Her Loyal Companion
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Heidi Main
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16
Chapter One
Autumn McCaw drew in a comforting breath of hay and rough-and-tumble dogs, thrilled to finally be part of something she believed in. Tori and Zoe, her five-year-old twin nieces, chased each other around the haphazard hay bale maze she’d set up as a training test for Tallulah, the female Portuguese water dog she’d rescued a few months ago. The screams, shouts and quick movements were exactly what she wanted to test the dog on. Like Tallulah had been taught, she sat at attention, her eyes solely on Autumn and not the rambunctious girls. Success! She’d been training the medium-size black dog in basic obedience and social skills so she’d be ready to become the amazing diabetic service dog Autumn knew she could be.
Laney entered the little barn that Autumn rented from their neighbor, Henry Wright. “Girls, quiet down,” her sister-in-law said as she cradled her hand around her seven-week-old baby boy positioned on her chest in a front carrier. The identical twins abandoned their running and screaming to hug their mother. Tallulah gave the newcomer a quick glance and then trained her eyes back on Autumn.
“Thanks for letting me borrow the girls. They were perfect,” Autumn said. With a hand motion, she released the dog and walked her to the nearby outdoor pen where a couple of other pups frolicked.
“I’m glad they could help. They were up early enough this morning.” Laney chuckled. “Tallulah seems to be doing great.” Her eyes danced. Since she’d started her own business recently from the ground up, she knew how important this venture was to Autumn.
Baby, the Jack Russell terrier Autumn had adopted right before she’d returned from Dallas, jumped at her knees. She picked up the smooth-coated sweetheart and pressed her to her chest, always happy to have her loving dog close by.
“I’m thrilled with Tallulah’s progress,” Autumn said. “Now if only I could find a dog trainer so my eager clients can get their promised service dogs.” She had assured Barbara that her son, Tanner, would have Tallulah by the time he went to summer camp in two and a half months. If she didn’t find a trainer soon, she’d have to call Barbara and backtrack on that date and Tanner would be heartbroken. Autumn knew the basic obedience and social skills she had taught Tallulah wouldn’t make a service dog, but she had to do something to move the dog’s education forward while she waited for a trainer.
“We’ve been praying for God to provide just the right person to help you,” Laney said. Then she gave Autumn a quick hug and corralled her girls to head home.
Would God bring that person? Or was Autumn’s dream of connecting trained dogs with people in need not important enough for Him?
With her past, she wasn’t sure.
Autumn heard the crunching sound of gravel grinding beneath tires and moved to the wide doorway to see who had driven into her parents’ spacious parking area below. Baby squirmed in her arms so she put her canine companion down.
The dog barked and raced down the hill toward a vehicle she didn’t recognize. Thankfully, Henry’s barn was on the edge of his property, overlooking the Triple C Ranch, so it was convenient for the McCaws to walk over anytime. And superconvenient for her because she had moved back in with her parents while she got this venture up and running. The big truck came to a stop, and she racked her brain for who it could be. She didn’t have any appointments scheduled and her parents weren’t home.
The newer-model four-door truck with an extended cab parked, then all the windows rolled down before the occupant emerged. The man fitted his Stetson on his head and walked toward her, glancing back at his vehicle every few steps. As he neared, she caught sight of his face and sucked in a breath at the familiar man striding toward her. Wyatt Nelson.
His well-worn work boots ate up the gravel drive between them, but what caught her attention was the dejected look on his sculpted face. As he neared, her stomach tightened at all the memories that flooded back.
They had had an unforgettable day together seven years ago, followed by a night that went further than either of them intended. But the ensuing six months, and the emotionally painful ending to her unexpected pregnancy, had changed the course of her life and left her reeling from shame and regret.
Wyatt’s snub for not acknowledging her multiple voicemails and text messages had hurt and confused her. To make matters worse, the massive secret she’d been withholding from loved ones had created a chasm between her and her family that distressed Autumn.
