VETTED
AN EVERYDAY HEROES WORLD NOVEL
A.M. WILLIAMS
CONTENTS
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Epilogue
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Also by A.M. Williams
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Also by K. Bromberg
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons living or dead are entirely coincidental.
© 2021 KB WORLDS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.
This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people.
Published by KB Worlds LLC.
Cover Design by: Opulent Designs and Swag
Editing by: Melissa Simmons
Formatting by: A.M. Williams
Published in the United States of America
INTRODUCTION
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the Everyday Heroes World!
I’m so excited you’ve picked up this book! Vetted is a book based on the world I created in my USA Today bestselling Everyday Heroes Series. While I may be finished writing this series (for now), various authors have signed on to keep them going. They will be bringing you all-new stories in the world you know while allowing you to revisit the characters you love.
This book is entirely the work of the author who wrote it. While I allowed them to use the world I created and may have assisted in some of the plotting, I took no part in the writing or editing of the story. All praise can be directed their way.
I truly hope you enjoy Vetted. If you’re interested in finding more authors who have written in the KB Worlds, you can visit www.kbworlds.com.
Thank you for supporting the writers in this project and me.
Happy Reading,
K. Bromberg
For service members and their families.
CHAPTER ONE
BRITAIN
“DON’T GET FRESH, HENRY,” I said, laughing, as a long, pink tongue licked me from my chin to my forehead.
“You know how much he loves you,” James, Henry’s handler, said as he pulled him back.
“I do. And I love him, too.” I gave Henry a good ear rub before going back to the examination.
It was bittersweet looking Henry over, checking to make sure he was in top health so I could sign off on his yearly physical.
Henry and James were the first K-9 team I met at this current base and I was sad knowing that this would be the last time I would likely see either of them.
I muffled a sigh as I stepped away from Henry and turned to my computer, inputting everything so I could sign off.
“He’s looking good, as always,” I said as I pulled my latex gloves off and threw them into the trash next to the computer.
“That’s great to hear. I was worried since he’s getting up there in age,” James said, giving Henry a quick ear rub.
“Understandable. Just pay attention to him and his cues. He’ll let you know.”
I started typing my notes into the system, suddenly antsy to be done.
“Are you ready to leave?” James asked a few minutes later once I’d finished my report, digitally signed it, and sent it off to his commander.
I turned to face him and leaned against the waist-high counter behind me. Henry was still on the exam table, his tongue lolling out of his mouth and his big, brown eyes trained on me. James was beside him, his hand running through Henry’s fur as he watched me.
“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be,” I finally admitted.
James nodded. “You know we’re going to miss coming to see you. And we’re not the only ones.”
I smiled wanly. What was I supposed to say to that? I was going to miss them, too, but there wasn’t anything I could do about it. The papers were signed, sealed, and already delivered to my military inbox.
“You got a slot in the Reserves though?”
I nodded and sighed. “Yeah. It’s not much right now, but my recruiter is looking for full-time spots for me. Just a matter of waiting now.”
James sighed and shook his head. “I get why you have to leave, but I just hate it.”
“Me, too,” I agreed, pushing off the counter and walking toward the door that led to the waiting room.
When I was close enough, I felt a lick on my hand and I looked down to see Henry staring at me.
People liked to think that animals weren’t intelligent or were unaware of what was going on around them, but I disagreed. They were good at reading cues and picking up on subtle undertones.
They might not understand most of the words you say to them, but they could pick up on things just the same.
“I know, Henry,” I said, pausing and rubbing him behind his ears. “I’ll see you again someday.”
I leaned down and brushed my nose against his, ignoring the burning in my eyes as I did so.
Henry whined and my heart broke just a little as I forced myself to straighten and keep walking. I opened the door and stepped through, standing to the side while James and Henry followed me out.
James held a hand out for me to shake and said, “Good luck and I hope to run into you again one day.”
I nodded and watched as he quickly checked out at the small front desk and left.
I blew out a breath and walked back into the exam room, quickly cleaning it, though there wasn’t much for me to clean in it.
“You don’t have to do that,” a soft voice said behind me.
I glanced over my shoulder and smiled at Pearl, one of the civilian techs that worked with us. “I know, but I don’t mind.”
