Second Chance Soldier

She liked his quick smile and shrug. “And a dog-ranch owner without her dog?”

She laughed. “Come on. I’ll drive us to town.” She motioned toward the passenger side of her car. An expression she couldn’t quite read passed over his face but he said nothing. Surely he wasn’t some male chauvinist who expected to drive, even under these circumstances, when she knew the town a lot better than he did?

Or...was that somehow related to his PTSD? Had he somehow been injured in a car?

She wasn’t about to ask.

“I intended to meet you here first to make sure we were still on for tonight, then go get my car,” he said.

“No need.” She motioned for him to get into the passenger’s side, and with only another second’s hesitation, he complied.

Chapter 3

Amber started the engine and headed down the country road toward town, only a ten-minute journey. They soon passed the resort owned by Nathan, and Amber wondered how things were going with her mother’s non-date with him.

Evan remained silent. “How’s Bear doing?” Amber finally asked, determined to cast aside thoughts of her mom.

“Fine. I left him in the kitchen, though he’s a good boy and should do fine with the run of the house in the future.”

“I’ll bet.” She searched her mind for another topic he might be interested in discussing. “How was your drive from Los Angeles?” That was where he had been living when they first began communicating about the job.

“Some traffic, but not bad.” He looked straight ahead, not at her. She, though, glanced toward him. He appeared relaxed—and was as good-looking as she’d considered him before.

“Good.” She again watched the road in front of them. “I hope you don’t mind, but we’re making a couple of stops before dinner.”

“Really? Where?” He did look toward her now. Was he concerned about the location, or how many people he’d see, or...well, she had no idea.

“The local Pets and Products first. I need to pick up some dog food.” She’d also see one of her closest friends around here at the shop, the local franchise’s owner Mirrisa Jenkins.

Mirri would be happy for Amber, that she’d finally found someone to restart classes at the K-9 Ranch.

“I’d like to visit there, too,” Evan said. “I need some supplies for Bear.” He paused. “Where else?”

“You’ll like this one.” She hoped. “I need to see a guy at our local tech store. He maintains the ranch’s website, and I want him to let the world know that we’ll be starting more classes again.” When Evan said nothing, Amber wondered if he felt uncomfortable about the concept of “letting the world know.”

“Of course, if you don’t want your name mentioned, just tell me.”

He seemed to hesitate, but only for a second. “No, that’ll be fine—although, don’t you want to wait until you see how the classes work out before you start promoting again?”

“Are you saying you may mess up?”

Again a hesitation, but then Evan said, “Absolutely not. You’ve hired the right guy.”

“That’s what I figured.” Amber couldn’t cross her fingers easily since she was driving. But considering the other candidates, she believed what he’d said was true.

* * *

They were finally at the restaurant called The Joint.

Evan allowed his prior tension to ease up, relaxing his shoulders and breathing evenly. He would now get to start the conversation he had planned.

Not that he’d minded being at that Pets and Products shop. It was like every other one he had gone into over the years, and it sold the wholesome food that he always fed Bear, as well as the healthy treats he gave his dog, though not part of any training.

That friend of Amber’s—Mirri—kept looking from him to Amber and back again, as if assessing whether there was more than a new employer-employee association. He fought down the urge to tell her that what she was looking for was simply not there.

So far he liked Amber...sure. But if he finally got to the point, ever, when he was ready to start some kind of relationship with a woman again, it wouldn’t be one in a position to tell him what to do.

He’d had enough people doing that while he was in the military. Although his connections with his senior officers had been as expected and appropriate, he’d not been close friends with any of them. And now that he was fighting with his own psyche to regain internal balance, he wasn’t about to make things more difficult by getting involved with yet another person who was able to give him orders.

