Dog Tags for Christmas

by Lindsay McKenna

  Holly slowly withdrew from her position, lifting her head, sitting up more. She pushed her hair away from her face and scrubbed the last of the tears off her cheeks. All the while, her moist, blue gaze was on Nick.

  “Do you know what I love about you, Nick? There are so many things about you, about how you treat me, love me, care for me . . .” She sniffed and took the tissue he offered her. Blowing her nose, she crumpled it in her hand. “You do heal me, Nick.” She slid her hand through his short hair, giving him a trembling smile. “You’re my family now.”

  And then, she looked at the two dogs who sat like little Buddhas in front of them, expressions attentive but filled with so much love for them. “Snowflake and Lady are now a part of our growing family.”

  He nodded, swallowing against a lot of rising emotions. “We are a family whether we realized it at first or not, sweetheart. Those rings? I didn’t buy them for you to pressure you. I like living with you. We’re three months into our relationship and I know it’s early to think about such things, but I just feel that solid with you, Holly. You can take your time about us, about the possibility of marriage, someday, to me. I just needed you to know the depth of my commitment to you . . . to us, that’s all.”

  She gave him a tender look, cupping his face, leaning down, kissing him slowly and with all the love she had in her heart, for him. Lifting away from his mouth, she whispered, “I can’t wait to wear the engagement ring, Nick! I don’t see anything but good coming from us meeting and falling in love with one another.”

  Nick tried to hold onto his escaping emotions, gazing into her warm, blue eyes, feeling her hand pressed against his cheek. He took her hand, kissing the back of it. “Then, let’s see if it fits. My mom took a guess on your ring size because I couldn’t ask you.” He gave her a shy grin.

  Holly reached across him and retrieved the velvet box. “I understand.” She sat up and opened the box once more. “I just love that the engagement ring is a blue diamond.”

  “I wanted to get one that matched the color of your eyes,” he said, holding it up. “It’s not quite a match, but close.”

  “I love that you did this for me,” Holly whispered, holding out her left hand toward him. “It’s perfect!”

  To Nick’s utter relief, the ring slid easily onto Holly’s finger. And it was a perfect fit. His mother was pretty good at this stuff. He watched Holly move her hand, the light playing through the blue diamond bracketed by two clear, smaller diamonds on either side of it. Her fingers were slender and she was so graceful, looking at the stones, pleasure wreathing her expression. “Do you like them?”

  “I love them,” Holly said, a catch in her voice. She leaned over, kissing him again. “I love you, Nick Conway. Forever.”

  He caught her hand in his, squeezing it. “Then, when we go over to my parents’ home for dinner tonight, will you wear the ring?”

  “Absolutely. I know they’ll be happy for us, Nick.”

  “They sure will be!”

  Giving the dogs a loving look, she said, “We are so lucky to have Snowflake and Lady, too. They are gifts to our hearts.”

  “They complete us,” he agreed. She snuggled back into his arms, content to lie against him. “This is the best Christmas I’ve ever had,” Nick admitted, looking up into her half-closed eyes.

  “The best,” she agreed. “And Snowflake’s gift of bringing Lady to us was another good sign, too.”

  Nick smiled at the dogs, both fully attentive, both with a happy expression on their faces as they listened to their humans talking in a language he was sure they didn’t understand. But dogs understand emotions and can sense them easily. “Lady will always be your dog, Holly. Just as Snowflake will be mine.”

  “They are the best of friends, no doubt,” Holly said, reaching over, patting each dog’s head. “We have a journey ahead with Lady, but I know she’s happy with us as her new family. There’s some training to be done, I’m sure. I knitted her that oversized collar and maybe later we’ll see if she’ll wear it or not.”

  “Yes. And even if she’s uncomfortable with it, you can keep working with her to desensitize that area of her neck so she can eventually wear it.”

  “She’s so good at following Snowflake around, and she comes when I call her.”

  “We’ve got lots of good, quality Lab to work with,” Nick agreed. “And this time around she’ll be loved by us. Love heals. And over time Lady will forget her nightmare past and realize she’s in a home where she’s loved.”

  “And spoiled rotten,” Holly said, smiling.

  “You spoil me,” Nick said, holding her luminous gaze, “so why wouldn’t you spoil everything and everyone else around you, too?” Holly had a huge, giving heart and Nick felt like the luckiest man in the world.

  “I think,” Holly whispered, kissing his temple, “that we’re all being spoiled by one another, but when you love like we do, it just happens naturally.”

  He kissed the hand wearing his engagement ring. “Forever,” Nick promised her, his voice low with feelings. “Forever.”

  Lady whined and both of them looked over at their yellow Lab. Then, Nick’s heart thudded hard. He couldn’t believe his eyes. Lady was giving him a doggy smile that looked exactly like Dude’s, teeth and lips in the same big grin. Tears filled his eyes.

