by Jenna Brandt
“Thank you,” Deanna said, folding her arms around Ted’s neck. “I don’t know what we would’ve done if you hadn’t come to rescue us.”
“Thank you, Uncle Teddy,” Maggie said, wrapping her arms around his waist. “I knew you would save us.”
He draped his arms around both of them, hugging them back.
Titan barked, wagging his tail.
“You, too, Titan, you’re such a good, boy,” Maggie said, rubbing the dog between his ears.
There was a hissing sound behind them, and they all jerked around to find a coiled up snake just a few feet away from them.
“Stand still,” Ted said in a whisper. “If you move it’s going to strike out at us.”
Maggie screamed in fear. The noise must have upset the snake because it uncoiled, ready to strike. Before it could though, Titan jumped in front of it. The snake’s teeth sunk into Titan’s neck.
One of the other search and rescue officers picked up a metal pipe and hit the snake, killing it. The damage was done; however, Titan was bitten. He was laying on the ground, whimpering in pain.
Ted fell to his knees beside his partner. “Oh no, boy, just hold on. It’s going to be okay. You did good, really good.”
Deanna couldn’t believe what just happened. One moment they were celebrating their rescue, the next, Titan was attacked by a snake.
“Titan can’t die, he just can’t,” Maggie cried. “He’s such a good dog.”
A frenzy of activity happened next. Ted scooped up the remains of the snake so they could identify what type it was. A DCSR helicopter arrived to evacuate them. It sent down a rescue basket for Deanna and Maggie, as well as Titan and Ted.
In the helicopter, there was the DCSR veterinarian, who traveled with the team when they were on deployment. He took a look at the reptile and assured everyone that it was a harmless garter snake.
“Titan is going to be fine. He’ll be sore for a while, but he should be back to his normal self in a couple of days,” the doctor assured them. “He’s one lucky dog.”
They arrived at the hospital in Clear Mountain where Deanna and Maggie were checked out. Though they were both fine and only had minor injuries, the doctors wanted to keep them overnight for observation. Ted’s family finally arrived, hugging them with tears of relief.
Ted never left Deanna’s side, but she realized there was still a state of emergency going on. “Shouldn’t you be in Boulder searching for missing people?”
“I’m not leaving your side, Deanna. I nearly lost you once, I’m not taking another chance. I love you. I should have said it a long time ago, but I didn’t know if we were going to make it. Now, I know, all that matters is that we’re together. I’m going to give up my position at DCSR and come back to Clear Mountain to be with you.”
Deanna shook her head. “I won’t let you do that. You were born to be a K9 handler. I won’t let you give up your dream for me.”
“You’re my dream, too. I was born to love you. I’m willing to give it all up just to be with you.”
“I have a better idea. You know it’s always been my dream to be a police officer. I’ve been looking into police academies and applied for a spot in Dallas. I just got my acceptance letter on Monday. I was going to tell you at your graduation.”
“You did? Does that mean you’re moving to Texas?”
She nodded. “At the end of the month. I already rented an apartment online just a couple of blocks away from the Dallas academy. We’ll only be a half hour apart.”
“I’m so happy to hear that,” Ted said, reaching out and placing a kiss on her lips. “I love you, Deanna.”
“I love you, too.”
11
Graduation day had arrived. Ted was standing with his fellow trainees ready to receive their certifications of completion. Ted and Titan were graduating with the most rescues of all the trainees. On top of that, they broke six records, and Titan received an award for his heroic valor when he jumped in front of the snake to save Maggie.
As each of the names were called, Ted got more anxious. He’d already had received his official job offer from DCSRA and accepted it, but this was the final piece of the puzzle he’d been putting together since he first became a cop.
“Ted Hendricks,” the commander called out. Ted marched forward and accepted the certificate. He posed for a picture, first with the commander and then with the deputy commander.
He took his seat back in the rows of classmates, pride filling his heart at a job well done.
Ted Hendricks, K9 Search and Rescue Handler
Disaster City Search and Rescue Graduate
It was a beautiful sight to behold, but as his eyes lifted up and he saw Deanna in the crowd, he realized there was something even more beautiful in this world. He was lucky enough to call her his girlfriend.
After the ceremony, Ted’s family came up and congratulated him. His mother cried, his father patted him on the back, and his brothers playfully mocked him.
“Uncle Teddy, does this mean you’re going to live in Texas now?”
He nodded. “My new job is here, but I promise I will come back to visit whenever I can.”
“You’ll bring Deanna with you, too, right? I’m going to miss you both so much.”
“Of course I’ll come with him,” Deanna promised, wrapping her arm through Ted’s. “We’re a packaged deal now.”
