by J. M. Madden
“No idea when he’ll be back,” she admitted softly. “This was supposed to be a two-week trip, which we’ve done before, but it’s going on a month and I haven’t heard from him other than the one call on the lousy payphone. I have no idea where he is other than the middle east.”
“You know you’ve had it pretty easy so far,” Carolina told her gently. “Some of those guys are deployed for months at a time.”
“I know,” she said, scratching at a spot on her table. “I feel like we’re building up to that unless he changes jobs. But when his lieutenant got hurt and retired they promoted him into that position, so now he’s leading his SEAL team.”
“Being a military spouse or significant other isn’t easy. You knew that going in. Heck, it’s why I built my business.”
“Yes.”
Helping Hands, Healing Hearts was Carolina’s love, or maybe problem child, depending on the day you talked to her. She had built the business to supply aid to families when the government fell short. The aid might be a long-term dog sitter, or a nanny, or a person to set up an apartment for the deployed family in another country. There was no limit on what she advertised and her contractors were varied and adaptable. In spite of what the San Diego detective thought, her sister’s business filled a niche, and BB didn’t mind helping her out occasionally. It was how she’d met Lincoln. His team had hired BB to welcome him home three months ago, and she’d totally and completely fallen in love with the attractive Navy SEAL. She’d never left.
Being a cartoonist, she could do her job anywhere. Coronado, California was a beautiful area and she loved the beach, and it kept her close to the rest of Lincoln’s team. Though she wasn’t yet married to Lincoln they treated her like a significant other, including her in outings and kid parties and the like. Mary Black, the wife of Lincoln’s former lieutenant, had become a very dear friend. She kept BB sane when it came to worrying about the silence.
She would hate for Carolina to miss out on what she’d found with Lincoln. “Go talk to the detective, Carolina. Make sure that he’s not hanging around for some other reason.”
Silence stretched on the other end of the line, then her sister huffed out a breath. “I might. He makes me mad, though. He won’t listen to reason.”
“So, invite him in and show him rather than tell him. Maybe that’s all he needs.”
“Maybe,” Carolina said doubtfully. “We’ll see. I know you have to work but no more pictures of Frankie living it up with my enemy.”
BB laughed. “I’ll try not, but no promises. She really likes Chuck.”
“No taste whatsoever,” she groused, before she laughed. “Love you, sis. Let me now if you hear from Lincoln.”
“I will. Love you too.”
It was a couple days later when she and Mary were getting their nails done at a salon she’d adopted downtown. Mary loved getting out of the house. They had three kids and now that the youngest was attending day-long school she could get out and do more.
Mary seemed to sense how lonely BB was, so she dragged her out of the house at least a couple times a week. Though she didn’t always say it, BB appreciated it, especially now.
“A little bird told me there might be a call coming this week,” Mary told BB, sending her heart racing.
“Really?”
Mary nodded, her blue eyes kind. She knew how hard this operation had been on BB. “No firm dates but I think the team might be on the move, and they might be able to call home. Justin said they probably could, anyway. And he’s usually right. He has his ear to the ground and he can read things we can’t, so keep your phone on you.”
BB nodded. “I definitely will. I mean, I always do, but I’ll turn the ringer up and be sure to answer.”
The randomness of being the significant other of a Navy SEAL was difficult to deal with. There was no schedule or planning anything, because you couldn’t count on your partner being there. BB was independent, in general, she always had been. But Lincoln had wormed his way into her heart completely.
“I was talking to my sister the other day,” she said softly. “I hope he comes home soon or I’ll be swimming in babies.”
Mary gave her an odd look. “What do you mean?”
BB told her about the playdate with the male Frenchie. “As much as I would love to have a little puppy running around I know it’s risky to make big decisions like that when he’s deployed.”
“I love puppies,” Mary breathed, her eyes going dreamy. “There’s no other scent like puppy breath.”
“I know,” BB agreed, laughing. “You’re not helping me be strong.”
Mary made a face. “Sorry. I’m weak when it comes to puppies, too. And sometimes those big decisions need to be made for the betterment of the family, whether he’s here or not. You wouldn’t believe some of the things I did when Justin was deployed. He came home from one deployment and we’d completely moved houses,” she laughed. “That was not an easy one.”
They chatted easily about odd things as the technicians worked on them. Though there were several years’ age difference between she and Mary, and their careers were very different, they got along like they’d always been friends. They were women who loved Navy SEALs. Period. BB had a feeling Mary would be up for anything with her. Maybe they should plan a girl’s trip when the guys got back. She doubted it would fly but it might be worth proposing.
Once they got their nails done they went for lunch, then headed home. BB knew Frankie would be pouting about being left behind, but she’d have to get over it. It had been too hot today for her to stay in the car, and the nail salon was not pet friendly. She’d give her extra treats when she got home.
Chapter Two
Lincoln called two days later. BB had literally just stepped out of the shower when she heard her cell-phone ringing. Not recognizing the number but hoping, she answered it.
“Hey, baby.”
Lincoln’s deep, raspy voice was a balm to her heart and tears started in her eyes immediately. “Hey, you. I love you and I miss you.”
