Chapter 11
Hannah watched out the window for any sign of Cole and Brody.
She guessed he must’ve tired of the mute woman who only stared at him.
Something inside of her seemed to melt when the man spoke, and his dog seemed adorable.
She missed the feel of his soft fur and the way he nuzzled her hand.
It made her feel almost alive again. Cole acted as if she meant something to him.
The idea seemed silly, since they only met once, yet it felt like they knew each other in a past life.
Her day dragged on as she glanced at the clock, ticking away another day.
Soon, Kassie would pop in and give her an update on her parents’ calls.
Then tell her about the sweetest new thing her twins did, how Tori gained a new tooth, and little Emma got an A on her spelling test. The woman gushed about her family and friends, making Hannah long for such a loving connection.
Her thoughts drifted back to Cole. The man seemed to occupy her mind more than she liked.
The feelings he evoked when he chatted and smiled at her made her want more than to exist in the quiet world she shut herself in.
Imagining herself speaking and laughing with Cole, her heart skipped a beat.
Maybe, she considered for an instant, Cole and Brody found a way to break her body’s hold on her.
No. If they did, then why did they stop coming?
Hannah turned her head toward the window and stared at the sky. It appeared they gave up on her, too.
Cole and Brody entered the team building and headed toward the scent of frying bacon and homemade biscuits. The guys didn’t exaggerate about Tess’ cooking. His stomach growled, anticipating the breakfast ahead.
He helped set the table and grabbed the juice before sitting with the men.
“Harris Construction signed the contract and placed the deposit. We can assign a team as early as tonight. I’m waiting for your estimate on the cost of the new equipment for Middle East jobs,” Whiskey reported.
“I know. Shadow and Ragu, please move the sock supply over to one of the bunk rooms. I can’t even get to the equipment to replace what we lost or broke from the last mission,” Leo said tiredly.
“You told us to put it in there,” Shadow argued.
“I know. If I don’t find a supply clerk soon, I’ll pull my hair out,” Leo muttered.
“What about the interview yesterday?” Taco asked.
“The woman gossiped about everyone but her mother the entire time. How can we trust her to keep secrets if I know her next-door neighbor has a boyfriend and a husband?” Leo complained.
“What’s the big deal?” Ragu asked. “So she knows they’re having an extramarital affair. It doesn’t mean she’ll tell military secrets.”
“She described the nighty her neighbor wore in great detail and how much it cost,” Leo admitted. “Something tells me she’s a bit nosey.”
“Don’t worry, boss. I’m sure someone will show up. You already have eight boxes of the socks in the locker room, and another six in the gym. You need to donate them or something,” Saint suggested.
Leo sighed. “Cole, tell me about the training setup.”
“I inspected the building. Everything’s in place. Do you plan to hire employees to stay with the dogs, like you do with the service animals? We can set up a video feed here and on my phone, but I’ll feel better if someone stays with them,” Cole informed Leo.
“Yes, Archer cleans our weapons and has agreed to take on the duty of staying during the day. I’ve interviewed three veterans to care for them but I want your input first. I hired Liam Miller, who has history with working with dogs.
He’s currently a patient at the hospital.
He’ll start once he’s discharged. Take time this afternoon to introduce yourself,” Leo ordered.
“Kassie forbade me from going into patient rooms,” Cole admitted, embarrassed.
Leo rubbed his forehead. “It’s like you took Team Asshole to whole other level.
I’ll call her and clear things up. Usually, we get PT out of the way before we have breakfast. A couple of contracts have come in and the Texas team can’t take on anything else.
We may spin up. Julio believes he’s close to finding Rebecca Rhodes.
She’s our first priority. He passed the folders around the table.
“If we take these on, it’ll mean we’ll be away from Serenity Mountain for at least six months. ”
The team groaned.
Leo scratched his chin. “We don’t have to take two of them.
The third one involves a member of our team.
Cole believes Sergeant Ford or Colonel Rutherford caused the deaths of his friends and their dogs.
One of the assignments will put us in proximity to the crime scene.
It’ll establish our cover. He’s one of us and we owe it to our brothers to bring them to justice.
Think about it. I know we agreed to stay local, and this will take us away from our families. ”
The men read the materials and shut the folders.
The mood at the table became somber as the men ate.
When they finished, the men cleaned up. Leo headed to his office and ordered everyone to meet in the gym in two hours.
