Page 29 of The Search

“Sit down and have another cup of coffee,” Galen said. “I was joking.”

“I’m not. Fair is fair.”

“Right. And you said you have to clip the pup.” He nodded at Monty. “That’s going to be quite a job with all that golden fluff. I want you to get some sleep tonight.”

“It won’t take that long. Monty’s very good.”

“Clip the pup,” he said firmly as he took the dishes from her. “You might break my fine china.”

“It’s plastic.”

“Oh, you noticed? The catalogue swore no one would be able to tell the difference.”

She smiled. “They took you, Galen.”

“The story of my life. Do you want me to get your clippers for you? They’re in a backpack, along with all your supplies.”

She wasn’t going to win this one. In spite of Galen’s easygoing manner, it was clear he also had a streak of iron. “I’ll get them.”

“That was quite a list you gave Logan.”

She knelt and rummaged in the backpack. “I had to leave without my equipment. You got all the bottled water? I can’t have Monty getting sick.”

“So the water is all for Monty?”

“Most of it. I can get along on less than he can.” She sat down beside Monty. “Come on, boy. Let’s get this stuff off you.”

He sighed and rolled over on his stomach.

Galen chuckled. “You’re right, he’s good with it. Nice dog.”

“Do you have any pets?”

He shook his head. “I’m on the move too much. I had a parrot once, but I gave him away. He was abusive and my ego couldn’t take it. Now, your Monty would never be abusive.”

“Don’t count on it.”

“Well, not verbally. He might lift his leg on something he shouldn’t.”

She nodded. “He always makes his displeasure known.”

“But you’re obviously soul mates. How long have you had him?”

“Four years. He was a year old when I saw him at the ATF training school.” She smiled reminiscently. “He’d just flunked out of guide dog school and ATF picked him up.”

“He flunked out?”

“Not because he wasn’t smart enough,” she said defensively. “He would just get distracted and that could have been a danger.”

“Attention deficit disorder?”

“It’s his nose. He was only a puppy and his sense of smell is probably the keenest ATF has ever run across. When he’s constantly bombarded with scents, it’s natural that he’d become distracted.”

He held up his hands. “I didn’t mean to insult your dog. I have too much respect for dogs. I’ve seen them work during combat conditions and I’d rather have one of them as a buddy than anyone on two legs.”

“Sorry. I overreacted. Roll over, Monty.” She started clipping his belly. “You have an accent. English?”

“I was born and raised in Liverpool.”