it, Pops.”

  I’d never been so relieved to hear that grumpy voice in my life.

  Old man Timmerman looked about as confused as he could be, but he moved to the side, and then Michael was there.

  Momentarily struck dumb, I stood silent and took in how his dark hair looked even darker wet, I guessed from the shower since he was also shirtless.

  At least he had been, until he pulled on the T-shirt he’d held in his fist. Before he did though, I’d gotten an eyeful of some pretty nice pecs. And just the briefest glimpse of a fine mesh of scarring covering his right side.

  “Good morning,” I said, happy I could get any words out at all.

  “Good morning,” he repeated.

  I wondered if he’d always repeat my greeting. Maybe tomorrow I’d begin with top of the morning to ya and see what he said.

  Ignoring that I might not be welcome here tomorrow—or today for that matter—I forged ahead with my plan.

  “So, I was wondering if you could do me a favor.”

  There went that brow again, up, up and away. “What kind of favor?” he asked.

  Zeus, don’t fail me now.

  I glanced down at the dog, about to use him for a prop. Though, given the circumstances, I didn’t think he’d mind.

  “It has to do with Zeus here,” I began.

  I braced myself for the next part, which would either get me thrown off the property or deliver exactly what I wanted. That being Michael.

  Er, I meant Michael coming out of his shell. I wasn’t here trying to get the man for my own
pleasure. Of course not.

  “Zeus has been displaying some behavioral issues since he arrived at the shelter. He’s comfortable with me now, but he still doesn’t like being around a lot of people or other dogs. It’s why I bring him home with me every night after work.”

  “You work at the shelter?” he asked, shocking me that he’d taken the initiative to ask me a question. That he was interested in knowing the answer.

  “Yes.” I nodded. Encouraged, I went on. “Anyway, I did some research online and apparently his behavior is typical of canine PTSD. But I think it’s more than that. I think part of the problem is he misses his handler.”

  A change swept over Michael’s features. “He’s a military dog?”

  “Yup. They retired him after he was injured overseas.” I held my breath as I waited to see how he’d react to that.

  His nostrils flared as his breathing quickened. Finally, he asked, “What do you think I can do for him?”

  “I thought maybe you could come on his walk with us. We only go to the stores down the block and then back.”

  His gaze dropped while I forced mine not to and braced myself for his no. Wearing a prosthetic while walking down Main Street of the town where he had once been the star athlete had to be tough.

  I knew nothing about his situation or even these kinds of injuries in general.

  How recent was the injury? Was he completely healed or did he have more to go? Did it hurt him to walk? Would he have a noticeable limp or not?

  I realized, too late, I was interfering where I shouldn’t be—

  “Okay.”

  My head whipped up at his answer. “Okay?”

  “Let me just tell my father I’m going out.”

  “Of course. Sure. I’ll be right here.”

  He delivered a single nod and then closed the door as I stood dumbfounded.

  Was my plan actually working? I glanced down at Zeus—the miracle dog who’d survived the explosion that had killed his handler, but they had saved the rest of his unit.

  He might be officially retired, but there was at least one more soldier he could help.

  “Your service isn’t finished yet, buddy,” I whispered, bending down to pet his head.

  The door opened again and I jumped to stand up straight. “Ready?” I asked.

  “Yeah,” he said, back to the single word sentences.

  That was fine. We didn’t have to talk. He was outside and walking. That was good enough.

  Zeus, of course, was thrilled to have the additional company.

  I took it slow, since I wasn’t sure how fast Michael could move. Good boy that he was, Zeus meandered as slowly as we did, taking the time to sniff everything we passed and pee on a few choice things.

  “What will happen to him?” Michael asked.

  “We’re going to try to find him a forever home.”

  Michael frowned. “Why don’t you keep him?”

  I let out a short laugh. “If I kept every animal I fostered, I’d need an ark.”

  The truth was I’d already considered keeping Zeus . . . until I’d seen Michael standing in the doorway of his father’s house. That’s when I knew they needed each other.

  Meanwhile, Michael was still frowning. Apparently, he hadn’t liked my little ark joke.

  “If the perfect person doesn’t come along for him, I’ll adopt him officially myself,” I added.

  The frown softened with Michael’s nod. I guess that was the correct answer.

  We’d reached Bethany’s shop and instead of turning around to go back, I faced Michael. “Come inside.”

  The frown returned. “I didn’t bring my wallet.”

  “You don’t need a wallet. My treat,” I offered.

  The frown deepened. He might not say much but at least his face was expressive. His eyebrows in particular.

  I forged ahead. “You can stay out here with Zeus if you want while I run in. What do you take in your coffee?”

  He scowled but finally said, “Black.”

  “Eww. Really? No, come on. Tell me for real. What do you want in the coffee?”

  He laughed. “That is for real. Black. No sugar.”

  Afraid he wouldn’t ever laugh again if I made a big deal out of it, I tried not to react to the fact that I’d actually gotten that laugh out of him.

  Instead, I wrinkled my nose in playful displeasure and said, “Ugh. Okay. Whatever you want.”