She licked her dry lips. How had Wyatt found her? And why?
When his gaze landed on hers, he startled, as if he hadn’t expected to see her. For a moment, his steps faltered, but he kept moving forward. He ran his hand over his barely there facial stubble, drawing her attention to his strong chin and chiseled cheekbones.
“Autumn?” he said as he cocked his head. “The vet clinic owner didn’t tell me. I mean, do you own the dog boarding and training business?” He squinted up at the hand-painted business name above the entrance, then peered past her as though searching for the actual owner.
She stiffened. Why did he find it absurd for her to own a business? She shot him a tense nod in answer to his question.
“Wow, okay, so Doc Earl mentioned you were looking for a part-time dog trainer.” Though Wyatt’s spine was straight and shoulders at attention as they’d likely taught him at basic training, something about his posture was off. He looked kind of defeated, which made her wonder what hardships he’d endured since they were together.
“Yes,” she answered—she was desperate for a dog trainer.
The last time she’d seen Wyatt, he’d been at a small island resort to attend his best friend’s wedding and hadn’t appeared to have a care in the world. At least, not until he’d received an emergency call that his grandmother was in the hospital. He’d taken the next flight out and she hadn’t heard from him since. Which was fine, really it was. When they’d met, she’d just gotten out of a lousy relationship and wasn’t looking for another one. So when she and Wyatt had immediately connected, she’d been concerned, but he’d assured her he had no intention of anything long-term either. Relieved, she had enjoyed their brief time together. But when he’d left the island, she had missed his companionship. Probably more than she should have.
He glanced back at his vehicle again. What concerned him about his truck, which was only about fifty yards from where they stood?
“What are you doing here?” Baby raced back to her and leaned against her leg. The terrier whined, sensing her owner’s agitated state. Autumn picked her up, this time clinging to her for emotional support.
“I’m a certified dog trainer.” He slid off his Stetson and held it against his leg.
Uh-uh, she would not work with Wyatt. That’d be uncomfortable. No, more like awkward, thorny, impossible.
She hoped the swarm of emotions warring inside her weren’t readable on her face. She stuck her nose into Baby’s fur and prayed for peace. Yes, she’d been looking for a certified dog trainer for months, to no avail. Everyone expected a salary and, with a brand-new business, she couldn’t afford to pay anyone, especially since she’d had start-up costs. That’s why she was offering the apartment above her parents’ garage in exchange for the work.
“You’re with the military, right?”
As he loomed over her at well over six feet, his ramrod straight shoulders seemed to straighten even more. “Mostly stationed in San Antonio. I was a K9 trainer almost the whole time I was in the Air Force. Trained dogs and handlers.” He roughed a hand through his high and tight military hair. “I just separated from the Air Force after twelve years of service and moved to Serenity to be near family. I snagged a job as a vet technician for Doc Earl at Mighty Paws Vet Clinic.”
Ugh, if he weren’t Wyatt, he’d be perfect for the job. Baby laid her chin on Autumn’s shoulder, reminding Autumn that her dog was here for her, which eased her anxiety a notch. The terrier had entered her life when she had needed emotional support to get through the day, and Baby had naturally filled that gap. Years later, Autumn had taken Baby to get her official emotional support dog certification. During those classes, this business idea had taken hold.
“I don’t think working together is the best idea,” she said.
He peered toward his truck and frowned but didn’t disagree. Gratitude swooshed into her core. She was glad he understood.
Satisfied with whatever had him concerned in the parking area, he turned and shifted to see around her. “Your facilities look nice.”
“I’m happy with what I’ve accomplished so far.” She hugged Baby a little tighter, promising herself she would not show him around. In fact, she should kick him in the shin for ignoring her in her time of need. Instead, she chose not to make eye contact.
“Doc Earl said you just opened a couple of months ago. I see you have boarding clients already.”
She tried not to take his comment to heart, but she was pretty pleased she’d gained a bit of traction so early on. These boarding clients would help fund getting trained dogs into the hands of people who needed them.
