Embracing Linzy: Delta Force Defenders

Epilogue

Chapter 1

Samuel Cricket Blake used the inside of his elbow to wipe the sweat off his brow as he worked on his 1969 Black Pontiac GTO. He’d had it since he was sixteen years old. It was the first thing he bought when he’d gotten his license. Him and his dad had fixed it up together after finding it in a junk yard. It had taken a lot of after school hours and weekends to get it in working order.

He had many fond memories of this car. Not only cruising after school and picking up girls, but the bonding time with his dad, who had been gone for several years now. The car was just as much a part of him as his dad was.

Today he had some free time after coming back from a mission and chose to work on his car. He was trying to install a new head gasket, but a damn bolt didn’t want to line up and thread correctly. He had been fighting with it for the past few minutes. It was hotter than blazes today and the open door of the garage did little to cool him down. His body was covered in sweat, including his hands. He was about to give up and go inside for some water and try again later when he felt something nudge up between his legs and sniff.

He whirled around to see what it was with the wrench in his hand ready to use as a weapon, but all he saw was a golden retriever. It looked to be only a few months old. Where the hell had it come from?

Sam set the wrench down and squatted next to the dog. It backed away at first looking fearful but stretched its neck out to smell his proffered hand. Not sensing that he was a threat the dog trotted up to him and licked his face.

Alright, that’s enough of that, Sam chuckled, wiping slobber off with his shirt. He stroked the dog’s sleek coat a few times before looking for its collar. Its owner would be worried and looking for him. Most of the dogs out here were working dogs, and this puppy would be greatly missed.

Sam lived just on the edge of town on a few acres surrounded by farm land. He wasn’t as far out of town as Aaron, but he was still a little way out. Let’s just take a look at your collar and find your mommy or daddy. I’m sure they’re worried about you. He stroked the dog’s fluffy ear with one hand as he found the round medallion hanging off the collar. He was pulling it forward to look at the owner’s name when a shadow passed in front of him.

Sam looked up to see a woman come running but she stopped at the entrance of the garage panting. Excuse me, have you seen a- her eyes widened when she saw the dog. There you are. Her voice was soft and lyrical despite trying to catch her breath.

He felt as if lightening had struck him. If he hadn’t already been kneeling on the ground, he might have fallen over. He gazed up at the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She had long curly red hair and bright green eyes. Freckles were dotted around her cute button nose and high cheeks. Her lips were full and plump. She wore a green top and skin-tight jeans that showcased her long legs. Legs that would be perfect for wrapping around his waist. He shook his head to clear his lustful thoughts.

The woman was looking for her dog, not a quick roll in the hay. Get your shit together.

Sam pushed off the ground, dusting himself down before thrusting his hand out. Sam Blake ma’am. He winced, quickly pulling his hand back to clean it with the rag in his back pocket before holding his hand out again. It wasn’t as clean as he would have liked but she wouldn’t get any oil on herself.

Linzy Jennings, she said, taking his hand and not looking the least offended by the dirt on it. Spelt L-I-N-Z-Y.

Sam felt that same lightening feeling as before. It hummed along his skin making the hairs on his arm stand on end. He then noticed the rough callouses on her hands. She was a working woman. He also noticed how perfect her hand felt in his. It wasn’t small and dainty, but it was definitely smaller than his. She stood several inches shorter than his six-foot-three frame. The top of her head barely reached his neck, which put her about five foot ten.

The perfect height in his opinion. She didn’t make him feel like a giant as he did around Abigail. It may not bother Aaron being twice the size of Abigail, but Sam preferred someone close to his height. That way he didn’t feel like he might break her.

Linzy was the perfect height and build for him. He would easily be able to tuck her under his shoulder as they walked down the street. Their pelvises would align when they spooned at night.

That’s an interesting spelling of your name. I can’t say I’ve heard it before.

Linzy shrugged. I guess my mom couldn’t decide between the dey or day spelling, so she simplified it to stop any confusion.

Sam just stared at her. She was too cute for words.

The dog barked, pulling him from his musing. They both sprang apart chuckling. Linzy appeared to have been just as caught up by him as he was by her. Her cheeks had even turned a delicate shade of pink that disappeared down her shirt. It made him want to puff out his chest to know that she was just as attracted to him.

Sorry about my dog. I hope he didn’t get into anything, she said, tucking a stray hair behind her ear and looking around the garage.

You have nothing to apologize for. No harm done.

I’m glad to hear it. This little rug rat likes to get into everything.

He just showed up a few seconds before you did. I was just getting ready to check his ID when you came.

