Luca must have looked surprised because Paul laughed.
“I’ll understand if you’d prefer not to. Sometimes when the guys get out of rehab they want nothing to do with the people they left behind, but I like you Luca. And Hope responds to you both, which gives me hope for the future.”
Luca really looked at Paul and he could see that the guy had a decent heart. And he realized in that moment that he did consider him a friend, and that he wouldn’t mind seeing him outside of work. “I think that’s a great idea,” Luca told him. “Let me get settled in and I’ll send you a message. And I’m sure Erin would be happy to see you as well.”
When he called her, Erin was all for it. “That’s a fantastic idea! You’ll appreciate having someone down there you know, I’m sure. ”
“Yes.”
She told him about Wicked moping around, which made him smile, then she talked about one of the dogs she was boarding. Luca loved listening to the sound of her voice and it took him a minute to realize she’d asked him a question. What had that been? Oh, if they were still on for a Saturday pickup.
Luca sat in the chair thinking. The rehab release date had seemed so far away two days ago. Now, though, all these things were bombarding his brain that he wanted to do. And the more he thought about it the more he wanted to get his truck. If he had to he could even Uber across San Diego or something. It would be odd having to use his left foot for the gas pedal, but his occupational therapist had said that a second gas pedal could be added to a vehicle on the left side of the floorboard.
“I’m going to drive out,” he said before he could think better of it.
There was silence on the other end of the line. “Okay. Are you sure?”
“Yes,” he told her firmly. “If I’m doing this I’m not going to be depending on anyone anymore than I need to.”
She laughed lightly. “That’s awesome, Luca. I have to admit I was a little worried about what you planned to do once you got down here.”
“Oh, yeah,” he said, a little lame. She probably thought he’d planned on asking her for rides and stuff. “I’m not going to be a burden, Erin. I promise you that.”
“I never thought you would be,” she told him softly. “Well, you driving yourself means two days I won’t have to cover here. My mom will cover for me, and I have a neighbor that helps out occasionally, but if I don’t have to rely on them it’s better. The dogs don’t always accept changes in their schedules and caretakers well.”
“Yes, completely right,” Luca said. “I will have a few boxes of personal things I’d like to bring, but a lot of it I’ll leave in storage, probably.”
“I’m glad you’re driving. It’s that much less I’ll have to bill your mother, too. She did not appreciate paying for my trip up there last week. Carolina got an earful, the poor thing.”
Luca winced, though she couldn’t see him. “Sorry about that.”
“Carolina deals with every type. She was fine.”
And as much as he loved his father, his mother was going to drive him to the looney bin.
“I’ll tell him you’re good with the visit, then and I’ll text you when I leave here. Thanks, Erin.”
“No problem, babe. And if he needs to spend the night I have the space. Make sure he and Hope are okay with animals, please.”
Luca blinked. Had she called him babe?
“Will do. Later.”
“Later.”
* * *
As soon as Luca disconnected Erin let out a little scream that brought the dogs running. What the hell had her tongue been thinking? Calling him babe… jeez.
She shook her head and reassured the dogs, then headed back into her bathroom for a shower. Reaching into the stall she cranked the water to hot, then stood impatiently waiting for it to heat up. When the steam began to roll she dropped the towel to the floor and stepped inside. Immediately her muscles began to release and soften. She’d been working hard since she’d come home, cleaning the apartment and catching up on the kennel work. When her mother took over for her she took care of feeding and watering and light cleaning, but the heavy scrubbing was Erin’s job. She didn’t mind it. It was mindless, easy work and it allowed her to keep track of the dog’s health.
It was hard juggling as many dogs as she boarded, but after having them for so long she knew which animals would be social and which ones preferred not to be. There was a large run on the far side of the kennel, opposite the horse pasture, with double-diamond fence all around the perimeter. It allowed the dogs to run and be social the way they needed to be. And it allowed her time to clean. Or if it was too hot she just let them into the center aisle of the kennel while she cleaned the dog’s room.
