Erin took him to a large dog park a few blocks away from La Jolla. There were several dogs wandering around, but they seemed older and disinterested in the new guy. Erin walked him to the far back corner and let him roam to the end of the long leash.
Wicked seemed disinterested in the other dogs as well. He did his business then came back to her, looking up at her hopefully. Then he lifted a paw to her knee. “We’re not going back to the hospital. I know what you’re thinking.”
Wicked heaved a sigh and wandered away to sit on a patch of high ground, looking out over the park.
Erin felt bad. She kinda wanted to go back as well. Luca had to be in turmoil.
It’s not your place to worry about his well-being, she told herself. But it didn’t play. She was worried about him.
The guy was old enough to figure out the ways of the world, though, no matter the lost look in his big brown eyes. Erin rubbed her eyes beneath her sunglasses.
Her phone rang in her pocket. “Hey, Mom.”
“Erin, I wanted to check on you. How did it go?”
Erin told her mother about the day and watching the two warriors reunite. “It made me tear up, Mom. I mean, you know how I get when I see those military reunion videos. It was just like that but in technicolor. I had to go park the car so he wouldn’t see me crying. Wicked acted like he’d been reborn.”
Her mother sniffled on the other end of the line. “Oh, that makes my heart happy. I was so worried about Wicked. He’s a special animal.”
“Yes, he is,” Erin sighed, watching the dog. “Luca is special too. It’s obvious to see why the dog is so amazing.”
“Oh,” her mother said thoughtfully, and Erin realized she’d screwed up. Scheisse.
“And he appears to be attractive,” Linda said, voice careful. “That picture you sent me was something.”
“Yes, he is,” Erin agreed, “but he has a lot on his plate right now, Mom. I’m sure he’s not interested in a relationship. He’s getting out of the facility soon and he has to find a place to live. He doesn’t want to move back in with his parents and I don’t think he has any idea what to actually do. He said he joined the Navy directly out of high school and never even had an apartment.”
“Oh, my,” her mother breathed. “Yes, that would send someone into a tailspin if they’ve never had to do it before. On the other side, though, he can choose to go anywhere he wants to in the world.”
“That’s what I told him,” Erin said. “I think he needs to be near a VA for checkups and stuff, but I believe he’s done with the military.”
“Well,” Linda said thoughtfully. “You know…”
Erin tensed. “I don’t like the sound of that, Mom. What are you planning?”
“I’m not planning anything,” she said defensively. “I was just going to say, you have that apartment over the barn.”
Laughing, she shook her head. “Mom, there is no way he would move into my barn. I’m not sure I would even offer it to him. That’s a pretty big presumption.”
Her mother sighed on the other end of the line. “I know dear, but if he’s in that much of a pickle he might appreciate having the option, you know?”
Her mother’s words lingered in her mind as Erin took Wicked to the hotel where she’d booked her stay. Some of the staff looked at the dog with concern in their expression, but no one approached them. As soon as they were in the room she removed Wicked’s leash and prosthetic, checking the skin beneath. It looked fine, though he’d been on it a good bit today. She dug her Kindle from her backpack and sank into the chair in the corner. Wicked jumped up onto the bed and watched out the window. They were seven stories up, though, and she doubted he could see anything.
She sat in the chair pretending to read for the better part of an hour, but her Kindle kept going to sleep. Huffing, she set the device aside. Night had fallen outside and she wondered how Luca’s therapy session had gone. She assumed it was physical therapy. Or maybe it was emotional. The guy certainly had a lot to be in therapy for.
Paul seemed to be standing up for him, though. Hopefully he would find a place for Luca to stay.
If he didn’t, though…
The chances of him wanting to go to Arizona with her were slim to none, but it would only be polite to offer. The apartment wasn’t being used right now.
Would he even want to go that far from the base where his friends were, and his family on up the coast? At least here he could see them as he wanted, and vice versa. And he might prefer the care he could get here. Yes, Phoenix had a huge VA, but it would be a new system to get used to.
