Chapter 65
“You know where the dog stuff is?” Johnny asked and then answered his own question. “Course you do. Duh. You work here. But if you need help, just ask.”
Ward went to the back of the store where the pet supplies were kept. He picked out a matching leash and collar, dog bowls, some squeaky toys, and a bed. He also got another bag of Addy’s puppy food. He took them to the counter and paid.
“You get a ten per cent employee discount, right?” Johnny asked.
Ward nodded. Just how long he would be an employee he wasn’t sure. He wondered how long it would take for his application for reenlistment to go through. He hoped it would be quick.
* * * *
About a half hour later, Ward pulled up in front of Tyler’s house. Anxiety over his face to face meeting with Tyler had made the trip from the farm seem to take hours. Addy, who had been snoozing in her new doggie bed on the back seat, jumped up and looked out the window, quivering all over.
“That’s your new home,” Ward told the pup. “You’re gonna be real happy. The folks that live here are good people.”
Ward got out of the truck. He opened the back door and took Addy in his arms. With heart pounding, just as it had when he’d first come to see Tyler the previous summer, he turned and walked toward the front door.
He was halfway across the front yard when the door burst open and Jack and Eddie came out, bounding down the steps. They ran to Ward, engulfing him and Addy in hugs. Ward steeled himself against the emotions that threatened to break through.
Kneeling on one knee, he held out the puppy. “Here she is, guys, your new pup.”
The boys took Addy in their arms. She wiggled and squirmed and licked first Jack’s face then Eddie’s and back to Jack again.
Ward looked up to see Tyler standing on the porch, leaning against one of the posts next to the steps, his arms crossed over his chest. He was smiling.
God, he’s so handsome, such a fantastic person. I love him so much. How can I ever say goodbye to him, Ward thought, his eyes starting to fill with tears. He stood up.
“Come on, boys. Let’s bring Addy in so she can get used to her new home.” Tyler turned his back on Ward and walked toward the front door.
The boys headed for the porch.
Ward wiped the tears away with his sleeve. “Uh, she’s got some food and stuff. I’ll just go get it,” Ward called out awkwardly, his voice trailing off as the three Hugheses and Addy disappeared into the house.
He turned and walked back to the truck.
Ward picked up the things he’d gotten for Addy at the mill store. He walked across the lawn, up the steps, and to the front door. His feet seemed like lead. He reached for the knob, then stopped. For an instant he thought he’d just leave Addy’s things on the porch and go. That would be so much easier for him than facing Tyler and the boys.
Then Joe’s words came back to him. So you’re brave enough to go over to some godforsaken hellhole and maybe get killed, but you’re too much a coward to tell the guy who you’re supposed to love what you’re planning.Taking a deep breath he opened the door and stepped inside.
Ward stopped dead in his tracks once he’d crossed the threshold. Tyler and the boys, Jack holding little Addy, stood smiling at him under the arch that separated the living room from the dining room. Above them was a hand-drawn paper banner, decorated with dog bones and flowers. On it was written, Welcome Home Addy and Ward. The word ‘and’ was underlined.
Ward swallowed hard. He looked at Tyler, who was also blinking back tears. Tyler walked forward, took the dog bed from Ward, and set it on the floor. Then Tyler put his arms around Ward and kissed the man gently. When they broke the kiss, Tyler said, “I’ve been such a fool.” He wrapped his arms tighter around Ward. “Can you forgive me? I don’t ever want to let go of you again.”
Ward just delivered another kiss.
The next second there were cheers as Jack and Eddie ran forward, engulfing Ward and Tyler in hugs. Little Addy ran in circles, barking wildly.
* * * *
A while later they were all in the back yard. Ward and Tyler leaned against the fence and watched as Jack and Eddie played with Addy. They would throw a red and blue striped rope pull toy. Addy would grab it and run from the boys. When they caught her she would pull on the rope, growl, and shake her head. When one or the other of the boys got the toy away from her, she would dance on her hind legs and bark until they threw it again.