  Lady got up and walked around to his left side, sitting, head cocked, and Nick reached out slowly, gently patting her head as she thumped her tail. She smiled again. It broke him wide open with the grief he’d long held for his loss of Dude.

  How could Lady know? Nick had long suspected that dogs were aware of humans and their mass of emotions. He’d seen it so often with Dude. Now, Lady, the same breed as his WMD dog, was reflecting her own emotions to share with him. They were sharing an understanding and Nick heard Holly sigh with joy.

  “Oh, Nick! She’s smiling just like Dude did in that photo you have of him! This is so wonderful! She loves you! She truly does!” Laughing, she leaned over, patting Lady’s head, making cooing love sounds as the Lab happily thumped her tail.

  He wiped his eyes. “Yeah, she knew, Holly. Somehow, Lady knew about Dude and how he’d smile at me, showing me his love.” Shaking his head, he couldn’t control the shock, the warmth, the opening, and healing of his heart that was triggered by her doggy smile.

  “Not only will we help Lady to heal, Nick, she’s going to help you heal from all the grief you buried when Dude died. She loves you just as much as she loves me. You’ve got to agree.”

  Nick continued to pet Lady, silently thanking her for her heart and her love for him. “Yes, I agree,” he choked out. He wrapped his arms around Holly, burying his face in her silky hair, holding her, wanting nothing more than her, ever. “It is the best for all four of us,” he agreed gruffly, tears running down his cheeks. “Just the best!”

  THE BEGINNING . . .

  Also available from

  Lindsay McKenna

  Blue Turtle Publishing

  DELOS

  Last Chance, prologue novella to Nowhere to Hide

  Nowhere To Hide, Book 1

  Tangled Pursuit, Book 2

  Forged in Fire, Book 3

  2016

  Broken Dreams, Book 4

  Cowboy Justice Bundle/Blind Sided, Bundle 2, novella

  Blind Sided, BN2

  Secret Dream, B1B novella, epilogue to Nowhere to Hide

  Hold On, Book 5

  Hold me, 5B1, sequel to Hold On

  Unbound Pursuit, 2B1 novella, epilogue to Tangled Pursuit

  Dog Tags for Christmas Bundle/Snowflake’s Gift, Bundle 3, novella

  Secrets, 2B2 novella, sequel to Unbound Pursuit, 2B1

  2017

  Snowflake’s Gift, Book 6

  Never Enough, 3B, novella, epilogue to Forged in Fire

  Dream of Me novella, epilogue to Broken Dreams

  Trapped Book 7

  Taking a Chance, Book 8, sequel to Trapped

  Harlequin/HQN/Harlequin Romanti
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  THE WYOMING SERIES

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  2016

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  Quote Books

  I love how the Internet has evolved. I had great fun create “quote books with text” which reminded me of an old fashioned comic book . . . lots of great color photos and a little text, which forms a “book” that tells you, the reader, a story. Let me know if you like these quote books because I think it’s a great way to add extra enjoyment with this series! Just go to my Delos Series website delos.lindsaymckenna.com, which features the books in the series.

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  SEAL’s Christmas Dream

  J.M. Madden

  Copyright © 2016 by J.M. Madden

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Do not take part in piracy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Any logistical, technical, procedural or medical mistake in this book is truly my own.

  Acknowledgements

  As always, I have to recognize my own hero. Thank you for pushing me toward my dreams.

  Robyn and Donna, as always your input is amazing. You always tell me what I need to hear. I love you guys!

  Kim Thomas Purgeason, thank you so much for checking my animal details!!! You and Judy are such a joy!

  Chris Keniston, thank you for the Spanish lesson! Lol!

  And to all the readers that follow my Lost and Found series. Thank you so much for being such great cheerleaders. I hope you enjoy Flynn and Willow again!

  Author Note

  I ran a baby-naming contest in my Lost and Found Discussion group to decide on a name for Flynn and Willow’s baby. I loved reading all of the entries but I narrowed it down to two names.

  Raven – chosen by Rachael Hocieniec

  Honor – chosen by Debbie Briggs Conner

  Now, I used Raven all through the book, but because I only used Honor once, I named Raven’s Nanny Debbie. Rachael, I’ll have to use your name in another series! Lol!

  Both of you will receive free copies of the ebook, free copies of the expanded ebook when I release it in February as a single title, and a print copy when it’s put into print.

  Thank you so much for playing!!!

  Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends the animals,

  especially for animals who are suffering;

  for animals that are overworked, underfed and cruelly treated;

  for all wistful creatures in captivity that beat their wings against bars;

  for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry;

  for all that must be put death.