When they’d completed their purchases, they had gone around the corner from the pet store, which was on Chance Avenue, to the Cords and Clouds shop on Mercer Street. It was a small tech store run by a guy named Percy Relgin, who looked like the stereotype of geekiness: he was young and thin, with puffy hair and glasses. Amber had introduced them, then told Percy she wanted him to update the ranch’s website again, as he had recently. But this time he was to focus on Evan and add a description of his excellent lessons for pet dogs and potential trainers, which were about to begin, and to say that more classes, including police K-9 training and instruction for therapy dogs and possibly service dogs, too, would be scheduled eventually.

Evan sloughed off his concern about being able to meet her standards. He could do it. He would do it. And he forced himself to give Percy all the information about his background and skills that he asked.

Amber and Percy then talked briefly about the ranch’s email. Apparently the guy had figured out her father’s password, which now meant Amber could access what was there. Then they left.

The Joint was between the two shops, on the joined corner of their respective streets. He had noticed it when he had first driven through Chance on his way to the ranch. The restaurant owner knew Amber and greeted her right away. “I’ve got just the right table for you now,” he said, which was good since the place was crowded.

“Thanks, Gus,” Amber said. “By the way, this is Evan, my new dog trainer.”

“Hi, Evan.” Gus reached out to shake hands. He wore a black T-shirt and jeans, less dressy than the servers, who had on gray knit shirts and dark trousers. “Glad to meet you.” He preceded them between the tables, and Evan watched as Amber said hi and waved to several seated patrons.

At an empty table in the middle of the room, Gus handed them menus, then walked away.

The restaurant appeared to cater to everyone. Evan noted the assortment of families and couples and groups of men and women seated around tables similar to theirs: plastic with a wood-grain finish. The acoustics were what he’d anticipate in a place like this, with a hum of conversations that was loud but didn’t drown out the server’s voice when she asked what they wanted to drink.

Since they were here to discuss his questions he didn’t want any alcohol, not that he feared he wouldn’t stay sober, but because he wanted to appear professional. He ordered a cola.

“So,” Amber said once the server had gone. “What did you want to discuss tonight?”

He first asked about the ranch: how Amber’s father had started it, why it was at such a remote location and how he’d nevertheless lured in people from all over to learn how to train not only pets, but also police K-9s and therapy dogs. She responded that her dad believed in himself and wanted students to come to him and learn, with dogs, in a comfortable environment. And it had worked well, she told Evan, which he knew from Corbin Belott’s reputation on the internet rating sites and the numbers of classes he’d apparently taught. But Evan recognized her worry about the future and was both grateful and concerned she would be relying on him.

In answer to further questions, Amber said her dad had loved working with dogs and even training other people to work with them, but had enjoyed doing it all himself, so he’d had no backup employees. She said he’d made a good living at it.

Evan also wanted to know what the family believed had happened to Corbin Belott, though he wouldn’t mention that now. Corbin had been murdered, Evan knew from his research. Shot, and his body was found on the grounds of his ranch by a ranch hand, whom Evan now believed was Orrin.

According to news reports, the case remained unsolved. Did his family have any idea about his enemies? Might his wife and daughter be in danger, too?

And Evan wondered how Amber and her mother handled such a horror. Sure, he had seen and dealt with death in many tragic ways, had nearly died himself—and would have, had it not been for Bear. But he had been at war, in a dangerous situation that he had chosen, somewhat, to face.

That was very different from what had happened here.

But this wasn’t the time or place to ask Amber about what had happened to her dad. It might never be appropriate, despite his curiosity.

Evan instead went to another item on his mental list that was more critical to him and his new job. “I know I’ll be working with some of your long-standing students tomorrow, which is great. I’ll get a taste of the classes your father taught both to potential pet trainers and to their dogs that need training, and that should help a lot. But I gather there aren’t other classes of any kind scheduled right now.”

He looked across the table directly into the brown eyes that studied him so intently. “Not yet,” she said. “I hope we can get other kinds started fast, which was why I wanted to update our website right away. You’ll need to work with our shepherd pups, too, but I know enough to understand it’ll be a while before they’re ready to be sold to police handlers and become actual K-9s, although I want word to get out that it’ll be coming. It would also be good if we get some interest now from officers who bring working K-9s in for additional training.”