I’m glad to hear he didn’t cause you any trouble. Well, I should get this guy back. Come on Dozer. She patted her thigh and the dog came running to her side. She lovingly stroked his coat before clipping a leash on his collar. Nice to meet you Sam, she called over her shoulder.

Fearing he was never going to see her again Sam called out, Wait!

Linzy turned around expectantly.

Now that he’d got her to stop, he didn’t know what to say. He scratched the back of his head thinking quickly on his feet. He was Delta, this should be easy for him to do. He’d been trained to think quickly. Ah, can I offer you a lift home?

He just wanted to spend some more time together getting to know her. He was always working, training, or working on his car. He didn’t take the time to meet people when they went out to Marshall’s. He never spent time with his neighbors. He never spent time with anyone actually, outside of his team and their girlfriends. There was something about Linzy though and he wanted to get to know her more. He didn’t like the thought of never seeing her again.

Linzy smiled, a blush streaking across her cheeks again. That’s very kind but I only live next door. She pointed to the left of the property. It’s not that much of a walk.

Sam may not know his neighbors well, but he had looked into the people that lived near him. Call it an occupational hazard. He’d have remembered if Linzy had moved in next door. Last time he’d checked an elderly couple lived on the farm. The Jennings.

Marylou and Oscar’s house? Was she a relative or just visiting? Why would she say she lived there? The Jennings had lived there for decades.

My grandparents, Linzy confirmed. They moved into a retirement community on the coast. I bought the farm from them for my business.

That was news to him. Not that he paid close attention to his neighbors, but he would have remembered seeing a removal truck or something to indicate they had left. Or heard about it. The town was small enough that just about everyone knew everybody else’s business. It could have happened during his latest mission.

I didn’t know.

Yeah, it was a few weeks ago. Grandpa had a mild heart attack. It scared Grandma enough that she realized he needed more care and to be closer to a hospital. They found a home in Santa Barbara and sold me the house.

What is it that you do Linzy? He found himself asking, wanting to know this mysterious woman better. A lot better.

I run a dog rescue, she said proudly.

That was not the type profession he would have guessed at with how isolated their town was. Most of his neighbors used their acreage for crops. Marylou and Oscar’s property sat on some fertile soil and they had once been one of the largest producers of almonds in their region. That is, until they got older and retired, selling the business but keeping some acreage for themselves along with the house.

Dogs, like this guy, need a good home. He’ll have plenty of room to run around out here. That’s why I moved. I was in Los Angeles, but the dogs were always housed in kennels and I quickly ran out of room. Now, if I could only keep them in their yard it would be perfect, she chuckled, while stroking the dogs glossy coat.

Is he digging or jumping the fence?

The fence between their property was only six feet tall. It wouldn’t be easy for such a young dog to jump over but it was still possible.

Neither, she winced. First there was a hole in the fencing, then a section got knocked down and this time the gate was left open.

That was an alarming number of times for a dog to escape. He briefly wondered if someone was doing it on purpose, but quickly dismissed it. Who would sabotage her? She’d just moved in. It was an old property and the fences hadn’t been maintained in a long time. Are you giving him free reign of the property?

The original Jennings farm sat on 440 acres. Now there was only fifteen acres left. That was still a lot of room for a dog to run.

No, she chuckled. The sound made his stomach flutter. If I did that, I’d never find them. I only give them a few acres to run around. I fenced them off from the rest of the property.

Them? How many dogs do you have?

Only twelve right now.

Only? That was a lot of dogs. He’d never had a pet while growing up so the thought of one pet seemed like a lot. He couldn’t imagine twelve.

I know it’s a lot, but they didn’t have anywhere else to go. I’m working on getting them adopted. I promise they are all gentle, she assured him.

I don’t mind dogs. He at least liked this one.

You know this one is for sale. Her voice sounded hopeful and her eyes turned to him imploringly.

Oh no. He wasn’t going to get conned into owning a dog. He was attracted to the woman, but she wasn’t going to rope him into owning a dog. That’s kind of you but I’m not home enough to have a dog. It wouldn’t be fair.

Linzy’s eyes turned sorrowful and he kicked himself for making her feel that way, but he wouldn’t be swayed. He sometimes left at a moment’s notice and could be gone for days or even months. No one ever knew. That wouldn’t be fair to a pet. It was why no one else on the team had one.

I understand. At least you are honest about not being around enough rather than simply having one because you want one and not being able to take care of it. Her eyes took on a faraway look.

Something about her words told him she was talking about more than just the dogs. Had she been abandoned and that’s why she ran the rescue? So that dogs didn’t feel abandoned too?

Linzy smilingly blinked her eyes as if coming back from her trip down memory lane. Well, I’ve taken enough of your time. We should get back. Who knows what the other dogs have gotten into while I’ve been gone?

