Homecoming Hero (17 page)

O
ne week later, Hailey's twenty-seventh birthday dawned windy and bone-chilling cold. The frigid air made Wolf's leg ache more than usual, but he was learning to accept the bad with the good. His leg fell under the bad column, but only when the air turned cold and wet.

Under the good column, Wolf had signed up for seminary classes yesterday and, today, he was going to make his engagement to Hailey official.

He'd been awake since 0400, but had decided to be a gentleman and wait until after sunrise to make the drive to Hailey's house.

A rush of joy surged through him as he drew Stella to a stop in the front of her home. All the lights were on.

Hailey was up…waiting for him.

Life was good.

The crate beside him shook, followed by a sad, pathetic whimper.

“Yeah, yeah. All right. You can come out now.” Wolf opened the door to a face full of dog drool and crooked teeth.

Grinning down at Hailey's birthday gift, Wolf scratched the puppy's massive head.

“I must be in love,” he muttered. “Why else would I buy an ugly mutt like you?”

The dog's sorry excuse for a tail started wagging.

“Hold still,” Wolf said to the squirming bundle of bad breath and under-bite. “You're making it impossible to put this ribbon around your neck.”

After more struggle, and a little unnecessary rough-housing, Wolf tied the bow. It hung at a cockeyed angle.

“You look ridiculous.”

The miniature bulldog shook his head, sending the bow farther off-center.

“Hailey's going to love you.”

In answer, the fat tongue went for his chin. Wolf dodged to his left and exited the car, puppy tucked under one arm.

He teetered up to Hailey's front door. “I think you've put on weight since we left the house.”

The dog rolled his enormous eyes.

With his hands full, Wolf literally leaned on the doorbell. “Remember to smile.”

Hailey swung open the door. “You're early.” Her gaze dropped to the squirming puppy in his hands and she gasped. “Oh! Oh, Wolf! You didn't.”

He smiled at her, a big loopy grin that probably matched the one on the ugly mutt's face. “Happy Birthday, sweetheart.”

“I love him.” She lifted misty eyes back to his face. “I love
you.
”

“Now that's what I like to hear.”

“Get in here.” She tugged him forward.

Inside the living room, Wolf set the puppy on the carpet then straightened.

Hailey yanked him against her and kissed him hard on his lips. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

“You're welcome.”

After another kiss, longer and deeper than the first, Hailey dropped to her knees in front of the puppy. “What are we going to name him?” She raised her gaze up to Wolf. “It is a boy, right?”

“It's a boy.” Wolf laughed. “To be honest, I'm partial to…Tank.”

“Tank.” She studied the dog with his broad shoulders, huge head and bowed legs. “I like it.” She kissed the puppy on the head. “I dub thee Tank. The newest member of our family.”

She and the dog wrestled on the floor for a while.

Wolf simply watched them. He was so happy to see Hailey falling in love with her new puppy he'd completely forgotten the other present he had for her. “Check Tank's bow.”

Hailey cocked her head at him.

“Go on,” he urged. “There's one more gift attached to the ribbon around his neck.”

“Oh.
Oh!
” Reaching out, she began carefully untying the bow. She made it halfway through before her fingers froze.

Tears filled her eyes. “Oh, Wolf.” She blinked at the engagement ring. “It's beautiful.”

“Take it off the ribbon. Let's see if it fits.” A wave of doubt filled him and his stomach rolled. “Unless you're having second thoughts about marrying me.”

She twisted her lips at him, clearly insulted by the
mere suggestion. “No second thoughts. None whatsoever.”

Her quick, heartfelt response loosened the knots in his gut.

She pulled the bow free and held up the ring he'd picked out. The simple square-cut diamond caught the light.

“It's gorgeous,” she said.

The knots returned. He hadn't wanted to go too big, just shy of a carat, but maybe he hadn't gone big enough. “You're sure?”

“Absolutely.”
She thrust it toward him. “Will you put it on me?”

He nodded, slowly. Emotion chocked the breath in his lungs. After two failed attempts, he managed to slide the ring on her finger.

“It's a perfect fit,” she said, pressing her cheek to his.

“No, Hailey.” He pulled her onto his lap and kissed her soundly on the mouth. “
You're
my perfect fit. In life and in love.”

