by Mimi Milan
Table of Contents
Scent of an Angel
Readers to the rescue!
Acknowledgments
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Epilogue
A Letter to Readers
Scent of an Angel
The Angel Paws Rescue Series
Book One
Bestselling Author
Mimi Milan
To fight... or fall in love?
The only thing Tanner McKoy wants is to disappear into the backwoods of North Carolina, hopefully forgetting about his tour in Afghanistan. However, forgetting seems improbable - and disappearing is impossible when a determined grad student and her new shelter rescue track him down.
After a miserable breakup, Eva Perez returns to school to complete her thesis and become a physical therapist. That means she'll have to present case studies... one of which includes a surly army veteran who refuses help. How can she win a battle with someone still stuck in combat mode?
Readers to the rescue!
~ The Angel Paws Rescue ~
Scent of an Angel
Touched by an Angel
Dancing with Angels
When Angels Sing
You just made a difference!
Thank you for choosing this novel. Twenty percent of each purchased book from the Angel Paws Rescue series will be donated to nonprofit organizations. Scent of an Angel specifically donates to Pets for Patriots, a nonprofit that helps pair US military veterans with overlooked shelter animals.
To my sister, Emily.
May your wedding be
the stuff that dreams are made of.
Acknowledgments
As always, I am indebted to the many hands that go into making a good book. Of course, there is never enough room to mention everyone. Again, please forgive me if your name is accidentally left out and remember that your services are priceless.
First and foremost, I thank the Master Creator and Original Storyteller for giving me the gift of gab, which then turned into the gift of stories. It is a difficult job (trying to determine when to run the mouth or move the hands) but someone has to do it!
To everyone at Eaton House, thank you for reading and editing, providing artistic direction, and basically keeping me on track. Whether it’s a second pair of eyes or an extra pair of hands, your help is invaluable!
Next, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Cindy Flores Martinez for inviting me to be part of the Wedding Pets and Kisses boxed set. Truly, it is a great honor to connect with so many talented and dedicated authors. You are all so inspirational, and I hope this is an endeavor we can recreate in the near future.
To all the wonderful writers and professors at Queens University, thank you for the constructive criticism. It is encouraging to see the writing improve with each workshop. May all of you continue to find success with your own work.
To the best “street team” in the world, with extra nods to Tiffany, Em, and Cindy. Thank you, ladies, for taking time out of your busy schedules to provide the kind of feedback that helps shape good stories.
Of course, none of my books would be possible without the readers. To all of you who have flipped open the cover of this book, you have my never-ending gratitude for your readership.
Finally, I would like to give a special shout-out to all the military men and women who have fought and continue fighting for our freedoms. There are no words to express how precious your sacrifices are, but we will do our best to keep them in remembrance. Thank you for your service.
Chapter One
The land stretched out before them, a metal necropolis of dying machines and once-grand buildings, their faces slowly crumbling above foundations weakened by boys with bombs. Shell casings littered the dusty road like quiet witnesses terrified into their silence. Like the men who had carried them across vast oceans, they would speak no more.
Tanner gently kicked a shell with one combat boot but couldn’t avoid stepping on others. The metal crushed beneath his army-issued boots. He shifted, unease settling in the pit of his stomach. He would be happy when this war was over. That is, when it was really over. Troops had been recalled from Afghanistan for well over a year now, but there were still a few platoons scattered throughout the area. His squad was part of the routine troop rotation offering training support to the Afghan army. Unfortunately, routine didn’t equate to safe. There were only four of them walking this beat right now, and while it was the size of every other fire team, it still didn’t seem nearly enough should they come under attack.
He jerked to his right. What had that been in his peripheral vision? A small, dangerous shadow… or his mind playing tricks on him? He scanned the area, his eyes resting on the skeletal remains of an armored truck that had apparently lost a battle with some IED designed to explode in such a way that only the main compartment remained.
“What is it, McKoy?”
Tanner continued studying the spot that had caught his eye. Nothing seemed amiss. He turned to the squad’s sergeant – and his best friend – Christopher “Chip” Walker.
“Can’t say for sure, Sarge. I thought I saw something moving, but you know how it is. Too many goats; not enough brain grenades.”
The other men, Hall and Martinez, laughed at the joke. Only one side of the sergeant’s mouth twitched, though. His favorite primetime comedian could’ve been standing there cracking jokes and no one would ever know if Chip was in on the fun. You had to respect a person who could swallow laughter the way that man did when he was in the field.
“Yeah, well, you find a bar in the middle of this godforsaken desert and the first round’s on me. Otherwise, might be best if we check out your… goat.”
“Yes, sir.”
All four men began to slowly move forward. Tanner’s mind began to run wild. What if someone was hiding back there, waiting to pop up and attack? Worse yet, what if it was a distraction and they were attacked from behind?