Please, let me to give you a ride, he offered again. He was enjoying his time with her and wasn’t ready for her to go yet. He hadn’t realized how lonely he’d been with only his team and car for company. Most of the feminine company he’d kept had been fleeting. He didn’t want a relationship. He didn’t want to have to try and explain why he was gone all the time or have an argument about his job. And he certainly didn’t want a woman forcing him to choose between his career and her. He had witnessed it before with friends and family. Not him. He didn’t want to have to choose.

I don’t think we’ll all fit in there, she said, eying the GTO. Besides, I don’t want to get dog hair all over your car. This one sheds something fierce. She lovingly stroked Dozer’s head. As testament to her comment a shower of hair drifted to the floor as Dozer shook himself out.

I have a truck we can use. I can lay a blanket down in the back.

Linzy bit her bottom lip, pondering her answer. Sam told himself not to look but his eyes drifted to her mouth, watching her perfect white teeth worry at her lip. Other ideas sprang to mind about what she could do with that mouth, but he quickly shut them down.

That would be great. Thank you.

Sam just nodded but inside he was doing a fist pump. She said yes! He led her to his GMC Sierra. It was only a few years old and ran great. He needed something he wasn’t afraid to take down a dirt beaten path.

Chapter 2

They drove in peaceful silence. The only sound the dog panting heavily between them as he watched where they were going. Quicker than Sam liked he was pulling into Linzy’s driveway. She got out first and then led Dozer to a kennel before releasing him to join the other dogs that were standing on their hind legs balanced against the fence, watching them.

Sam chuckled as their tags wagged in unison, all watching expectantly. You have quite the entourage, he commented, not knowing what else to say but not ready to leave yet.

Linzy looked back at the dogs and laughed. They are something else. You would never know that they come from abusive or neglected homes. They all just want someone to love them and show them attention. Her face turned wistful again.

Linzy I-

The dogs started barking frantically as a male voice called out behind them. They turned to face a young man who was about their own age, maybe a little younger, dragging a reluctant dog down the driveway. A rope had been fashioned into a leash and he was dragging the poor animal across the rocks. He wore oversized blue overalls that were covered in dirt and holes. The dog he was dragging tried to dig its paws into the ground, but the man proved stronger than the boxer dog that seemed to be only a year or so old.

Caleb, Linzy shouted, before running up to him and taking the leash.

Hey Linzy. Poor dog was on our property again. Caught him going after the chickens. I was trying to get him back here before my dad noticed. Caleb looked over his shoulder as if expecting his father to show up.

Thank you, Caleb, Linzy said sincerely, I’m so sorry.

Caleb smiled, looking bashful under her praise. Sam knew the feeling. The woman had the effect of knocking him off kilter. As soon as she had set her hypnotic green eyes on him, he had been a goner.

Caleb, an angry voice snapped behind them.

They all turned in unison as a man in his mid-fifties, with shaggy brown hair and dirt covered blue shirt and jeans that had seen better days, came stomping up to them.

Sam noticed that the dog Caleb had brought over had begun to cower behind Linzy, as if looking for sanctuary. Sam wouldn’t let anything happen to the dog either. He took a defensive stance next to Linzy letting the man know they wouldn’t be bullied.

Dad, I- Caleb tried to say, but his father cut him off with the back of his hand.

I’ll deal with you later. And you, he said, looking at Linzy, I warned you to keep your filthy animals off my property. This one, he spat, pointing a finger at the dog, was chasing my chickens.

I’m so sorry Mr. Campbell. It seems that a gate was left open and while I was chasing another dog, I didn’t notice that this one had gotten out. I was just thanking Caleb for returning him. Linzy said calmly.

Every time I turn around your dogs are getting out and every time you have some lame excuse.

Sir, that’s enough, Sam stepped in. He didn’t know if Mr. Campbell was a real threat or just all bluster but he didn’t want Linzy getting too close to the guy. There was a wild look in his brown eyes. A look that Sam didn’t trust.

What are you? The boyfriend? Stay out of it. This doesn’t concern you. Mr. Campbell faced Linzy dismissing Sam, but Sam would not be ignored.

No, but there’s no reason for you to raise your voice to her.

Mr. Campbell looked like he wanted to continue arguing but on seeing that he was half the size of Sam he backed down. He turned back to Linzy, pointing a finger in her face. Linzy didn’t seem fazed by the show of hostility. She just stood her ground. I catch your dogs on my property again, I’ll shoot ‘em. Mr. Campbell spat on the ground before stomping away, dragging Caleb by the arm. What have I told you about that family? You stay away from them. They are nothing but liars and cheats. His voice faded as they headed down the drive and turned right toward their property.

Sam placed