Probably sensing Autumn had relaxed a bit, Baby wiggled out of her desperate grasp and ran through the dog barn toward the outdoor pens.
“Nice crates,” he said as his gaze swung to the barn and her kennel setup, but his demeanor said something else. Like he was judging her, maybe? No, she was just reading into things.
His gorgeous chocolate eyes remained focused on her facility, presumably taking in the symmetry of the shiny new enclosures, the smaller ones stacked on top of the bigger ones.
A fancy cage that looked like a piece of furniture specifically for the clients who wanted their beloved pet to have a larger, more homey space flanked the wall of crates on each side. Bales of hay sat against the other wall for seating. She had purchased these crates for a super low price, and the clients who had toured the space had commented about how new and clean everything looked. The four boarded dogs barked and pawed at their enclosure.
“Thank you, I love it.” She answered his praise. “But I’m looking forward to getting the service dogs I’ve already promised trained.” If only she hadn’t bitten off more than she could chew by assuming she could mimic some online training videos. But shortly after she’d promised the dates, she had realized she’d need a certified trainer if she wanted to do the dogs justice.
She shook off her gloomy thoughts and took in the boarding facility she’d created from a dusty and unused barn. Since he was semi-retired, Henry no longer used this as a hay barn, so he was happy to let her use it. She had cleaned up the place, purchased dog kennels, built roomy outdoor play pens and started the boarding portion of her business.
Now she needed a trainer to start the exciting part. One who wasn’t named Wyatt Nelson.
But she had no other prospects. Not a one.
In the warm spring breeze, she glanced at Wyatt, two years older than her twenty-eight, if she remembered correctly. Since the moment he had left the island, she had struggled to forget him. Was her struggle because of their immediate connection or the secret she’d tried to suppress for years?
“Why dogs?” he asked. “I thought you were in sales or something?”
Why hadn’t he fessed up about not answering her calls and texts when he first arrived instead of creating this awkward situation between them?
“I’ve had lots of jobs.” She shrugged away her years of testing out different occupations because when she adopted Baby and experienced how much the dog changed her life, Autumn’s passion had surged. “When I learned the difference between emotional support animals and service dogs, I felt called to provide service dogs to people in need.”
A quick flash of approval crossed over his face. Of course he agreed with her business plan, because training dogs was his life.
He dug the toe of his boot into the gravel. “I wish you’d reconsider, Autumn. My daughter and I won’t be a problem, I promise.”
She sucked in a breath at the news. “You have a daughter? How old is she?”
“Harper. She just turned four.” With that pronouncement, the discouragement and strain on his tanned face morphed into fatherly pride, an expression she’d seen on her older brother’s face repeatedly. A slow smile took over his features and his tense eyes warmed, reminding her of their captivating time at the resort. Once again, he peeked over his shoulder. What in the world was he looking for?
“And your wife?” She paused, waiting for the answer.
A shadow passed over his face before he aimed his attention at the ground. “She left us. It’s why I had to leave the military and, um, move away. Long story.” That dejected look claimed his features again. Her chest ached at the broken marriage and the little girl involved. “Listen, Autumn, working for free rent is perfect for my situation. Doc Earl said it’s a one-bedroom?” His masculine frame filled out the brand-new polo shirt with the vet clinic insignia on the right pocket.
“Yup. Right above my parents’ garage.” She pointed in the direction he had come. She’d been praying for a dog trainer, someone who’d work in exchange for rent, and here was Wyatt, desperate to do just that.
Triple C Ranch Dog Boarding and Training would never grow without the dog training element she planned to offer, and someday the rancher she leased the barn from might decide he wanted her to pay for this facility.
Yes, she and Wyatt had a history, and she really didn’t want him around the Triple C, but maybe they could help each other.
The problem was, if she hired Wyatt, let him and his daughter live at the Triple C, she’d have to deal with her painful past.
Because having Wyatt here would be a daily reminder of the time in her life that she longed to forget.