“I have something to show you,” Deanna said, pulling out an electronic tablet from her purse. She clicked a button and all their friends from Clear Mountain appeared on the screen.
“Congratulations!” they all shouted at once.
“We’re proud of you,” Aiden said with a big grin. “We knew you could do it.”
“Tell Adam ‘hi’ for us,” Zach chimed in.
“You can tell me yourself,” Adam said, coming up behind Ted and peeking over his shoulder.
The group spent the next few minutes chatting about everything, including the recovery in Boulder. It was a slow process, but they were making progress every day.
When the video chat ended, the next set of people to come up to them was Ted’s former instructors, who were now brand-new co-workers.
“I told you he would do it, Griffin. You owe us drinks,” Dixon said with a nod of approval to Ted.
“I should get double drinks since I said he was going to graduate at the top of the class, which he did,” Bilmont pointed out.
“You’re both right. I owe you drinks. I also think we should bring the new guy with us,” Griffin said. “It will be a great way to get his feet wet with us as colleagues.”
“I think that’s a great idea,” Bilmont said, nodding his head in approval. “Let’s go figure out what we plan to order, Dixon.”
Griffin leaned over and whispered, “Just for the record, I did it to motivate you. I knew you were going to get the position on our team the whole time. You needed the extra push, and it did just that. It made you soar.”
Ted hadn’t realized it, but Griffin was right. He might never have done as well if he hadn’t felt the need to prove Griffin wrong. “Thanks, it seems you knew exactly what I needed.”
“The best instructors always do. We’ll come get you later tonight to go out.”
Griffin sauntered off, leaving Ted and Deanna alone.
“Those guys are characters.”
“They sure are,” Ted said with a shake of the head. “They’re going to keep me on my toes.”
“Does that mean they’re going to take my place?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Nope, never. No one will ever take your place, Deanna. You’re it for me.”
“That goes both ways,” she said, letting him pull her into his arms. He leaned down and placed a kiss on her lips.
No matter what was to come, Ted knew two things for certain. He’d found his calling and purpose through the Disaster City Search and Rescue Academy, and gained the certainty that he wanted to spend the rest of his life loving Deanna Harper.
I hope you have enjoyed Ted’s story and will continue in the very first Disaster City Search and Rescue book, The Girlfriend Rescue. There’s also three other best selling authors writing in this brand new epic, adventure-filled, romance series. You can find out more about that on the next page.
Your opinion and support matters, so I would greatly appreciate you taking the time to leave a review. If you would like more info, please join my Newsletter and get a free novella just for signing up. I’d also love for you to check out My Reader’s Group!
Happy Reading!
Disaster City Search and Rescue
Step into the world of Disaster City Search and Rescue, where officers, firefighters, military, and medics, train and work alongside each other with the dogs they love, to do the most dangerous job of all — help lost and injured victims find their way home.
The Girlfriend Rescue
The Rebound Rescue
The Whirlwind Rescue
Also by Jenna Brandt
Most Books are Free in Kindle Unlimited too!
Disaster City Search and Rescue
Step into the world of Disaster City Search and Rescue, where officers, firefighters, military, and medics, train and work alongside each other with the dogs they love, to do the most dangerous job of all — help lost and injured victims find their way home.
The Girlfriend Rescue
The Wedding Rescue
The Billionaire Rescue
The Movie Star Rescue
The Lawkeepers is a multi-author series alternating between historical westerns and contemporary westerns featuring law enforcement heroes that span multiple agencies and generations. Join bestselling author Jenna Brandt and many others as they weave captivating, sweet and inspirational stories of romance and suspense between the lawkeepers — and the women who love them. The Lawkeepers is a world like no other; a world where lawkeepers and heroes are honored with unforgettable stories, characters, and love. Jenna’s Lawkeeper books:
Historical
Lawfully Loved-Texas Sheriff
Lawfully Wanted-Bounty Hunter
Lawfully Forgiven-Texas Ranger
Lawfully Avenged-US Marshal
Lawfully Covert-Spies
Lawfully Historical Box Set
Contemporary
Lawfully Adored-K-9
Lawfully Wedded-K-9
Lawfully Treasured-SWAT
Lawfully Dashing-Female Cop/Christmas
Lawfully Devoted-Billionaire Bodyguard/K-9
Lawfully Heroic-Military Police
Lawfully Contemporary Box Set
Billionaires of Manhattan Series
The billionaires that live in Manhattan and the women who love them. If you love epic dates, grand romantic gestures, and men in suits with hearts of gold, then these are books are perfect for you.
Waiting on the Billionaire
(Also on Audiobook)
Nanny for the Billionaire
Merging with the Billionaire
Second Chance Islands
What’s better than billionaires on islands? How about billionaires finding second chances at life, love, and redemption while on one.
