Her Holiday Hero

by Margaret Daley

  “Yes and her suspicions about Liam and his buddies. But that’s just it. That’s all it is—conjecture.”

  “Has anything happened at Zach’s house?”

  “So far nothing. We’re going to keep each other informed of what’s going on and be on the lookout, especially at night.”

  He took her hands and pulled her close. “They’ll mess up. They’re getting bolder. That’ll be their downfall.”

  “I hope before someone gets hurt.”

  He moved her a few steps out of view of the boys in the dining room. “Have I told you thank you for going with me to Caring Canines for the PTSD therapy group?”

  “Yes. A couple of times last night. I’m glad your first session went well.”

  “Listening to what others are coping with makes me able to put my experiences in perspective. When it’s happening to you, you think you’re the only one dealing with it.” When she started to say something, he grinned. “I know Ben and other soldiers have gone through PTSD. But knowing it and really believing it are two different things. Sometimes I think I’m the only one suffering from the same nightmare or getting a panic attack because something out of the blue reminds me of the ambush.”

  “Yesterday I was your chauffeur. That’s all. You did all the hard work.”

  “I slept better last night than I have in weeks—months. Shep’s getting so good at detecting when my nightmares begin and stopping them. I have you to thank for that, too.” Sounds from the dining room indicated the boys were finished. Jake squeezed her hands gently. “I’m glad you’re stubborn and talked me into taking Shep.” He backed away as Josh and his friends appeared in the doorway. “Don’t forget to practice between lessons.”

  They all nodded.

  “Thanks, Jake.” Emma smiled and left with the boys trailing after her.

  Jake went out on the porch to watch them walk to Emma’s car. He caught sight of three kids across the street in the park, standing around, their stares trained on Josh, Craig, Zach and Carson. Jake didn’t know one of the guys, but the other two were Sean and Liam. Their body language and expressions shouted intimidation.

  Jake moved to the top of his steps and crossed his arms, glaring at the trio standing in the park at the exact spot where they had beaten up Josh. For a few seconds Josh reacted—fear swept down his body. Josh glanced back at Jake. He nodded his encouragement. Josh straightened, his chin lifting, his stare directed at the three guys across the street.

  Emma hustled the four boys into her car and stomped on the gas, leaving the trio behind. As much as Jake wanted to go back into his house, he stayed where he was with his feet apart, his muscled arms folded over his chest. In every line of his body he conveyed a warrior stance. They stayed for only a moment more then hurried away deep into the wooded area of the park.

  Jake waited another couple of minutes, then with the release of a deep breath, relaxed his tense posture. He and Shep went back inside and strode to the dining room window to look out. No sign of the trio. He didn’t like the bold gesture—a taunt, really—they’d made a while ago. This wasn’t over.

  Lord, I know what Josh is going through. Give me the right words to say to him, to help him deal with these bullies. I haven’t felt You around much lately, but please answer this request for Josh’s sake, not mine.

  As Jake walked toward his bedroom, his phone rang. Thinking it might be Emma, he snatched up the receiver without looking at the caller’s number on the display. When he heard the general’s gruff voice, he fought the urge to slam the phone back into its cradle.

  “Jake? Are you there?”

  “Yes, sir.” He sank onto his bed.

  “Why haven’t you returned my last few calls?”

  “I’ve been busy.”

  “Doing what? Do you have a job now?” The skepticism in his father’s voice came across loud and clear.

  “I’m working on getting my Ph.D. I want to finish within the year.”

  There was a long silence on the other end, and Jake was tempted to hang up.

  “I got a call from General Hatchback. You’re going to accept the medal on Veterans Day.”

  “Yes, I called him this morning.” After the improvement the past month, he felt he could do it with Shep’s support and the fact he would accept the medal for every man in his unit.

  “Then I’ll be there. I can only stay overnight, but I want to attend.”

  “You don’t have to. It isn’t a big deal. General Hatchback will give me a medal, and I’ll sit down.”

  “Not a big deal?!”