  I hopped up the stairs and pushed through the doorway, ready to kill Michael with kindness—and a bag of sweets to go with it.

  A couple of minutes later I came through the doorway with my hands filled with a bag containing two honey buns and two coffee cups. I found Michael had made himself comfortable in one of the chairs set up outside. And Zeus had settled right in with him, sitting on the grass while leaning up against Michael’s leg.

  I couldn’t have asked to find anything better than this. I bit my lip to suppress my smile and strode to the table.

  “Icky coffee. Black, no sugar. And a honey bun, containing lots of sugar, I’m sure.”

  He rolled his eyes, but said, “Thanks.”

  Attitude aside, Michael dug right into his honey bun and his coffee.

  Looking back over his shoulder he said, “This place wasn’t around when I lived here.”

  “No, it wasn’t.” I laughed. “Because Bethany was probably about eight when you left town. It was a coffee shop already though, before she took it over. But before that, I can’t remember what was here. Some sort of office, I think.”

  He lifted one shoulder. “Things change.”

  “Yup,” I agreed.

  Looking around while sipping at my own coffee with cream and sugar, I spotted Alice Mudd and Mary Brimley coming out of the diner across the street.

  Mary almost fell off the bottom step, she was so busy watching me and Michael rather than where she was stepping.

  Still pissed about her tattling on me about the poop incident, I scowled. “And yet some things always remain the same.”

  He followed my gaze and snorted out a laugh. “There’s your favorite person.”

  “Yes. Maybe I’ll drop off a gift for her. Zeus hasn’t pooped yet today.”

  Michael choked on the coffee he’d been swallowing during my ill-timed comment. I pressed my hand to my mouth. “Oh, my God. Sorry.”

  He shook his head and finally recovered. “It’s all right.”

  His voice sounded slightly gruffer than usual. And oh so sexy. It might be worth making him choke again just to hear the sultry timbre of it.

  After the gossip crew had moved on we sat in silence. Michael stared into the distance, seeming at ease. Relaxed.

  Absently, he rubbed the back of Zeus’s neck with one hand as he sipped his coffee with the other.

  I couldn’t help my smile. It was my small version of a victory lap, until he said, without even looking directly at me. “Stop.”

  My smile faded. “Stop what?”

  “Stop staring at me while looking so pleased with yourself.” He finally turned his gaze toward me. “I would have gotten into town eventually, without your interference.”

  He was perceptive, seeing right through my ruse. I’d have to remember that.

  “Mmm. Probably. But you wouldn’t have had as much fun.” This time I didn’t control my grin.

  The best part was, he couldn’t either. Shaking his head, he covered his own crooked smile by taking another sip of coffee, but I still saw it. And that was good enough for me.

  Phase two was a success. Onward. I couldn’t wait.

  Chapter Four

  I noticed I was starting to look forward to my long walks with Zeus to the exclusion of all else. As if I was only suffering through the day at a job I truly did love usually, just so I could go home and set out for Zeus’s walk on Main Street.

  In past, I’d walk Zeus toward town in the mornings and away from town, toward the river in the evenings. I enjoyed the change in the view.

  So di
d Zeus, which was probably why he looked at me so strangely this evening when I pulled him in the opposite direction.

  Yes, I was breaking our tradition in hopes that I could see Michael for a second time today. But Zeus wouldn’t understand that.

  Or maybe he would. As we neared the Timmerman house, he picked up speed. When he saw Michael sitting on the small front porch, his tail started wagging. And when I broke the holy Mudville leash law and dropped my hold to let him run, Zeus sprinted toward Michael.

  By the time I reached the two, Zeus had both paws on Michael’s knees and was wiggling with happiness as Michael rubbed his head with both hands.

  “Sorry about him. He pulled away from me.”

  Michael glanced up, doubt in his gaze. I guess he’d seen me drop the leash and let Zeus go. Although he didn’t comment on it. Instead, he said, “He’s fine.

  It was hot as hell this evening, definitely shorts weather, but I noticed Michael had on long pants. I had to assume it was because he wasn’t ready for anyone to see his prosthetic.

  In fact, I was pretty sure he was happy not seeing people at all.

  I could arrange chance meetings between him and Zeus until he realized he needed the dog in his life, but I had no clue what to do about his retreating from society.

  What could I do about this lone wolf?

  The good news was, at least today he was outside and not hiding indoors.

  Maybe his anti-social tendencies were easing just a bit. And maybe Zeus and I had a little to do with that. I liked that idea.

  “So, hot one today, huh?” When all else failed, the weather was always good for a bit of small talk.

  He leveled a glare on me. “Is that why you’re here bothering me? To talk about the heat?”

  Bothering him? That was harsh.

  I wasn’t a quitter—or maybe I was just too stubborn or stupid to take a hint. Either way, I wasn’t backing down. “Actually, I wanted to see if you’d like to come on Zeus’s walk. We were going to head toward the river. It’s so pretty—”

  “No.”

  That wasn’t the answer I’d been expecting. I frowned. “No?”