The thought of having Luca so close was intriguing. And the thought of having a chance to get to know him better was downright tempting.
She would leave it up to fate, she decided. If he didn’t find anything she would offer. Besides, there was a very good chance he would tell her no.
* * *
Luca didn’t return to his room directly after rehab, even though his thighs were quivering with exhaustion. Trey had worked him hard today, harder than he ever had before. But he felt good. Or maybe his outlook had changed since he’d seen Boss. The dog was beat to hell, but there was still a fire in his gut that impressed the hell out of Luca. It was what had drawn him to the dog in the first place, his fire. Wicked had not been the dog originally assigned to him. It had been a lighter colored shepherd called Pyro. Wicked had been too much for the handler he’d been assigned, though, and they’d been shuffled.
Those first few days he didn’t think he was going to be able to control the dog either, but something had eventually clicked. Maybe Wicked had finally just acknowledged that Luca was stronger. They’d become the best multi-purpose canine team in the class, and he’d felt such a sense of… achievement. He had an incredible animal at his side and he’d looked forward to kicking ass.
Luca knew they’d saved lives, over and over again, both military and civilians. And he knew he would go back in a heartbeat if he could be on a SEAL team again, but it wasn’t going to happen. The two of them had the heart but not the bodies anymore.
Erin had been right, though. The requirements for being on a police department, even a larger one like San Diego or LA, were nothing compared to the training he’d gone through for the Navy. Even injured he had a feeling he could pass their physical tests. Maybe not right this second, but in a few months maybe, after he’d had a chance to fully integrate with his prosthetic. Right now, in this medical setting, he still felt a little disconnected. Once he was out in the world actually living and making his way in life he’d try to get a job. He could start picking up classes here and there. And maybe he could have Wicked with him.
At first, when Paul had told him he was being released, he’d been kind of blindsided. He shouldn’t have been; he’d known the date. Now, though, the thought of getting out of this environment was taking on some excitement. The military was home to him and the hospital was a haven, but it couldn’t be permanent. He’d made some decent friends here, but it was time to move on.
Luca surfed the web for hours, trying to decide what he wanted to do and where. He could be completely free. He needed to let his parents know that he wouldn’t be coming home, though. He’d told them that several times, but he had more conviction in his heart now. After seeing the way his mother reacted to Wicked, he knew there was no way they could go live there. And he wouldn’t put up with her constant antagonism.
Luca fell asleep on his bed a few hours later, wishing he had Wicked curled up beside him for support.
* * *
Wicked seemed to sense that something was going on. Erin showered and dressed, then took the dog outside for a long walk on line. It was early enough that there weren’t a lot of people moving yet, so they had the concrete to themselves. Anxiety had ridden her in her sleep and she thought it was because she didn’t know how to ask Luca if he’d like to come home with her, basically. Erin snorted to herself. Not how she wanted to verbalize it.
Luca needed s
omeone in his corner though. And Wicked needed someone just as bad. He’d enjoyed his time at her ranch. If Luca joined them there he could take over Wicked’s exercise and care, leaving her the rest of the animals.
But that would be all he needed to do. He could take his time and decide what exactly he wanted to do with his life.
By the time they walked into his room a couple hours later, Erin was actually excited to offer him the space.
As soon as she walked in and saw the devastatingly handsome, excited grin on his face, though, she knew she was too late.
Wicked lunged across the room and jumped onto the bed, greeting Luca like he hadn’t seen him in years instead of just a few hours. Luca laughed, rolling with the dog and patting him strongly. Erin grinned as well. It was really something special to see the two of them together this way. Luca’s coal black hair looked damp, like he’d just gotten out of the shower, and he wore a black T and a pair of black sweatpants. She could see the metal of his prosthetic at the ankle, but he wore regular tennis shoes. He looked excited and ready to do something.
