Wrapped Up In Christmas

Sarah’s quilt had reminded him of who he’d been, of who he’d wanted to be, and why he’d needed to quit wallowing in gloom.

Like a magic cloak, he’d wrapped it around him to ward off darkness and it had worked.

“Fine,” Lukas agreed, interrupting Bodie’s trip down memory lane. “You got it. You know there’s no one I’d trust more. How’s my dog?”

“You mean my dog, and he’s good.”

Lukas laughed. “A good traitor. Must have sensed our family was expanding yet again and decided he wanted to keep to the bachelor life.”

“Must have.” Bodie scratched Harry’s scruff while the dog looked up at him with his one blue eye and one green eye. Harry’s expression was one of pure adoration.

Bodie had owned pets over the years, but he’d never had a dog as smart or as loyal as Harry. From the moment he’d arrived at Lukas and Kelly’s place, Harry had taken to him so intently it was impossible not to notice the dog’s attachment. Sarah’s gift had helped him to push through the physical and emotional pain and refocus on why he’d done the things he had. But he hadn’t been ready for a dog to want his attention and affection twenty-four seven. Harry hadn’t cared if he was ready or not. If Bodie wasn’t gone for his physical therapy, or to a doctor’s appointment, the dog refused to leave his side.

Lukas had insisted Harry go with him when Bodie left that morning, stating he’d gladly take the dog for extended visits when Bodie left on iSecure jobs so the dog didn’t have to be boarded.

Bodie talked with Lukas a few more minutes, then dialed his stepfather.

Leaning his head back against the truck’s headrest, he scratched Harry’s neck.

“Thought you planned to go back to high-stakes, behind-the-scenes adventures,” his stepfather mused after Bodie explained his new plans. “You know, if you want to do this handyman kind of thing, I’ll hire you in a heartbeat. You were the best help I ever had. Your mother wasn’t the only one who was disappointed when you joined the military. I’d always hoped you’d join me.”

His stepfather was a good man and had taught Bodie everything he could to prepare him for life from the time Bodie had met him at age ten. Bodie had been lucky in that regard. Steve had treated him well, like his own son. Thanks to the man’s patience and guiding hand to a kid whose real father had long since stepped out of the picture, there wasn’t much Bodie couldn’t do around a house.

“I’ll keep it in mind, Steve. I appreciate the offer and the reference.”

Hanging up the phone, he glanced down at Harry.

“Now what?” he asked the dog, who just cocked his head as if to say, You tell me.

He punched the address Sarah had given him into his phone’s map app. She lived less than ten minutes away, which meant he had a couple of hours to kill.

For now, he and Harry needed sustenance and time out of the truck cab.

Thinking back over what he’d passed on his drive into town, he recalled a diner with several cars out front and wondered if they were pet-friendly.

It occurred to him that he hadn’t eaten since early that morning during one of many pitstops made to stretch the stiffness out of his hip and leg from the long drive. He hated having to take such mundane things into consideration, but he’d do whatever was necessary to heal back into tip-top shape.

He’d been told by multiple health professionals that had he not been in such good physical condition, he’d never have survived the IED.

There had been a time when he wished he hadn’t survived.

He glanced over at the folded patriotic quilt sitting on top of a duffel bag in his passenger floorboard and was reminded of exactly why he was in Pine Hill.

Sarah had meant to get to Hamilton House and straighten up any extra mess before her new handyman arrived. No such luck. It had taken longer to clean the church community room from their Christmas crafting than she’d intended, which was why she was feeling anxious as she drove the short distance home.

Her nervousness had nothing to do with the man she was meeting.

Just that she was running late and keeping an eye on her speedometer to make sure she kept it at the speed limit. Silly Donnie Jones had written her a ticket last week.

When she got to Hamilton House’s driveway, a late-model pickup she didn’t recognize was already there. She pulled up beside it and saw the cab was empty.

She looked around and spotted Bodie in her yard. What was he doing? Surprised, she realized he was petting a black and white speckled dog.

“Sorry I’m late,” Sarah apologized as she got out of the car, putting on her hat

and scarf as she eyed the unfamiliar animal. He looked like a Blue Heeler mix, but she’d never been great on telling one breed from another. Where had he come from? He looked friendly enough and seemed to be eating up the attention Bodie was giving him, but who knew what the forty-or-so-pound dog was capable of?

“Be careful. That’s not my dog. I’ve never seen him before,” she warned, pulling her jacket tighter around her to block the chilly wind as she walked toward Bodie.