Page 47 of Operation K-9 Brothers

“Maybe in age, but not in maturity.”

She couldn’t argue with that.

“It’s time for him to grow up, though.”

Her thought exactly.“I know, but how do I make that happen?”

“You don’t, other than forcing him to stand on his own two feet.It’s up to him to decide what being a man means.”

“You’re right.It’s just hard to stand back and watch him drift through life.I really do appreciate your spending time with him.I have to admit that I’m not crazy about his learning to shoot a gun.”

“You should have told me.I wouldn’t have taken him there.”

“No, it’s okay.That’s just me.I’m not a fan of guns.He said y’all are going somewhere tomorrow but you wouldn’t tell him where.”

Jack’s chuckle rumbled through the phone.“He probably won’t like it.I’m taking him with me to the service dogs place.He’ll be cleaning kennels and whatever else they need us to do.”

“Well, that should be interesting.”

“No doubt.”

“Anyway, thanks.”

“Welcome.Now can we get back to how I was sitting here thinking about you?”

“Okay.So exactly howwereyou sitting?”

He laughed.“Funny girl.When can I see you again?”

At the sound of the low rumble of a motorcycle approaching, she pulled Rambo’s leash, bringing him back to her.“Gotta go.Call me tomorrow, okay?”

“Nichole?”

She disconnected, then ran to the door.Seconds after she stepped inside, the motorcycle passed without stopping.It could have been someone else, but bikes were rare on her street.When there was a motorcycle anywhere near her house, it was almost always Lane riding it.

After she’d ended things with him, he hadn’t gone away quietly, had called until she’d blocked his number—which had made him furious—and he had unexpectedly shown up numerous times.Then suddenly he’d disappeared for about six months.She’d felt nothing but relief that he’d given up.Now that he was coming around again, it made her wonder about those months he’d gone quiet.

This morning she’d gone to the courthouse to file the restraining order.Apparently, it wouldn’t go into effect until Lane was served with papers and there was a hearing.The last thing she wanted to do was face him in front of a judge, but maybe that would get it through his head that it was over between them.

A girl could hope.

Jack turned onto the gravel lane leading up to the dog kennels.He glanced at Mark.The kid was looking around with a confused expression on his face.

“What’s this place?”

“They train service dogs for civilians.”He figured Mark was going to be disappointed that it wasn’t a paintball place or something along those lines.“We’re volunteering our time this morning.”

“Doing what?”

He didn’t sound excited, but Jack had expected that.“Whatever needs to be done.”

“You got me up to do this?”

“Yep.It’s gonna be fun.”

“If you say so.”

An hour later, after they’d hosed down all the kennel floors, Jack leaned against one of the fences and watched Mark bathe a Labrador puppy that was hell-bent on licking his face off.The kid laughed as he tried to rinse off the puppy.Mark was as soaked as the dog, and although he’d whined about cleaning up dog shit, it was obvious he was enjoying himself.