Chapter 14 #2
“What do you say we take Canine Nine to Hannah today? She seemed to like her. We can read to her and I want to put up my surprise. I hope she likes it,” he said to the dog.
Brody’s tail wagged as if agreeing.
They arrived at the facility and walked inside. Archer threw the ball for the puppy and praised her when he brought it back. “Good girl,” Archer praised.
Cole smiled. Archer’s actions proved he made the right decision.
“How’s it going?” he asked.
“Apollo and Thor went outside for some fresh air. The puppy won’t leave them alone and needed something to run out some of her energy,” Archer explained.
“Great job. I spoke with Leo. If you’re agreeable, I can teach you to work as my apprentice. I think you’ll make a good trainer,” he announced.
Archer grinned and shook his hand. “Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome. Can you get Apollo while I set up the training zone?” he asked.
“Sure. Let me put Nine back, and I’ll get Apollo ready,” Archer said, running after the wayward puppy.
Cole and Brody set up the area and hid a few surprises throughout.
Brody barked and sat.
“No, Dude. You’re retired. Don’t give any of them away. Apollo needs to learn it like you,” he chastised. “How about you take some free time in the yard?”
Brody jumped and barked as Archer led Apollo inside.
“Hey, can you take Brody out and play ball? He seems to think I set this up for him. I hate to crate him. He’s stayed all morning indoors, and we’re visiting the hospital later,” Cole asked.
“Sure,” Archer said, switching the dogs.
Starting the training, Cole went through the process with Apollo and gave him treats when he discovered the confiscated items. The dog learned fast and impressed him.
Marking him for Liam, Cole called a halt to training, gave Apollo a treat and led him to his crate.
He let Thor out and worked with him. Although the dog lacked some skills, he did well, pleasing Cole.
His mind drifted to the youngest dog. He smiled, recalling Hannah’s reaction to her.
He retrieved Nine from Archer and worked on her manners.
The dog seemed to have ADHD, but she surprised him every once in a while.
Glancing at the clock, he hustled to put the dog in her crate, fill his water bowl, and retrieve Brody.
“Thanks, Archer. Use the exact instructions as last night. We’ll start your training tomorrow,” Cole said as he waited for Brody to get a drink of water and stand by his side. “I’ll come back for Nine in a bit. I have to run to town.”
He hurried to his truck with Brody. First, he’d stop at Samantha’s house to pick up the book and then visit the hardware store.
His heart sped up as he imagined Hannah’s face with his surprise.
Cole didn’t like the expression on her face when the nurse mentioned her nightly meds.
He noticed Hannah seemed focused on the clock as if she counted every minute down.
In her defense, it seemed like the only thing that moved in her room.
More determined than ever, he vowed to figure out Hannah’s fear and banish it.
Maybe, then, she’ll feel safe enough to come out of her shell.
Brody stayed by his side as he entered the salon. A young teen greeted him. “Hi, I’m Cole. Scarlett told me to ask for Samantha,” he told her.
“I’ll get her for you,” the teen said, rushing off.
A few minutes later, a lovely blonde woman with violet eyes smiled at him.
“Hi. You must be the new team member. I’m Samantha.
Scarlett texted me earlier.” She went behind the reception desk and handed him a bag.
“I placed some peppermint lotion, aloe socks, and lip balm on top. It’s getting drier in the hospital.
If she allows you, lotion her hands and feet.
It’s a nice way to relax before she sleeps. What time do you plan on going over?”
“I have a stop to make in town, at the training facility, and then I’ll read to her,” he informed her.
“Perfect.” Samantha smiled at him.
Cole placed the bag in the back seat and drove toward town. They arrived at the hardware store and he harnessed Brody to him. “Mind your manners in here. We don’t need Kassie taking away our privileges to see Hannah,” he warned.
Ignoring him, Brody gazed out the window. He took him out of the truck and entered the store. He added items to his cart and checked out. Excitement ran through him as he grew creative with his idea. He placed the bags behind his seat and started for the mountain.
Stopping at the facility, Cole took Brody and Canine Nine to the bathroom before loading them into the truck. They drove the short distance to the hospital and he leashed Nine while Brody waited patiently by his side.
He glanced at the clock. The afternoon got away from him and he didn’t have much time to set up his surprise.
Knocking on her door, he waited a moment before entering. Nine climbed into her lap, and Brody moved to her side, nuzzling her hand.
“Hi, Hannah. I brought you a couple of friends today. Scarlett came down with a nasty case of the flu. She won’t be able to visit. Have no fear, she sent me for some books to read to you and keep you company.” Her eyes flared, and he hoped she wasn’t disappointed in the arrangement.
“I have a surprise for you. Can I turn you toward the window? I don’t want you to see it until I finish it. Brody can stay by your side,” he blurted, now nervous over his impromptu idea.
She nodded her head, but her eyes grew big.
He knelt beside her. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do, Hannah. I’m your friend. But I’ll never ask you to do something you’re not comfortable with.”
She gazed into his eyes. He saw the fear abate, and wary anticipation took its place. Cole grinned.