  Jake pulled the receiver away from his ear and could still hear his father. “It’s an honor few soldiers receive. I will be there. That’s not up for discussion.”

  Jake grew taut as if he had been flash-frozen. His teeth dug into his lower lip until a metallic taste coated his tongue.

  “You could have gone far, son. This medal is an indication of the type of soldier you were.”

  “I’ll see you at the ceremony.” If I go. “Goodbye, sir.”

  “Jake—”

  He returned the phone to its resting place before he lost his temper. He’d been taught to honor and obey the man as his father and superior in the service, but right now all he could remember was the barrier that had been between himself and the general for his whole life.

  Shep jumped up on the bed and nuzzled Jake’s face and neck. He put his arms around the German shepherd and thought of a childhood memory. One time his father swung him around and around. When he’d stopped, Jake had giggled and staggered, trying to catch his dad. His dad had always let him. Where was that man now?

  *

  Hours later, after eating the rest of the dinner Emma had sent home with him Sunday night, Jake sat down at his desk to work on a paper for his doctoral program. Five minutes into his trying to come up with an introduction, the phone rang. He checked the caller ID this time before answering.

  “Hi, what’s up?” he asked Emma, remembering the worry that had knitted her brow as she climbed into her car with the trio in the park watching.

  “I went into the garage to get something out of the backseat of my car and noticed I have a flat tire caused by a nail. I’ve tried changing it, but I can’t budge the lug nuts. It’s official now. I need to start lifting weights like my son.”

  He smiled, peering at the blank screen on his computer. This’ll be a nice distraction. “I can come over and change it.”

  “I was hoping you’d say that. I don’t have a car service.”

  “I’ll be there shortly. Do you have everything you need to change a tire?”

  “Yes. At least I have that. Can’t do anything with it, though. I should have had my dad or brother teach me how.”

  “See you in a few.” After he hung up, he looked down at Shep lying on the floor next to his chair. “Boy, we need to go rescue a damsel in distress. Emma.”

  At the mention of her name Shep stood, his ears perked forward. Jake felt as his dog did—eager to see her. Maybe talking with her would help him forget his phone conversation with the general.

  Ten minutes later Emma opened her front door before he had reached the top porch step. The expression on her face stopped him for a second. Her eyes gleaming, she radiated warmth and relief that she had him to turn to. That feeling bolstered him.

  She greeted Shep with a thorough petting. “He’s really the reason I call you.”

  The twinkle in her gaze lightened his mood even more. “I aim to please, ma’am.”

  “I’ve put on some hot chocolate—made from scratch. With the chill in the air, I thought it might be nice before you go home.”

  “It is the first of November.”

  She walked through the kitchen. “Yes, I can’t wait for the holidays. Thanksgiving and Christmas are the two times my family comes to my house. They know how I feel about cooking and let me have my way. Even Josh.”

  “For the past seven years I was usually in a war zone during the Christmas season.”

  She smiled. “Then you’re invited to Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. I go all out for the holidays. It’s a time to celebrate.”
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  “I hate to intrude on family—”

  “Shh, Jake. You won’t be intruding on my family. I won’t let you celebrate alone. Please.”

  He laughed. “If I don’t agree, I’ve got a feeling I won’t hear the end of it.”

  Emma opened the door into the garage and gestured toward a mountain of plastic containers along the far wall. “That’s where I store my decorations.”

  “You do have it bad.” When he stepped through the doorway, Jake immediately saw the flat tire on the passenger side in the back. “Good thing you caught it tonight rather than tomorrow morning when you’re trying to get Josh to school and you to work. By the way, where is Josh?”

  “Doing his homework. He tried and couldn’t budge it, either.”

  Jake set to work changing the tire. “Have you been driving through a construction area?”

  “No, Josh thinks it was the work of Liam and his friends today while I was at your house. Maybe that was why they were watching us leave your place.”

  “This kind of leak would have taken a little time. I think they were trying to intimidate the boys.”

