A Time for Home: A Snowberry Creek Novel Read Online Free

Satisfied he’d handled the intruder, Mooch quieted down and made a quick circuit of the yard.
    When he finally took care of his business, he came trotting right back. Nick followed him into the kitchen. Clearly the dog was adjusting well to Callie’s house and yard. That was a good thing because Nick was really hoping she’d offer the dog a home here with her. He’d miss the furry misfit, but Mooch deserved a permanent home.
    And if Nick made up his mind to re-up with the army, he’d have to find the dog a new home anyway. Mooch had been through enough of a change in leaving Afghanistan behind without having to deal with multiple moves.
    While they’d been outside, Callie had set out a plate heaped high with food. Nick was sure he couldn’t eat it all, but he’d give it his best shot.
    He sat down and picked up the first sandwich. Food was another thing that hadn’t held much appeal since his return. His mom had pulled out all the stops when he’d gotten back, fixing all of his favorites. She’d said he needed fattening up and teased him that the army hadn’t been feeding him right.
    Not even her best apple pie had tasted good to him, but he’d gone through the motions and eaten everything she’d put in front of him. In truth, it might have been sawdust as far as he could tell. He was afraid he’d hurt her feelings when he hadn’t once asked for seconds like he used to, but sometimes acting normal took more energy than he had.
    Nick bit into the thick ham sandwich Callie had fixed for him, expecting to have the same problem. To his surprise, it actually tasted good. He took a second bite. Meanwhile, Callie sat back down and studied a handwritten list. He couldn’t read it from where he was sitting, but whatever it was had her full attention. It was a relief not to have to make conversation, another problem he’d had at his parents’ house.
    He loved them dearly, but their constant questions had about driven him crazy. He didn’t want to talk about his experiences in the war with them or anybody else, for that matter. They didn’t need to know how bad it had been and wouldn’t have understood if he’d actually tried to tell them.
    He’d caught them exchanging puzzled looks a few times, as if they were wondering who this taciturn stranger was. He might have looked like their son, but he clearly didn’t act like him. Nick had finally given up and announced he needed to deliver Mooch to his new owner. Rather than fly, he’d chosen to drive to the Pacific Northwest from his hometown in Ohio. Nick didn’t know how his parents felt about him leaving again so soon, but his own most identifiable emotion had been relief.
    Callie finally looked up. “You must have been hungry. Can I get you something else?”
    He looked down at his plate to see what she was talking about, only to find it was empty. He’d chowed down on two sandwiches, a healthy helping of salad, and a handful of cookies. Wow.
    “No, I’m fine. In fact, I ought to get going.” He pushed the plate aside. “I didn’t mean to take up so much of your afternoon.”
    It was too soon to spring the idea of leaving Mooch with her, and it would give him an excuse to come back.
    “I didn’t have any plans.” She frowned. “As I recall, you’re from back east somewhere. Are you stationed out here now?”
    “No, I’m between assignments.”
    In fact, he wasn’t really living anywhere anymore. He’d given up his apartment when his unit had been deployed. Until he made up his mind what he wanted to do next, he had no reason to put down roots anywhere, not even temporary ones.
    “I need to find a motel room for tonight. Are there any here in Snowberry Creek that take pets?”
    She bit her lower lip as she thought about it. Finally, she shook her head. “No, but there’s no reason you can’t stay here. My folks are gone for the summer, so there’s plenty of room.”
    She didn’t sound all that enthusiastic, not that he blamed her. A woman