Her Holiday Hero. Margaret Daley

yesterday jumped Josh, Captain Tanner was the man who rescued him. After he left my house Saturday, I couldn’t shake the feeling I’d heard that name somewhere. I finally remembered Ben served under a Captain Jake Tanner.”

      “So you called your brother to find out. I know how you are when you get something in your head. You don’t give up until you find out the truth.”

      Emma laughed. “You’ve nailed me. I called him to see. Ben did some checking around after we talked on Saturday and found out that Captain Tanner has basically withdrawn into his house. Ben has a few connections, and one thought the captain was suffering from PTSD, although he doesn’t seem to be participating in any therapy groups through the VA.”

      “How does Captain Tanner feel about having a service dog?”

      “I don’t know. I only talked to him that one time. I plan on taking him some brownies as a thank-you for helping Josh. Shep will go with me. I’ll introduce him to the idea of a service dog slowly.”

      She wasn’t sure if Jake Tanner would even open the door. She’d use the excuse she needed more information about the three boys who attacked Josh. Not only did she want to help the captain if he was suffering from PTSD, but she did need descriptions of the boys to give her an idea who could be bullying Josh. His teacher had requested any information to help her with the situation at school.

      “Shep could help him, but he needs counseling, too. Maybe he’s getting private therapy.”

      “Possibly, but Ben doesn’t think so from what he’s hearing from his army buddies in the area. Do you have room in your PTSD group?” Though Emma’s best friend ran the Caring Canines Foundation, she still conducted a few counseling groups.

      “If he’ll come, I’ll make room. The members are there to support each other, and talking about it has helped them. But there aren’t any soldiers in the group.”

      “Maybe you should start one for people who have been bullied.” Josh was dealing with some of the same symptoms as someone with PTSD—anger, anxiety and depression.

      “If I only had more time in the day. Even quitting work at the hospital hasn’t changed much because I’m training more dogs now. There is such a demand for them. So you didn’t get any answers about who’s bullying Josh from your meeting with Mrs. Alexander yesterday?”

      “She hasn’t seen anything, and since I didn’t know the bullies’ names and couldn’t describe them, there wasn’t much she could do but keep an eye out for any trouble. Most of the boys in his class are bigger than Josh, so the bullies could be in Mrs. Alexander’s room. Or from the other fifth-grade classes.”

      “They could even be sixth-graders. It was a good idea to get him off the bus. It’s hard for the driver to keep an eye on the road and what students are doing at the same time.” Abbey leaned down and stroked the terrier. “Did Dad give his okay on this dog?”

      Emma nodded. “Your father checked her over and she’s medically sound. It’s Madi’s turn to name the dog. Let me know what she chooses.” Madi was Abbey’s ten-year-old sister-in-law whom she and Dominic were raising.

      “Madi takes her job as name giver very seriously. She’ll stew on it for days,” Abbey said with a chuckle.

      “Not too long. I want to start right away and a name helps. Now that I’m winding down with Shep, I have a slot open.” Since she still worked full-time at the animal hospital, she could train only one dog at a time.

      Abbey took the leash from Emma. “Good. Before long we’re going to need another trainer, or you’re going to have to quit your job here.”

      “Your father might have something to say about that. I’m going to look at training more than one dog. Hopefully that will help.”

      “I know, but the requests for free service dogs have increased over the past few months, especially now that veterans have heard about our foundation and the VA has stopped paying for service dogs. Many of the veterans can’t afford an animal from the agencies that charge for them.”

      “How are the donations coming?” Emma leaned against the exam table, the terrier rubbing against her leg.

      “They’re increasing. My husband is very good at helping to raise money for Caring Canines. Dominic can attest to the good a dog can bring to a person after how Madi responded to Cottonball following her surgery to help her walk again.”

      Emma smiled. “And now Madi is running everywhere. You wouldn’t know she had been in a plane crash twenty months ago.”

      “She’s telling me she wants to learn to train dogs. I’m having her shadow me.”

      “A trainer in the making. There was a time I thought Josh would want to train dogs, but lately nothing interests him.”

      A frown slashed across Abbey’s face. “Because he’s too busy dodging the bullies after him.”

      “I know God wants me to forgive the boys, but I’m not sure I can. Josh has already had to deal with losing his dad. They were very close.”

      “Madi needed a woman’s influence, and I suspect Josh could benefit from a male being in his life.”

      “He has Ben when he comes to visit.”

      “You don’t want to get married again?” Abbey started for the reception area of the animal hospital, leading the terrier on a leash.

      Emma followed her down the hallway. “I know you found love with Dominic, but Sam gave me everything I needed. I’ve had my time.” Abbey had loved her husband so much that when he’d died, it had left a big hole in her heart she didn’t think any man could fill.

      “That’s wonderful, but he’s been gone for three years. I realized when I met and fell in love with Dominic that we could have second chances, and they can work out beautifully.”

      “Says a lady madly in love with her husband. When am I going to fit a man into my life with work, training dogs and raising Josh?”

      “When your heart is ready,” Abbey said. They stood at the entrance into the reception area where a client waited with her cat. Abbey winked at Emma and started toward the main door. “See you later at the ranch.”

      “I’ll be there today, but tomorrow I’m going to be busy baking brownies and scouting out the situation with Captain Tanner. At the very least, my brother wants a report he’s okay. And if Captain Tanner needs Shep, I’ll do my best to persuade him of the benefits of a service dog.”

      At the door Abbey turned back and answered, “He may need more than Shep. Animal companionship is great but so is human companionship.” She gave a saucy grin then left.

      Emma faced the receptionist and lady in the waiting room. “Ignore what that woman said. She doesn’t know what she’s talking about.” Emma turned and headed for exam room one to prepare it for the next client. The sound of chuckles followed her down the hallway, and heat reddened her cheeks.

      * * *

      On Wednesday, Jake’s hand shook as he reread the letter from the army. He was being awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his heroic actions in the mountains in Afghanistan.

      Why? I’m no hero. Not everyone came home. Those left behind are the true heroes.

      Guilt mingled with despair as he fought to keep the memories locked away. The bombs exploding. The peppering of gunfire. The screams and cries. The stench of death and gunpowder.

      The letter slipped from his hand and floated to the floor. He couldn’t protect all his men. He’d tried. But he’d lost too many. Friends. Battle buddies.

      He hung his head and his gaze latched on to the letter. Squeezing his eyes shut, he still heard in his mind the words General Hatchback would say when he gave him the medal during the Veterans Day Ceremony—six weeks away. And no doubt, his father would be there.

      No,