Cole signaled for Brody to follow him. They loaded up into the truck and went to the training facility.
Half an hour later, the three dogs he sent for showed up.
Giving them time to sniff out their new home, Cole set up the play area. Even working dogs needed downtime. He threw the ball, wearing them out. He gave them water and placed them in their assigned kennels. Brody watched from the sidelines and barked his approval when Cole returned.
Archer entered the building with three veterans. “Leo asked me to watch over the new members of the team. These two clowns will watch them on the night shifts. I can personally vouch for them. Meet Reginald and Bob.”
“Nice to meet you,” Cole said, shaking hands.
“I wore them out from the long car ride. They’ll be good until dinner.
Feed them in their areas and then give them some free time.
Never leave them alone,” he instructed. “Let me go over what you can do when you release them. Make sure they have plenty of water and read the feeding instructions on the bins.”
He took them around and introduced them to the animals. “I’ll return after PT and meeting Liam,” he said before leaving.
“We’ll take good care of them,” Archer assured him, seeing the reluctance on Cole’s face.
“Come on, Brody. We need to meet someone,” he said, walking toward the path leading to the hospital.
Brody’s tail wagged as they drew closer to the building.
“I know what you’re thinking. We can’t visit Hannah. We’re here to see Liam,” he insisted.
Brody barked twice and ran ahead of him. “Brody, I mean it,” he called.
The dog didn’t stop as he rushed up the stairs. One of the teens opened the door as she exited the building, leaving enough space for his four-legged traitor to slip through.
“Damn it, Brody,” he muttered as he jogged up the steps. He ran down the hall, anticipating where the mutt planned on going.
The black tail disappeared around the corner of unit one and Cole raced to stop him before he reached Hannah’s room. Trying to keep from making a scene, he hastened his steps. “Brody, get back here,” he whispered furiously.
Too late, the dog rounded the corner and entered the room, Cole was forbidden to enter.
He knocked and waited. When no one answered, he entered. “Hello, Hannah. I’m sorry I didn't stop by. I did something kinda dumb and got grounded by Kass—”
He stopped short, noticing the redhead. “I promise I didn’t plan this. Brody seems to have become enamored with Hannah,” he explained.
“Calm down, Cole. The wicked witch knows you didn’t plan it,” Kassie teased, while gently laughing at Brody’s antics with Hannah.
He nudged his head under her hand and rubbed against her leg.
When he didn’t get a reaction, he placed his head in her lap and whined, his tail swishing ninety miles an hour as if flirting with her.
“Hannah, it appears you have a new friend.”
“Brody,” Cole commanded him. “Sit.”
The dog sat, batting his eyes and talking to Hannah with a series of groans and growls.
“Stop flirting, big guy,” Cole teased, pulling Brody away. “I’ll leave you two ladies alone.”
Pulling a reluctant Brody away, Cole left the room. “Way to go, butthead. I’m putting you on a burger restriction.”
Brody whined his disapproval.
He returned to the front and asked for Liam Miller’s room. Placing his dog on a lead, he searched for his new teammate.
He knocked and waited.
“Come in,” the man called.
Cole entered. “Hi. Leo asked me to introduce myself to you. I’m Cole.”
“Ahhh, the dog trainer. Word has it you bungled shit a few days ago. Have you crawled out of the doghouse yet?” he asked, smiling.
Already liking the man, Cole shook his hand. “Why am I having to come here to meet you and not at the facility?” he asked.
“I got too close to an explosion and ended up getting a cochlear implant. I’m counting the days until I’m discharged,” Liam admitted.
“I bet,” he agreed. “Leo mentioned you have experience with dogs.”
“Yes, I worked with a dog. He died in the explosion. Hammer didn’t deserve it,” Liam said solemnly.
“I’m sorry, man,” Cole commiserated.
“Is he yours?” Liam asked.
“He belonged to my friend,” he admitted quietly. “Brody returned injured, and I nursed him back to health. He still knows his commands and helps me with the new dogs from time to time.”
“That’s rough, bro,” Liam said as he leaned down. “May I pet him?”
“Sure.”
Brody leaned against Liam, and his tongue lolled to the side as if offering the former soldier comfort.
“How do feel about working with the canines again?” Cole asked.
“I’d love to,” Liam grinned. “When do we start?”
“When the doc says you can come down to the training facility,” he told him.
“It sounds great,” Liam said, petting his new furry friend.