Wyatt Nelson eyed the oversize garage, waiting for an invitation to view the apartment. But instead of being hospitable, Autumn gathered the terrier she’d snuggled with earlier in her arms and ignored him. He found that odd because seven years ago, he’d been drawn to her kindness. Her wide smile and gracious disposition were the reason he’d asked her out on a date. But today she wasn’t being very kind to him.
As cows mooed, he breathed in the pleasurable aromas of dog and hay. It surprised him how comforting he found the town of Serenity, and what he’d seen of the Triple C Ranch felt like home. How could he get Autumn to consider him for the job?
On the island where they’d met, he and Autumn shared one memorable afternoon, followed by an equally memorable night. He had never forgotten her. But he hadn’t been interested in a relationship because of the lies and deceit his father had served up to Wyatt’s kind and trusting mother. Autumn had been the first woman to tempt him, and that had scared him.
“Daddy,” Harper shouted.
He looked over his shoulder at his daughter shutting the dual-cab truck door and then waving at him. Relief swept over him that Harper hadn’t become worried when she awoke in the truck alone. He’d made sure he was in her sight line the whole time he’d been talking with Autumn, but lately she’d been fragile.
He grinned and beckoned her to join him. She started racing up the hill, but stopped when she saw enticing dandelion puffs at her feet. She crouched, plucked a dandelion and then blew the white floaties into the air and beamed while they floated away.
“Is that your daughter?”
“Yes. Harper.”
“You can leave your kid alone in a car?” Autumn tugged her dog closer. In response, the terrier laid her snout on her owner’s shoulder.
“She was sleeping when I arrived. I lowered the windows and stayed in sight, so when she woke up she’d see me.”
“Well, at least it’s a cool day,” she said, as though judging him for poor parenting skills.
“She’s four, and perfectly capable of unbuckling from her booster seat and getting out of the truck by herself,” he said, hating the defensive tone that crept into his voice.
Autumn’s gaze bounced between him and his daughter like she was watching a tennis game. Her honey-blond hair hung in waves, highlighting her pretty face. A curious expression covered her features while the cute dog licked her cheek and then watched Autumn as if worried about her owner. Wyatt wondered if the terrier was an emotional support dog. If so, what had happened in Autumn’s past to necessitate a support animal? He shook off the notion. Something about being a dog trainer always had him thinking too hard on dogs’ actions.
After Harper finished climbing the hill, she moved to his side, pressing close. New places made her shy, but he hoped if he got this job and apartment, that she’d acclimate to the Triple C.
Autumn turned her attention to his daughter, then dropped to her knees. The observant dog stilled in her arms. “You must be Harper.” His daughter smiled, not her usual response to strangers. “I’m Miss Autumn and this is Baby.”
Harper fidgeted, but didn’t step away.
“You can pet her. She loves children.”
Harper put her hand out and the terrier licked it. His daughter giggled, an authentic giggle that melted Wyatt’s insides and gave him hope that her mother’s thoughtless actions had not permanently scarred her.
“Can I see our apartment now?” Harper whispered.
Surprise crossed Autumn’s face. “Maybe later, okay?”
Harper nodded right when the dog jumped out of Autumn’s arms to run across the grass. His daughter followed with glee, and just like that, her shyness evaporated.
He was relieved, because she rarely warmed up to people or places so quickly.
Autumn stood and gazed at Harper rolling on the grass. Or maybe she was concerned her support dog had left her. “I don’t think we should work together—”
“Can I see the facilities—” They spoke at the same time.
She frowned, glanced at Harper, then shrugged. “I guess.” As she moved into the barn, she seemed a little less anxious than when she’d first spotted him. She gestured at the wall of crates he’d seen earlier, explaining she’d adopted three dogs to turn into service dogs and had reserved the rest of the enclosures for potential boarders.
“For a barn, this space is spotless. I can see why your dog boarding venture took off so quickly.”
Her cheeks pinked at the compliment. “It’s helped a ton having Earl recommend me.”