“Oh, babe, you have no idea how bad I needed to hear that. I miss you too. Are you doing okay?”
“I’m fine,” BB said, trying to dry herself off as she talked to him. “I’m just getting out of the shower.”
There was silence on the other end of the line. “Fuck, woman. You’re going to kill me saying stuff like that. Do you have any idea how hard up I am right now? It’s been impossible, going cold turkey after the hard playing we did before I left.”
Just the thought of what they’d done when they’d been together…damn… Her body heated and went loose. How could his words affect her so quickly? “I do know. Just hearing your voice gets me wet, Lincoln. When are you coming home?”
He sighed and she had a bad feeling she wasn’t going to like the answer. “It’s going to be a while, babe. That’s why I’m calling. They brought us back to the FOB to restock. We’re going deeper in country and it’s going to be a while. The brass wouldn’t even promise us we’d be home by Christmas.”
Tears filled her eyes and she gasped in a breath. “Christmas?” she said incredulously. “That’s almost four months.”
“Yes, I know. I’m so sorry, babe. I know this isn’t what you signed up for, to sit in the house and wait for me to fly in.”
Remorse filled her at his words and she regretted her own outburst. It wasn’t his fault. He didn’t need to be worrying about her right now. “Lincoln, don’t worry about me. Seriously. I love you and I’ll wait for you. Don’t worry about that. Just stay safe. No new injuries?”
“No, nothing. It’s been fairly quiet, so far, but I think the brass is expecting something, that’s why we’re moving.”
She could hear the tiredness in his voice. “So are you taking a break for a few days or do you have to leave again immediately?”
“We have a day,” he said eventually, “though with this new position I have more responsibility. I don’t know how Black did it when he led the team
. How’s he doing, by the way?”
She thought about Mary’s husband. He’d recovered from his injuries and seemed to be floundering, a little, trying to find his feet. “He’s good. Driving Mary nuts as he’s settling in. We get together a couple times a week and do stuff because he drives her out of the house otherwise.”
Lincoln laughed. “I knew it would be an adjustment. She’s going to have to give him time. He’ll find something.”
“Yeah, he’ll figure it out.”
“You know, I was thinking,” he said, then paused.
BB thought she lost the connection because it went silent. “Lincoln?”
“Yeah, sorry. I’m just thinking it might be time for me to be underfoot, too. I wouldn’t mind finding something that would let me be home more.”
Her throat tightened. “God, yes. You know I’m not going to fight you on that,” she said eventually. “And if we want to start a family, you should be here for it. You know?” she laughed but she was completely serious.
“I know.”
They’d talked briefly of starting a family but it hadn’t been a priority in either of their minds. They were too lost in the joy of having found each other and fallen in love.
There was talking in the background, then someone yelled Lincoln’s name. He sighed and she could hear the finality in his voice. “I have to go, babe. I don’t know when I’ll be able to call you again but please know it will be as soon as I possibly can.”
Her eyes filled with tears again. “I know, Lincoln. I love you. Come home safe, please.”
“I’ll try, babe. You know I will. I love you with all my heart. Tell everyone hi.”
“I will.”
And he was gone. She stared at the phone in her hand for several long minutes, crying, wishing that she could touch and hold him. Being a military significant other to a damn Navy SEAL was harder than she’d ever expected.
Mary called her two days later, sounding frazzled. “Remember when you were thinking about getting a puppy? Do you still want one?”
BB blinked, focusing. “Uh, yeah, maybe. Why?”
“You need to be sure, BB. I know a wife that works at a local vet’s office. They had a Frenchie come in for a C-section a couple of weeks ago and the runt hasn’t been gaining weight. The owner brought him in and he has a cleft palate. He also has pneumonia because he aspirated milk. The little guy isn’t doing good and they’re talking about euthanizing him.”
BB blinked. Was this a life preserver from Heaven or what?
“I’ll take him,” she said immediately. “Right now. Just tell me where he is.”
Mary chuckled. “I knew you would. Here’s the address of the vet. Want me to meet you there?”
“No, I can do it.” She glanced at the clock. “The kids will be getting home from school soon.”
“Yes, you’re right. If you need anything call me. I hope I did right calling you.”
“Of course, you did, Mary. Thank you. What’s the address?”
BB second-guessed herself all the way to the vet’s office, but in the end, though it was going to be an incredible obligation, she knew she had to try. The tech that led her through the door and into the back of the office seemed excited that BB had arrived.
“I’m not going to lie,” the younger, pony-tailed woman said. “I was tempted to take him but I have classes this quarter. He deserves a chance, though, he’s so darn cute.”
BB was led into an area where it was obvious the medical staff did most of the procedures. The tech called a man over and told him, “This lady is taking the puppy.”
The tall man held out his hand. “I’m Dr. Marsh. Thank you so much for stepping up.”
“BB,” she introduced herself. “It seems like it’s meant to be. I was just thinking about getting another Frenchie. I have one at home.”
The vet nodded, smiling broadly, and motioned her over to a glass cage. “This is Marty. The owner named him but since she relinquished custody to us you are free to name him what you want.”
