Marcella Robinson
Austin Kavanaugh was locking the door to the animal clinic when a vehicle pulled up. A breeze stirred the air, and he winced at the whiff of skunk that floated his way. He turned. Did a double take at the driver. No mistaking that strong profile. “Jess?” he said, as a slide show of memories played in his mind.
Wearing a pinched expression, she stepped from the vehicle. Then she smiled. “That’s Sergeant Jess to you,” she said with a laugh, giving him a quick hug. “It’s nice to see you.”
“Same.” Austin’s pulse picked up, wondering how long she’d be home this time.
She pointed behind her at the German Shepherd hanging out the window. “Magnum had a meet and greet with local wildlife.”
Austin took a step, then stopped. The dog leaned out further, eager it seemed to get away from the smell. “Magnum? Like the gun?”
“Like the TV show. The one from the 80s.”
“Nice to know some things haven’t changed,” he said. They’d met as kids when their parents were stationed at the Marine base and discovered they shared an interest in the decade. Later, she joined the corps, and he became a veterinarian. Austin was proud of Jess, but he’d missed her, too.
She nodded at the clinic doors. “I was hoping you had a magic soap for Magnum. His retirement ceremony is this weekend, and we can’t have him stinking up the place.”
“Isn’t it outdoors?”
“Well, yeah, but who’ll want to get close to the poor guy?”
“Good point.” He unlocked the door as she got Magnum out of the SUV. “Explosive detection, huh?”
“Keeping tabs on me?” she asked, grinning.
Her smile brought warmth and a reminder of their past to his chest. He lifted a shoulder. “I like to know what my friends have been up to in between visits. And not in a weird way,” he pointed out, not mentioning that her mom told his, who told him about her K-9 partner.
“Who said it was weird? I think it’s sweet.” She punched his upper arm, her eyes sparkling.
“Ow.” He put his hand over the spot, feigning pain.
“Puh-lease. I barely tapped you.”
“If you say so. Let’s get your partner cleaned up.”
“Think you can do it?”
“Puh-lease. This isn’t my first skunk attack.” He led them to a space set up for grooming.
With Magnum looking content in the tub, Jess propped a hip against a nearby table.
Austin scrubbed soap into the dog’s fur and thought he heard him sigh. “Do you know where and when your next assignment is?” As much as he wanted her home, he couldn’t ask her to stay.
“Not yet, but I have a couple ideas in mind.”
“Yeah? Where?” He crossed his fingers in Magnum’s fur, hoping it would be stateside.
She angled her head. “That’s classified.”
He huffed out a laugh. “I bet your parents are happy you’re back.”
“They are. Are you?”
“I’m always happy to see you,” he admitted, wondering if, like him, she had to guard her heart and tuck away the emotions when it was time for her to go.
Bells jingled as two Chihuahuas entered the room and went straight for Jess.
He couldn’t blame them. She always had a way about her. Her strength and kindness had been appealing from when they first met on the playground on the Marine base.
“You always let your tenants roam free?” The two dogs were on her lap, vying for her attention.
“Meet my fosters, Tango and Cash.”
Her surprised gaze popped to his. “After the 80s movie?”
The joy behind it gripped his heart and spread. “You weren’t the only one who liked movies and music from then, remember?”
“It’s why we were so close. We had that in common.”
It could be lonely being a military kid. To find someone who had the same interests, who made you laugh, was hard to find. To see that person off and on over the years and watch them leave was harder. He’d kept his feelings to himself, not wanting to be in the way of her chasing her dreams.
“Whatever these ideas of yours are, I’m here for you.” He finished grooming Magnum, letting him out in the yard behind the clinic. Tango and Cash followed, excited to have a new friend.
“You’ll come to the ceremony?” she asked, as if there was any doubt he’d be there.
“Of course. I always thought blue looked good on you,” he said about her dress blues.
“I thought it was camo.” Jess looped her arm through his and watched the dogs relaxing in the sun. “What would you say if I told you one of my ideas is to stay? Magnum and I like it here, wildlife notwithstanding.”
Austin’s breath stalled. “I say it’s an excellent idea.”
“Exactly what I hoped you’d say.” She placed her palm on his chest, turned into him.
His pulse settled, and he could breathe again.
“I’m proud to have served my country, but I’ve decided to retire. I’ve been saving all my love, and it’s time I surrendered my heart to you.”
His soul stirred at the line from an 80s ballad. “I’ve been saving mine, too. Just know, if you decide to re-up, I’ll follow you anywhere.”
Jess wrapped her arms around his neck. “I know, and I love you even more for it. I belong here. Putting down roots. Like you. With you.”
“All I can say to that is…,” he paused, pressed a kiss to her forehead, “Welcome home, Jess.” And with the promise of all the tomorrows, Austin found his way home, too.
When not writing, reading, or working her day job, she loves taking pictures of nature, doing beginners yoga, and occasionally walking at a nearby park.
She lives in southwestern Ohio where she gets to experience all four seasons.
You can find her on Instagram.
Spark Flash Fiction 