Page 22 of Sweet Beginnings (Honeysuckle, Texas #1)

“Though difficult, Samson wasn’t deemed dangerous,” Sarah Sue explained. “But now, he’s crossed the line.”

Alice Sweet frowned at her new daughter-in-law.

Oh, how she liked those words. Daughter-in-law.

Though everything happened unusually fast, and Alice had had her share of doubts along the way, deep down she was a romantic at heart who believed in love at first sight—maybe—but for now they had a new problem on their hands. “But he didn’t bite the woman.”

“He might as well have.” Heaving a deep sigh, Sarah inched forward.

“Samson doesn’t do well with other dogs.

As you know, none of the former service dogs that fail out of Lackland AFB can be placed in a home with young children, so that eliminates a good many foster wannabes, and after this fail with an experienced GSD owner, the Sweet Ranch is his only hope. ”

“Agreed.” Leaning back in her seat, Alice had a determined look on her face. “I’ll round up the boys and we’ll get a place ready for Samson that will keep him apart from Brady, at least for now. But you’d better hurry, the forecast for tonight isn’t good.”

“Don’t I know it.” Sarah sighed. “First thing I did after speaking to Aaron was check the forecast. We need to rescue Samson before the heavier storms reach the rescue ranch. If he’s regressed, even the smallest of thunderstorms could be a nightmare for the poor dog.”

“Like I said,” Alice pushed to her feet, “you’d better hurry. I think we have an old kennel in the garage if you need it. You also might want to grab a blanket off your bed. Maybe a shirt too. Things with your scent that might help keep the pup calm on the long drive.”

“Good idea.” Sarah Sue bobbed her head quickly. Alice didn’t have to be a mind reader to know that her new daughter-in-law was mentally running through what she might need.

“I’ll get the keys to the Suburban.” Preston took a step back. “If we’re going to bring Samson home in a kennel, we’ll need a vehicle big enough to transport him that way.”

“Perfect.” Sarah Sue let go of the door handle. “I’ll run up and grab a blanket. Riding home surrounded by our scent will help with the transition.”

Grabbing the keys off the hook by the kitchen door, he leaned over and kissed Sarah Sue on the temple before hurrying out of the house.

The tender gesture made Alice smile. How she was loving watching those two together. “Go save that baby.” She shot Sarah Sue a thumbs up moments before the door closed behind her son and Sarah Sue bolted up the stairs.

Waiting for Sarah Sue to hurry downstairs again, Alice gathered Brady’s spare collar and leash.

Just in case. The poor dog might not be thrilled with the scent of another animal, but a blind introduction couldn’t hurt.

As soon as her son’s bride scurried through the kitchen, Alice gave her the collar and leash.

“Just in case Samson doesn’t already have one.

And here.” She shoved two bottles of water at them and a small bag of treats.

“As you know, water and treats can work wonders to making fast friends with a stressed K-9.”

Arms full, Sarah paused and leaned over to give her mother-in-law a peck on the cheek. “You’re the best.”

“Ditto.” Ever since Sarah Sue lost her mom, Alice had felt a responsibility to her friend, neighbor, and their daughter.

Having Sarah Sue hanging around the house often with Jillian and Rachel had been like having a third daughter.

Stepping in to help Doc when he had no idea what to do with a heartbroken teen or burgeoning young woman, had come as naturally as dealing with her own daughters.

She’d hoped that one of her sons would fall for the incredible woman Sarah Sue had become.

Troubled dog and thunderstorms aside, Alice couldn’t be any happier for Preston.

“Well, Charlie. One down and five to go. I just hope they all find someone as perfect for them as Sarah Sue is for Preston.”

Every few minutes, the tendrils of lightening stretched across the sky, illuminating the road ahead for miles. For Samson and Sarah Sue’s sake, Preston prayed the storm didn’t reach the rescue ranch, or dealing with a traumatized dog was going to be twice as hard as he already anticipated.

Another hour into the drive, and rather than the heavens clearing up, the sky sounded as angry as it looked.

“Poor baby is probably totally freaking out with this storm.” Sarah stared upward as if willing the storm to pass them by sooner than later.

“I’m sure Aaron is doing all he can to keep the dog from stressing.”

“Sometimes,” her gaze remained on the light show ahead, “no matter how badly we want it, no matter how hard a person wishes it away, the invisible scars of war can’t be controlled.

Every flash of lightening and roar of thunder grabs hold of good service men and dogs deep in their gut and drags them back to a living nightmare. ”

Preston’s mind flashed over to his brother.

Every leave, every trip home, there seemed to be a small part of Kade that changed a little here, then there.

Usually, after spending time with the family, Kade almost seemed his old self, but there was always a bit of harshness that still broke through, reminding everyone of the career their brother would be returning to.

Preston couldn’t help but wonder how much longer before they lost all trace of the tender-hearted side of the older brother who’d seen too much of the ugliness in the world.

“Worrying about Samson?” Her gaze had shifted to him, and a concerned softness seemed to have settled on him.

“A little, but mostly I was thinking about Kade.”

“What about him?”

“Life. War. And someday coming home for good.”

Her head leaned back. “Someday soon, I hope.”

“Ditto.”

For the rest of the drive, barely a word or two had been exchanged.

Thoughts of Kade and Samson swirled silently in their heads.

Sight of the rescue ranch lit up under a crash of thunder that sounded to be hovering directly over them.

When Preston pulled up to the spot Aaron had told them to come to, Sarah Sue bolted from the vehicle before he’d had time to shove the gear shift into park.

At least the Texas light show hadn’t brought any rain so far.