The cats she boarded had their own room and their own wall of cages, but she preferred to let them wander. The room was furnished with cat toys and climbing structures from one end to the other and they usually enjoyed being free.
After Erin did the heavy cleaning she went to her office, at the far end of the kennel. It was light and airy and had a small kitchenette in the corner. Actually, kitchenette was being generous. There was a microwave, a Keurig, a sink and a refrigerator. She washed up and popped a chai tea into the Keurig, then sat down to go over her schedule book. Three dogs would be picked up in the next week, but only one was coming in that she knew of. It tended to change every week. There was always some emergency or some foster. She had two vet runs to two different vets in Phoenix. Paging through the book she looked at Saturday. Two pickups, but they should be in the afternoon. She wasn’t sure what time Luca would arrive. Probably the same time. Seems like things always worked out that way.
The apartment was ready. It hadn’t been dirty, just a little neglected. Erin had changed the sheets and washed the blankets, cleaned the hardwood floors and made sure the thermostat was set on the AC unit. It smelled a little musty when it kicked on, but then it hadn’t run for a while. During her regular grocery trip she grabbed him a few essentials and hauled them up to the apartment, storing them in the fridge.
The entire space was ready by the time he called to confirm he was leaving. It was a short conversation, but her heart pounded with excitement. He was on his way. Wicked seemed to sense something going on as well, because he paced the house, then the yard when she let him out.
Airman Palfrey arrived at noon to pick up his pet, a busy mixed-breed called Rocket. The dog was notorious for slipping out of his kennel to play with the other dogs when they were in the run, but Erin usually didn’t mind. He was a happy-go-lucky dude and she could tell he had to have a large amount of golden retriever in him. As soon as she opened the gate to hook him to the leash he bolted for his owner.
Erin smiled as the two were reunited. No matter how many times she did this, she teared up. She couldn’t help herself. It was a beautiful sight, the love between a dog and their human.
Palfrey settled his bill and drove away. He had no sooner turned onto the main road than an unfamiliar truck pulled in. Erin walked to meet them, crossing her arms as the dark blue truck drifted to a stop. Luca grinned at her as he slid out of the vehicle, hobbling a little as he got his legs moving again.
The look on his face was amazing. Satisfied and happy, tired, but he moved toward her confidently, with no cane. Grinning, he reached out and dragged her into a hug. Erin laughed and squeezed him back, loving the feel of his muscular arms around her.
“You broke out of jail,” she said laughing as she forced herself to step back.
Luca nodded, giving her a crooked smile. “You have no idea how good I feel right now.”
Wicked whined from the security pen near the house, and Luca turned in that direction. Erin had put the dog in the pen when she knew Palfrey was coming because she hadn’t known how the two dogs would respond to each other. Rather than risk an incident she’d put him in here.
Luca released the latch on the gate and Wicked lunged at him, as exhilarated as the first time he’d been reunited with his handler. Luca managed to
keep his feet this time, moving with the dog as he jumped around.
Erin stood back and watched the two of them together. Luca had changed this week. There was a confidence to him that was shining, and she wondered what had changed. Was it just the thought of being kicked from the nest, metaphorically speaking?
No. She thought it was the realization that he would be starting his life over with his dog. For the second time that day tears started in her eyes.
* * *
Luca could barely contain his excitement. His ass was tired from sitting for so long and he could tell that his left leg was a little swollen. He needed to move and get the circulation going again.
Erin’s ranch was beautiful. The rust orange stucco house was long and low, with a covered porch along the front. There were a few steps up to the front and hardy bushes flanked them. There was green grass around the yard, so she must irrigate the fenced area.
Off the right side of the house, across the driveway, was a long dog run surrounded with an eight-foot covered fence. That must be where she’d been keeping Wicked.