Shuffling sounded from the rear side of the vehicle. They all stopped.
Chip signaled for Hall and Martinez to flank left. Tanner followed to the right. Rifles lifted, they took their positions – ready to act – when a large, furry head popped out from around the truck.
“Well, that’s some goat.”
Chip dropped his rifle and everyone followed suit when a scruffy-looking dog peered out at them. Tanner knelt down, laying his weapon on the ground beside him. He clapped his hands.
“Come here, handsome!”
“Handsome?” Martinez snorted. His accent thickened and everyone smiled. “My Mexican relatives have better looking mutts on their ranch.”
“What do you know about beauty?” Tanner smirked. “Ever look in a mirror?”
A large grin spread across his comrade’s face.
“Every day, and that’s how I know.” He copied Tanner, kneeling in the dirt to make his own attempt at coercing the dog out. “You don’t get much better looking than this, baby.”
“Dog whisperers y’all ain’t.” Hall snickered. “Neither one of you sorry somethings is gonna’ get that dog out. Step aside and let a pro show you how it’s done.”
He joined the other two in calling to the animal, but it just stared back at the men.
“Here, let’s sweeten the deal.” Tanner reached into one of his pockets and pulled out some of the beef jerky he always
carried. “This ought to do the trick. Come and get it, boy.”
He waved the dried meat around and the dog shuffled forward, then jerked back.
“He’s stuck,” Chip said. “I’ll go pull him out.”
Tanner stood as the sarge walked over and took hold of the animal. What followed next happened in a flash. The worried look on Chip’s face; his orders, soundless against a brilliant flash that sent the other men flying backwards. Excruciating pain shooting up Tanner’s leg before everything went black.
Tanner bolted out of bed, his miscalculation landing him in a heap on the floor. He sat, panting in the dark, his clothes soaked with cold sweat. A tingling sensation ran down his right leg and he reached out to rub the spot below his knee, abruptly pulling back when he abruptly remembered.
His leg was gone.
Chapter Two
Eva walked into The Grind, feeling a little out of place in the campus coffee shop. From the individuals working behind the counter to the students ordering their morning cups of caffeine, they all had one thing in common.
Youth.
She ordered a small vanilla latte, then scanned the café to find a possible refuge.
“Hi, Cathy!” She approached a familiar face at a nearby table. The brunette sitting there stared vacantly.
“Um… hi.” She stammered. “It’s Eva. Right? Eva Pressley?”
“Close,” Eva corrected her. “It’s Perez.”
“Oh, sorry.” The woman closed the books strewn about the table and pushed them aside. “Here have a seat. You’ll have to excuse me. I’m so bad with names.”
“Thanks.” Eva sat down. “And honestly, I’m surprised you remembered me at all. We were only in that night class for a few weeks last semester.”
“Yeah, I remember. You sat in the front and always had the right answer. Then you just seemed to stop coming one day.”
“Yeah.”
Eva took a sip of her drink, stalling to think up an answer. It wasn’t like Cathy and she had been good friends or something. Truth was, Eva didn’t really have any friends. Bryan had seen to that. From how she should wear her hair to the idea that she was wasting time going to grad school, he had controlled practically every decision she made since her move to North Carolina. It was only after she dropped out of school last spring that her family flew out from Puerto Rico to intervene. They were able to help her see what was going on and she finally accepted the fact that Bryan was manipulating her.
Of course, she didn’t want to admit any of that to Cathy. Wouldn’t it look bad that she – a woman on the cusp of thirty – didn’t even have enough common sense to spot an abusive man?
“Honestly? I was in a not-so-good relationship,” she finally said. “So I took some time off – spent the rest of spring and summer getting my priorities straight.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Cathy took a sip of her coffee, then waved away Eva’s confession as if it were commonplace. “Most of my relationships have been the ‘not-so-good’ kind. In fact, my first marriage was the absolute worst.”
Eva nearly choked on her coffee. “First marriage?”
“Yeah,” Cathy admitted. “I didn’t have a lick of sense – got married right out of high school. My parents said I was making the biggest mistake ever. Turns out they were right. That stupid, slimy, piece of… well, you know what. He just couldn’t keep his hands off of other women. Of course, I started crabbing about all his hot footing, and that’s when he couldn’t keep his hands off of me. Lord, my daddy just about killed him when I showed up at the house for Sunday dinner and he saw my face. Got his shotgun and ran that sorry excuse of a woman hater right out of town, and that, my friend, was the end of Michael the mistake.”
Cathy snapped her fingers, then flipped her long mane for emphasis.
Eva sat, stunned. A small, bubbly feeling welled up inside her and she quickly threw her hand up to her mouth, trying to hide a smile. She snickered, then a throaty laugh escaped.
Cathy laughed, too.