A downpour would only make bringing Samson home more difficult.

Several yards ahead of him, Sarah Sue and Aaron were already toe to toe in conversation; Aaron, bobbing his head and pointing, while Sarah Sue most likely was giving orders.

“So we’re in agreement?” Sarah Sue stood arms crossed in front of her friend.

“I may agree, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

Without knowing the details, Preston already knew, whatever it was Aaron didn’t like, Preston probably wouldn’t like it either. Before he’d come fully to her side, Sarah Sue turned on her heels and trotted toward where Aaron had been pointing. “What don’t you like?” he asked.

“She wants to approach Samson alone.”

“What?” His voice came out louder than he’d intended.

“Anyone else and I’d have said absolutely not.”

“You still should have.” Going in to face a scared, stressed, and vicious dog on her own was not sitting well with Preston, not at all.

Aaron turned to face Preston, his brows slowly curling into a perfect V shape. “How long have you known this woman?”

“Long enough.”

“At this point, nothing could make things any worse than they are. Feel free to go see for yourself.”

“I will.” Preston hadn’t made it more than a foot or two when Aaron called after him.

“Just don’t get too close to her. If she sees you, Samson won’t be the vicious one you need to worry about.”

Her head down, her gaze cast toward the ground, Sarah was very slowly undoing the chain on a large lone kennel separating Samson from all the other dogs and activity on site.

All Preston could do was hold his breath; if he shouted at her now, he’d probably just agitate Samson even more. The second the gate slowly swung open, Samson crouched down on his front paws. Not a good thing. The animal was clearly preparing to pounce.

“Remember me, boy?” Sarah’s voice came out slow and smooth. “We’re going to be good friends.”

What the heck was she thinking, entering into a cage with an out of control animal and not a lick of protection?

Not a stick, not a tranquilizer, no protective padding, nada.

Just her and the dog, and oh hell, now the whites of snarling teeth could be seen by a blind man.

He couldn’t help himself, as softly and calmly as he could muster, he spoke for Sarah Sue to hear. “Please step back, let me help.”

Without hesitation, she barely shook her head. In the darkness, he couldn’t swear in a court of law, but he was pretty darn sure she’d just shot him a deadly glare. Aaron was right, she could be as dangerous as the dog.

The fur along Samson’s spine stood upright, and to prove his mood to all bystanders, Samson added a fearsome growl to the exposed fangs.

Regardless of what she wanted, the hackles on the back of Preston’s neck were rising too.

Ripping off his shirt, he wrapped it around his one arm and slowly eased closer, praying that Samson wouldn’t attack before he reached his wife.

Any other time and he would pause to let that word roll around his tongue—he’d begun to get used to it, but now was most definitely not the time to lose focus.

The gate open just wide enough for Sarah to slink into the enclosure, Preston still several yards away, Samson seemed to shift from paw to paw and they both knew what was coming next. One hundred pounds of angry fur-covered muscle lunged toward Sarah Sue and the gate.

Setting all caution aside, Preston bolted toward the kennel, reaching the entry just as Sarah Sue stumbled backward, failing to latch the gate before Samson shoved it forward, knocking her into Preston’s arms.

“Crap.” Sarah Sue sprang to her feet and without a word, took off at a full gallop after the dog.

“Wait.” Preston chased after her. He might have nearly a foot on the woman, but she ran with the speed of an Olympic track star. “Sarah Sue!”

“We have to find him before he hurts himself.”

It wasn’t the dog getting hurt he was worried about.

Before Preston could move a step, Aaron came running behind him. “Here. Take the jeep. Adrenaline can have him running fast and far.”

“Thanks.” Preston snatched the proffered keys to the vehicle parked a few feet away and hurried to catch up with Sarah. “Climb in.”

Scrambling to a halt, she grabbed on and swung into the seat. “Go.”

The dog had disappeared from sight. Preston slowed, scanning the surroundings.

“There!” Sarah pointed to the dark shadow ahead from a mound of dead wisteria. The white fangs and whites of frantic eyes could be seen peering out at them from between the barren twigs.

Once again the Jeep hadn’t come to a complete stop when she bolted. He was going to have to talk to her about that.

Grabbing a large blanket from the back seat, Preston trotted around the front of the hood and grabbed her arm, gently yanking her to a halt. “Let me. I’ve worked with Brady, and if he lunges, at least I have some protection.”

A jagged ray of light stretched from sky to ground at the same moment the clap of thunder sounded overhead followed by the cracking sound of breaking wood.

Lightning had struck a nearby tree. A dead tree.

The crackling sound continued until a loud thud of a branch slamming against the ground filled the air. And something else.

Even Samson sensed it. All three had raised their noses to the air. The smell was unmistakable. Smoke. And fire.

Flames shot up high from the struck tree, sparks began flying in every direction. Like a match on gas-soaked kindling, fires erupted left and right, rivers of flames traveling from dry spot to spot.

“Damn it.” Preston surveyed their surroundings. The fire was spreading fast, too fast. If they didn’t move, and soon, they’d be trapped. “We have to go. Give me the leash, I’ll get the dog. You take the Jeep and I’ll catch up.”

“No. We’ll do this together.”

“Sarah Sue.”

“Look.” She pointed ahead. “He’s coming out.”

“Smart dog. Now go. I’ll handle this.”

“Together. We’ll handle this.”

“Sarah Sue. Please.”

Ignoring him, she inched closer to the dog, only this time, instead of raging with fear and anger, the dog was slinking slowly forward, his gaze darting from them to the flames expanding around them. This was so not good.