  “You mean trying to tell them that no matter how much they practice their self-defense moves it won’t make a difference in the long run?”

  “Something like that.”

  “You’re probably right.”

  “Always.”

  She chuckled. “I’ll remember that at least until you finish changing the tire. Then, who knows?”

  Every part of him hummed with awareness of the woman standing a few feet behind him, observing him. Not one ounce of him felt uncomfortable. Actually, he liked her watching but he knew he shouldn’t. He needed to be careful. He couldn’t let his feelings keep developing for Emma. Not while he was dealing with PTSD.

  Finished, he rose. “Where do you want me to put the flat?”

  “In my trunk. I hope it can be patched. I don’t have the money to buy a new one right now.”

  “I think it can be.”

  “If it was Liam, I’m glad he didn’t slash my tire. That probably couldn’t be fixed.” She headed toward the door into the house. “You can wash up in the kitchen. I’m going to get Josh. He wanted a cup of the hot chocolate.”

  While she was gone, he scrubbed the dirt from his hands and tried to compose himself. He couldn’t ignore his feelings for Emma. Why, Lord? Why now when I can’t do anything about it?

  He heard Emma and Josh coming and shook the questions from his mind, busying himself getting mugs down from her cabinet and pouring the hot chocolate. “Anyone want a couple of marshmallows?”

  “Me. Cover the top with them.” Josh took his cup and sat at the table, with Buttons lying on the floor nearby.

  “Not me,” Emma said with a chuckle. “There are already enough calories in the hot chocolate. I don’t need to add more.”

  “I’m with Josh. The more marshmallows, the better.” Jake took the chair across from the boy with Shep settling beside Jake.

  She set her mug down then went back to a cabinet. “I’ve got something for Shep. It wouldn’t be fair if we’re enjoying our drinks and he doesn’t get anything.” After she gave him a treat shaped like a bone, she eased into the chair between him and Josh.

  Josh took a large swallow of his hot chocolate, a brown mustache above his upper lip. “What do you think, Jake? Was it Liam and his guys that put the nail in the tire?”

  “Don’t know and without proof there isn’t anything we can do about it.”

  “I just hate that they’re getting away with everything.” Josh took another gulp.

  “In this country a person is innocent until proven guilty. We have to respect that, but that doesn’t mean we don’t take steps like we’re doing to protect ourselves.”

  Josh blew a frustrated breath out. “I can’t wait until the Veterans Day celebration. Craig told me his mom said you’re getting a medal for bravery.”

  Jake clutched his mug until his fingers ached. “How does she know?”

  “There was something in the Sunday newspaper about it,” Josh replied, reaching down and petting Buttons.

  Jake exchanged a look with Emma, feeling trapped into attending the ceremony whether he wanted to or not.

  Emma gave him a sympathetic look. “I don’t get the paper. I didn’t know that.” She turned to her son. “How’s your homework coming? It’s time for bed.”

  “Mom, I’m old enough to stay up past ten. I still have a little.”

  “Then take your drink to your room and finish your work. Then to bed.”

  Josh grumbled the whole way out of the kitchen with Buttons trotting after him, but Emma waited until he was gone before asking, “You decided to do the ceremony?”

  “I told General Hatchback I would at the end of last week as long as it was clear I was accepting for the whole unit.” And before he had talked to his father or he would have said no. He would call his dad and tell him he wouldn’t accept if he came. The ceremony would be stressful enough without the general there watching.

  “Good. I’m glad you’re doing it. I’ll be in the front row, cheering you on, and I imagine the kids you’re working with will be, too. And Marcella.”

  An extra hundred pounds seemed to weigh him down at the thought of an audience. He’d always been a private person, and this went against everything in his comfort zone. “Do many people attend the celebration?”

  “I’ve never gone. I’m usually working, but I’m taking the day off. I want to be there to support you. You deserve this.”

  “No, I don’t just because I made it out alive.”

  “That’s not true. Ben told me what you did. The ones who survived did so because of you and your quick action. You’re a hero. All you have to do is ask those men and their families.”

