Ch 15

Holding Sully tightly Michaela gently guided him to the car and sat him down, squatting so she could gauge his emotions. She was waiting patiently and hugging him as he shuddered and let the grief go, knowing he was moving through another phase of his healing.

He clung to her not in desperation this time just feeling and knowing he was safe with her, safer than he had felt in ages.

Finely she was able to drive him home. The excited yapping at the barn door and the scratching told him he was being welcomed back by his rapidly growing companion. Another gift from the family he hoped he may become a part of one day.

As he opened the barn door, the large pup hurtled towards him and literally jumped into his arms as he bent to scoop him up.

"Ya miss me boy?" Sully said to his growing mate as he was licked all over his face. Wolf's excitement was evident with his tail whipping Sully's arm.

Michaela laughed at the picture as she watched the joyful reunion. They could not get enough of each other. She was silently thrilled at the pure genius of bringing the dog here to Sully.

Mounting the steps they entered the large combined area that made up the down stairs. As soon as the dog was on the floor he raced to Michaela and ran around her legs nearly tripping her up. Sully put his arms out and stopped her from falling.

There was immediate tension between them as they looked into one another's eyes. So absorbed were they in each other they did not see the puzzled pup sitting and watching them with his head tilted to one side. Eventually he yapped and it broke the moment. Laughing Michaela bent and picked him up.

"Spoil sport," she whispered in the dog's ear, loud enough for Sully to hear, and he then laughed.

"Ya saved me in the nick of time, my little friend," he said scratching Wolf behind the ear, adding, "Coffee?"

"Coffee is not good for dogs." Michaela chimed in as she placed the dog on the floor.

Suddenly Sully was picking her up off the floor and hugging her to himself, "I wasn' askin' him." Squealing she squirmed to be put down, but Sully's hold only tightened.

Carrying her to the wing backed seat he sat, placing her on his knees, looking at her, his eyes changing to a darker shade she had ever seen. His head bent till he softly kissed her lips. Leaning into him she returned the kiss when suddenly it all changed. Passion consumed them as they became overwhelmed.

Panting for air they stopped.

"I have made peace with my past, I have let Abbey and Hannah go. They will always be part of me, but you're different and you have helped me more than you'll ever know. Freed me from the dark prison I have been held in."

Michaela was amazed that he seemed to read her thoughts; she had wondered if his first wife would always be there between them.

She kissed him softly, holding him closer. He returned the kiss with more passion than before. Suddenly his body reacted to her, a hunger he did not think he would ever experience again. The yearning consumed him until he groaned and immediately stood, nearly dumping Michaela onto the floor.

She had felt the hardening of his body and although she knew she would want to be intimate some time she knew now was not the time, both had to heal a small amount more.

Sully was not accustomed to blushing and quietly said, "I'm sorry...I'll wait for ya to be ready...take it nice a slow... now where were we ...coffee." as he appeared to run into the kitchen.

He was so absorbed in calming his body and thoughts, he did not hear her follow him until she placed her hand on his shoulder, making him nearly jump clear to the ceiling.

"Thank you, Sully, it is alright," she said.

Sitting on the other chair she waited for him to bring the coffee. He sat down holding the hot mug between his clasped hands seeming to be unaware how hot the mug was.

Once again he seemed to be drifting off to another time and place. He began to talk as tears began again. She held his hand to let him know she was there.

"It was dark and there were no stars in the sky, from the wane moon you could just make out the trees losing their leaves in late fall. My back was leaning against a decaying mud brick wall. It was cold and we could not have a fire, because that would give us away, so I covered my legs with a blanket. The two men with me were mates, buddies, we had been through so much. We were sipping our hot coffee from hot tin mugs, making plans for the morning assault.

Robert E and CD had watched my back on many occasions. CD helped me come to terms with so many of the sad things in my life, they were true friends. I owed them so much.

There had been so many problems in the province; first there was the enemy who could have been anyone. Finally, when we had actually begun being recognised for our efforts by the leaders of the cities, civilians began bombing their own markets, schools anywhere large groups met. Nobody was safe. Lastly the worst were the soldiers we were training turning on us.

Next day we were on a routine mission walking towards the town with men we had trained. Suddenly they took cover and started firing on us, our own men. Robert E went down and while I was hauling him to safety CD took the position to cover me. Then he fell, everyone tried to stop me, I just couldn't leave one of my men out there. I dragged him to safety. Medics examined him and shook their heads. I went *ballistic and attacked the traitors who had turned on us.

I was sent home after that. I could not cope...I had lost my best friend, I failed him...the hospital did me no good, so I walked out and then you came."

Michaela knew most of this from the files. Hearing the pain, sadness and raw emotion in his voice was something she still had to come to terms with, men reliving the nightmares of the battles they fought, what they saw and felt.

It was soon going to be the time to tell him what she had discovered. She wondered what his reaction would be.

*go ballistic and go postal...Fig. to become irrationally enraged.

.au/dogs (youngdiggers is one word.)