She snuggled deeper into his embrace. “Be careful, soldier. You're on the verge of getting a lifelong commitment out of me.”

“That
was
the general idea behind the engagement ring. Ah, Hailey.” He tightened his grip around her, “I want you in my life. Forever and always.”

“Good thing you feel that way.” She turned her face up to his. “Because you're never getting rid of me. Not in this lifetime.”

A rush of love filled him.

After years of wandering from house to house, Army
post to Army post, Wolf was finally home. And ready to build a family with the beautiful, smart, talented woman of his dreams.

Dear Reader,

Thank you for choosing
Homecoming Hero
. Writing this book was a special treat for me on so many levels. I have many military friends, both men and women, who have inspired me through the years with their commitment to their calling. It was a joy getting the opportunity to explore their daily lives. Any mistakes I made in writing this book are all mine.

I also enjoyed giving a none-too-subtle wink to my favorite spectator sport: college football. I love college football. And when I say I love it, I mean I love, love, love it! I'll watch just about any matchup on TV, but I especially like going to the games in person. There's something infectious about the game-day atmosphere. The crowds, the junk food, the noise, the band, the screaming/booing/cheering fans—all of these individual aspects mix together to form a sensory overload that leaves me pleasantly exhausted. I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday.

Because of my husband's job, I've had the good fortune of living in many college towns over the years. I've attended games at some of the most famous stadiums in the country, as well as some of the not-so-famous ones. I've tailgated with die-hard boosters and people who want to talk about their hair rather than the game. I've sat in terrible seats, fabulous seats, skyboxes and even stood on the sidelines. I've memorized countless cheers and fight songs. I've watched the cheerleaders and the silly antics of the mascots. But there's one special mascot who has literally stolen my heart. I think you can figure out which one. He doesn't do much, except
just be who he is. I love him for that. UGA, you're the man!

What about you? Any college football fans out there? Or would you rather talk hair? I'd love to hear your opinion on either. You can contact me at my Web site, www.reneeryan.com.

In the meantime, happy reading!

Renee

1. Why does Wolf seek out Hailey in the opening scene? What makes his task especially difficult? Is he right to try to stop her from her goal? Why or why not?
   
2. When Hailey discovers Wolf was the only survivor of the IED that killed her brother and three other soldiers, she realizes she has an opportunity to offer comfort to a wounded soul, yet she has no idea how to go about it. What does she do? Have you ever been in a position that stretched your capabilities? What did you do?
   
3. What is motivating Hailey's determination to become a missionary in the Middle East? Do you think she's naive, as Wolf claims? What's the difference between having a heart for causes versus having a heart for people?
   
4. What is Wolf's reaction to the missionaries' speech at Hailey's church? Why does he react that way? Do you think he overreacts? Why or why not?
   
5. Why do you think Wolf dislikes J.T. at first, despite their common backgrounds? What changes between the two that ultimately makes it possible for them to become friends? Have you ever had someone in your life who started out as an adversary but turned into a friend? What happened to make the change?
   
6. When Wolf asks Hailey to help him shop for items to put in his townhome, the excursion goes badly. What happens in the store? Why do you think Wolf reacts that way? What would you have done had you been Hailey?
   
7. Do you think Wolf's intense need for danger makes him an adrenaline junkie? What's really driving him to do the risky things he does? Do you agree with his assessment? Do you think God makes mistakes? Why or why not?
   
8. What does Wolf do to “shock” Hailey into staying home? Do you think it's unfair of him to show her those videos? Why do you think the exercise backfires on him?
   
9. When Hailey realizes she can't help Wolf overcome his guilt she turns to J.T. for help. What does he tell her? Why is his advice so hard for her to accept? Have you ever felt helpless in the face of a loved one's problem? What did you do?
   
10. What happens when Wolf takes Hailey to a homeless shelter that is mere blocks away from her house? Why do you think it's so hard for her to look people in the eye, at least at first? What changes in her as a direct result of her time with the homeless?
    
11. Why is Wolf afraid to love Hailey? What's holding him back? What happens when he reads her brother's e-mails from Iraq?
    
12. What happens to Hailey on her short-term mission trip to Haiti? Why is this change significant? Have you ever thought God was calling you to go in one direction, only to discover He had something else planned for your life? What happened?