  Hero? He didn’t feel like one. He was a man barely holding the pieces of his life together. “I still don’t know about this. What if I have a panic attack during the ceremony?” The very thought sent a bolt of tension through him.

  “Shep will be there. I’ll be there. We’ll help you leave afterward as fast as possible.”

  “I don’t want Josh to know or the other boys.”

  “That you’re human? That you can suffer like anyone else?”

  He blinked rapidly and scooted his chair back. He started to rise when she grasped his hand and held it tight. “It’ll help if my dad doesn’t come.”

  “Will he honor your wishes?”

  “I don’t know. The general does what he wants. Always has and he doesn’t like it when someone tries to mess with his plans. He didn’t when I went to OU, and he didn’t when I took the honorable discharge. I’ve heard him talk about PTSD before. I don’t think he believes so many soldiers have it.”

  “Was he ever on the front line in a war zone?”

  “Not that I know of. He graduated from West Point as the Vietnam War was coming to an end and by the time the Gulf War erupted he was promoted to colonel and assigned to headquarters. I know he was in Bosnia for a while before he moved to the Middle East, but again, I don’t think he was involved in the actual fighting. Then he made general. Mom died and he returned to the States to be the head of a couple of different bases over the years.”

  She tilted her head to the side, her hand still over his, warm, comforting. “Then he doesn’t know what it’s like?”

  “I can’t say. He never talked about his job at home.”

  “Maybe you should ask him about his experiences.”

  “Don’t you think I’ve tried? He’s always managed to avoid the subject.”

  “That sounds like a man who hasn’t dealt with something.”

  Jake paused to inhale composing breaths, trying to ease the tension wrapped around him. “I know. When I was getting my degree in psychology that’s what I thought. I asked him about it. He accused me of psychoanalyzing him and stalked out of the room.”

  “When my husband died and so much hit me at once, I learned to take each moment as it came. Don’t worry about the future until it’s the present and happening to you.”

  “Isn’t there something in the Bible about that?”

  “God wants us to trus
t Him, not put all our trust in ourselves. We can’t do it alone.”

  “I’d like to go to church with you and Josh next Sunday. I’m going to need prayers to get through the ceremony on the following day.” He turned his hand over and clasped hers, then stood, tugging her to her feet. “Walk me to the door. I need to leave. You have to get up early for work.”

  “While you’re a man of leisure, treasure each moment,” she said with a grin.

  “I don’t want to be. I enjoy work.”

  She stopped in the foyer and placed her hands on his shoulders. “I understand. That’s the way I’d be. I get pleasure from a job well done. When you get your doctorate, think of the people you can help, especially ones with PTSD because you have been through it.”

  “As this town grows, we sure could use more services for the vets here.”

  “Then that could be your mission.”

  He drew her close. “Like yours is to help provide service dogs to the people who need them.”

  She ran her tongue over her lips. “Yes, exactly,” she said softly.

  His gaze fixed on her mouth, he bent his head toward her. He wanted to kiss her again. And again. No! As much as he would enjoy every second, he would regret it later. It wasn’t fair to her. He brushed his lips across her forehead, set her away from him and strode toward the door.

  “Good night, Emma.”

  The whole way home, thoughts flew through his mind. What were you thinking? Where is your discipline? Now his actions probably left her more confused than ever. They sure did for him.

  As he neared his place, someone wearing a dark hoodie and black pants darted across his yard, lobbing something at his house. Jake froze.

  Chapter Eleven

  A grenade flashed into his mind, and Jake automatically dived for cover while his heartbeat slammed against his chest. A crashing sound followed by another invaded his thoughts, zipping him back to the noise of the first explosion in the village that took out three of his men. Quaking, he felt paralyzed, trying to crawl for the shelter of a hedge. Searing pain shot through his body as he tried to breathe and couldn’t.

  Shep stood over him licking him, nuzzling against him—focusing him on the calming techniques he’d learned.