“I agree,” Evan said. “And as for these pups, you’re right that it’s usually best not to turn them over to handlers until they’re a bit older and well trained, but if they progress well things could go faster.”

“Really?”

He liked the way Amber smiled at him, although he glanced over her shoulder after meeting her eyes.

“Really,” he said.

Their server returned with rolls and butter, so the conversation stalled just when Evan had thought it most interesting. But when they were alone once more—as alone as they could get in this crowded restaurant—he continued. “You’ve talked about therapy and service dog training, too.”

“That’s right,” Amber said, looking down toward the menu, then back at Evan’s face. “Assuming I find the right trainers to assist you. I recognize they’re not your specialty. I’d eventually love to do even more than my dad did. But I want to do things right and not rush into anything.” Those eyes narrowed a bit, as if she was trying to look into his mind, determine how quickly he could settle in and get down to work—and what he thought about service dog training.

Uncomfortable, he glanced away but made himself look back at her. “I understand. I’ll want to know more of your expectations about those other classes, including K-9s, though we did touch on the possibilities when we communicated by email. But for now, tell me about the people you expect will be here tomorrow. What’s their background in being trained so far, with just pets, right? Did they all start their classes with your father at the same time? And—”

He stopped abruptly as Amber’s eyes looked away from his and widened hugely. She looked troubled, and he ignored his sudden urge to stand and take her into his arms for comfort.

He wouldn’t—couldn’t—have done that even if she hadn’t been his employer. Instead, he turned to see where she was looking.

A woman was making her way between the people seated at the crowded tables, heading toward them—a woman in a cop uniform.

And Evan hoped that he was about to learn at least something about Corbin Belott’s murder.

* * *

It wasn’t surprising to see anyone in town here at The Joint, Amber told herself. Although, this evening, no one here that she knew had done more than toss a few friendly greetings toward her and return to their meals and conversations.

But Assistant Police Chief Kara Province was clearly heading in her direction.

Amber had met Kara after a local parade, then chatted with her at various town functions when she had come home to visit her parents. She was glad now that she had, since even though Kara wasn’t the primary cop assigned to investigate her father’s murder, she was at least somewhat forthcoming and kind, and kept Amber as apprised as she could about anything the police found.

Which so far hadn’t been much.

She reached their table at the same time their server did. “I’ll come back in a minute to take your order,” the server said, looking with irritation toward the cop as if she didn’t like the delay. Then she hurried away.

Kara was a tall, slender woman who looked completely at home in her black police uniform. She was only in her thirties, yet she had already risen through the ranks to become assistant chief of police, which Amber had admired even before she had any need to know a cop.

“Hi, Amber.” Kara’s soft voice was surprisingly audible over the louder voices around them. She glanced briefly down toward Evan, then back at Amber.

“This is my new dog trainer, Evan Colluro. Evan, meet Assistant Police Chief Kara Province.”

Amber watched them shake hands as Evan stood politely and glanced toward Kara’s face, but only briefly. Kara’s eyes rolled down him as if assessing him with interest. Amber didn’t like the pang of irritation that shot through her. Kara was most likely looking him over as a potential suspect in something, maybe even the murder of her father, but nothing personal. And even if she was flirting, well, so what?

“We haven’t ordered dinner yet,” Amber said. “Would you like to join us?” She glanced toward Evan to see his reaction to the idea, and assumed he wouldn’t appreciate it. She was surprised, therefore, to see a positive expression on his face as he nodded his approval.

“Not for dinner, but I will join you for a minute, if that’s okay.”

“Of course.” But Amber felt her body go slack. Was Kara about to tell them something new in the case regarding her dad?

If so, something helpful—or not?

Not, as it turned out. “I just wanted to let you know that we haven’t forgotten about you or your father, Amber,” Kara said, taking a seat at the side of the table between Evan and her. “But so far we have no new leads. We’re still—”

“I’m sorry,” Evan interrupted, “but I hope you don’t mind if I ask a few questions. I’m not in law enforcement, but I have a military background, and have also been taught to work with police K-9s and other dogs.”

