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.
“I’m looking forward to it. I have to get back to the facility,” Cole said, signaling for Brody.
He entered the facility dreading his next task. It didn’t feel fair to have Sparky in the ring. Without humiliating her, Cole racked his brain, trying to get out of the assignment. He went into the locker room, changed into his workout clothes, and entered the gym. Ice sat to the side of the mat while Sparky warmed up.
Cole took to the track, stretching his legs, and then sat on the mat, working his arms.
