The Soldier's Redemption

by Lee Tobin McClain

  Finn blew out a sigh. Then he looked over at Kayla. “When should we get started?”

  Penny and Kayla looked at each other. “No time like the present,” Penny said. “Let’s make a list.”

  Kayla grabbed a legal pad and a pen. “For starters, we need to think of what a good open house would be like. Something other people won’t think of.”

  “That’s true,” Penny said. “We don’t want to resort to carnival games and kettle corn. There’s got to be something new that we could do to make people really want to come. If we’re asking them to drive all the way up here, we ought to have something interesting and different for them.”

  “Something with the dogs?” Kayla said.

  “Yes, but what?” Penny reached for the pad, but her phone buzzed and she glanced at it. Glanced again. Then she stood so abruptly that her chair tilted and would have fallen if Finn hadn’t grabbed it.

  “She went into labor,” Penny said. “It’s too early. I have to go.”

  “How can we help?” Kayla asked.

  “I...I don’t even know.”

  “Come on,” Kayla said, taking the older woman’s arm. “We’ll get your things together.”

  So Kayla helped Penny pack while Finn called the airport, and within two hours he’d driven her there and gotten home again.

  All the while, he was thinking.

  He and Kayla were now pretty much committed to setting up an open house, and doing it alone. That was a problem, because every time he was near her he wanted to kiss her.

  He had to get himself pulled together and realize, remember, what a bad idea that would be. For him, no; but for Kayla and Leo, most definitely. They’d already been through plenty of problems in their lives, and they didn’t need him adding more.

  For their sake, he had to keep control of his emotions.

  * * *

  The next morning, Kayla knelt in the meadow outside the kennels and watched Finn make his way up the road toward her, his gait unsteady. He was using his cane. It must be a bad day with his leg.

  On impulse, she lifted her camera lens and started snapping pictures. With the morning sun glowing on the mountains behind him, the image was riveting. Something she could submit to a magazine or contest, if he gave her permission.

  When he got closer she let the camera slip into her lap and surveyed the scene. Across the field, scarlet paintbrush flowers bristled toward the sky, while silvery lupine and blue columbine nodded and tossed in the faint breeze. Sage and pine sent their mingled fragrance down from the mountains. She’d brought Willie and Long John’s dogs for the shoot, knowing they could be trusted to remain calm. Now Rockette lay at Kayla’s side, big black head lifted to survey the scene. Duke, the grizzled pit bull, sniffed around the rocks, displaying a mild interest in a prairie dog that popped out of its burrow to look around.

  Finn disappeared into the barn and came out a moment later, with Winter, the female who’d been abused, at his side. He approached Kayla with a half smile, half grimace. “Showing up as ordered.”

  “I’m sorry.” She moved over to offer him a seat on the end of the bench. “You having a bad day?”

  “It happens.” He lowered himself onto the bench and propped his cane beside him. “What’s our game plan?”

  He sounded guarded, and she couldn’t blame him. In fact, she was feeling the same way. They’d committed to a couple of weeks of working together on an important project, and that meant they’d have to deal with these undertones between them at some time.

  If only they hadn’t kissed. That had muddied waters that had only just started to clear as they’d adjusted to working together. Now she couldn’t look at him without remembering his tenderness, wishing for it to happen again.

  But getting close to Finn meant the risk that he’d discover their connection to the Airborne and that Mitch would find out. She couldn’t let that happen, for her own safety but especially for Leo’s.

  Time to get businesslike. “I’d like to video you first.”

  His jaw literally dropped. “No way. This isn’t about me. I thought we were going to video Long John and Willie.”

  “Later. You first. You can talk about your work here, and about your history as a veteran.”

  “Nope. Not happening.”

  She blew out a breath, trying to keep her frustration under control. “We agreed yesterday that we’d make a series of short clips of veterans. Who better to start with than the person who pretty much runs this place?”

  “Willing veterans. Which I’m not.” He rubbed his leg and his face twisted again.

  “If you’re going to ask others to participate,” she said, “you should be prepared to do the same. Tell your story. It will help other vets, and this place, and the dogs.”

  “My life isn’t interesting!” He practically spit out the words and then lowered his voice. “It’s a mess.”

  What was his story?

  “Anyway,” he grumbled, “I’m not exactly photogenic. I hate being on camera.”

  “You’re inspiring,” she said firmly. “And you can have the dogs with you. And we can edit it.” She picked up the old video camera and panned the area, adjusting the settings. “Ready?”

  He glared at her.

  She glared right back.

  He drew in a breath and let it out in a sigh. “Where do I stand?”

  “Just sit right there.” He was on a bench against the wood barn siding, Willie’s dog, Duke, beside him, and if he wasn’t photogenic she didn’t know who was. He’d advertise the place better than anything. And he didn’t even consider himself handsome, which was part of his appeal.

  Now that he’d agreed, Kayla felt flustered. She was used to being behind a camera, but not to talking. “Let me find the questions I brainstormed,” she said and went to her bag. Be calm, be calm, she told herself. It’s a job. You’re just doing your job.

