Page 77 of Operation K-9 Brothers

The problems Jack faced paled against this boy’s longing to have his happy father back.“Then let’s see what we can do to make that happen.”He stood.“Mrs....”

“Jacoby.Brenda Jacoby.You can really help us?”

He really could, but not if he was in prison.What could he promise this woman and her son and be able to follow through on before he disappeared without an explanation?He could at least find them a good dog match and get them started while finding someone to finish the dog’s training.

“As I said, the dogs here are trained specifically for people who are disabled.”He eyed the car that was at least ten years old.“It’s possible the owner will consider training a dog for what your husband needs.He’ll return shortly, and you can speak with him.Have you considered the cost of a trained dog?”

“Maybe a thousand dollars?I was hoping I could make payments.”

“Mrs.Jacoby, you’d be looking at a minimum of ten thousand, probably more.”

Her eyes widened.“Dollars?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Junior tugged on her arm.“Mama, you can have the money in my piggy bank.”

The boy was breaking his heart.

Tears pooled in her eyes.“That’s so sweet, honey, but I’m afraid we still won’t have enough.”

“I can help you, though.If you want me to.”

“How can you?Are you going to write me a check?”

He heard the sarcasm in her voice, but it was the defeat in her eyes that gutted him.“I wish I could, but what I can do is help you find a good dog, and then work with the dog and your husband.”At least until he went to prison, but he’d make sure someone continued the training.

“Why would you do that?”

“I’m a Navy SEAL on medical leave.I’m also my team’s dog handler.”He wasn’t a certified service dog trainer, but he’d talk to Ron, see if he’d certify the dog once he was trained.

“I still don’t understand why you’d help us.”

“Because, even though I’ve never met your husband, he’s my brother.I have the time and the knowledge.Besides, I’m bored, so you’d really be doing me a favor.”Added benefit, it would help keep his mind off missing Nichole.

“Can we go get a dog right now, sir?I’m going to name it Trucker ’cause my daddy loves trucks.”

Jack smiled at the boy.“That’s a fine name, but it’s up to your mother.”He met her gaze, let her see the truth of his offer in his eyes.

“I’ll pay you what I can,” she finally said.

“No, ma’am.We’ll find a suitable rescue dog, and you’ll have a small fee to adopt it.You’ll also need some supplies, but it won’t be all that much.I do have to ask, is your husband agreeable to this?”

She put her hand on her son’s head.“Go wait for me in the car.”

“So we can go get a dog?”

“We’ll see.”After he left them, she said, “He’s not exactly agreeable, but then he’s not agreeable about anything these days.In desperation, I told him that I would leave and take our son with me if he refused to do this.I don’t mean it, but I don’t know what else to do.I only told him that to push him into doing this.I really am desperate.”

There were the tears again.“Then let me help you and your family.”

“Okay.”She glanced at the scars on his arm, then put her hand on them.“Thank you.”

Uncomfortable with her gratitude and her soft touch on his mangled arm, he had to force himself not to step away.“Like I said, you’re doing me a favor.”His first thought had been to take them with him to pick out a dog, but that really wouldn’t work.

“There is something you and your boy need to understand.I know he’s eager to go right now, get a dog, and take it home.It can’t happen that way.”

“Why not?”