Page 48

A s Timber Woodland stepped outside, with the usual circle of happy dogs at his feet, a truck pulled in, and a man his age stepped out. Timber stared at him, confused for a moment. “Holy crap. Burke ?”

Burke headed toward him, a big grin on his face. “I would give you a hug, but it looks as if you’ve got your hands full of—what is that, pancakes?”

Timber snorted, shoved the pancakes in his mouth, then reached out and grabbed Burke in an absolutely massive hug. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“I was talking to Badger and heard you’d gotten yourself into a big mess.”

“Not so much now, but, honest to God, I feel as if I’ve just been released from a huge mess.”

Burke nodded. “I heard that part too. Anyway, I’m kind of at loose ends, so I thought maybe… you could use a hand for a few days.”

“Oh my God, I would absolutely freaking love it if you could stick around,” Timber said. “We haven’t had a chance to visit in a very long time.”

“Not sure it’ll happen now either. I’ve been told by more than a few people that you’ve got yourself a lady friend.”

“Yeah, I do,” he confirmed, with a beaming smile.

“Even with the leg?”

“Even with the leg, it doesn’t seem to make a damn bit of difference to her.”

“She’s a veterinarian, I hear.”

“She is a vet, and she’s worked with Kat on some prosthetics for animals too.”

“Dang, if she’d only seen me first,” Burke boasted, “you would have been out of the running.”

“I know. That’s why I’m really glad that you didn’t show up until now because she’s already mine.”

“Damn. She got a sister?”

“Nope, no sisters.”

“How about a cousin?”

“I don’t think so, but you can ask her tonight. She’s coming for dinner.”

At that, he slapped him on his head. “Man, I am so happy for you.”

Timber smiled and nodded. “Thanks, buddy. It seems a long time coming.”

“In so many areas,” he agreed, “and I can’t believe you’ve got all this.”

“And so much more,” he murmured. “It’ll be a massive, massive sanctuary for animals.”

“And what kind of animals have you got?”

“Oh, a few you may not expect,” he replied, with a smile, “but that’s okay because that’s what a refuge is all about. It’s a home for all. It’s a safe haven.”

“And is it just for four-legged animals?” he asked, his tone a little off as he looked at his friend.

“It can also be for two-legged animals,” Timber stated, with a wry smile, “particularly ones in need.”

“Yeah, I was kind of hoping you would say that. You got a place where I could bunk for a day or two?”

“Sure do,” he replied, looking over at him. “Troubled times?”

“Not so much troubled times, just maybe time for a rest.”

“That’s good enough for me,” Timber said. “You know you’ve always got a home wherever I am.”

“Thanks for that, man. I really needed to hear it.” And, with that, the two men stood on the front porch, enjoying the bright sunshine.

The dogs stretched out happily in front of them, Dodger the squirrel sitting contentedly on the railing close by.

Birds trilled and flew by, cutting through the trees.

Timber looked out and smiled. “It really is a brand-new day.”

“Amen to that,” Burke replied. “I could use a whole new day.”

“And if you need a hand with something…”

“Maybe,… I’ve got to work my way through it first.”

“Good enough. I won’t push.”

“Yeah, you will,” Burke countered, a knowing smile on his face. “Just don’t do it today.” And, with that, he slapped him on the shoulder and added, “I heard there’s work to be done.”

“Yeah, there’s plenty of that.”

“And you pay in grub.” Then, laughing and joking, they headed out to join the rest of the men who were already swinging hammers in the wind.

Timber never thought he would see anything quite so fine. So he picked up a hammer and joined them, a smile on his face and his heart full. His life had never looked quite so good. This place, aptly named Haven, wasn’t just for him, but for everybody else just like him, and that was even better.

From a short distance away, a doe with a spotted fawn by her side looked on, happily grazing.