Lyle looked up. “Morning.”
He was a dear friend and loved dogs as much as she did.
She smiled. “Good morning. How’s the training going?”
“Haven’t had to train them at all. I don’t care for Bayless, but I believe you’ll see his dogs meet our standards in every way.”
“Run them through some exercises. I would but Doc’s orders are I can only watch.”
“Glad to, boss.”
She always found it funny when Lyle called her that since he was like her little brother.
As Lyle demonstrated some commands to the dogs, she couldn’t put her finger on what was troubling her about them. They were obeying every word and assisting him the way a service dog was supposed to, but in her gut she knew something wasn’t right.
After finishing the demonstration with the last dog, Lyle placed Winter, the white German shepherd, back into the pen with the other three.
“How did they do?” Jaris asked.
She sighed. “They are well trained, that’s for sure.”
“That’s great news,” Chance said. “We can deliver these dogs to our clients as planned, day after tomorrow.”
Lyle came up, showing two thumbs up. “We’re good?”
She shook her head. “No, Lyle. We are not good.”
Chance put his arm around her shoulder. “Honey, I thought you said they were well trained.”
“I did. They didn’t miss a single command. They seemed totally attentive for Lyle, like any good service dog would be. But there’s something off with them.” She thought about Bayless kicking the poor things and felt her stomach tighten. “I’m not sure what it is, but until I get a chance to work with them myself, they won’t be going to any of our clients. We need to get back to the house. I need to call them right away.”
Chapter Nineteen
Jaris walked into the house with Kaylyn and Chance, hearing Shane talking to the sheriff on his ROC. By the shuffling of shoes and boots, he knew that all the Stones and Blues were also gathered in the room.
“They found them,” Belle whispered to his left. “Jacob and Josh. They’re injured but alive.”
“Do we know what happened?” Chance asked.
Emmett answered, “Shane is talking with Jason about that right now.”
“…ambushed close to the southern border of the county line near Elderkin Lake, not far from Narrow Belt.” The sheriff’s voice was coming through loud and clear. “Someone shot at them and their horses were spooked, throwing them into a ravine. Dr. Strong says the horses are fine. They just need cooling down.”
Kaylyn moved next to Jaris, grabbing him by the arm. “Shane, ask the sheriff how bad Jacob and Josh are hurt?”
Shane relayed the question.
“Doc and Paris are here on scene,” the sheriff said. “Jacob’s arm is broken and Josh has a gash on his face. Doc says it’s nothing serious. Where’s Kaylyn, Shane?”
“She’s here now.”
“Tell her Jacob and Josh found her missing dogs. They are alive and well.”
“Oh my God. I can’t believe it.” Kaylyn hugged Jaris, and he pulled her in close. He was as relieved as she was.
The sheriff continued, “Sean and Matt are bringing her dogs to the ranch now. They were in cages near Elderkin Lake.”
“Who the hell was keeping them in cages?” Shane asked.