  And saving a ranch.

  And making things right for Leo.

  And helping dogs and veterans who need it.

  She pulled out the sheet of notebook paper on which she’d jotted some questions and skimmed them over. They seemed kind of...shallow, and weak. She wanted to sparkle for Finn.

  You’re not a sparkling kind of person, said the voices from her past.

  But it wasn’t all about her.

  She heard Finn’s booming laugh and looked over. He was watching the two dogs. Rockette was rolling on her back in the grass, and Duke was poking and prodding her with his paw, letting out intermittent barks. Winter sat watching with mild interest.

  She swung her camera around and caught footage of the dogs, then of Finn watching them. She walked closer.

  “So, Finn, what do the dogs do for you?” she asked.

  He looked more relaxed now, as he gestured toward the silly pair. “They’re lighthearted, and always accepting, and they never give up. Old Duke here, he can’t stop trying to dominate Rockette. And she won’t let herself be dominated.”

  She quirked an eyebrow at him. “She’s aware of the women’s movement.”

  “She’s her own dog, that’s for sure.”

  “Could you tell us a little bit about the ranch and its mission?”

  As he answered that softball question, he relaxed to his theme and was actually good on camera. His passion for the work showed, and he explained their clientele: vets who had lost hope, dogs who had lost their last chance.

  She risked going a little more personal. “And what made you decide to work for the ranch? What is it in your background that makes you feel a connection?”

  He frowned for a moment and then nodded. “I know what it is to lose hope,” he said. “I served with good people. Some didn’t come home, and some came home a lot worse off than I am.”

  When he came to a natural breaking point, she hazarded a more personal q
uestion. “Do you mind telling us about your own injury?”

  “Do I have to?”

  “Yes. Yes, you do.” She put a hand on her hip, trying to look stern, and he laughed, and all of a sudden there was that romantic vibe between them again.

  She cleared her throat and pulled herself back to a businesslike mind-set. “Seriously, if you don’t mind, it will bring something personal to people.”

  “Okay.” He looked off to the side as if collecting his thoughts, and then faced Kayla and the camera again. “I was caught in a building that had been bombed. A beam fell on me and...” He grimaced. “The fracture was too bad to fix just right.”

  She studied him. “What were you doing in the building?”

  He shrugged. “Civilians were caught inside. One of my buddies, too.”

  “You went in to help get people out, didn’t you?” She knew in her heart that it had gone down that way. Finn was a protector to the core. If he could help someone, he would.

  “It needed done,” he said. “We were able to get all the kids out. This—” he gestured at his leg “—this didn’t happen until the last trip.”

  “Did you get a medal? Or probably more than one.” She thought of Mitch’s stories of the actions that had led to his medals.

  Finn waved a hand. “Not important.”

  Maybe not, but she would look up his service record when she got the chance, see what medals he’d earned, or ask Penny. Because she was getting the feeling there was a lot more to his service than he’d mentioned before. And to have that in the video would add to its appeal.

  Hearing about his heroism only made her more impressed with him. But she needed to remember her concerns. “Could you tell us a little about your division? Aren’t the Airborne a tight unit?”

  “Best in the army, at least according to us.” He flashed a grin. “We’re definitely confident, but you have to be if you’re going to step out of a plane over enemy territory.”

  Kayla’s stomach tightened. Of course he was proud of his service and his brothers.

  Of course, he was loyal to them. Just as Mitch was.

  If they knew each other, they’d be loyal to each other. So she simply had to make sure that never happened.

  She heard voices in the kennel and quickly ended the interview. She needed to be careful. She was getting so drawn to Finn. Just looking at him now, she felt like it was hard to catch her breath. “Thank you,” she said, feeling shy. “That was...well. I really admire what you did, who you are.” She felt like a dork, but she couldn’t keep it in.

  His face hardened. “Don’t get too impressed. There’s a lot about me that’s far less admirable.”

  Willie and Long John came out through the kennel door, interrupting the awkward moment. “How’d they do as show dogs?” Willie asked, laughing as Duke jumped up on him.

  “They were great. They could be pros.” She pointed a stern finger at Long John, then at Willie. “Just so you know, I’ll be interviewing you next, after the midday shift. And then we’ll cut film into a good video we can use to promote our event.”

  “I’m ready, willing and able,” Willie said, puffing out his chest.

  “You’re a ham.” Long John waved a hand. “Now, me, I’d rather stay offscreen. I’m not the handsome dude I used to be.”

  Kayla smiled at the lanky man. “You’re plenty handsome, and I’d guess the women, especially, will love to see you.” She touched his arm. “And more important, your example of working through your issues will be inspiring. Both to donors and to vets who wouldn’t otherwise think of coming.”

  “You’re a good little lady,” Long John said, his voice gruff. “We struck gold when we got you to come work at the ranch.”

  The praise warmed the hungry child inside Kayla. She put an arm around Long John’s waist. “I feel like I struck gold, coming here.”