“I’m so sorry.” Eva cleared her throat. “It’s just that I never realized you were so animated. Are you always so… open?”
“Like a book.” The woman smiled brightly and brought her hands together, miming the turning of pages. “My granny used to say I could talk the ears off a Jesus. I told her if that was true, then everyone in the family should stop telling me to hush all the time so’s I could secure our place in Heaven a little faster.”
“And what did she say to that?”
“Stop trying to put me in an early grave. I know the way on my own just fine!”
The two women laughed again. Almost a decade on the mainland and it was the most she had spoken to any one woman. The thought forced a tear to spring up. Eva wiped it away. She took in a deep, cleansing breath and slowly released it.
“You know what, Cathy? I’m glad I ran into you today. All my classes seem to be full of students a good ten years younger than me. Maybe it’s a fall thing. I don’t know. Makes me feel a little out of sorts, though.”
“Yeah, I think that’s a problem with day classes – regardless of the semester. Most of the older adults have to work that nine-to-five and can only come in the evenings. Only thing is that clinics are during the day. Now who in the world figured out that schedule?”
“Right?”
Eva shook her head. All she needed was to finish a few case studies and she would graduate. Then she could become licensed and move up from assistant to physical therapist. The idea was exciting.
“So,” Cathy broke her reverie. “Have you decided what field you’re going to go into?”
“Honestly? I don’t know.” Eva considered her possibilities again. “I was thinking about pediatrics because I love children, but my father was in Vietnam and said there are a lot of our veterans who aren’t getting the help they really need. So I’m not too sure which one would be better. What about you?”
“I’m not one hundred percent certain, either. However, I do know one thing for sure. I want to work with service pets.”
Eva’s interest was piqued.
“Now that sounds interesting.”
“Yeah,” Cathy agreed. “I adore animals. They’re full of unconditional love, and so eager to please. That’s why I work part-time at a rescue. You’d be shocked to see how many animals that come in, surrendered or abandoned. It’s so sad, too, because they are just the sweetest little things.”
What would it be like to own a pet?
Eva rolled around the thought for a moment. She had always wanted a dog, but it had been impossible growing up. Their family had been the traditional kind a lot of families on the island had – large and loud. Animals were just extra mouths to feed. If it wasn’t a pig or chicken, then it wasn’t welcomed. Things hadn’t changed much after she got engaged and moved out, though. Despite traveling to the mainland, she still felt trapped under her fiancé’s thumb. For example, owning a pet was still an unwelcomed idea. Bryan’s excuse had been that an animal would just tie them down, and really, shouldn’t they wait until after the wedding to make such life-changing decisions? Then the engagement dragged on and on – a condition of her father’s that she finish undergrad if he was going to pay for the wedding.
But the wedding never occurred, and despite the fact that Lake Lure was little more than a dot on a map, Eva couldn’t bring herself to leave the small mountain town. It was her home now, and she was determined to stay.
Although, going home every night was pretty lonely.
She gave her head a decisive nod.
“Cathy, tell me more about your shelter rescues.”
***
Eva stood inside the Angel Paws Rescue Center, and signed the last of the adoption papers.
“That’s it!” Cathy beamed at her. “Now remember what I said about getting him fixed. Funding being what it is, we don’t have those services right now. So you’ll have to take on that responsibility before he gets too much older. Okay?”
Eva nodded her
understanding, wondering at what age would be best to do that. She looked down at the dog tethered to the leash Cathy still held. The shelter volunteers were guessing he was around eight months old. Surely she had a little time before worrying about it. Right?
“Okie dokie.” Cathy held out the leash. “You are now the proud owner of this adorable little golden retriever.”
Before Eva could grab hold of the strap, the dog pulled free and jumped up on her. She laughed.
“Adorable, yes. Little, though, I’m not so sure.”
“Well, honey, this is North Carolina. My eight-year-old nephew weighs more than I do, but we still call him a ‘little darling.’ It’s just the way we speak. Don’t worry. You’ll get used to it.”
“I’m sure I will.” Eva smiled, looking down at the fluffy, young retriever that panted beside her. “What do you think, boy? Will we make a good team?”
The dog looked at her as if actually contemplating her words. He finally let out a resounding bark, and she laughed.
“Great! Then let’s go home.”
Chapter Three
Tanner stared at the building, dread welling up inside. It was bad enough that his mother had to drive him to his therapy session. He hated the idea of her waiting around the parking lot, wasting a whole hour while he was inside making a fool of himself. She always said she didn’t mind. Maybe not, but he sure did. She was nearing retirement age. A grown man should be helping his aging mother – not the other way around! He was tired of her pitying him every time he wheeled his chair out the room, too. That’s why he used crutches whenever possible – even to the point of exhaustion. He didn’t want anyone feeling putout because of him.