He looked down at his dog, thrilled all over again that he hadn’t died in that explosion. Life had given them a gift. And as he stood under the sun breathing in the air free of disinfectants and chemicals, he was excited to see where it would lead.
“Would you like to see your apartment?” she asked, smiling up at him.
“I would,” he agreed.
“It’ll be easier if you drive back.”
She motioned toward the driveway that cut between the fenced enclosures to the two-story barn in back. There appeared to be a wide parking area back there.
With a quiet word to Wicked, he climbed back into his truck, the dog beside him in the passenger seat. Wicked was always ready to go anywhere.
Erin met them in the parking area. As soon as he turned off the truck, she reached for a box in the bed. Luca jumped out of the truck and waved her away. “I can unload. Don’t worry about the boxes.”
She lifted her brows at him. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. Show me the apartment, please.”
Erin led him into the barn and about halfway down the shady aisle. A couple of horses peered over their stall doors, nickering hopefully. On the right hand side there was a very plain wooden door. When she opened it he realized there was a little mud room which led to a set of steps. Luca followed her up the stairs, taking just a little extra time to make sure that every step was deliberate and secure. Then they were at the top and he was looking at the space he’d impulsively accepted. It was bigger than he’d expected. Much bigger. And more open, the roof stretching tall. There was a kitchen to the right, outfitted with decent stainless steel appliances and a long counter top. Walking through the space he opened cupboard doors, and the fridge, then ran his hand along the counter. It wasn’t marble, but he wasn’t worried about that. After staying in a string of Forward Operating Bases and tents he could accommodate to anything.
The furniture was not new, but clean. Actually, considering he lived above horses, he was amazed at how clean everything was. The hardwood floors gleamed. It made him happy they were wood. Less for him to trip on.
Erin walked him through the apartment, pointing out things he needed to know. Then she turned into the bedroom. “Sorry if it’s a little feminine. It was a woman renting here last and she left a few things, like the gauzy purple curtains. There are heavier drapes in the hall closet but I can’t vouch for their trendiness. I put away the shaggy area rug she had on the floor. I thought it might trip you up.”
He looked down at her, impressed that she’d even thought about it. Him. His amputation. “Thank you for that.”
“No problem,” she said smiling. He smiled back at her and something shifted in her eyes, some feminine acknowledgement or something. He wasn’t sure what it was exactly, just that his entire body suddenly came to life and reacted, all his tiredness washed away. Luca glanced down her length, realizing that her hands were twisted in front of her. Was she upset about something?
Erin turned away quickly and headed to the left. “Here’s your bathroom. I’m afraid if you have visitors they’ll have to go through your sleeping area to get to it, but I didn’t design the space.”
Her cheeks flushed and she turned away again. Luca glanced in at the bathroom. Walk in tile shower was really nice. That was pretty much all he needed.
Following Erin from the room he wondered what she’d been thinking to make her blush like that. Oh, the visitors thing maybe? Luca grinned, wondering if the practical Ms. Knox was thinking about his bed partners.
Luca supposed their dynamics had changed now that he was out of the hospital. No more generic sweats and Ts. He was wearing a pair of jeans today, but he knew he would have to change into a pair of shorts soon. The AC was on but it was still pretty warm outside, and he had boxes to haul. He was proud of his service and what he’d done for the Navy, but he was still a little reluctant to show his leg off.
Wicked poked around, checking out the space where they’d be staying, then he jumped to the couch and curled up.
“I guess he’s picked his spot,” Erin murmured.
Luca snorted. “He’ll own this entire place by the time I get moved in. Believe me. The dog is a cover hog.”
Grinning, Erin crossed to sweep her hand over the dog’s head. “He knew something was up today.”
Turning to him, she gave him a smile. “Sure I can’t help you unload?”
Luca shook his head. “I’ll be fine. I can go at my own pace and decide where I want everything. Oh, before I forget.”