“Yes, I figured at least part of that from Amber’s introduction of you as a new trainer at her ranch,” Kara said.

The server returned and placed glasses of water in front of all three of them. She must have assumed Kara was joining them—which was true, if only for a short while.

“I don’t know much about the case,” Evan continued, “but I checked out the ranch before applying for the job. I understand Mr. Belott was found on his ranch’s grounds, and he had been shot.”

Amber closed her eyes and shuddered. She knew that, yet every time she was reminded of it, she wanted to break down and cry. She made herself open her eyes again and looked toward Evan, only to find he was watching her, maybe more directly than he had done since they had met.

His sympathetic expression only made her want to cry even more.

“That’s correct,” Kara responded.

“Does your department have a K-9 unit?”

Of course he would ask that. The question almost made Amber want to smile. Almost.

“Yes, although it’s a small one, only two officers. Both they and their dogs were partially trained by Mr. Belott, in fact. And before you ask, yes, we did have them examine the crime scene. That didn’t lead to any results.”

“I see,” Evan said. “Well...do you have any suspects?”

Amber noted Kara’s glare, as if Evan had told her she wasn’t doing her job, but she answered anyway. “There are several persons of interest, partly because we were told by a few of Mr. Belott’s students that he’d been arguing with some of their classmates. We’re more inclined to believe, though, that it was a robbery gone wrong, since his wallet and cell phone were missing, and someone attempted to use his credit card shortly after the murder—in Nevada. We’ve looked at visitors to this area then, including guests at nearby hotels, but haven’t yet zeroed in on anyone, including whoever attempted to use the card. Anyway, I’d better go back to my own table.” Kara stood as Amber swept the room with her gaze and saw other uniformed officers at a table at the far wall. “But please feel assured, Amber, that we’re still on the case.”

“Thanks, Kara,” Amber responded, even as she wanted to shout that they hadn’t gotten anywhere so far, so why try? As Kara left, their server returned to take their order.

Amber wasn’t surprised when Evan ordered a hamburger dinner with several sides, a substantial meal.

She, on the other hand, ordered a relatively small salad.

She had lost her appetite.

* * *

Evan had continued to watch Amber’s face when the cop was present at their table and afterward.

His new employer’s attitude had gone from “I’m in charge so listen to me” to “I’m lost.” He might not be thrilled that she could ultimately give him orders about dog training—his specialty, not hers—even though she was, in fact, his boss. But he hated to see her appear so sad.

Well, as he’d said, he wasn’t in law enforcement, but he did train K-9s and their handlers. He was also well aware that any help well-trained K-9s might have been able to offer before was probably impossible this long after the crime.

But he would be on that ranch with dogs he was training. Were any of the students he’d be working with tomorrow considered potential suspects? Would he wind up working with additional former students who were? Did any of them present a potential danger to Amber or her mother?

He’d try to check about who the primary suspects were. And it certainly wouldn’t hurt for him to learn exactly where the crime had occurred, in the remote chance that there still might be clues that a dog could sniff out.

Then, maybe, he might be able to get his gorgeous, sexy employer to smile at him...at a time he could smile back.

Chapter 4

But this evening came first. He wanted to get through it in a manner that could only help his future career here. In a way that would hopefully impress Amber.

That resulted in Evan surprising himself. Tonight, he was the one to start conversations.

It almost appeared as if Amber and he had traded personalities. She wouldn’t look at him as she ate her salad. She didn’t seem interested in talking to him.

Not at first. Not until he stopped attempting banalities, like how good his food was and how nice the crowded restaurant was with its homey decor, its tables filled with talkative patrons...and that police presence in the far corner.

Not until he jumped into a subject he knew would be difficult, but would at least grab her interest.