  “Yeah, sure, we’re in the middle of a gold rush, but we also have to work,” Willie said, gesturing back toward the kennel. “Those dogs won’t exercise themselves.”

  “Of course!” Kayla hurried to put her camera away, determined to continue doing well at her regular job in addition to the extra she’d taken on.

  “Kayla.” Finn spoke quietly. “Why don’t you take a break. We can handle the midday shift.”

  “Oh, no, it’s okay. I’m glad to do it.”

  “Take a break.” It wasn’t just a suggestion.

  He wanted her to leave. He was basically ordering her to leave.

  Hot, embarrassing tears prickled the backs of her eyes and she swallowed. “Okay, then,” she said. She gathered the rest of her things while the three men went back into the kennel.

  She’d thought they had a connection. However reluctantly, Finn had let her in today, at least a little. Revealed something about who he was. She’d had a moment of thinking they were getting closer.

  She dawdled on the road back to her cabin, trying to take in the mountains’ beauty. Trying not to feel hurt at Finn’s rejection.

  She was starting to care what he thought, too much. And he was a dangerous man to care about.

  But was he dangerous?

  He didn’t seem like the kind of man who would give her up to a fellow soldier. He seemed like he would want to protect her, take care of her.

  On the other hand, she hadn’t expected betrayal from the police officer she’d gone to when things went south with Mitch. She’d expected an officer of the law to protect her, and look how mistaken she’d been then. She had to remember where these men’s loyalties lay.

  Faced with an unexpected couple of hours to herself, Kayla walked inside her cabin. Grabbed a glass of iced tea from the fridge—and on impulse, her Bible and devotional book—and went back out onto the porch, Shoney trotting beside her.

  She felt confused, like everything was shifting inside her, ready to explode. She didn’t have anyone to talk to.

  Except God.

  She paged through the Bible restlessly, looking out over the fields and mountains. His world. So beautiful and perfect.

  She knew He was in charge. You should trust Him. Moreover, there was nothing to do but trust Him, since her own power was so limited compared to His.

  Her life hadn’t been conducive to trusting. Not as a kid, not as an adult.

  But God. God wasn’t Mitch. God wasn’t Finn. God was bigger, incomprehensible and great. He was like the mountains, mysterious, a little scary, and everlasting.

  She let her eyes drift over the Psalms until they fell on a line in Psalm 92, one she’d underlined not long ago: O Lord, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.

  She breathed in and out and looked around.

  She wasn’t going to understand this world. She wasn’t going to know what to do, not perfectly.

  And no person was going to love away the bad things that had happened to her.

  But God could, and would. According to the Book of Revelation, He would wipe away every tear.

  She didn’t know she was crying until a fat drop splatted on the parchment-thin page. She brushed her knuckles under her eyes and read on.

  Read, and prayed, and listened.

  Shoney seemed to sense her mood and pressed close against Kayla’s legs, and Kayla lifted the dog into her lap. Comfort and affection and unconditional love: God had known she and Leo needed those things, and had provided them through Shoney, whose special needs couldn’t take away from her happy, giving spirit.

  She nuzzled the dog’s soft fur. Okay, God. I get it. I should be more like Shoney.

  She kept reading and praying all afternoon. It was only when an alarm rang on her phone that she realized she’d have to hustle to go fetch Leo in time.

  When she reached her car, she spotted Finn talking to Long John and Willie outside of Willie’s cabin. The three men waved, and Willie gestured for her
to join them.

  She shook her head and mimed pointing at a watch. She got into the car and headed out.

  There was a kind of peace in letting it all go, in realizing you weren’t in control.

  It was something she needed to keep exploring.

  When her phone buzzed, she pulled over to take the call, figuring it was Long John asking her to run an errand while she was in town.

  She didn’t recognize the number. Maybe it was Willie’s phone; he didn’t use it often, so she’d never put him in her contacts.

  “Hello?”

  Silence at the other end.

  “Hello? Willie?”

  More silence. No, not complete silence. Breathing.

  Horror snaked through her as she clicked the call off. She fumbled through the settings until she figured out a way to block the number.

  She pulled in a breath and let it out slowly.

  It was probably nothing. There was no reason to associate a random call with Mitch.

  Anyway, once you’d blocked the number there was no way anyone could trace it. Right?

  She put the car into Drive and continued on toward town, carefully, both hands on the steering wheel, staying a couple of miles under the speed limit.

  She’d better not call attention to herself, lest the law enforcement here be just as corrupt as it had been back in Arkansas.

  Chapter Eight

  Almost two weeks later, Finn listened to the thunderous applause in the community center and smiled over at Kayla, who stood on the other side of the stage. She looked stunning in a white dress that fit her like a glove. Her brown hair fell loose and shiny around her shoulders, and her smile was as joyous as his.

  They’d generated so much interest in the ranch, just by talking up the open house with friends and neighbors, that they’d been asked to share their story at the monthly town meeting. The event was tomorrow, and they’d been working like mad, but from the response they were getting, it seemed like it might actually be a success.