By the time they were on the interstate again, Kurt felt ready to meet the long miles that lay ahead.
* * *
Kelsey and Tess were upstairs in an empty bedroom working with Louie, a young brown-and-white bull terrier who was one of the dogs who needed considerable retraining, when Kelsey spotted Kurt’s grandfather’s truck pulling in as usual. Not quite as usual was the sight of Kurt’s mom in the passenger seat.
“Kurt’s mom and grandfather are here. I wasn’t sure if William would come today.”
Tess stood up from the floor where she’d been kneeling by Louie and met Kelsey at the window. “I haven’t seen his mom in forever. I swear she looked just like that ten years ago,” she said, watching Sara climb down from the truck.
Tess hadn’t asked a single question this morning when she’d arrived; she’d simply dived into work. As much as it had been a relief not to have to answer questions she didn’t have an answer to, Kelsey wondered how much Tess knew. Whenever her mind started to spin like a tumbleweed, she reminded herself of Kurt’s last text. He loved her.
Not only had he said it, but he’d shown it last night by decorating the room and with his tender kisses and attentiveness in bed. Kelsey wished he’d been able to share more of what he’d been dealing with these last couple of weeks. She’d caught on enough to know it was something big but was determined to trust that whatever he was doing would help.
“I wonder if they know he’s gone.” Kelsey readjusted her ponytail.
Tess gave her a sympathetic smile. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t. But it doesn’t have to be on you to explain. That’s the beauty of cell phones, right?”
Kelsey smiled. “True. Did he, uh, tell you where he’s going?”
“No, he only asked me to back you up till he got back.”
“He didn’t tell me either, obviously.”
“I wouldn’t sweat it, if I were you. I’ve known Kurt forever. He’s a man of actions, not words, but I know he’s got it bad for you. Even William refers to you as ‘the’ girl.” She made air quotes at the last part.
“Thanks, that’s nice to hear. Everything’s still so new, you know? Look, if you’re good, I’ll get Sara and William settled and be back in a few minutes.”
Tess gave her a thumbs-up before dipping into the treat pouch belted around her waist for another bite of turkey and asking Louie to sit at attention.
Kelsey headed downstairs and met Sara and William as they headed in the front door. The house was relatively quiet because the dogs had settled down after their morning meal and exercise time.
William nodded a hello, and Sara pulled Kelsey into an easy hug.
“Kurt stepped out,” William confirmed. It wasn’t a question. He’d noticed the missing red Mustang out front.
Kelsey nodded, gnawing on her lip. “Yeah. I’m not sure when he’ll be back, but make yourself at home…or at rehab, anyway.”
“I’m just dropping him off and borrowing the truck for the day, but I wanted to see those little puppies brightening up your shelter’s Facebook page. William told me how Kurt brought a stillborn back to life,” Sara said.
“It was amazing to watch. I think a full five minutes passed before the puppy started breathing, but you wouldn’t know it to look at her. She’s the biggest of the bunch and super energetic.”
William followed them up for a second look. He’d been here the previous afternoon and had spent a few minutes watching the puppies cuddle, squirm, and nurse, chuckling the whole time. Even someone with an exterior as toughened as his could be melted by fuzzy newborn puppies.
For Sara, who seemed to be the exact opposite of her father in terms of holding back emotion, it took one quick look to be smitten.
“Pepper’s a great mom,” Kelsey said. “And she doesn’t seem bothered with us holding them. We’ve been staying in here where she can see us though. Let me know which one you want to hold.”
Sara chose the pup who seemed to be part coonhound, giggling over his long ears. With his stern look softening, William spent a minute stroking a silky ear before heading back downstairs to work.
“Your father’s really transforming this house,” Kelsey said after he was gone.
“I think he’s finally realized there’s life outside the military. I think he’d have been just as happy being a carpenter, and that might have been for the best for all of us. But I guess you can’t turn back the clock.” She smiled at the pup who was curled against her, belly exposed. He stopped whining quickly and dozed off at her soft touch. “I know we don’t each know other that well, but I know how much Kurt thinks of you. Has he been okay? He’s been ignoring me lately.
Kelsey sucked in her cheek in debate. He’d clearly had some issues with his mom, but things had seemed better between them lately. Her having breast cancer had to have put things in a different perspective. “He’s okay. He’s been a little quiet, but okay.”
Sara sank onto the bed. “I’ve been rethinking showing him that letter.”
Kelsey tightened her ponytail and looked away.
“He didn’t tell you, did he?”
“No. Whatever it is, he didn’t.” From across the hall, Louie barked twice and Kelsey heard Tess’s muffled praise. “But I suspect he’s trying to work through it.”
“I found his father. For so many years, it didn’t seem like a possibility. But then, all of a sudden, it is.”
Kelsey’s jaw dropped, and she forced it closed. “Do you think he’s going to see him?”
Sara blinked. “You mean he’s gone gone?”
Kelsey shrugged helplessly. “He left last night. He hasn’t said where he’s going, only that there’s
