Stronger By Your Side (Great Love Book 2) by A. Hart Page A

Sawyer
     
    I sat up with the sun beating through my window and the sound of Ralph, my overzealous rooster, screeching in through my open window. As I got up to close the window, I realized my feet were trapped under the blanket by something heavy and warm. I looked down at all 75 pounds of golden fluff weighing me down. “Chase, I need to get up.” My golden retriever yawned and then slowly plopped off the bed, leaving behind a pile of gold hair on my blanket. “Thanks.” I mumbled. Chase had been my pal for almost 8 years now. I found him shortly after Megan left. He was just a wet, matted, tiny furball then, but he definitely wasn’t tiny anymore.
    He had quickly become my best friend. We would go fishing, hiking, kayaking and bike riding; we’d watch old westerns or Tremors , and we both enjoyed running—well, Chase enjoyed chasing more than running. In fact, Chase got his name because only a week after I rescued him, we went on a hike. When Chase saw a herd of cattle, he chased them. Not even five minutes later, we came across a couple of deer, and he chased them, too. After chasing my three-month-old puppy, I decided that only one name truly fit him.
    I closed the window as a gust of warm wind brushed over my body. I padded down the hall, following the click of Chase’s nails on the wood. He stopped at the back door and whined. “Yeah, yeah. Hold on, Buddy.” I opened the door and Chase rushed out. Just as quickly as Chase was out the door, Buck, my horse, nudged his head in the door. I watched as Chase chased the geese, just as he did every morning. Then Chase went after Roger the Rooster, who ran for his life, just like every morning. Buck was an old horse that I inherited with the land. When the owners tried to move, Buck refused to go. He had been on the land for over two decades, so the sellers put a new contingency that the land was mine, if I kept the old man.
    The owners said the geese had flown in a couple of years ago and were supposed to migrate with the rest, but for some reason they stayed on the land. So they became part of the package deal as well. Then there was Roger, who didn’t seem to want to stay, but the owners said they didn’t want a rooster anymore. Although I wasn’t sure if I wanted one either, something inside me cracked a little when they said those words. I couldn’t just toss the guy out, so although he was sometimes quite annoying, he too became a part of my home. I didn’t mind having a little extra company, and Chase loved it. In fact, old Buck and Chase became good pals.
    “Hey Buck, how’s it going?” I rubbed his nose as he neighed in response. I gave him an apple, and then he was on his way, trotting slowly after Chase. He was pretty limber for an old horse. I yawned as I began making coffee, which was very much needed. I had worked forty-eight hours and only took twelve off to come home for a little bit. Now I was going back in for another forty-eight. I was one of the only bachelors, so I decided that I didn’t mind picking up extra shifts. My Aunt would come and take care of the animals each day when I was on long shifts. It usually helped me keep my mind off of Megan. Plus, my uncle allowed me to bring Chase in with me.
    I got Chase certified as a rescue dog, so technically he was on the staff. As if the thought of him summoned him inside, Chase came running in with the morning paper, the two geese chasing after him. “Hey, Gary, Gert, no mud on the floors!” The geese squawked at me and waddled out the door. I shook my head at myself. As I sipped my coffee, I picked up the paper and almost choked when I saw who was on the front page.
       Local Southern Baptist Church Celebrated Fallen Soldier, Sergeant Charles Maxwell, with homecoming of his Wife and Daughter.
     
    A picture of Megan, holding a little blonde girl in a summer dress and standing in front of the Church, was underneath. Next to it was a faraway picture of her late husband in full combat gear.