Even when Wicked settled down, though, she could tell by Luca’s expression that he had something to tell her. “What?” she asked.
“I think I found a house,” he told her. “The owner is supposed to get back to me this morning after he hears from another guy on whether or not he wants it. Sounds perfect, just about an hour from here. Big back yard, trees, a couple of bedrooms. It sounds like there will be plenty of space. And he’s former military so I think that helped me out a little.”
“I’m sure,” she murmured.
His gaze sharpened on her. “What?”
Did she offer or not? Sure. What the hell. “Well, I was talking to my mother last night, and I wanted to let you know that if you wanted, you could come home with me.”
Immediately she could feel color suffuse her face. Damn it, she hadn’t meant to say it that way, and judging by the way he looked he hadn’t expected to hear anything of the kind.
“Let me clarify,” she said quickly. “I live on a ranch. And I have this big horse barn that has an apartment in the top. No one has lived there for a while, but it’d be easy enough to sweep out. It’s stocked with everything except food.”
Something changed about his face. His eyes chilled and his jaw clamped and she hoped he wasn’t thinking this was charity. She shifted under his gaze. “I know it’s a long way from here, but if you needed some distance from what you know, it might be an option. We’re a few miles outside of Phoenix, but we have a huge VA. Everything that you get here you can get there. Well,” she said with a grin, “not the ocean. You can have an ocean of sand and rocks and cholla cactus, instead. And this is not charity,” she stressed. “You will pay rent. But you’ll also have someone to care for Wicked when you have appointments or when you need to go out.”
Luca looked down at the dog laying in front of him, and she could tell he was thinking about what she’d said. His dark eyes lifted to hers. “That’s an incredible offer, Erin. Thank you very much. I’ll have to think about it.”
She nodded. “I just wanted you to have an option to fall back on if all else fails.”
“I appreciate that, I really do.” He stared at her for a long moment, then looked down at his hands. “You know, when I look back on my life as a SEAL, I really thought I was bulletproof. When you’re thrust into situations where you’re fighting for your life over and over again, and you win over and over again, it gives you an ego. I’m not gonna lie. And I’m probably even worse because I had him backing me up in everything.” He patted Wicked’s side. “Then, within seconds, everything changes. Your entire life and that of those around you goes to hell, and you’re left floundering. Literally and figuratively. I’m still floundering.”
Clearing his throat, he shifted on the bed. “But I have to say, when you’re injured the way we were, you realize who your friends are and who has your back. My team has really been pulling for me. More than I expected, actually. And my dad pulls for me. Mom, on the other hand, seems to just be waiting for me to fall on my face.” He gave her a grim smile, and Erin wished she could disagree with him on that, but she couldn’t.
“But I can tell you’re one of the ones that only has my best interests at heart. And I really do appreciate it.”
Erin sighed, her heart aching for him. “It’s just the dog,” she argued. “I’ve fallen in love with him,” she said, then winked.
Luca grinned, then laughed. “Yeah, he is pretty cute, I suppose.”
“His owner’s not too bad either,” she admitted softly.
Luca looked startled, then he snorted. “Yeah, okay.”
Erin could tell he didn’t believe her. “We didn’t get a chance to visit with anyone when we were here last time. If you don’t mind I’d like to see how Wicked reacts to people with you at his side.”
Luca nodded, shifting off the bed and to his feet. His prosthetic was on and she saw a glint of metal beneath the cuff of his sweatpants. She didn’t see the cane he’d been using. Maybe he didn’t need it all the time.
“Boss, k noze.”
Immediately, Wicked jumped from the bed and positioned himself at Luca’s side. Erin watched for any kind of give in the dog’s prosthetic, but it didn’t happen. Wicked was getting so used to the piece she didn’t think he was even aware of it being there.
Erin followed along as they left the room and walked down the hallway. Luca stopped at a room with a closed door and knocked softly, but there was no response.
