Snowflake's Gift (Delos Series Book 6) Read online

  Snowflake’s Gift

  By Lindsay McKenna

  Praise for Lindsay McKenna

  “A treasure of a book … highly recommended reading that everyone will enjoy and learn from.”

  —Chief Michael Jaco, US Navy SEAL, retired, on Breaking Point

  “Readers will root for this complex heroine, scarred both inside and out, and hope she finds peace with her steadfast and loving hero. Rife with realistic conflict and spiced with danger, this is a worthy page-turner.”

  —BookPage.com on Taking Fire

  March 2015 Top Pick in Romance

  “… is fast-paced romantic suspense that renders a beautiful love story, start to finish. McKenna’s writing is flawless, and her story line fully absorbing. More, please.”

  —Annalisa Pesek, Library Journal on Taking Fire

  “Ms. McKenna masterfully blends the two different paces to convey a beautiful saga about love, trust, patience and having faith in each other.”

  —Fresh Fiction on Never Surrender

  “Genuine and moving, this romantic story set in the complex world of military ops grabs at the heart.”

  —RT Book Reviews on Risk Taker

  “McKenna does a beautiful job of illustrating difficult topics through the development of well-formed, sympathetic characters.”

  —Publisher’s Weekly (starred review) on Wolf Haven

  One of the Best Books of 2014, Publisher’s Weekly

  “McKenna delivers a story that is raw and heartfelt. The relationship between Kell and Leah is both passionate and tender. Kell is the hero every woman wants, and McKenna employs skill and empathy to craft a physically and emotionally abused character in Leah. Using tension and steady pacing, McKenna is adept at expressing growing, tender love in the midst of high stakes danger.”

  —RT Book Reviews on Taking Fire

  “Her military background lends authenticity to this outstanding tale, and readers will fall in love with the upstanding hero and his fierce determination to save the woman he loves.

  —Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Never Surrender

  One of the Best Books of 2014, Publisher’s Weekly

  “Readers will find this addition to the Shadow Warriors series full of intensity and action-packed romance. There is great chemistry between the characters and tremendous realism, making Breaking Point a great read.”

  —RT Book Reviews

  “This sequel to Risk Taker is an action-packed, compelling story, and the sizzling chemistry between Ethan and Sarah makes this a good read.”

  —RT Book Reviews on Degree of Risk

  “McKenna elicits tears, laughter, fist-pumping triumph, and most all, a desire for the next tale in this powerful series.”

  —Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Running Fire

  “McKenna’s military experience shines through in this moving tale … McKenna (High Country Rebel) skillfully takes readers on an emotional journey into modern warfare and two people’s hearts.”

  —Publisher’s Weekly on Down Range

  “Lindsay McKenna has proven that she knows what she’s doing when it comes to these military action/romance books.”

  —Terry Lynn, Amazon on Zone of Fire.

  “At no time do you want to put your book down and come back to it later! Last Chance is a well written, fast paced, short (remember that) story that will please any military romance reader!”

  —LBDDiaries, Amazon on Last Chance.

  Also available from

  Lindsay McKenna

  Blue Turtle Publishing

  DELOS

  Last Chance, prologue novella to Nowhere to Hide

  Nowhere to Hide, Book 1

  Tangled Pursuit, Book 2

  Forged in Fire, Book 3

  2016

  Broken Dreams, Book 4

  Cowboy Justice Bundle/Blind Sided, Bundle 2, novella

  Blind Sided, BN2

  Secret Dream, B1B novella, epilogue to Nowhere to Hide

  Hold On, Book 5

  Hold Me, 5B1, sequel to Hold On

  Unbound Pursuit, 2B1 novella, epilogue to Tangled Pursuit

  Dog Tags for Christmas Bundle/Snowflake’s Gift, Bundle 3, novella

  Secrets, 2B2 novella, sequel to Unbound Pursuit, 2B1

  2017

  Snowflake’s Gift, Book 6

  Never Enough, 3B, novella, epilogue to Forged in Fire

  Dream of Me novella, epilogue to Broken Dreams

  Trapped, Book 7

  Taking a Chance, Book 8, sequel to Trapped

  Harlequin/HQN/Harlequin Romantic Suspense

  SHADOW WARRIORS

  Danger Close

  Down Range

  Risk Taker

  Degree of Risk

  Breaking Point

  Never Surrender

  Zone of Fire

  Taking Fire

  On Fire

  Running Fire

  THE WYOMING SERIES

  Shadows From The Past

  Deadly Identity

  Deadly Silence

  The Last Cowboy

  The Wrangler

  The Defender

  The Loner

  High Country Rebel

  Wolf Haven

  Night Hawk

  Out Rider

  WIND RIVER VALLEY SERIES, Kensington

  2016

  Wind River Wrangler

  2017

  Wind River Rancher

  Wind River Cowboy

  Wind River Wrangler’s Challenge

  Snowflake’s Gift

  Copyright © 2016 by Nauman Living Trust

  ISBN: 978-1-929977-42-0

  Kindle Edition

  Excerpt from Never Enough

  Copyright © 2016 by Nauman Living Trust

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Blue Turtle Publishing, PO Box 2513, Cottonwood, AZ 86326 USA

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This edition published by arrangement with Blue Turtle Publishing

  www.lindsaymckenna.com

  Dear Reader,

  Welcome to the Delos Series! Snowflake’s Gift is a stand-alone novella, because sometimes, a character just comes to me and says, “Hey! Tell my story!”

