Chapter 31: Epilogue

Misunderstandings have been cleared up, and healed. A love that started years ago—one that was interrupted and could have died—is now strong. Dare and Abby’s love is resilient, and time-tested.

And they both know that neither forgot the other. Ever.

They can’t wait to start their new life in Jack’s Bay. Roger, the dog that loves them both, is waiting eagerly for them.

Aware of their good fortune, they want to share their happiness. They hope their home will become a centre of strong relationships for those in their small, northern community, and especially for Dare’s military brothers.

But for another ex-Delta North Force soldier, life is just about to take a surprise, twist turn. And not a good one.

In a cabin, deep in the Kentucky woods, hundreds of miles away over land and sea…

* * *

Nathan Hero took a moment to step out into the crisp air of the Kentucky forest.

Damn, he could barely believe it. Life finally…was good. The rustic cabin, inside, was full of military men, his friends. And?

Dogs. A smile formed on his lips as he trod the soft, woodsy path a few steps from the ramshackle porch.

More to the point…puppies. A crapload of them. Actually, as it turned out, seven, one puppy for each of the men. Nathan stopped, aware of the serene, simple beauty of the place, and breathed deep, still surprised.

How life did change. He really couldn’t keep up with it. But it was all good.

Really good.

First, there’d been his service with the Canadian army, in the elite special ops team known as Delta North. He’d been a SEAL, then special ops. A gentle pride filled his heart.

He’d served, man. Done good.

It was all such a change from the way his hometown viewed him. Viewed them, the whole Hero family.

The scum of our township. A depraved lot. Garbage.

The taunts and so-called truths still rung in his ears. He’d had to travel thousands of miles to get away from them, and even now, when he was low, or deep in sleep, the old cruelties came back, roaring into his mind. The voices he could never entirely get rid of.

But he’d beat them, man. Beat them back, hard. He’d served.

Yeah. Once he’d left and joined the military, everything had gone surprisingly well. Sure, there were issues, not the least of which was the eventual medical discharge. And yes, he still had worries. Knew too, that he’d be a loner for the rest of his life.

A man like me, with my past? Can’t do it. Can’t deal with another human being, day in, day out. And even if I could, I can’t dump all my problems and stupidities on them. Family shit. Stuff from the war. It all adds up to…me. One big, fat, bloody mess.

Being responsible for another human being…can’t happen.

No, he simply didn’t have it in him, for another human.

Then, things changed, again. Another surprise. He’d met Lisa, and they had such a connection. And she…loved him.

Him.

Now, they had real plans. He had a life. A future.

He continued on, toward the great forest, musing. This latest change had all started when he and the men inside that old cabin had met up on the plane, and especially when they’d come through for that woman on the flight with them. Tammy. A mid-air rescue. Since then, they’d become blood brothers, one and all.

Now here they were, all groomsmen at one of the guys’ wedding, a year later. Celebrating. Joy and life, all around him. Finally, he was a part of it.

Of life.

“For shit’s sake, Hero, get back in here! Your damn dog just pissed in the corner again!”

The hell with it, if he didn’t smile. He yelled back. “Handle it. I’ll be back in a minute.”

“He better not jump in it or you’ll be scrubbing the whole damn floor, Hero. Aw, hell, come here, little guy…”

A sweet puppy yip ensued, and Nathan instinctively knew the little dog had been scooped up, was no doubt wiggling in one of the guy’s arms.

A bunch of laughter broke out, and warmth filled him, a rush of it. Yeah, he’d get back in, soon enough. But still, something nudged him to stand, to take a last minute as he stood at the edge of the endless forest, the scent of pine and leafy trees calling him, coaxing him to hang out, a few more seconds.

At the moment, crazily, he couldn’t think of anything that could burst his bubble. It had been a damn long time coming, too.

Yet, as he stared into the shadowed depths, a vague recollection whispered through him. An errant wind started up out of nowhere. Struck him unusually boldly, almost knocked him from his feet. And that quickly, he…

…remembered.

Other woods, long ago, the ones he’d been born to. Where goodness hadn’t surrounded him, but secrets. Bad ones, ones that hurt to keep inside.

Full of darkness, and evil.

He shivered, though the sun was out where he stood, the last bits of light fading in the evening. Something in his soul compressed. He quickly pushed the horrible feeling away.

No, things are different now. If they ever went back to the way they were, I don’t think I could stand it. I wouldn’t make it out. Not again.

Another voice surfaced in his mind. Tried to reassure him.

Hell no, don’t think that way, man. You know life turned around once you left that awful place. Unforgiving, blind and proud, small-minded Jack’s Bay.

Now? There’s no reason to go back. Ever. To that town. To the place that hated you, didn’t see you, though you were only a kid. That sucked your soul dry. Kept badgering at your spirit, until you didn’t have the strength to fight anymore, to breathe…

The feeling was almost gone, thank god. He spoke the words out loud, ones he believed.

Had to believe.

“Forget all that shit, Hero. Everything will be fine…because you’re never going back there. Back to Jack’s Bay. Ever.”

A chill lit the evening air, one that hadn’t been there when he’d walked out, but he brushed it off. He was golden now, right?

Things were better. Good.

He threw off the disconcerting thoughts, and focused on Lisa. Pretty, warm Lisa, and their new puppy. His new life. The guys. All of it.

He took the steps back to the cabin, smiling, to deal with his sweet, new charge.

Yet worry struck at him again, right before he entered. A sudden, fierce desire seized him, and he made his resolve.

He’d grab that little puppy, yank him into this arms. He’d hug his little dog…with all his fucking might.

Because you never knew when the things you loved the most would be ripped away, leaving you alone and destitute…

…forever.