“So tell me.” To keep himself going, he picked up another wheat roll from the basket in the center of the table and started to butter it. “How did your father get into dog training? Knowing that will help me figure out the best way to follow in his footsteps—or paw prints, so to speak.”

She actually looked up from watching the fork she twisted in her salad greens and shot him a brief smile. “So to speak,” she repeated, “or so to bark?” Her tone was lighter now, and he felt damn good about it as her expression grew pensive. “Interesting enough, there are a lot of similarities, I think, between your background and my dad’s. He was career military, though. He stayed in the army for twenty years, so that defined my early life, too. I’m not sure how or when he became a K-9 handler, but he did.”

A look he couldn’t interpret passed over her face, but it seemed awfully sad. He wanted to reach out and hold her hand but didn’t. “Hey, he had to have been one smart, amazing, wonderful soldier, like all K-9 handlers,” he said instead, hoping his joke would cheer her a bit.

“Of course.” She shot him a look that suggested she was irritated, yet somehow appreciative of his attempted humor.

“Okay, continue,” he said. “Tell me more.”

“Well, when he got out, he decided to come to this area, near where he grew up in San Luis Obispo, but that’s a larger town than Chance. With my mother’s okay, he bought this ranch, which was vacant then, to train dogs here. Away from most people, except for us and minimal contact with others. I wonder now that I’ve met you...well, maybe he had some form of PTSD, too. His decisions after his military retirement may have been before PTSD was as recognized as it is now. Or maybe I’m wrong. But he seemed to have decided he’d spent enough time surrounded by people.”

“Yeah, I can identify with that.” He looked her straight in the face for a few seconds. Then he decided he needed some water and glanced toward his glass as he grabbed it. “So you lived with them at the ranch for...well, how long?”

“I was in my late teens when we moved here. I went off to college at San Diego State after about a year, though I always came back for holidays and the summer. But when I graduated with my business degree I stayed in San Diego and got a job with the home office of a big retail manufacturer—Ever Fitting.”

Evan had definitely heard of Ever Fitting. In fact, everyone who ever wore jeans and casual clothes probably had.

“Impressive. Do you think you’ll go back there?” He didn’t want to ask if she had quit or been fired or anything like that.

“I have a K-9 ranch to run now.” He couldn’t tell from her tone if she was unhappy or thrilled with the idea. He hoped it was the latter, but in any event how happy she was with this area might wind up depending on him.

That kind of pressure wasn’t what he was after. But working well with dogs and their training was. He could handle it. He would handle it.

For now, he needed to keep this conversation going. “So how did your dad start his training classes here?”

For the next few minutes, he listened as Amber, a pensive smile on her face, described their move here from her father’s last military assignment, which had been in Fort Leonard Wood, in Missouri, not far from St. Louis.

“I’m not sure how he found the ranch property, but my dad was always very goal-directed. He knew what he wanted to do and the general area where he wanted to do it.”

When they moved to the ranch, Corbin had apparently also found ways of getting word out about his K-9 training background and the kinds of classes he intended to begin, such as teaching others, in small classes or one-on-one, and how to train dogs, including their own pets. Plus, he’d contacted breeders of German shepherds and Belgian Malinois to acquire his first puppies to teach as potential police K-9s.

“For them, he went to a bunch of breeders who already had pups available and chose three at a time that he thought would have the best potential of being wonderful K-9s. All three were eventually acquired by smaller police units when they were older and trained. Their new handlers would come to the ranch for training, too, and to decide which to choose. My dad always acknowledged this was a small ranch in a remote location, but said it was definitely worth visiting by anyone with, or wanting, a dog.”

“Your father sounds like one smart and determined man,” Evan responded, then wished he hadn’t. His comment apparently reminded her of what had happened, not that it was likely to be far from her consciousness.

“Yes,” she said simply, “he was.” Her voice was gravelly and when he glanced at her he saw tears in her eyes.

Damn whoever had killed the man! Evan had already imagined trying to solve the crime while working for this lovely woman who was his boss. Now he was determined to dedicate himself to investigating in his spare time.