Pearl grumbled under her breath and stepped into the room, pulling the spray bottle and the rag from my hands. “I’ll finish this. Go.”
I rolled my eyes. “Pearl, I don’t mind. You know this.”
“I do,” she huffed as she pushed me out the door. “But I got it today.”
Once I was through the door, she slammed it shut behind me. I stared at it for a few beats before shaking my head and turning to walk toward my small office at the end of the hallway.
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A part of me wished I was still in that exam room cleaning because I had other things to do before I was done for the day.
“Campbell, you done yet?” Simms called from behind me.
I glanced over my shoulder at him and shook my head. “Nah. I have a few more things to sign off on.”
“Come find me when you’re done.”
I turned and continued walking to my office, pausing in the door to look around the small space.
It had a standing desk, a desk chair, and a small plastic chair for guests. That was about it. I fit a small filing cabinet to stuff under the desk so I could store things in, but otherwise, there wasn’t room for anything else.
I stepped up to my computer and got logged in to finish up the few things I still needed to do before I could be done for the day.
Time passed quickly, and before I knew it, it was almost time to go home.
I logged out of the computer and looked at the door, jerking when I saw Simms standing there.
“You done?” He asked, stepping further into the room.
I nodded. “Yeah. Just sent the last thing off.”
Simms sighed and shook his head. “I can’t believe it.”
“Me either.”
“End of an era,” he said with a small grin.
We stared at each other for a few moments before he jerked his chin at me. “Come on.”
My brow furrowed. “What?”
“I want to show you something,” he said, turning and striding down the hall.
I stared after him for a few moments, my mind turning over the things I wanted to do before leaving like say goodbye to the staff and go to see the animals that were staying with us one last time.
“We don’t have all day,” Simms called over his shoulder and I slipped from behind my desk to follow him.
I jogged to catch up and followed him into the break room.
“Surprise!”
I jerked to a stop; my eyes wide as I took in the scene before me.
Everyone from the clinic was inside the room, smiling at me. There was a banner strung over the windows that wished me well and a table laden with food.
“You guys…” I said, trying not to tear up at what I was seeing.
“You didn’t think we forgot, did you?” Simms asked.
I shook my head and stepped further into the room so I could start thanking everyone.
I didn’t think they’d forgotten. Really. I just hadn’t mentioned a going away party of any kind to anyone because I didn’t want people to feel obligated to get me something or to attend.
Once I finished talking to everyone individually, Simms motioned me over to him and whistled shrilly, bringing the chatter in the room to a halt.
“I know she’s going to hate that I’m about to do this, but I don’t much care,” Simms said, shooting me a look. “But Campbell here deserves a proper sendoff, don’t you think?”
He paused so people could cheer, and I could already feel my cheeks heating. I dropped my gaze to the floor as I shifted my weight.
“When she first got here, she was still fairly green and wet behind the ears. But she was a good worker, one of the best, and I’ve been proud to work beside her these last few years. I understand why she’s separating and going home, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.
“The military is losing a great veterinarian today, but our loss is Sunnyville’s gain. I hope one day that we’ll see you back in our ranks as an active duty member, but until then…”
Simms trailed off and held up his cup of soda. Everyone followed suit, and I cleared my throat as emotion clogged it.
“Until then, we wish you the best.”
People agreed throughout the room as they took sips of their drinks.
“I’d ask if you wanted to say a few words, but we all know you’d say no,” Simms said, laughter rippling through the room. “So, I’ll finish up with this: though you might be leaving us, you’re not forgotten. And we’re always here for you.”
I smiled tightly and nodded.
This entire day was much more emotional than I thought it would be. I thought I’d come in, do some exams, finish up some paperwork, and jet out of here with little fanfare.
I hadn’t expected a surprise party or for everyone to make me feel like this right before leaving. I loved and hated it.
I spent the next several hours talking to everyone, trying not to think about the hotel room I’d be going back to once we finished the party.
I already packed my bags. Minus some more out-processing the next day, I was done at this base. I likely wouldn’t see any of my coworkers again before leaving.
I was reluctant to leave because of that. And it seemed like I wasn’t the only one.
No one left until after the pizza that was ordered was eaten, all the party food and drinks were gone, and it was late enough that we needed to get going so people could get home to their families.