Her words about how they shouldn’t work together were stuck in his head. Maybe she was right, because her cold shoulder made no sense. They’d parted on good terms, right?
Seven years ago, when his grandmother’s health scare was over, he’d returned to San Antonio and his life. The phone he’d used at the resort had been a prepaid international phone, so he wouldn’t be hit with fees. He’d almost given in and called her a couple of times so, to remove the temptation, he’d thrown away the disposable device. Part of him regretted not saving her contact information, the sane part knew if he had, they might have become an item and he hadn’t been ready for that.
Autumn tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, a worried look covering her face. Had she tried to reach him and became frustrated when she realized she didn’t have his Texas number? Nah, the way she’d been treating him spoke volumes. Clearly, she hadn’t thought of him since they had parted ways.
They moved out the back entrance. She stopped and pointed at the barn. “Our neighbor, Henry Wright, owns this structure and has been kind enough to let me use it at no charge.”
Sweet. Maybe that meant he could expect to get paid at some point.
She moved over to where four sturdy and spacious outdoor pens stood against a seen-better-days cattle fence.
“My brothers helped me build these.” Maybe he’d read her wrong earlier, because now that she was in her element, she seemed relaxed. Pride shone on her face as she clipped a lead on a Portuguese water dog and led her out of the pen. “This is Tallulah. She’s slated to be a diabetic service dog for an adorable five-year-old boy. She knows how to sit, stay and lay down.”
“I like the idea of rescuing calm dogs to train. This will be different, because I usually work with puppies.”
He hoped all his years of military training would help him win this battle for the job because his daughter seemed happy here. And lately, that was a rarity.
Anyway, Doc Earl had already told him that Autumn had been searching for months with no takers. Surely she’d give him a chance.
She crouched down to give Tallulah one last snuggle, then returned the mostly black dog with curly hair back to the pen.
“How many hours a week were you thinking?” he asked.
A puff of wind brushed a tumble of hair against her rosy cheek. “I’d like to say however long it takes. But being realistic, I’d say an hour or two most evenings and a full day on Saturday? Maybe a little on Sunday?”
He nodded. He could give her that time, and Harper would enjoy living on a farm.
They returned to the mouth of the dog barn and he spied Harper lying on the grass, Baby opposite her, sitting at attention. The terrier was adorable, mostly white with a few striking brown spots on her torso. His daughter’s lips were moving, likely telling the dog one of her fanciful stories.
A warm breeze carried the scents of earth and cow over the rolling land, creating a peaceful feeling in his core. Man, he’d like to live on this ranch.
He glanced at the garage again. If he didn’t get this apartment, where would they live? He and Harper couldn’t stay with his mom and grandmother forever in that tiny two-bedroom apartment because Nana was undergoing intense chemotherapy. She didn’t need a rambunctious four-year-old around, especially one with night terrors. No, Nana deserved uninterrupted sleep and quiet during these treatments, which meant he and Harper needed to move out. Soon.
When they had found out about Nana’s cancer prognosis and his mother moved to Serenity to help, Wyatt decided to follow his mother because she was the only other adult Harper connected with. So when he discovered the vet tech position was available at Mighty Paws, it was like God had paved the way for all of them to move here.
But since Serenity, Texas, was a tiny town, there weren’t many housing options and none were close to his budget. Living rent-free was his only chance to take control of his life and knock down the debt his drug addicted ex-wife had incurred on their joint credit cards. The debt he’d tried unsuccessfully to get out of in court.
“Autumn, I’d really like the job.”
Something sharpened in her eyes. Maybe she was finally willing to give him a chance. “I’ve been working on basic obedience and socializing the dogs both here and in town. Unfortunately, more service dogs are released from training programs across the country for socialization concerns than for any other reason, so I wanted to get started on them right away.”
Wow. She’d really thought this through. Her determination and drive intrigued him.
When she turned to him, the seriousness in her sparkling green eyes took him aback. “You probably think all this is silly.”
