Chapter 15

“Damn, man, you surprised the hell out of me. I’m not used to having anybody worry about me. It was a shock to see Sam there and then you…I didn’t know whether to kick your ass or kiss you, or maybe both.”

Roy returned the steady gaze, assurance seeping through him in welcoming warmth. “I know I was wrong to get Sam out of his crate, but he started fussing, and I thought maybe he had to go, so I took him out in the yard. Then he went straight to the gate and wouldn’t budge. He knew what he wanted to do, what I wanted to do too. Go find you and be sure you were okay.”

Craig shook his head. “Damn that crazy dog. I think he reads my mind sometimes. When he was shot, the city went ahead and got a second dog and asked for a volunteer to be his handler. Joe Lopez took it. He and Pancho are doing great, but they just haven’t had near enough time to build a partnership yet. Pancho wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do. I was real upset then, wishing Sam was there.