At the sound of toenails tapping, Katie’s gaze turned to Raider coming into the kitchen and plopping down at Josh’s feet. “Do they train military dogs to do pressure therapy?”
“Not that I know of.” Josh shook his head. “But German Shepherds are exceptionally smart dogs. Maybe for him it was just instinct.”
“Like the way they always position themselves between their people and the door,” Alice added. “Best way to protect the family.”
Josh nodded. “Something like that.”
“Guess he’s almost ready to go back to work.” Cassie took a seat at the table.
“Not in the military.” Josh reached down to scratch the dog’s ears, smiling sweetly.
Katie wondered if he realized how far over he was leaning and showing no signs of dizziness before dragging her thoughts back to what he’d just said. “Why not?”
“Even though he’s recovering,” Josh straightened in his seat—still no sign of dizziness, “an injury like his means medical discharge from the army. He can’t be deployed again and restricted duty is hard to find for a K9.”
“I see.” Her lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes shifting between him and the dog, she merely nodded, considering not for the first time how alike the dog and man were. For Raider it was a given he would be retired from the military, for Josh, well, that question was still up in the air. Or was it? Maybe he already knew his destiny.
“Then maybe he could be a therapy dog?” Alice stared at the dog in deep concentration.
Josh nodded. “That’s what I’ve been considering ever since the incident was over and the little boy hugged the stuffing out of the dog. I’ve worked with a lot of handlers and K9s. While I’m no Kade, if I’ve learned anything all these years, it’s to recognize a good dog when I see one, and Raider is most definitely a good dog.”
“Maybe we could do some training tests,” Katie turned to Josh, “the way you and Kade did with Brady, to see if Raider would be a good candidate?”
Before Josh could respond that he’d need help from Kade, the overhead light flickered once, capturing everyone’s attention, and then again before sparking and leaving them in total darkness.
“Oh my.” Katie’s hand reached over and clutched at Josh’s arm.
For a heartbeat, no one moved. Then Alice’s voice cut through the sudden darkness. “Well. That’s not ideal.”
Katie blinked, waiting for her eyes to adjust. Moonlight filtered through the kitchen window, casting everything in shades of gray.
“Generator should kick in any second,” Alice said.
They waited. Sure enough, a distant hum started up, and the refrigerator shuddered back to life. But the overhead lights stayed dark.
“Fridge is on the generator,” Alice explained, already moving toward the pantry. “Lights aren’t. Give me a second.”
Katie heard rustling, then the soft glow of a flashlight beam swept across the floor.
“Here we go.” Alice emerged with two gas lamps and a handful of candles. “Josh, can you light these? Matches are in the drawer by the stove.”
He stood carefully, feeling his way along the counter.
Katie rose to help, their hands brushing as they both reached for the matchbox. “Sorry,” she whispered.
“Don’t be.”
The first match flared, and Josh lit one of the lamps. Warm light bloomed across the kitchen, softer and more intimate than the overhead bulbs had been. He lit the second lamp, then started on the candles Alice had scattered across the table and counters.
“There.” Alice surveyed her work with satisfaction. “Much better than fumbling around in the dark.”
Katie had to agree. The flickering glow made everything feel different—quieter, more peaceful. Like they’d stepped into a different time.
Reaching for one of the flashlights, Josh looked to Alice. “I’ll check the breakers. Where’s the panel box?”
“On the side of the house. Out the guest wing door, turn right. Only a few feet ahead.”
“I’ll come with you.” Katie jumped to her feet. Not that she’d have a clue what to do with an electric panel, but…