The Billionaire’s Reunion
The Billionaire’s Hideaway
Billionaire’s Birthday Club
Billionaire Birthday Club is an exclusive resort—for the billionaire who appears to have everything but secretly wants more. After filling out a confidential survey, a curated celebration is waiting on the island to make their birthday wishes come true!
The Billionaire’s Birthday Wish
Holliday Islands Resort
After growing his Alaskan resort empire into the “honeymooner’s paradise of the world,” Gordon Holliday is ready to retire. But there’s no way he can cruise the globe in his luxury yacht until his sons are groomed and polished into proper executives to take his place. There’s just one catch: He’s convinced their biggest current job requirement is marriage!
Comet’s Blazing Love
Match Made in Heaven Series-standalone stories that are sweet, clean romances designed to whisk you away. Not every man has six-pack abs, nor every woman the model of femininity, but everyone needs someone. We believe in building a world that begins at the very core of what makes romance stories work—faith, hope, and love. Now it’s your turn to find love. Set your imagination and heart free with us. The next happily-ever-after is at your fingertips, just waiting to be told…Jenna’s Matched books:
Royally Matched-Contemporary
Discreetly Matched-Historical
Pinkerton Matchmaker Series
As female agents were few and far between, Mr. Gordon came up with the idea of expanding the detective agency by pairing qualified women with a male agent for training, guidance and undercover work. These women came from all demographics – some were looking for a new life, some seeking challenge, some wanting to pave the way for future generations of women. The only caveat – the women wouldn’t be a member of the Agency until their first assignment had been completed.
An Agent for Nadine
An Agent for Gwendolyn
Mail Order Mistakes Series-a mail order bride story about a woman running from a broken past and a widower with three children who is hiding from a broken heart. What happens when they decide to take a chance on each other?
Mail Order Misfit
Mail Order Misstep (coming soon)
Mail Order Miscast (coming soon)
The Civil War Brides Series
During the bloodiest conflict on American soil, two families struggle in the South to not only survive but to thrive.
Saved by Faith
Freed by Hope
Healed by Grace (Early 2020)
Silverpines Series-centered around the fictional town of Silverpines, Oregon, during the turn of the 20th century. When a disaster takes most of the men, the women are left to save the town by placing mail-order groom advertisements. Get to know the various lovable characters and their stories from some of todays bestselling historical authors.
Wanted: Tycoon
The Tycoon’s Sister
Bride Herder Series-take one failed rancher turned matchmaker and ten unexpected brides at once with no clue as to who wanted them. What could go wrong?
Herd to Please
Belles of Wyoming Series-centered around the fictional small town of Belle, Wyoming. Each set of books take place during a season of the year in the 1800s.
June’s Remedy
The Window to the Heart Saga is a recountal of the epic journey of Lady Margaret, a young English noblewoman, who through many trials, obstacles, and tragedies, discovers her own inner strength, the sustaining force of faith in God, and the power of family and friends. In this three-part series, experience new places and cultures as the heroine travels from England to France and completes her adventures in America. The series has compelling themes of love, loss, faith and hope with an exceptionally gratifying conclusion.
Trilogy
The English Proposal (Book 1)
The French Encounter (Book 2)
The American Conquest (Book 3)
Spin-offs
The Oregon Pursuit (Book 1)
The White Wedding (Book 2)
The Christmas Bride (Book 3)
The Viscount’s Wife (Book 4)
The Window to the Heart Saga
Trilogy Box Set
The Window to the Heart Saga
Spin-off Books Box Set
The Window to the Heart Saga
Complete Collection Box Set
For more information about Jenna Brandt visit her on any of her websites.
www.JennaBrandt.com
Jenna Brandt’s Reader Group
www.facebook.com/JennaBrandtAuthor
www.twitter.com/JennaDBrandt
Signup for Jenna Brandt’s Newsletter
Join My Mailing List and Reader’s Groups
Sign-up for my newsletter and get
a FREE story.
Join my Reader Group, Jenna’s Joyful Page Turners, and get access to exclusive content and contests.
Join my multi-author reader’s group, Heroes and Hunks
Acknowledgments
My writing journey would not be possible without those who supported me. Since I can remember, writing is the only thing I love to do, and my deepest desire is to share my talent with others.
First and foremost, I am eternally grateful to Jesus, my lord and savior, who created me with this “writing bug” DNA.
In addition, many thanks go to:
My husband, Dustin, and three daughters, Katie, Julie, and Nikki, for loving me and supporting me during all my late-night writing marathons and coffee-infused mornings.
My mother, Connie, for being my first and most honest critic, now and always. As a little girl, sleeping under your desk during late-night deadlines for the local paper showed me what being a dedicated writer looked like.