To Love and Heal (The Power of Love Series)

by Rose, Tamra

  "You owe me nothing," Anna said quietly.

  Caleb cupped her face in his hands. "You're wrong. I don't even want to think about where I’d be right now if I hadn't met you. It's like everything from that point on was leading to this moment … to me standing here in front of you after hitting the lowest of lows, and then coming full circle. So many soldiers never come back from Afghanistan, and others do, but without arms or legs. I think about Joel and about …" Caleb paused, his eyes glistening as brushed away a tear that had just rolled down Anna's cheek. "There's so much that I still have to tell you, but all I know is that someone said I was given a second chance at life, and they were right. I could have died on the battlefield over there, but I didn't. I'll never know why it happened that way … in a split second it could have been me who was killed instead." As Caleb looked away in an effort to compose himself, Anna took a deep breath and forcibly pushed down the emotions that were welling up inside her. Though she knew about Dwayne's sacrifice from Joel, she would wait for the day when Caleb was ready to share that painful memory himself. He turned back to her with reddened eyes that nevertheless emanated a steely resolve. "And I will do everything I can for the rest of my life to honor the memories of those who didn't come back."

  Anna squeezed his hand. "I know you will."

  "But I can’t do it without you."

  Anna wanted desperately to believe him, but he certainly didn’t seem to have needed her help to come as far as he had now.

  "I know it seems like I've just suddenly popped back into your life," he said, as if sensing her doubt.

  Anna glanced down at Haley, who sat anxiously at their feet, her head bobbing back and forth as the conversation jumped between them. "Well, you pretty much just did. It's been almost four months." The hurt in her voice was seconded by her eyes. "I never heard from you even once."

  Caleb looked up at the sky and drew in a deep breath. "Anna, being with you was the best and worst time in my life combined. The best because …" He paused, searching deep within her eyes. "… because I fell in love with you. And the worst because I was still tortured inside. I think you knew this before I even did, but I needed to figure it out for myself. And after finally dealing with things, I wanted to be with you again, but I wasn't sure if it would be too much of a reminder of a time in my life that I never want to go back to."

  "And yet you're here," she finally said quietly, her eyes questioning.

  "I did a lot of soul searching." He paused, adding with a grin, "So you'll be glad to know I do in fact have one."

  Anna shook her head slightly and smiled. "I suspected you might."

  "And I realized that what I had with you is too good to throw away. If I fell in love with you when everything else in my world was falling apart, just think how much better it will be now that everything else is coming together."

  Anna did a double-take before easing into a smile. "Geez, therapy really did a number on you."

  Caleb smirked. "I know – I'm beginning to scare myself with where my mind's been going lately. I kind of miss the days when my deepest thoughts were limited to beers and burgers."

  Anna smiled, knowing well that there was always an introspective side to Caleb, all too evident in his inner torment after the war.

  "So you really want me to go with you to the hearings in Washington?"

  "Reuniting me with Haley … that made such a huge difference for me and I want to be able to do this for other soldiers and dogs. And it never would have happened if you hadn’t gone out on a limb like you did. So you're as much a part of this mission as I am." He paused, a twinkle in his eye. "Besides, who else can I find to put together a web site free of charge for the dogs and veterans organization that I started?"

  "Oh, really," Anna replied, playing along. "Just for that, I'm going to insist that I be given the title of vice president for this organization."

  Grinning, Caleb leaned in for a lingering kiss. "Done."

  "And Merlin will be the official mascot."

  "Now you're pushing it," Caleb pretended to warn as Haley let out a sudden bark, prompting them both to laugh.

  "He'll be helping me create this web site from his spot on top of my computer tower, so I think he deserves some recognition, too." She paused, her smile faltering. "Not to mention that he helped me get through some very sad and lonely months after I saw you last. Dogs aren't the only pet therapy animals, you know."

  Caleb clasped her hands, his eyes locking onto hers. "I have a lot of time to make up for – I know. And I will – I promise."

  "I love you," Anna said softly as she nuzzled his cheek, finally voicing the words that she had kept sequestered for so long. "In a way … I feel like I have since the day you first knocked on my door."

  As they walked back to the house with Haley at their heels, Caleb paused and looked upwards. The sun was at its zenith now, with almost blinding rays swirling through the pale blue sky. As he squinted into the brightness, he thought of Joel and Dwayne … knowing they would always live on in his memories, but wondering if somehow … somewhere ... .

  "Are you okay?" Anna asked, tracing his line of vision to the sun. "You look like you just saw an angel or something," she said kiddingly, her face growing serious when he turned back to her and she saw the earnestness in his eyes.

  He brushed her cheek with his hand, thinking about all they had been through … of how her love had literally saved him, even when he was convinced that he didn't deserve to be saved.

  He kissed her on the forehead, then looked into her eyes. "I did."

  THE POWER OF LOVE SERIES

  BOOK ONE: TO LOVE AND PROTECT

  When dedicated veterinarian Shelley Dougan is called into emergency surgery for an injured police dog, she is immediately drawn to Officer Matt Reardon, whose touching concern for his canine partner is as appealing as his quiet confidence and air of inner and outer strength. However, as the young widow of a police officer who was killed in the line of duty, Shelley’s fear of loss drives her to fight their mutual attraction, which becomes increasingly difficult as circumstances bring them closer together. But when a series of anonymous threats against Shelley escalates, Matt is determined to protect her – and to win her love and trust in the process. Can he succeed before the sinister threats become a deadly reality – and before Shelley pulls away altogether rather than allow her situation to put him in harm’s way?

  Available at Amazon

  About The Author

  Tamra Rose is the author of romance, mystery and young adult books. An animal and nature lover, she lives in Connecticut with her horses, goats, cats and dogs who have yet to read her books, but still provide moral support. Visit her website at: www.tamra-rose.weebly.com