AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Hopper,” she singled out the dog at the far-right end of the front row, using signing with her words. “To me.”
The dog rose and trotted to her. As it did, she addressed the others. “Stand.”
Every dog did as ordered, and when they were standing, she gave another command. “In line. To me.”
Gunner noticed the motions of her hands that accompanied her verbal commands, and wondered which set of commands the dogs followed. They sure watched her unblinking and rapt.
Oakley stood at the foot of the casket. As each dog passed, it looked up at her. She put her hand on the side of its face, then gestured to the coffin. The dog immediately stepped over close enough to sniff the body. When Oakley said “return”, it stopped and returned to its place in line.
Gunner marveled at the obedience of the animals, and the look each of them gave Oakley. It was like the queen’s guard, being honored by the touch of their queen as they said goodbye to a fallen comrade.
When the final dog reassumed its place, Oakley looked out over their ranks, made a sign with one hand, and looked upward. A shiver shot down Gunner’s spine when every dog lifted its head and howled.
This was like something from ages past. Man, and beast, all united, all howling their loss to the heavens, all sharing that moment of grief. The air was thick with it, that bond that united the men, women and dogs who protected and served their country. They were all kin and kin grieve for every member they lose.
Gunner raised his head, closed his eyes, and let the sound become part of him. It was a surreal moment in many ways. He wasn’t a fanciful man, and most importantly dealt in what he could see, hear, or touch.
But there were moments when some ancient genetic switch got flipped inside him, and the energy of the world around him told a story voice could not. He felt it all and the most powerful energy there was devotion, courage, and loyalty. And most of all, an all-encompassing love.
Every animal with its head tilted skyward sang. Their voices blended, and to him it felt like standing on sanctified ground.
The return of silence was almost deafening. Gunner didn’t pay much attention to anything after that, but Oakley and the way she watched the dogs. He’d be willing to bet that if asked, she could give you every dog’s name and age.
She loved them. That was clear. And this death was no small thing for her. It hit her with as much force as he and Riggs losing a man they’d partnered with and depended on for years.
They’d all lost someone who mattered. She’d lost someone she raised and trained, an animal who was more than a weapon. Oakley genuinely loved the dogs. How she ended up with no family, but them was unknown, but that’s the way it was for her.
He just hadn’t realized until now how hard her job was. No, how hard her life was, because this was more than a job for her. These dogs were more. They were somehow an integral part of her life and owned a big piece of her heart. He didn’t understand it, but then he didn’t have all the pieces to the puzzle that was Oakley Rising Wolf.
At least not yet. But he would. In time.
Oakley waited until the hangar was empty aside from herself, Gunner, Riggs, and Grady. They walked over to where she stood, looking down at Birdman’s body. Her hand stroked down his face, between his eyes and to his nose.
“He was an amazing being,” she said as they stopped behind her.
“He was a hero,” Gunner said, and when she glanced at him, added. “DJ wouldn’t have survived had it not been for Birdman. Nor would Digger. He sacrificed himself to save them.”
She nodded and swiped at her eyes. “Not making much of an impression here, am I?”
“Actually, I think you are,” Riggs answered the question. “One thing Georgie’s taught me is that it’s okay to be me – whether it’s being a soldier, a rancher, a father, friend or lover, and it’s okay to embrace all the emotions that go along with all the facets of myself.
“You feel deeply for all the dogs who fall under your command. That’s what makes you a good leader, Oakey. You have heart.”
“And you’re a kind man, Riggs. Now, I guess it’s time for me to face the music and speak with the brass to see if I can use the rest of my leave now. That will leave me with only a few days once I return to base and officially end my career.”
“Are you sure you want to do that?” Gunner asked at the same time Grady said “I promise you won’t regret—”
And before the sentence was out of his mouth, his, Riggs’ and Gunner’s phones all rang. It didn’t take a psychic to figure out why. There was only one reason all of them would receive a call at the same time.
Something big had happened. Something bad. Bad enough, they were being recalled for active duty.
Riggs and Grady stepped away to answer. Gunner stood his ground, looked directed at her, and spoke into the phone. “Hale.”
His eyes narrowed fractionally before he spoke again. “Yes, sir.”
She waited until he pocketed his phone. “Do you know where they’re sending you?”
“I do.”
