Handle Me

Van’s stomach rolled. For the first time she realized that this was a question she’d have to answer over and over again.

And that each time she did would be a reminder of Ryan.

She had no idea what to say. But luckily, Ty did.

“Kaia is a retired military working dog. She was injured in the line of duty.”

“Oh, the poor thing,” Nadine gushed, again reaching out to touch her.

“She’s been trained as an attack dog.”

Van had to admit a small part of her was gleeful at the way Nadine snatched her hand back, cradling it against her chest like Kaia had snapped at her. Kaia simply sat, patiently watching the flighty woman.

With a wide-eyed glance, Nadine’s gaze darted around the park full of people, taking in the mothers, fathers, grandparents and kids running, yelling and laughing.

“Is it safe to have her here?”

“Absolutely. She won’t attack unless ordered to.”

Nadine’s wary gaze returned to Kaia. “Gosh, she looks so sweet.”

“She is. One of the sweetest dogs you’ll ever meet.”

Nadine flashed another smile, this one a bit sickly, and then made her excuses to leave. Van watched her flit from group to group, no doubt relaying the message that Kaia was a killing machine everyone should protect their children from.

“Dammit,” Van whispered under her breath.

“Not like you could keep her history a secret, Van. At least this way she’ll spread the information for you so that you don’t have to answer questions every time you and Kaia step out of the house.”

Van looked over at Ty. He simply stared at her, understanding filling his gaze.

“Thanks.”

4 (#ulink_26b07eb6-ee08-5f8a-ae4d-6cdc4ab81be6)

TY’S LIPS QUIRKED up at the edge, his only acknowledgment of her simple words of appreciation.

It hit her hard that he understood, and without much effort, had helped her avoid an uncomfortable situation. Something soft and warm swelled inside her chest.

Not good.

Steering them over to an open field beside the park, Ty plopped down onto the thick grass. He didn’t wait for her to join him before rummaging in the bag he’d brought, retrieving a floppy fabric Frisbee that had seen better days.

“What the heck is that?”

“Kaia’s favorite toy.”

Van settled onto the ground beside him, drawing her knees up to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. Ty unsnapped the leash from Kaia’s harness. The dog’s body vibrated and her gaze was glued to the Frisbee, tracking every movement.

Ty reared back and flung the toy across the field. Kaia sprang into action, her powerful body bunching as she darted after the spinning disk. Without hesitation, she bounded up and snatched it straight out of the air.

“That missing leg doesn’t slow her down at all, does it?” Van said.

“Nope, not really.”

She watched Ty throw the disk several times, and each time Kaia brought it back and dropped it right in front of him, panting expectantly.

Van rocked back and forth, not even aware of the motion until Ty reached out and placed a heavy hand on her knee.

“It’s going to be fine.”

She had no idea how that could possibly be true. Heat, his heat, seeped beneath her skin. The buzz was immediate and overwhelming. He’d only touched her leg, and for barely a few seconds, but her body felt like it had been hit with defibrillator paddles.

Uncomfortable awareness filled her. For her sanity, she needed to get away from him.

Pushing up from the ground, Van wandered closer to the playground equipment.

Kids, wrapped up in their summer fun, yelled and chased each other. On the sidelines, adults talked and watched, some read books or punched aimlessly at their phone screens.

Van let her gaze drift amongst the energy and activity. But then it stopped at the far side of the park. A guy she’d never seen before was just standing there, clearly out of place. Not that she necessarily knew all the neighbors. Or the people who normally frequented the park. But there was something about him that felt...off.

He was fidgety. His eyes kept darting around, never landing on anything for long. After watching him for several minutes, Van concluded he was alone at the park. At least, he certainly wasn’t with any of the kids.

Working in the ER, she’d treated enough junkies to recognize the signs.

She felt a presence beside her. Without looking, she knew it was Ty. “Are you seeing this?” she asked.

“Yep.”

She couldn’t just sit there and do nothing, especially when she had the resources to help the man. Straightening her spine, Van was about to head over to him and give him her standard speech about drug treatment options, but before she’d even taken the first step Ty’s hand wrapped around her arm.

“Don’t.”

“Don’t what?”

His head swiveled and his only response was a cold, intense stare that had shivers snaking down her spine. Gone was the boy she’d grown up with, her brother’s best friend, and in his place was the hardened soldier who’d spent years in the middle of a war zone. She could see the experience and knowledge swirling in his gaze.

It bothered her that anyone would ever have to deal with the things Ty had seen. But it bothered her more that the wounded boy she’d longed to protect had grown into a man scarred by even more tragedy.

But she didn’t need a tortured hero; she was far from helpless. Placing her hand over his, she pried Ty’s fingers from her arm. “I deal with men like that all the time, soldier. I’ll be fine.”

His lips thinned and his eyes narrowed to unhappy slits. He opened his mouth, probably to lambast her, but the words stalled.

A high-pitched scream split the park.

Ty swore under his breath.

Beside them, Kaia’s ears pricked and her body went stiff.