“No. Not at all. You’ve got a nice operation here, and I’d love to be a part of it.”
The hesitation in her attitude morphed into pride. “Thanks.” The tentative smile she’d given Harper reappeared.
He recalled the captivating time they’d spent together at the resort. If he moved to the Triple C Ranch, would he and Autumn pick back up where they’d left off? He took a step back. No. Back then, he’d had a good reason not to get involved. Today, his reason was even stronger. He even had the divorce and wounded child to prove it.
“I’ve promised my client that Tallulah will be ready to go by July first, that’s the dog-in-home deadline.”
He reared back. “What? It usually takes six to twelve months to train a service dog.”
“Yes, for puppies. But Tallulah is three-years-old, potty-trained and I’ve worked with her on obedience and socialization training. Anyway, Tanner needs her for summer camp or he can’t go.” The warmth in her eyes evaporated as she nailed him with a steely gaze. “Tanner has diabetes, and Tallulah will alert him when he has low blood sugar.”
Before he could respond, she continued. “Camp is mid-July. I figured the boy would need the dog a few weeks early so they could bond and you could train Tanner as needed.”
“That date is impossible.”
She shrugged. “Then I’ll keep looking.”
Except, they both knew she had no other prospects. He glanced at her parents’ serene garage apartment, while Harper and Baby romped around like old friends on the crushed grass. This seemed like the perfect setting to build a life for himself and Harper. And look at her, she was happy here.
It was already the middle of April, so that gave him two and a half months to train a dog he hadn’t yet evaluated. Nights and weekends only.
“Fine.” He agreed. “I can’t promise, but I’ll try.”
Even though he’d given in to her on what seemed like an insurmountable task, a look of unease washed over her features.
A glance at his watch proved it was already eight. He’d have to get going soon. He and Doc Earl had a nine-thirty surgery at the vet clinic and Wyatt still needed to drop his daughter at day care. But first he wanted to snag the job and apartment.
Harper raced over, the yipping terrier close behind. “Can we see my new bedroom now?”
Autumn gulped, but gave her a firm nod. “I guess so.”
They climbed the steps on the side of the garage. The whole while his daughter talked about the My Little Pony decals her grandmother had found to decorate her new bedroom. It was the most he’d heard Harper utter at one time in months. The Triple C Ranch seemed to bring out a more confident side of her.
Autumn opened the aquamarine blue door and late morning sunshine streamed in through large windows overlooking a grove of trees. The generous living space was furnished, minus a couch.
“My sister-in-law is using the couch for her wedding venue, so whoever lives here will have to provide one,” she said as she turned and waved her hand at the kitchen with an island. An island!
Harper raced to the back to check out her bedroom.
“It’s only a one-bedroom, so clearly it won’t work for you and your daughter.” Her expression showed relief.
“It’s actually perfect for us. She gets the room and I’ll wake up to that serene view.” He gestured at the floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room. The seven-foot couch he’d seen for sale yesterday at the consignment shop downtown would work for him, and it was on deep discount.
Harper raced back and threw her arms around Autumn’s legs. “I love it, Miss Autumn. There’s even a bench under the window where I can set up my dollies so they can watch the cows while I’m in day care.”
Autumn seemed taken aback by Harper’s quick affection and gave her an awkward pat on the back. At least Harper didn’t notice her standoffish behavior. Maybe Autumn wasn’t comfortable around kids.
Releasing her grasp on Autumn, his daughter raced to the island. “Look, an extra counter, just like Nana has.”
Autumn turned to him, pulled a key from her pocket and handed it to him. “You can move in whenever works for you.”
He shoved the key in his pocket as his gaze roamed their new cozy home.
What if he moved in, got Harper settled and then he and Autumn had a conflict that ended their agreement? Would he have to uproot his daughter all over again? No, that would be disastrous.
He prayed Autumn’s personal feelings about him wouldn’t make him lose this new home and Harper’s chance at happiness.
