Page 18 of Wicked Healing

“The dog can’t stay with him but I have no doubt that seeing his partner will help Luca’s disposition. Please let me know when you arrive. I’d like to meet him.”

She didn’t need to call, though. When they arrived at the floor and she followed Luca out, he was greeted by a group of nurses and orderlies. There were smiles and congratulations all around and she worried how Wicked would react to the crowd, but everyone was very respectful to the dog’s space. It wasn’t until Luca introduced him that a few of the people held their hands out to the animal. Wicked sniffed everyone, then accepted a few pets of his own. The change in the animal was amazing. Suddenly, being with Luca gave him the confidence he’d lost when they’d been separated. And it was a confidence she hadn’t been able to instill in him. Luca and Wicked had a longer, more vital history.

It was obvious they would be healing each other.

Then a tall, dark haired man held his hand out to Erin. He was handsome with dark, gray flecked hair, and his blue eyes smiled. “You must be Erin.”

It wasn’t until she took his hand that she realized it was a prosthetic. She grinned back at him. “I am. Director Jameson?”

“Call me Paul,” he said, nodding once. “Did you have a good drive?”

“I did,” she said, moving aside as the elevator doors shut behind them. “Wicked was happy to get out, though, and ecstatic to see Luca.”

The director grinned down at the dog, then gave Luca a probing look. “He looks more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him. Mrs. Carmichael didn’t come in?”

Erin shook her head, not surprised that he knew the woman had come down. Paul seemed to be the kind of guy that knew what was going on in his hospital. “I think she was heading home,” she said carefully. If Luca wanted to tell him about his mother’s shenanigans that was up to him.

A wet nose buried itself in her palm and she automatically stroked down Wicked’s face. She was a little curious why he’d come to her, though. She looked at Luca. There was a tension around his eyes that made her think his enjoyment of the moment had worn off. Was it the crowd?

She glanced at the director. “If you’ll excuse us, I think Luca would like some quiet time with Wicked.”

Paul glanced at Luca and seemed to see the same thing she did. “Everybody back to work,” he called. “Let’s let the two get reacquainted.”

The crowd disbursed and with a final nod Paul faded away as well. Luca glanced at her thoughtfully, then turned to limp down the hallway, Wicked close at his side. He led her into a room at the end of the hallway. It was a hospital room, obviously, but there were a few personal affects scattered around to give the room some life. Erin could tell he sat in the recliner chair in the corner a lot, because that was where his big insulated drinking cup was and his tablet. There was a candy wrapper on the side table as well. He crossed to the table and swept the wrapper into the trash, giving her a grin, then he waved her into the chair. “Please, have a seat.”

Then he moved to the bed, which was sitting almost vertical. As soon as he settled to the mattress and scooted himself back, Wicked jumped up onto the bed. Erin laughed, watching as the dog circled twice then lay down with a sigh. Luca immediately began rubbing the dog all over, checking all of his scars. Erin crossed to the bed and showed him exactly where Wicked had been hurt and explained what she’d had to do to care for him. Then she very carefully showed him how to take the prosthetic off, then replace it.

“Pretty basic, huh?”

She nodded. “It is, but effective. As soon as he got used to it his demeanor really changed. He was severely depressed when I took possession of him. I told you that. I think even with the best of intentions the military wasn’t able to help him anymore. I’m glad Carolina called me when she did.”

Luca blinked, shocked at the parallels between Wicked’s story and his own. Obviously, they’d gotten care at the Forward Operating Base, then been shipped to Germany, where they’d been separated. He rubbed the smooth black fur on the dog’s face, and up between his eyes like he liked. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you buddy.”

Wicked, amazing animal that he was, seemed to sense the weight of Luca’s emotions. Wiggling his body, the dog positioned himself into Luca’s lap, legs in the air, looking up at him with adoration. Tears started in Luca’s eyes and it was all he could do not to break down right there. Yes, Wicked was just a dog. The military considered them tools. But to Luca, Wicked had been the best friend he’d ever had, bar none. The dog had saved hundreds of lives, literally. And he’d been the best therapist, chasing the night terrors from his mind better than any liquor or doctor.

Rubbing his hand over the scars on the dog’s belly, he marveled at what they’d both been through. And now that they were together again, he didn’t want to separate. “How long can you stay?”

Erin watched his face. He dreaded the answer, and she didn’t blame him. “I’ll drive back in two days’ time.”

Sighing, he nodded, resigned. Erin wanted to tell him she could stay longer but she had responsibilities at home. “How long are you in here for?”

He glanced around the room. “Not sure. I’m about done, really, so I’m going to have to find alternative arrangements. Mom wants me to come up there with them, but there’s no fucking way. Pardon my French.”

Erin grinned. “I don’t blame you. I can’t imagine going home to live with my mother at my age either. So, what are your options?”

He sat back on the bed, looking thoughtful. “Well, I’m going to need outpatient therapy after I leave here, so I’ll have to be near a VA. And I’ve been thinking about what to do later. I’m probably going to go back to school, I guess.”

There was uncertainty in his eyes, and she didn’t like seeing it there. It seemed out of character for him.

“Dude,” she said bracingly, “you need to look at this as an opportunity. You can do anything in the world you want to do, now. Heck, I know a guy with an amputation that stayed in the Army after he lost a leg. It all depends upon your classification and the job you were doing before.”

His mouth turned down. “It’s a little different for the SEALs. If I’m not in peak physical form, I’m not risking my guys’ lives on my… disability.”

She sighed, knowing he was right, and understanding the heartbreak that caused him. Since she’d built the kennel and took in service members’ dogs, she understood the dedication they had for their jobs and their country, and most especially their fellow soldiers. Navy SEALs were probably even more dedicated.

“How long were you a SEAL?”

“Seven years. The past three with Wicked.”

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