One by one, people hugged me goodbye and shook my hand until it was just me and Simms left.
The two of us started cleaning up the little bit that was still messy, stuffing trash into large trash bags and then throwing them into the dumpster after.
It was only once that was done, the lights were flicked off, and the doors were locked that he said something.
“I meant what I said, you know. I hate that you’re leaving like this, especially when I know how much you want to stay in.”
A stab of pain went through my chest. This entire situation and my getting out of the military was a sore spot for me.
I knew I needed to suck it up and just deal with it, but I was finding it hard to do so since all I wanted out of my life was to work with animals and to give back to my country. I thought I’d found my calling when I joined the military while in vet school.
So, to have it taken from me, even though the circumstances were out of my control, hurt.
“I’m going to try to get back.”
Simms sighed. “I know. But will it happen?”
I tried not to wince at his question. It was an important one that I’d been turning over in my head since my recruiter told me I should take a reservist spot while waiting for a full-time active duty reserve slot to open near Sunnyville.
“Come on,” Simms said, sighing. “I’ll drop you at your hotel before going home.”
“Thanks.”
I followed him to his car, and we spent the brief car ride in silence. There were so many things I wanted to tell the older man, but I couldn’t bring myself to speak any of them.
Once we were at the hotel, he put his car in park and we sat there for several moments before he said, “Good luck with everything.”
I nodded and croaked out a “Thank you,” before throwing the door open and making my way inside.
As I stripped out of my uniform and carefully folded it, I tried not to dwell on the fact that a chapter of my life was over and how I was scared for the next one. I had no idea what the future held, and that terrified me.
But that didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. My parents needed me, and it was in my power to move home to help them out. There wasn’t a question of doing that, either. It just hurt knowing that by helping them, I was moving away from my own hopes and dreams.
CHAPTER TWO
BRITAIN
“MOM,” I called out, nudging the door to my childhood home open and dropping my bags by the front door.
I listened for any noise, but couldn’t hear anything as I shut the door behind me.
I peeked into the living room, taking in the framed photos on the wall and the furniture that was the same as when I was a kid. The couch was in front of the large bay window that overlooked the front yard, a recliner next to it, and a smaller loveseat across from the couch.
I walked through into the dining room, noting that it was also the same. The large table was set with my mom’s delicate china that she never used except to show it off.
I had a feeling that eve
rything was the same.
Since I’d joined the Army when I started at UC-Davis at their vet school, I hadn’t been home much. At first it was because of my studies, then it was because of going to training, then it was because of getting the time off (which was difficult).
Instead, my parents would come see me and we’d go do something together wherever I was.
I hadn’t been home to Sunnyville in almost eight years.
I couldn't believe it had been that long, but at the same time it was like no time had passed at all.
I stepped into the kitchen and there was no one in there either.
I paused in the doorway, thinking about where my parents could be. Their car was in the drive, so unless someone came to get them, they had to be at the house.
I strained to hear anything from upstairs, but nothing.
I sighed and stepped toward the window over the sink that overlooked the backyard, blinking rapidly at what I saw there.
My parents were in the backyard, sitting on the grass, with something in between them. I couldn’t hear what they were saying or whatever noise they were making, but my mom threw her head back in laughter and my dad’s shoulders shook.
I watched them for several moments, trying to take in the changes in their bodies since I’d seen them last several months before.
I forced myself from the window and walked to the back door, pulling it open and pushing through the storm door to stand on the back porch.
The thwack of the door shutting behind me caused my parents to jerk to look at me and the thing that was in between them to bark.
A dog. They’d gotten a dog.
Said dog wriggled out of my mother’s arms and bounded across the yard toward me.
I smiled as I got a look at its honey brown color and curly fur. They’d gotten a goldendoodle, it looked like.
“That’s Sam,” my dad said, wheezing slightly as he walked toward me.
I glanced at him and noted how slowly he was moving. Should I have tried to get home sooner?
“When’d you get him?” I asked, looking at Sam and rubbing him behind the ears.
“Only last week,” my mom said, coming to stand next to me and leaning over to press a light kiss to my cheek.
Vetted: An Everyday Heroes World Novel (The Everyday Heroes World) Page 1