BB looked into the glass cage and fell in love. The pup was so tiny! He was grayish blue with a little wrinkled gray nose. At two weeks were his eyes even open? Little dude appeared to be sleeping because he was fairly still. She turned to the doctor. “So, tell me what I need to do.”
The man seemed to see the determination in her eyes, because he nodded his head and leaned against the bank of cages. “Well, in order for cleft palate puppies to thrive they need to be tube fed. This little guy is fighting pneumonia right now because he aspirated milk. That’s the problem with these guys. Sometimes the cleft isn’t even noticed until they start to decline. Assuming you get him going again, and I’m reserving judgement that you can, he’s going to need surgery at about three months old to close that opening. It’s in his hard palate, the bony part, so surgery is the only way it will heal completely. Sometimes the soft palate holes can close on their own, but surgery is usually best. I can do the surgery—I’ve done them before—but he has to be in a lot healthier place.”
BB nodded, making sure she took in everything. The doctor did not sound hopeful of the pup’s chances.
“Is he on antibiotics for the pneumonia?”
“He is. We’ll send you home with meds and a recipe for making the formula. We’ll show you how we’ve been feeding him and I’ll give you my cell number in case you need anything.”
That seemed a little out of the ordinary. When she glanced up it was to find him smiling at her in a way she would have appreciated more a few months ago, before Lincoln. “Thank you very much. I really do appreciate that.”
“I’m glad you’re giving him a home. I don’t want to put anything down if I don’t have to. Bad Karma.”
She smiled at him because she agreed with the thought. “Was he the only one of the litter?”
Nodding, he straightened. “As far as we know. She’s bringing the rest of the pups in next week for their first checkups and shots.” He turned to look over his shoulder. “Liz, would you mind showing BB how to feed the little man?”
A dark-haired woman with deep brown eyes came over. “Mary said you were coming. Have you dealt with a cleft palate puppy before?”
BB shook her head. “I’ve rehabbed baby bunnies and a litter of kittens before. Never a puppy.”
The woman nodded kindly and opened the oxygen cage. “We have him in here because he’s got a touch of pneumonia. Not too bad but enough to make his breathing a little raspy. We’ve had him for a day, though, and I can already tell a difference since he’s been on the meds.”
The puppy grunted when she picked him up and handed him over to BB. Sighing with pleasure she took the round, quivering little body, cuddling him under her chin. “He’s definitely a Frenchie but I can feel his tiny ribs.”
Liz nodded. “I’m glad the owner was as watchful as she was and brought him in. Dr. Marsh told you about the surgery, right? I just want you to know what you’re getting into.”
“Yes. I understand. And the surgery won’t be an issue.”
Some of the tension eased from the woman’s expression. BB wondered how many people they had roll through the office that didn’t have the money needed to care for their animals. “Was that why the puppy was turned over?”
The technician frowned. “I think it was more of a time issue. She has little kids and didn’t think she could take on the two-hour feedings.”
BB quirked a brow. “I’m not looking forward to it either but I can do it.”
Damn. He was such a warm weight in her hands, but he was so little. He was about the size of a bag of rice. “How much does he weigh?”
“Less than a pound. He could be double this size for his age.”
She stroked a finger down his downy soft head, fingering his tiny ears. His eyes were barely slitted open.
“I think,” Liz kind of winked at her, “that he might have blue eyes, although it’s a little early to tell. With the blue coat… Let’s go to one of the rooms and I’ll sho
w you how to feed him.”
The process wasn’t especially hard, BB just worried about hurting the little guy. It was easy enough getting his mouth open, she just worried about passing the feeding tube down his throat and into his stomach. He chewed and cried, but the tech assured her that it needed to be done. Liz showed her how much he needed to be fed, marking the line on the little syringe.
“If he’s howling before his two-hour feed you might feed him a little more than on the line. Use your judgement.”
Liz went through the milk recipe as well, explaining to her where to get the ingredients. “We’ll send enough with you to get you started for a few days. Dr. Marsh said that we’ll eat the cost of his care up to now but anything going forward will be your responsibility.”
BB nodded, her head spinning with all of the instructions. “That’s fine. I can pay for what he’s needed now if you want me to.”
The tech shook her head. “Nah. You’ll have enough bills down the road with him,” she laughed.
Within an amazingly short amount of time BB was walking out the door with a tiny, tiny baby cradled in a towel, and a bag of care items. As she settled him into a basket she had on the car floorboard she had to shake her head at how quickly things could change in life.
Chapter Three
Frankie was aggravated when she realized the towel was alive. She growled and harrumphed, standing on her back legs to try to see what BB carried. BB lowered the bundle enough so that Frankie could get a whiff of the baby.
Frankie growled again, until the little guy let out a tiny whimper. Her head cocked and her dark ears went straight up, and she nosed forward aggressively. “Be gentle,” BB ordered.
Frankie didn’t back off, though. She snuffled at the pup, trying to get him to move again. He let out a cry, sounding weak and lonely, and Frankie seemed to respond. BB wondered how many pups had been in the litter. The little guy was already vulnerable. Being without his littermates would make him more so.