  We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity,

  and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion

  and gentle hands and kindly words.

  Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals,

  and so to share the blessings of the merciful.

  Albert Schweitzer

  Chapter One

  Willow sighed when she heard Sue’s voice call out that Flynn had just pulled in. They had just gotten caught up on their schedule and now whatever animal he’d brought in would probably throw them off again. Well, shoot.

  Running her hand over her belly she smoothed her shirt. It didn’t matter what she looked like right now—considering he was probably bringing in an emergency—but she always wanted to be pretty for him, and six months after having the baby it was a little harder. Between running around like a chicken with her head cut off keeping her business running, taking care of little Raven and trying to be a present wife, she was run ragged.

  Automatically, though, she smiled when Flynn walked in the door. Her big, handsome husband still had his shades on, but when he looked at her his hard, bearded face softened into a smile. That small connection had only gotten stronger in the time they’d been together, and she truly cherished it. Maya, the mixed breed German Shepherd mutt paced around him, prancing anxiously.

  Willow’s gaze fell to the towel wrapped bundle in his arms. A black nose peeked out of the folds.

  “You brought me a raccoon?” she asked incredulously.

  Flynn flashed her an even broader grin and leaned over for a quick kiss. Willow wanted to linger but forced herself to pull away. She looked down at the animal.

  Flynn turned the bundle until he could show her the back end. “Looks like he’s been hit by a car, maybe. I chased him across three lanes of traffic before I could catch him.”

  She scowled at the knowledge. “You be careful doing that. Denver drivers can be crazy.”

  Reaching out she probed at the hanging back leg. “Yes. I would say you’re right. I’ll dose him up with pain medication and splint this leg, then we can call the wildlife rehab center to come pick him up. They have their own vet that specializes in exotic animals. He doesn’t look very old so he should recover fairly well as long as he gets this fixed soon.”

  Flynn nodded, manipulating the animal as she needed him moved. When she glanced up she realized he’d been staring at her for several long moments.

  “What?” she asked defensively.

  He’d shoved his shades to the top of his head. His dark gray eyes were lit with wonderful softness. “Nothing. I’m just peeking down your shirt. I can’t believe how beautiful you are.”

  Willow grinned up at the love of her life. A year ago she never would have imagined she could be in this position, but things had seriously changed. Flynn had gone from a frequent client in her veterinarian’s office bringing her strays to her hero then her soulmate. He was everything she could imagine having. And he’d already become the amazing father she had imagined him to be.

  The raccoon fought a little, trying to get free, but Flynn restrained him like a professional, biceps pumped. Willow worked quickly, giving the animal a light sedation before lightly splinting the back leg. Then she let Flynn carry the animal to one of the portable carriers in back.

  Willow washed her hands in the sink and cleaned up the room. Then
she felt large hands wrapping around her from behind. He nuzzled at her ear. “How do you feel, today? Are these still tender?”

  He cupped her very full breasts.

  “A little tender, but not bad,” she told him truthfully. “I’m counting down the six month mark. I think it will be freeing yet sad when I stop breast-feeding her. We’ve had a couple of emergencies today, so it’s been a struggle keeping to the schedule, but we’re doing it. Now I’m not going to lie – if you offered me a bed to catnap for half an hour I would totally take you up on it.”

  When she’d gone through her pregnancy they had agreed that breastfeeding would be best for the baby, and considering she lived behind the office, it had seemed ideal. Six months of breastfeeding had been her goal and she would hit it, and baby Raven would be all the better for it.

  He chuckled behind her. “Well, if you get a minute slide back to the house and close your eyes when you feed her. I’m sure Sue and Nicky would cover for you.”

  As tempting as that sounded she doubted it would actually happen. At least not until after five o’clock. Turning, she looked up at her gorgeous husband.

  A lot had changed in the time they’d been together. As an Afghanistan veteran and former Navy SEAL, Joe Flynn had carried a lot of baggage when he came back to the states. His Military War Dog had been killed saving his life while he was over there, and it had taken him a long time to recover. The gunshot wound to his hip had healed enough that he was mobile, but he still carried a lot of pain. And part of the PTSD that he carried caused him to see the apparition of his lost MWD, Mace. It wasn’t until Flynn rescued and eventually adopted Maya, a pregnant dog living on the streets that things had changed.

  Willow could always tell when Mace had shown up because Flynn got this lost, wounded look in his eyes. She had learned to give him time to come back to the present. Actually, after they’d adopted Maya, the dog was usually the one to bring him back. She would bury her muzzle against his chest and sometimes lick his chin to get him to focus on her. It had developed into a beautiful relationship. Maya instinctively knew when Flynn needed attention, and since she’d been inducted into the family, they took her everywhere.