  And I love all animals, but horses, dogs and cats are my pet favorites (sorry for the pun!). But this story is about military vets coming home from war, too. I am a Navy veteran myself, active during the Vietnam War (I stayed in the USA, providing rear support as a meteorologist).

  I also love Christmas stories about love and happily ever after. These are the reasons I wrote this heartwarming novella. We can all use a lift during the holidays.

  Nick Conway, US Army WMD dog handler, has spent years in Afghanistan saving the lives of troops. First with Dude, his yellow Labrador and then with Snowflake, an Australian shepherd. He’s released by the Army due to PTSD. Coming home is a relief and yet, he feels guilty about it. He has only been home for a few weeks, helping his mother out at her diner in Hamilton, Montana, when his life changes for the better.

  Holly McGuire is a Delos Charity owner in Hamilton. She takes care of many of the town’s elderly shut-ins who can no longer feed themselves and n
eed other types of services and help. At twenty-five, she has seen a lot of tragedy, so her work to make those less fortunate a little happier, feeds her soul.

  When Holly meets Nick in the dishwashing area of the diner on that fateful September day, it is Snowflake who brings them together. Broken and depressed, Nick discovers hope in Holly’s sunshine smile and dancing blue eyes. Santa Claus has a surprising gift in store for both of them, thanks to Snowflake’s gift!

  I’d love to hear what you think about my Christmas novella, the Culver family, and the Delos Series! Don’t be shy about contacting me via my website at www.lindsaymckenna.com. And Happy Holidays!

  Dedication

  To Tricia Speed, who does it all. I couldn’t do it without her!

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Praise for Lindsay McKenna

  Also available from Lindsay McKenna

  Copyright Page

  Dear Reader

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Excerpt from Never Enough by Lindsay McKenna

  The Books of Delos

  Everything Delos!

  CHAPTER 1

  September

  Nick Conway gave his Australian shepherd, Snowflake, a fond look as he deposited the dirty plates, flatware, glasses, and cups in the industrial-size dishwasher. Snowflake was lying on his favorite red-cotton blanket in the corner of the Yellow Rose Diner’s back room. The dog tilted his head, intuitively aware of his master’s gaze, and adoringly rested his blue eyes on Nick.

  “It would sure be nice if you could come up here and help me with these dishes, partner,” Nick suggested with a grin. In response, his ex-Army WMD dog panted in the September heat. To give them some relief, Nick had opened the back door to let some fresh air in. Damn, this washing-up room got hot, despite the air conditioning. It had snowed three days ago, but the white stuff had melted quickly, and now the Indian summer temperatures raced to eighty degrees during midday and then dropped below freezing at night. Fall in Montana was mercurial at best.

  His mother, Sue Conway, who was now forty-six, had run their family-owned diner since she was twenty-years-old and pregnant with him. The lunch rush had just ended and Nick was still learning his duties as the new dishwasher.

  Outside, he could see what was known as the Bitterroot Valley, surrounded by the Bitterroot Mountains. They already had snow on top of their craggy peaks, their blue, granite flanks covered with snow, which tended to come early to this part of western Montana. The diner sat nestled within a beautiful panorama of the valley, with the Bitterroot River winding nearby. It was a trout fisherman’s paradise and Hamilton was a favorite haunt of hunters and fishermen, as well as winter sports enthusiasts.

  But being back home felt like a big comedown after being in the US Army as a dog handler, saving men’s and women’s lives all over Afghanistan. Now, he reflected on how many pointless deaths he’d witnessed, how many close calls he’d had, and the long term effect of the loss of his first WMD dog, Dude, a male yellow Lab.

  By helping in the kitchen, he could earn money to pay for an apartment of his own within a month or two. Although the military now paid for his college education, the checks would arrive after he’d completed his studies, not before. That meant he had to have a paying job to allow him to leave his parents’ house and find a rental somewhere else.

  Okay, so being a dishwasher wasn’t what he’d dreamed of after he was released with an honorable medical discharge, thanks to a stubbornly recurring case of PTSD. But still, it would pay enough to keep him going for now. His black brows dipped as he finished off the huge plastic tubs filled with dirty dishes, feeling pride in his work. He wouldn’t always be doing this, but for the next two years, he’d treasure this menial part-time job. He was grateful his mother had offered it to him after he’d told her he would like to find another place to live.

  Nick tugged off his green plastic gloves, dropping them onto the nearby aluminum counter. He grabbed a fresh cloth and began wiping down the shiny, aluminum surfaces and appliances around the washing room. Everyone was glad to see the lunch crowd go as they went into dinner preparation mode. The eager diners would begin to arrive from five p.m. onward.

  His mother would wait tables occasionally, taking orders when there was a surge of hungry tourists during summer vacation. But right now, the kids were back in school, and it was an older crowd of regulars who stopped in for a friendly meal.