He reached for his wallet and withdrew a check. “That’s for this month and the down payment.”
Erin glanced at the check, frowning. “That’s too much. We’re at the middle of the month.”
He shook his head. “Just take it, please. Do you think I didn’t notice the groceries in the fridge and the toiletries in the bathroom? I appreciate that. Plus all the cleaning it’s obvious you did.”
She tipped her head in acceptance and headed for the stairs. “If you’re not too tired come over for dinner about seven. Just knock on the back door. I’ll do kabobs on the grill and a fruit salad.”
“Okay. Thank you, Erin. I can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate this.”
With a crooked smile and a little wave she disappeared down the stairs.
Luca looked around the apartment, smiling to himself. This was going to work out.
Chapter 10
At seven on the dot there was a knock on her back patio door. The dogs began a chorus of noise, jostling around her feet. Sophie yipped, like one of the other dogs had stepped on her. Erin snatched the little dog up into her arms, then reached for the sliding glass door handle. Swinging it open, she was not surprised to see Wicked plow in first. He seemed happy to see them, his tail wagging. Luca’s eyes were wide as he took in the chaos of her kitchen. Dogs pushed through to sniff him, greeting him like he was part of Wicked.
Erin laughed at the look on his face. “These are my fosters. This is Sophie.” She handed the little dog over to him so that she could wash her hands again. “She was rescued from a house when her previous owner died. They think the old woman had been dead for a while and poor Sophie was without anything to eat for a long time. The two horses over there are Bait and Switch, so named because they were supposed to be about fifty pounds each. They’ve tripled that and think they need to be bigger. Watch your plates around them.”
She pointed to the hound. “George has been here a few months. Someone found him in the desert, dehydrated almost to the point of death. And Greta,” she pointed, the dog perking up at her name, “was a rescue that I just couldn’t give up. She is the only dog I own on this place. All of the rest of the animals are fosters or boarders.”
Luca blinked. He’d introduced himself to all of the dogs with pets and strokes, and stood looking down at Sophie. “Wow,” he said softly. “I can’t believe everything you do.”
&nb
sp; Erin laughed. “It’s actually pretty quiet right now. I’m a certified wildlife foster as well and in the spring is when it gets really busy.”
“When I was growing up I was never allowed to have a pet,” he told her. “I think that was why when I heard about the Navy’s canine program I jumped on it. I haven’t regretted a moment of it. If you can make your passion your career you will never be out of a job. Isn’t that the saying? Or something like that?”
She nodded. “I was fortunate in that I grew up with animals. Horses, cattle, dogs, cats, ferrets. You name it I’ve probably had it or fed it at one time.”
He smiled softly. “I found a baby dolphin on the beach once. I made sure it got back into the water.”
Erin knew her eyes turned dreamy. “I would love to foster a baby dolphin. Not much call for that out here.”
They laughed together. Erin moved to the fridge. “Can I get you something to drink? A beer, or tea? Iced water?”
“A beer sounds fantastic right now,” he said firmly.
Erin handed it to him and watched as he removed the cap. He tipped his head back and took a long swallow. Then he looked at her and grinned. “You have no idea how good that is. It’s been months since I’ve had a beer. Literally.”
Yeah, it probably had been. “What else have you been missing?” she asked curiously.
Luca moved to the counter on the opposite side of the island. “In the past two months or since I’ve been out of the military?”
“Either. Both.”
His dark eyes narrowed a little. “Since I’ve been in the hospital? Things that smell good. I can’t get the disinfectant smell out of my brain. And it’s in the clothes. And I guess it counts for being in the military, too. When I was growing up we had staff that would make sure that our sheets were laundered every few days and there was something they put into the water to make them smell good. I had no idea what it was and at the time I was too self-involved to even think about it. But I remembered the smell of those sheets when I was sleeping on the ground in Iraq and pulling a blanket over top of me that I knew hadn’t been laundered in at least a few months.”
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