ManâsâAnd Womanâs?âBest Friend
Conard Countyâs returning war hero is a world away from the popular high school athlete Ashley Granger remembers. Zane McLaren doesnât want any fanfareâhe doesnât want any human contact at all. But it seems Zaneâs affectionate golden retriever has other ideas about the decorated soldier and the teacher next door!
Wounded in battle, Zane wants only to be left alone. He doesnât need anyoneâs pity, especially his outgoing, dog-loving neighborâs. Because it isnât just Ashleyâs legendary apple pie thatâs tempting Zane to quit hiding from life. Suddenly the Purple Heart recipient is having a hard time keeping his own heart under wraps. Has he found the woman who can help him heal the past and build a loving future together?
âCome in?â he asked Ashley as they parked in his driveway.
She didnât hesitate, which relieved him. âSure,â she said and climbed out.
His own exit took a little longer, and Ashley was waiting for him on the porch by the time he rolled up the ramp.
Nell took a quick dash in the yard, then followed eagerly into the house. The dog was good at fitting in her business when she had the chance.
âStay for a while,â he asked Ashley. âI can offer you a soft drink if youâd like.â
She held up her latte cup. âStill plenty here.â
He rolled into the kitchen and up to the table, where he placed the box holding his extra meal. He didnât go into the living room much. Getting on and off the sofa was a pain, hardly worth the effort most of the time. He supposed he could hang a bar in there like he had over his bed so he could pull himself up and over, but he hadnât felt particularly motivated yet.
But then, almost before he knew what he was doing, he tugged on Ashleyâs hand until she slid onto his lap.
âIf Iâm outta line, tell me,â he said gruffly. âNo social skills, like I said.â
He watched one corner of her mouth curve upward. âI donât usually like to be manhandled. However, this time I think Iâll make an exception.â
* * *
Conard County: The Next Generation
RACHEL LEE was hooked on writing by the age of twelve and practiced her craft as she moved from place to place all over the United States. This New York Times bestselling author now resides in Florida and has the joy of writing full-time.
To Ashley R. Granger, a very sweet lady who offered to let me use her name for a character. Thanks, Ashley!
Chapter One
Zane McLaren pulled into the driveway after dark. Operating the hand controls of his van with the ease of familiarity, he parked so that the newly constructed ramp would be near the sliding door in the side of the van.
It was ready. His old family home had been prepped for his wheelchair existence, and only the service dog on the front seat beside him seemed happy to realize the journey had ended. Nell, a golden Lab, woofed her approval as he turned the engine off.
Arriving after dark had been a choice. By now everyone in Conard County, Wyoming, who cared to hear about it knew that Zane McLaren was coming home for the first time since his parentsâ funerals nearly fifteen years ago, and the ramps heâd had constructed before his arrival let them know his condition if they hadnât already heard from workmen or his housekeeper.
The fat had probably already been chewed over by those who remembered: great high school athlete in a wheelchair nearly twenty years later as a result of his military service. Heads had shaken, and curiosity had awakened.
The thought of that curiosity had brought him home in the darkness. He wasnât ready to face a parade of well-wishers, many of whom would be mostly interested in discovering how bad off he was.
Heâd lost the use of his legs two years before. Rehab had followed, then adaptation to his new life. Now he just wanted to be left alone. Heâd have been more anonymous in a city, but the wars had left him with other scars, too. He couldnât handle the noise, the traffic, the constant crush of people. He needed quiet and solitude, and he figured this was the best place to get it. Once everyone understood he just wanted to be left alone, theyâd leave him alone. As he seemed to remember, people in this town were mostly respectful.
If it didnât work out, heâd sell the house and move on. There was nothing holding him anywhere now.
He pivoted the driverâs seat and used his arms to lift himself into the wheelchair behind. Ready to go. Nell jumped off her seat and came to stand beside him, her tail swishing happily.
She was probably desperate to hit the grass, he thought with mild amusement. After locking himself in place, he pressed a button. The van door pulled open. The pneumatic lift extended itself, carrying him outside. Then another button lowered him to the ground. When heâd rolled off, Nell jumped to do her part. She nosed yet another button, the lift rose and retracted, and the door eased closed. He scratched her ears, letting him know he was pleased with her. She grinned back at him, happy.