  This was his seventh day on the job and he wanted to make his mother proud. Nick was happy to have this type of low-stress job and be able to help his family in the process. His PTSD didn’t allow him to work in high-pressure situations where he’d have to deal with lots of people. That kind of environment could aggravate his cortisol levels and raise his anxiety. A dishwashing job was perfect—it was just him in a back room with a door he could open for fresh air when he needed it. He also had time to attend all of his college classes and to do homework.

  The ability to have an “exit point” was important ever since Dude had died while following the trail of an IED. It had led to an Afghan goat barn with a thatched roof, Nick was holding the Labrador on a sixteen-foot leash as they entered the stable area. Set up as a trap, an IED went off, killing Dude instantly and knocking Nick six-feet backwards. He had been rescued by his comrades, who found him unconscious and badly bruised, but thankfully, still alive.

  That had been a black day he relived again and again. Thank God they’d given him Snowflake after his return to duty. The two had bonded immediately. Snowflake would also start when a car backfired, or when someone shot a gun. He would wince and duck his head upon hearing those very sounds. Yes, his best friend had PTSD, just like him.

  Around Hamilton, everyone was a hunter and owned a gun or two. As a kid growing up here, Nick hadn’t been bothered by the sound of gunfire, but now, the sound of guns made him crouch down. There had even been times when he’d dive down to the ground, convinced he was under attack. Snowflake reacted similarly, depending upon how close the shots were being fired. They were quite a pair, Nick thought wryly. He loved this dog with the same intensity as he’d loved Dude.

  As Nick cleaned up the last batch of dishes that his mother had just brought in to be washed in the next load, he tried to focus on his job. His mother had earned an A rating for her diner and was very proud of it. Lately however, her chef, Tony, had shrugged off safe-food preparations. Nick knew his mother was a stickler for proper food care—and with good reason. She was actually relieved when Tony had stalked off last week in a huff. Now, she was the cook for the diner until she could hire someone else.

  Nick wanted to ease his mother’s stress, so he volunteered to help with washing up. It didn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out how to use the industrial dishwasher after she gave him a quick run-through on how to use it. As a kid, he had cleared tables at this diner, cleaned them, and taken the dishes and cutlery back here. That was how he’d earned a weekly allowance. Being here in the washing-up room wasn’t all that bad—it brought back some memories that he actually found comforting.

  “Hey! Hello! Is Tony here? May I come in?”

  Nick, who’d had his back to the screen door, jumped, then whirled around. Snowflake instantly barked a greeting, his short tail-stub wagging.

  Surprised, Nick saw a young woman with curly red hair. She was standing on the top step, smiling up at him. His heart was hammering because she’d scared the hell out of him! Trying to appear calm, he told Snowflake to go back to his bed in the corner, which the dog did reluctantly. He too, wanted to know who this cheerful, freckled stranger was.

  Pushing open the screen door, he said, “Tony quit last week. I’m Nick. Can I help you?” She had big, blue eyes that danced with such life, he realized how damn long he�
��d missed seeing that kind of glint in a woman’s eyes. In Afghanistan, women’s gazes were flat, dark, wary, and sometimes, filled with hatred toward Americans. This young woman was like a breath of fresh air rushing toward him.

  “I’m Holly McGuire,” she said, thrusting out her hand. “I run the Delos food charity over on Main Street. I’m here to pick up any leftovers for this week’s dinners for the shut-ins I take care of.” She craned her neck, looking around. “Are you their new dishwasher?”

  He released her hand, feeling its amazing softness. “Yes, I am. Come in, please. I’m not sure where Mom keeps that extra food, but hold on a minute and I’ll get her.”

  “Oh,” Holly said, “no worries. I know exactly where it is. In fact, I have some large, cardboard boxes to bring in so we can put all the cans and plastic containers inside them. Would you like to help me?” She gestured out the door to her white van. “The boxes are out there. Tony used to lug them in and out.”

  Nick followed her outside. “Sure, I’m happy to help.”

  Snowflake rushed out the door, right on Nick’s heels—after all, they worked together as a team. As Nick walked with Holly, he noticed how the mid-afternoon, September sunlight glinted on her burnished hair. Was she of Irish descent, he wondered? The thick strands were mussed, caught up in a large, maroon comb at the back of her head. It suited her. He liked the way the fall breeze made the curls dance around her oval face.

  “Handsome dog,” she said, halting at her van. “What’s her name?”

  “This is Snowflake—and he’s an Australian shepherd,” Nick pointed out.

  Snowflake pushed in between them, panting, gazing adoringly up at Holly who leaned over and gently patted his head.

  “Oh, he’s beautiful! I’ve never seen a dog like him. I love the color of his eyes. I never realized dogs could have blue eyes.”

  “That’s standard for the breed,” Nick offered. “He was Army trained to search for WMDs in Afghanistan. I was his handler.”

  Holly’s fresh-scrubbed, freckled face became somber. “Oh wait,” she said, straightening, “are you Nick Conway? Sue’s son, who was in the Army? Gossip around town a few months ago said you were finished with your enlistment and you were coming home.”