Page 1 of Home Changes
CHAPTER 1
Seth Hansen adjusted the leash at his side as he approached the Airline Special Services counter near the North Terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson. Gomer’s retirement orders were freshly printed and crisp in the folder tucked beneath his arm, and the large black German Shepherd sitting obediently at his heel drew quiet stares from travelers.
“Ma’am,” he said when the people in front of him moved away from the counter, handing over the travel orders and information for his partner. “I’m the handler for MWD Gomer. He’s PCS-ing to his retirement in South Dakota.”
Gomer had been a military working dog for years in the Air Force, and Seth had been the kennelmaster when Gomer came on duty. That, of course, was before Seth had been promoted and started shuffling paperwork for his major command. The higher his rank, the farther he moved from the MWDs. But he kept his ear to the ground and his eyes open. Six months after he’d retired, he’d discovered Gomer was being retired due to arthritis in his hips. Seth had jumped at the chance to adopt Gomer and give him a forever home. He’d known exactly who to contact, and within a month, Gomer had officially been his. As a final thank you for Seth and Gomer’s service, the MWD was given retirement orders to cover the cost of his transportation to South Dakota. Not that Seth cared. He would’ve paid any price to have this special dog at his side.
The agent, a middle-aged woman with weary eyes and a practiced smile, took the documents and began typing.
Seth handed her the folder. “I’ve got his medical clearance, crate specs, and transfer authorization,” Seth added, giving Gomer a reassuring pat behind the ear. The crate was on a trolley behind them.
The woman was efficient and motioned for the skycap to bring the large crate over. Seth slipped the guy a ten-spot and turned back to the woman, who printed and applied cargo labels to the crate.Turning back to him, she lifted a finger. “Give me a minute, sir.” She tapped on the computer and shook her head. “I hate to be the one to say it, but all outbound flights to the Midwest are on hold because a massive weather system over Denver has caused cascading delays.” She tapped a few more keys and looked up. “It’ll be hours. Realistically, it could be six or more.” She almost winced when she told him. “I’m sorry.”
He cocked his head. “You can’t control the weather.” He glanced down at Gomer. “I’m not going to put him in a crate until I have to.”
“I understand,” the woman said. “It wouldn’t be kind.” She handed him a map and circled an area. “Here’s the best area where you can go outside quickly and let him relieve himself. We’ve worked through our fair share of delays and learned that most handlers won’t release their dogs until the last minute.” She smiled at him. “Unlike some others. I’ve seen all kinds.” She shrugged.
Seth nodded and clenched his jaw. He’d also seen his share of people who shouldn’t own an animal. He tightened the leash, but the dog didn’t react, just sat like a stone, waiting for his next command. “Roger that, I know exactly what you mean,” Seth said quietly, calculating his next move. He blinked andsnapped his gaze back to her. “Is the USO still open?”
The woman looked at her watch. “It is. Do you know where it is?”
“I do. Been through here many times. Thank you, and we’ll be back as soon as we have a firm departure time.”
“If you give me your number, I’ll text you when we get the clearance to start loading. That would give you enough time to get through security before you board, but you’d have to hustle to your gate.”
“I’m not adverse to a jog through the airport.” Seth smiled at her as he told her his number.
She wrote it down on Gomer’s documents. “If the delay lasts past my shift, I’ll ensure my relief understands to contact you.”
“Thank you.” He looked down at Gomer. “Heel.” The animal moved instantly, walking at Seth’s heel with no room between the dog’s shoulder and his leg. He waited for people to clear the escalator before lifting Gomer and stepping onto the moving metal. Gomer was a solid eighty-five pounds, and none of it was fat. He was a King Shepherd, tall and almost lanky. When Seth stepped off the escalator, he carried the dog away from the exit before putting him down safely. Gomer’s tongue lashedhim with a wet kiss as soon as his feet hit the ground.
Laughing, Seth wiped off the affection. “You’re such a goober.” He ruffled Gomer’s scruff and let the dog relax for a moment. After a brief pause, Seth waited for a break in the flow of people before he and Gomer headed toward the USO. Maybe he could find a quiet corner for Gomer to relax and chill. Lord knew he needed the downtime before returning to South Dakota. His father’s decline was more than enough for Seth to put his plans on hold and move back home to ensure the old man didn’t get into more trouble.
He'd only been there a week when he’d gotten the call to pick up Gomer. Ken, the sheriff in the county, and his deputies were taking turns checking in on Chester, making sure he didn’t cause any trouble. The man was cantankerous even on his best days. On a bad day, well, he was pure hell to be around. But Chester had worked hard all his life, giving Seth and his sister Sarah a strong ethical upbringing, even though his old man had never hugged them, told them he loved them, or said it to their mom. God rest her soul. She was a saint. Seth would never be a saint, but he’d be a good son and figure out how to get his dad the help he needed. Hopefully.
He approached the USO sign-in desk, and the woman behind it smiled widely. Her dark hair and brilliant smile made her seem ageless, but he’d peg her in her late forties. Maybe. It was hard to tell.
“Welcome.” She stepped out and leaned down. “Hi, Gomer, how have you been, boy?”
Seth frowned, absolutely confused. “How did you …”
The woman flicked her hand at him, dismissing his question. “Oh, Gomer was through here last year. He and his handler were coming back from a deployment. Weren’t you, big boy?”
Gomer’s tail swished, but the dog didn’t move, although Seth could tell he wanted to. “Yes you were.” She smiled widely.
He watched as the woman held out her hand, and Gomer dropped his head into it. She stroked his head with the other, saying, “I told you, didn’t I? You got a forever home.” She leaned forward and kissed Gomer’s nose.
“What?” Seth asked her.
“Oh, nothing, just a conversation Gomer and I had last year.” The woman stood up. “Heading to South Dakota?”
Seth blinked, and his mouth opened and then closed. “Ah, yeah, how did you know?”
The woman nodded to his shirt pocket. “Ticket.”
He glanced down and looked at the paper ticket the agent at the Special Services Counter had given him to claim Gomer at the end of their flight. “Oh.”
“Sign in, and we’ll get you set up in the library. It’s quiet there, and you and Gomer can relax without families and kids wanting to pet him. Even though I’m not worried about him, some kids can get grabby.”
