Her loyal companion, p.1
Her Loyal Companion, page 1
How had Wyatt found her? And why?
“Autumn?” he said as he cocked his head. “Do you own the dog boarding and training business?”
She shot him a tense nod in answer to his question.
“Doc Earl mentioned you were looking for a part-time dog trainer.” Though his spine was straight and shoulders at attention like they’d likely taught him at basic training, something about his posture was off, kind of defeated, which made her wonder what hardships he’d endured since they were together.
“Yes,” she answered. “Why?” 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.
Because having Wyatt here would be a daily reminder of the time in her life that she wanted to forget.
Heidi Main writes sweet inspirational romance novels set in small towns. Though she lives in central North Carolina’s suburbs, she dreams of acreage and horseback riding, which is why her novels include wide-open ranches and horses. Before starting her writing career, Heidi worked with computers and taught Jazzercise. A perfect Saturday is lounging on the deck with her husband and watching the many birds in their backyard. Learn more about her books at heidimain.com.
Books by Heidi Main
Love Inspired
A Nanny for the Rancher’s Twins
A Family for the Orphans
Her Loyal Companion
Visit the Author Profile page at LoveInspired.com.
Her Loyal Companion
Heidi Main
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
—Matthew 11:28
To God be the glory.
Rich, thank you for supporting my dreams in every way possible and being a constant encourager. I can’t express how much that means to me. So a heartfelt thank you, sweetie.
Shado, again thank you! You are my go-to gal for farm and ranch information. Yay, we got a Jack Russell terrier as a main character!
Teresa Motley at Raintree Jacks, your dedication to rescuing Jack Russell terrier dogs inspires me and many others. The idea of rescuing instead of purchasing a puppy resonates with me. Your operation sparked the idea of having Autumn train rescue dogs instead of raising puppies to become service animals, so thank you for inspiring that unique twist for my story and for saving little white dogs.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Epilogue
Dear Reader
Excerpt from An Alaskan Blessing by Belle Calhoune
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.
“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?