“No peeking,” he warned. “Brody, you and Nine keep her occupied for me, please.” Nine already cuddled in her arms as Brody pawed her sleeve. A slight smile played on her lips as she petted him behind the ears.
He gently turned her chair to face the window. Checking her expression, he assured himself she seemed fine before he started.
Taking his bags, he hung the hooks all around her room close to the ceiling.
“I hope you’re having a good day,” he said, hanging the tiny lights.
“You won’t believe what happened to Leo.
Has Scarlett told you about him? He somehow ordered the wrong number of socks.
We have five thousand pairs, and they’re non-returnable.
Today, another shipment arrived. He’s beyond himself.
Things have gotten busy with him and Whiskey.
Apparently, things are slipping through the cracks.
He’s planning on asking Shadow’s wife, Avie if she wants to make sock puppets with the kids.
Don’t be surprised when everyone shows up with at least one. ”
He reached into the bag and brought out the last of his surprise and set it by her bedside table.
“All right. I’m finished. Do you mind if I shut the curtains and we can try it out?” he asked.
Hannah seemed frozen. Recalling the items from the spa, he pulled them from another bag. “These came from Whiskey’s wife, Samantha. She said it’s getting drier in the hospital. It smells like peppermint.” He held it to her nose for her to smell. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply.
“I don’t know what all’s in this, but holy moly does it smell good,” he exclaimed. “We can add some to your feet and hands before I start reading your book. May I turn you around?”
Hannah hesitated. Her eyes seemed uncertain, but Cole smiled, coaxing her to trust him.
He gently slid her chair back into position and closed the curtains.
With the remote in his hand, he clicked the button, lighting up her room with tiny twinkle lights.
It gave off enough glow to appear soothing, but not enough to keep her awake.
Hannah stared, showing her surprise.
“It’s not the best part,” he told her. “You haven’t gone outside in a while, so I brought you the moon,” he explained, turning the switch on the machine by her bed. The room filled with stars and a full moon glowed on her ceiling.
Hannah seemed stunned as she gazed at his masterpiece. He knelt by her side.
“I don’t know what you’ve gone through. The other night, I saw the fear in your eyes when the nurse mentioned the nighttime meds.
One of my buddies hated sleeping in the dark when he returned from his tour.
I thought this might help you rest more easily.
You can adjust the lighting if you want it dimmer or brighter,” he said, placing the remote in her hand.
Hannah swallowed. Her fingers gripped the small remote as tears filled her eyes.
“I’m sorry. Do you want me to take it down?” he said, panicking and thinking he misread her.
She shook her head adamantly.
He clutched his chest in exaggeration. “Oh, good. You scared me there for a moment.”
She glanced at the ceiling and back at him, her way of saying thanks. His heart raced again at seeing her obvious pleasure. To some, it might seem weird how he guessed her emotions, but to him, it seemed as natural as night and day.
Cole dug into the bag, locating the other item and held it up.
“May I take off your shoes? We can add the lotion, and I can cover your feet with these nifty socks. Why don’t they make these for men?
” He rubbed the silky lining against her hand.
“These feel amazing. I bet you a hundred bucks, Taco has a pair. You should see his locker at work. He has enough face cream and hair products for everyone on the team. Patch ribbed him the other day, and he gave us an entire lecture on skin care. Knight says not to get him started on exfoliating.”
She watched him as he gently removed her tennis shoes, slid off her socks, and set her foot on his lap. “Holy cow, this smells good,” he said, rubbing his hands together before massaging it into her foot. He hit a sensitive spot, making her jerk her foot away.
“Ahhh, someone’s ticklish,” he teased as he lowered it back down and placed the socks over them.
Hannah watched wearily as Cole touched her. A zing ran through her leg as he used his large hands to slather the peppermint concoction. She felt him, like she felt Brody’s tongue lick her hand and cheek. The puppy in her lap felt soft and cuddly, warming her from the inside out.
When he found her ticklish spot, she almost bolted from the chair.
The giggle sounded in her head, dying to burst from her lips, but her body held her back.
The scent drifted to her nose, reminding her of the peppermint-scented bath soap she used during the holidays.
When she went on tour, her mom always sent her four bars…
two for her and two to share. The memory came out of nowhere, and her chest felt heavy as she thought of her mom. She missed her.
“Dinner’s here,” the nurse called as Cole slipped on her last sock.
“I’ll take Nine for another potty break and visit with the veterans.
They need someone to drive the bus to the community center a couple of times a week,” Cole offered, giving her time alone.
It almost made her sad. She enjoyed his interactions.
Despite her inability to talk, Cole carried on a conversation as if they were old friends.
“Take your time and enjoy dinner. When I return, I’ll read to you. Samantha said she has more where those came from.” He gently lifted Nine from her. “I’ll add the lotion to your hands after you eat, then they won’t feel slippery.”
Hannah watched him leave with Brody and the puppy. He promised to return, and she reprimanded herself when she felt her chest ache. The feeling seemed to awaken something inside of her she thought no longer existed. Did she dare to hope Cole found a way to unlock the prison she found herself in?