Laura Scott - Battle Tested

“Isaac and I are barely friends,” she repeated firmly, for her brother’s sake and her own. “He just wants to help keep me safe, that’s all.”

Bad enough she’d become the laughingstock of the ICU because she’d been oblivious to Leo’s antics, until she’d seen the evidence for herself.

She didn’t know if Isaac was the kind of guy to cheat on his girlfriend. What did it matter? She wasn’t interested in a relationship. And Isaac had enough going on in his life, between Beacon’s delayed homecoming and getting better.

Anything more than friendship would only get in the way.

Isaac had thought for sure he’d have trouble sleeping, considering the way he’d witnessed the attack on Vanessa, but surprisingly, he slept the entire night through.

He scrubbed a hand over his sandpaper-rough jaw and marveled at how many times he’d slept through the night without being awoken from a nightmare. Months ago, they plagued him nightly. Now he only had them once a week, maybe less.

Logically, he knew that his issues weren’t just because of Jake’s death and the horrible experience of being shot out of the sky, but a culmination of several treacherous flights over enemy territory, always under fire, yet somehow managing to escape.

Until that last flight had killed Jake and his copilot, Kevin, leaving only him and Beacon.

He took several deep calming breaths to keep the memories at bay. Maybe he’d slept well because today was the day Beacon was coming home. The thought made him smile and he bolted out of bed to let Tango outside, then to shower, shave and dress.

As always, he took care of Tango first, providing the dog food and water, before grabbing a quick bite to eat. As he nursed a cup of coffee, his gaze fell on the reenlistment paperwork sitting in the center of the kitchen table. He pulled it toward him.

For several long seconds, he stared at the spot where he was supposed to sign his name. He’d have to pass a medical and psychological exam no matter what job he decided to do if he stayed in the Air Force, so why bother filling the stupid thing out? Maybe this was his time to get out of the military.

And do what?

He had no idea.

With a rough gesture, he shoved the paperwork aside. He still had several weeks yet before it was due. No point in dwelling on it now.

Today he only had one priority. Beacon.

After finishing his coffee, Isaac stared at Tango for a moment, then decided to take the dog for a walk. It was going to be a long day if he didn’t find some way to occupy his time until Beacon’s arrival.

Instantly, his thoughts went to Vanessa, Aiden and the four fostered puppies Aiden had named after national parks.

Nope. He shook his head. Not a smart idea to get too emotionally involved. Although, he had offered to talk to Aiden, hadn’t he? And to keep Vanessa safe during the daytime hours?

Yes, he had.

She’d be safe with Eagle until he got there, so he took a quick walk around base to clear his head. He was secretly glad her house wasn’t far from his as it would be easier to keep an eye on her.

He was thrilled when he’d found his place, located on a dead-end street not far from the veterinary clinic.

Dogs were known to suffer from PTSD, too, and he used the fact to argue why he was the best fit for Beacon. With Jake gone, he was Beacon’s best chance. He’d even gotten Jake’s younger sister, Jacey, who was also a dog handler currently deployed overseas, to add her support.

He and the dog were two wounded warriors who deserved to be together. And the powers that be within the Air Force had finally agreed with him.

He ran into Captain Kyle Roark outside the veterinary clinic and waved him down. “Hey, any news on the female dog you operated on last night?”

Kyle nodded. “So far, she’s holding her own. I have her on heavy-duty antibiotics and I’m keeping her sedated because of the extensive sutures. In my professional opinion she was likely attacked by a coyote.”

“I’m happy to hear she’s recovering. And an animal bite is better than the idea of humans hurting her on purpose,” Isaac said with a heavy sigh. “At least now there’s no reason to believe there’s a possible connection to the Olio Crime Organization.”

Kyle grimaced. “I’m not sure they’re entirely out of the picture. No one living on base has reported a lost dog, aside from the training dogs that are still missing. A person within the crime ring may have sneaked the dog on base because she was pregnant and they wanted nothing to do with a litter of pups.”

“Why?” Isaac asked. “They could dump her anywhere.”

“Who knows how these guys think?” Kyle shook his head. “It’s just odd that she showed up here, that’s all. Anyone on base would take better care of their pet.”

“Maybe.” Done with the discussion of the injured dog, he turned his attention to the topic that had him anxious. “Are you going to be around later when Beacon arrives?”

Kyle’s face lit up with a wide smile. “Wouldn’t miss it.”

“Great. I’ll see you then.” Isaac waved and took Tango home.

He did some chores around the house for a couple of hours. By lunchtime, he decided he couldn’t stay home alone any longer. He picked up three meals to go from Carmen’s, his favorite Italian restaurant, and brought them over to Vanessa’s house.

He walked up to Vanessa’s front door and rapped lightly.

A series of high-pitched yips could be heard from inside, making him smile. Vanessa opened the door looking surprised to see him.

“Isaac, I wasn’t expecting you for a couple of hours yet.”

“I brought lunch from Carmen’s,” he said, lifting the bag as proof. “Enough pasta for all three of us.”

Her expression softened as she realized he’d included Aiden. “Come in. Lunch will be a welcome break from the nonstop potty training going on around here.”

“I can only imagine,” he said with a chuckle. Inside, he nodded to her brother.

“Hey,” Aiden greeted him cautiously.

“How are our four national parks doing?” he joked.

“They’re awesome.” Aiden placed the puppies back in their box. “Something smells good.”

“Carmen’s is always amazing.” He set the bag in the center of the kitchen table as Vanessa and Aiden washed up at the sink. Vanessa was more beautiful than he remembered, with her dark wavy hair hanging loose around her shoulders. She wore her dress blues and he appreciated her delicate features.

Whoa, wait a minute. What was wrong with him? He’d been around plenty of attractive women before. Even since his former fiancée, Amber. None had even remotely raised his interest.

Until now.

Vanessa pulled out plates and silverware while Aiden fetched three bottles of cold water from the fridge. He opened the bag and pulled out the aluminum to-go containers of pasta, each still warm from the oven.

Vanessa took her seat, bowed her head and began to pray. “Dear Lord, we thank You for this food we are about to eat and for the friendship You have blessed us with. Keep Beacon and the puppies safe in Your care, Amen.”

Despite his reservations about God and faith, Isaac thought of Beacon and found himself responding with a heartfelt “Amen.”

“Amen,” Aiden added, glancing down at the box of pups near his feet.

The spaghetti and meatballs from Carmen’s were delicious, and as they ate, they discussed the puppies at length. Isaac was impressed at the responsibility Aiden was taking in caring for them, especially the way he’d found a way to identify each one by sight corresponding them to their name. Denali had a notch in her right ear and Shenandoah was the runt of the litter. Bryce had a small tan spot on his belly while the fur on the tip of Smoky’s tail was black.