Ice followed Brody and Cole outside. When they finished their business, he cleaned up, washed his hands, and brought them back inside.
“He’s all done, Sparky. Do you need me to take you home?” he asked.
“No Ty’s on the way. He insisted on coming for me. His sous-chef wants more hours and this gave him the perfect opportunity. Can you do me another favor?” she asked.
“Name it,” he replied.
“I promised to read to Hannah, and you don’t read braille. Can you stop by Samantha and Whiskey’s house? She’ll give you a book if you can do it.”
“I already told Hannah I’ll drop by and I’ll pick up the book when I run to the hardware store,” he informed her. “I’m working with the dogs this morning and then I’ll head over.”
“Oh, thanks,” she said, relieved. “With Kassie gone, I don’t want her sitting alone.”
“I’m happy to spend time with her. I took the pup with me and she fell asleep in her arms. She seemed to like it. I might take Nine with me again today,” he said, pouring a cup of coffee.
“Thank you. It’ll make me feel better knowing you’ll keep her company,” she said rising from her seat and reaching for Ice. “I’m going to bed.”
“Stay there until you’re not running a fever,” Leo ordered. “You can’t help today, but if you report back while you’re still sick, I’ll have you on latrine duty. Speaking of which, Patch, where did you put the bacon?”
“I didn’t have it. I left it on the counter. I’m telling you I never moved it,” he exclaimed.
“Add another week to latrine duty,” Leo ordered. “We all know your love for bacon and no one else entered the kitchen before you. You’re guilty by reasonable doubt. Damn, I’m starved. Catherine seemed exhausted this morning, so I dropped the babies off at daycare, and Saint dropped Melody off at school.”
“Have you noticed this all started when the new guy joined us? Every time food’s missing, he’s around. Maybe Cole did it,” Patch grumbled.
Cole stiffened, waiting for the accusations to fly.
“Come on, man. Sparky beat his ass pretty good. I saw him in the locker rooms changing with me. There’s no way he made it up here and ate two pounds of bacon,” Ragu stuck up for him.
Cole shot Brody a dirty glance. The dog merely smiled and leaned against his leg, like the most obedient dog ever.
“Do you need me for anything else? I’m heading over to the training facility,” he asked.
“How long will it take you to train the new pup?” Leo asked.
“She’s almost four months old. She knows basic commands but still needs fine-tuning. I’m debating taking her home with me and working on her manners. She’s still quite a handful. Apollo will be ready to go soon. I spoke with Liam and he’ll make a great addition to the canine team. Will it be all right with you if Archer helps with the animals? He’s got a way with them,” Cole asked.
“I’m fine with it. I’ll send down four applicants for the kennel workers and night shift employees. Their background checks came back clean, but you’ll be the one working with them. Except for Archer, they won’t be at the facility. You’ll need to see if they’re the right fit for the dogs,” Leo explained. “Don’t feel you must accept all of them. Whiskey has a few more interviews today.”
“Speaking of my list for today,” Whiskey interrupted. “Another shipment arrived this morning. It’s in the storage bay downstairs.”
“I didn’t order anything,” Leo said, annoyed.
“I’m afraid you did,” Whiskey said tactfully. “Apparently, when you ordered the socks, you hit the subscribe button, and they sent another five thousand pairs of socks.”
“What the hell?” Leo exclaimed as he ran his hand down his face. “I don’t care what you do today, find me a supply clerk. We can’t keep doing this. Call Avie at the hospital and ask if sheneeds a donation for some sock puppets for the kids and then check with the community center. With the weather turning colder, surely someone will need a couple hundred pairs.”
“I’m doing my best,” Whiskey growled. “Maybe if you stop putting your fingers on the number keys, it might help. Supply clerks don’t come out of thin air. Plus, we want someone who can be discreet, considering we have them in almost every room at this point.”
Leo glanced up at the ceiling as if praying. “Figure it out, Whiskey. We have too many balls in the air to juggle ten thousand pairs of socks, and for damn’s sake, cancel the next shipment.”
“Already done, boss,” Whiskey said, leaving the table with his tablet in hand.
Cole placed his and Scarlet’s mugs in the dishwasher and grabbed a piece of toast to go. He wanted to work with Apollo this morning and then Thor. If Archer planned to work days, he decided to teach him to help with the dog training.
He and Brody got into his truck and he turned toward the little traitor. “If you keep this shit up, Patch will finally wise up and realize who’s stealing the food. How will I explain it?” He leaned over, smelling the dog’s breath.
“Agh, your breath reeks of bacon,” he accused his partner. “Seriously, do you not have any self-control?”