“Marcus might be at rehab,” Luca told her. “We’ll come back.”
They moved on down the hallway to an open door. Luca walked in and leaned over to do a man hug with a guy sitting in the recliner chair. Erin took a deep breath as she saw the devastation of the man’s face and body. It was obvious he’d been burned, and his right arm appeared to be gone at the shoulder. But there was excitement in his eyes as he looked at the dog.
“Dude,” his voice rasped. “Is this Wicked?”
Luca nodded. “This is him. And Oliver, this is Erin. She’s been taking care of Boss for the past two months.”
The man held out his left hand and Erin took it, smiling. “No, he’s been tolerating me for two months. Just waiting to get back to Luca.”
Oliver held his hand out and Luca leaned down to murmur something to the dog. Wicked licked Oliver’s hand and moved forward to allow him to stroke down his head. Once again, she was impressed with Wicked’s intelligence. He seemed to understand that the man did not pose a threat. Quite the opposite. Wicked moved between the man’s spread thighs and allowed him to wrap his arm around his neck as he ruffled his fur. Wow, that was an impressive move, showing that the dog trusted Luca’s encouragement.
Oliver rubbed him all over, a grin spreading across his damaged face. Erin loved to see how much the guy enjoyed the dog, and it reaffirmed her thought that the hospital needed a service animal on-site.
After they left Oliver’s room, they headed down the hallway to one of the nurse stations.
“Where’s Julie?” Luca asked. One of the other nurses pointed to a room marked ‘lounge’. Luca crossed the hall and knocked on the door. A dark-haired woman in pale green scrubs opened the door, smiling when she saw Luca on the other side. Then she caught sight of Wicked and gasped.
“Oh, Luca, is this your partner?” She knelt, carefully holding her hand out to the dog. “He’s stunning!”
Wicked wagged his tail and moved toward the woman, allowing her to stroke down his head.
“Julie, this is Erin. She’s been taking care of Boss for me.”
Still gushing over Wicked, Julie gave her a nod and a smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for taking such good care of Luca’s partner.”
“It was my pleasure,” Erin told her, and she truly meant it. Wicked was a challenge she was very glad she’d taken.
“Is Marcus at rehab?” Lucas asked the nurse.
Julie nodded. “Yes, but you should
go down there anyway. The guys will love seeing this pretty boy.”
Wicked wagged his tail again then moved to heel as Luca shifted. He hadn’t even said the word yet, but Wicked was reading his body language. Erin loved seeing the connection between the dog and handler.
She moved to follow along but Julie made a motion, leaning close. Obviously, she didn’t want Luca to overhear her. They watched as he limped down the hallway, Wicked firmly at his side.
“I just want to tell you that you’ve done an incredible thing, taking care of that dog,” her dark eyes followed the pair. “I worried for Luca. Sometimes there are guys that come through here that you know won’t be all right when they walk out the door. As soon as you emailed him and told him his partner was alive, though, his entire demeanor changed. I won’t worry about him when he leaves now. Thank you.”
Her voice faded away, and Erin rested a hand on her arm. This woman cared about the men that came through her department. “I think he’ll be fine.”
Julie nodded. “Let me show you where the rehab room is.”
The room was huge, and full of natural light. It looked like it had recently been renovated. There were mats and tables scattered around as well as half a dozen machines she couldn’t identify. There were four men and two women in the room, either working out or being worked out, but as soon as Luca and Wicked entered the room everyone stopped what they were doing.
Erin watched Wicked, but the dog was laid back as long as Luca was. It was obvious that two of the men were in wheelchairs, so Luca went to each table and introduced the dog. It appeared that one man couldn’t sit up at all, so Wicked stood on his back legs so the man could stroke his face.
Erin loved seeing the people’s expressions melt when they met the dog. People in general loved animals, especially dogs, and the fact that this dog belonged to one of their own and had his own amputation made him extra special to the men here.
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