Chapter 7

Landon watched his friends drive away and went inside the cabin.

He went into the kitchen and poured a cup of coffee from the electric pot. He liked his coffee black, and the stronger the better.

He took a plate with two rolls outside and returned for the coffee. He sat in one of several chairs on the screened porch and ignored the swing. Scout followed him and sat at his side and regarded the roll enviously.

Landon couldn’t help but smile as the dog’s tongue lolled out the side of his mouth. He steeled himself against getting too attached to the dog, but he had to admit Scout was growing on him. He couldn’t resist giving him a piece of roll.

For the first time since he set off on this journey, he relaxed. Maybe this had been a good move.

Once he finished his coffee. Scout nudged him, and he stood, remembering what Grace said about the mountain. A walk. Fresh air. That was what he needed. He looked up and saw the path she had mentioned.

The path was there. Taunting him. Inviting him to leave his safety zone.

“What do you think, Scout? Should we try it?”

The dog wagged his tail eagerly.

Landon started up the path. Scout went ahead of him but kept looking back to make sure he was keeping pace with him.

Landon didn’t realize how out of shape he was. He hadn’t run since Afghanistan.

He was breathing hard when he reached what was obviously a lookout. He paused and looked out over the town of Middletown. A peaceful town where everyone probably knew everyone. It looked like a toy town from here. The lake appeared an even richer blue. The war and its horrors seemed so far away. Suddenly he felt the darkness descending again. The despair.

“Don’t! Don’t do this!” He filled his lungs with fresh air and the rich smell of pine.

Scout made curious little noises in his throat and licked his hand. “Sensing something, huh?” he said. “I’m okay.”

The dog looked at him. He seemed to be saying, “I’m here now. You’re not alone.”

Landon swallowed hard, feeling a bit of anxiety. Scout nudged him again, and he reached out and scratched behind his ears. He was a smart dog. Could he really feel the emotions swirling in his chest?

Pain was a living thing inside him. It had been for months. He couldn’t let go of it. He didn’t want to let it go. It would be a betrayal of those who gave their lives to keep everyone safe. He remembered the last time he had seen Derek. Blood had been everywhere and his face was...

Landon felt nauseous.

“Don’t go there,” he said aloud.

Scout moved closer to him, nudged him, and made guttural sounds in his throat. He assumed that was his way of reassuring him. Landon looked at the towering mountains. Snow-covered peaks glistened in the noon sun. He took a deep breath of fresh air, rubbed Scout’s ears and slowly calmed down.

He started down the mountain. The path was well-trod but steep. He had to concentrate on every step, a good thing, in his mind. He was winded when he reached the bottom. He remembered the times, no so long ago, when he could run ten miles without breathing hard.

But that was a lifetime ago. A different Landon. Now he had to face new challenges.