A Christmas Call of Duty (Sweet Christmas Kisses)

18. Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen

Colt

T he flight back from D.C. at 0600 hours was fairly uneventful aside from the woman sitting next to me on the plane—Irma. And boy, did Irma like to talk. Normally, I wouldn't mind the conversation, but Shay kept me up late last night on the phone, and I was hoping I could catch a quick nap before my flight landed.

It's almost 0900 when I get back to base to drop off my bags. On my way to the shelter to meet Shay I stop at The Java Hut for something strong and order her a latte with her usual two pumps of sugar-free vanilla. No doubt she's just as tired as I am this morning. When I finally pull my truck into the parking lot at the shelter, the smile I have when I see Shay's Prius in the parking lot is wiped clean the minute I see another familiar truck. Zane's truck.

I keep my cool as I throw the general into park, but I've hardly got one foot out the door before I'm springing into a jog. What is he doing here? I step inside the shelter, my heart racing as I spot Shay standing alone by the reception desk. Her eyes light up when she sees me, and I can't help but smile, relieved to see that my idiot brother doesn't have her cornered trying to stir up trouble.

"You're back," she says softly, relief evident in her voice.

I cross the room in a few quick strides, setting our coffees on the desk before pulling her into my arms. "Geez, I've missed you," I say, breathing in the familiar scent of her shampoo.

Shay leans back and laughs, searching my face. "I missed you, too. Is… everything okay? You look like you just saw a ghost."

"Not unless you count the ghosts of boyfriends past."

She gives a puzzled look before recognition flashes in her eyes. "Zane?" she says, pressing her lips together. "So, that was his truck I saw out front. I knew it looked familiar." She narrows her eyes and shakes her head in disbelief. "I saw it when I pulled up this morning. What do you think he's doing here?"

"Honestly, I have no idea," I say pulling her in close and leaning in for a long, slow kiss that makes her softly moan. The kiss lasts long enough for me to forget my own name. When I finally pull away from her, my heart is racing as I try to catch my breath. Shay's eyes are bright, and her cheeks are flushed. It's only when Margo's voice cuts through the air from down the hall that reality comes crashing back in.

"Everyone, up front! I have an important announcement to make!"

Shay blinks, looking dazed. "We should..."

"Yeah," I nod, clearing my throat. I drop my hands from her cheeks just before Margo and Tyler join us in the reception area, followed by a dozen or so more who trickle in behind from the kennel and break room. Once everyone is gathered and I think no one is looking, I offer her my hand, and after a moment's hesitation, she takes it. Her fingers intertwine with mine, sending a jolt through my system as we anxiously await the big announcement. Still no sign of Zane.

Margo stands at the center, her face unreadable as she waits for everyone's full attention. I give Shay's hand a gentle squeeze, hoping she knows that whatever happens, we're in this together.

"I've received a visit this morning from a friend bearing good news," Margo says when the room finally grows quiet.

I feel my jaw clench begin to clench as Shay grips my hand tighter. That's when we see him finally see him. Margo steps aside, and my world tilts on its axis as Zane steps out from her office in his full Army Combat Uniform and joins us in the front room. He's smiling, but I can't make heads or tails of what any of it means.

His gaze locks onto mine, and I force myself to let out the breath I'm holding. Whatever his business is here, I'm determined to make sure he keeps Shay out of it. But nothing prepares me for his next words. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for having me. My name is Captain Zane Ralston of the U.S. Army. You may know my brother, Colt." He smiles, and his eyes turn towards me as he gestures. I give a nod, keeping my eyes fixed on his every move. What is he up to?

"I'm pleased to announce that Mrs. Hendricks and I have been working behind the scenes to secure a bid for a special government contract that would secure the future of the Snowberry Creek Animal Shelter. And it's with great honor and pleasure that I share with you—the bid was successful," Zane says, as a small round of applause breaks from the audience. "This contract will provide the additional funding needed to save the shelter, with extra allocated for future expansion."

The applause turns into gasps, and I have to ask myself if this is all some kind of front. Zane already knew I was involved with the volunteer efforts. Why would he all a sudden want to help? And why wouldn't he tell me he was working with Margo? Unless… he didn't want me to know.

Margo steps forward, a smile playing on her lips. "I'll confess. I wanted to tell you all when Zane approached me shortly after our Bark in the New Year fundraiser with news of this potential contract. But... we decided to keep it our little secret until we knew for sure. I'm so pleased how it's all worked out in our favor and want to congratulate everyone for all your hard work. The Snowberry Creek Animal Shelter is staying!"

Shay and I glance at each other with confused smiles while the rest of the room erupts in cheers. My own emotions are a whirlwind—relief, disbelief, and a twinge of something else I can't quite name—but seeing the way Shay's eyes are lighting up right now makes any resentment toward Zane disappear in an instant.

Just then, I see Zane hold up a hand. "Colt. Shay. Got a minute?" As he crosses the room, my mind is still reeling, and I can see Shay's body begin to tense. I instinctively pull her close to my side. When he sees this, he pauses a few feet away with both hands in the air. "Look, I know what you're thinking. But it's not how it looks," Zane starts, his voice uncharacteristically apologetic. "I overheard Mom and Dad talking after the fundraiser. They were about to take out a second mortgage on the house just to help out."

He pauses, looks at Shay, then shifts his eyes back at me. "The truth is, I've never seen you fight so hard for anything in your life, little brother. First the K-9 program. Then the shelter. That's when it hit me… it was all for her." His eyes go back to Shay, but this time, she holds his gaze. "I know I suck at relationships, Shay. It's who I am. Sorry I screwed things up. But Colt, he's a good one. You should hold on to him."

I try to blink away my surprise. Surely, this can't be the same Zane who thinks nothing I do is ever good enough.

"And you," he says, meeting my eyes again. "I think I owe you an even bigger apology. I know I ride you pretty hard. But I'm your brother. That's my job. Think of all that wasted potential if I ever decided to take it easy on you." Zane slaps a hand over my shoulder and reaches out with the other. "We good, bro?"

I glance down at his open hand as a smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. Leave it to my big brother to never let up—even as he pays me the greatest compliment I'll probably ever receive from him. I take his hand, and he pulls me in for a chest bump. It's not quite a true hug. But, hey. One miracle at a time.