Read Primal Force for Free Online

constitute a problem?”
    â€œDepends on what you did while you were down there,” Abe answered. “I’ve been known to locate quarters and missing socks while lying there waiting for help. Even found a busted TV remote under my sofa one time.”
    That drew a round of friendly laughter from all five vets.
    Seth reached out to pat the big chocolate Lab sitting by his chair. “Johnny, here, is stronger than he looks. Between us we had me back in bed in no time. Then he climbed in beside me and laid on the outside. Guess he didn’t want to be awakened by me falling out a second time.”
    Kelli grinned and patted Seth’s shoulder. “So you’re happy with Johnny?”
    â€œBeats all the hell out of spending the night on the floor, or calling my parents for help.”
    â€œOr using them toddler bed rails,” the man beside him contributed.
    After each of the other vets had related a story about his first night with his dog, Jori glanced at Battise. At least he was still here.
    She approached and offered him Sam’s leash, which he took, if reluctantly. “Is there anything you’d like to share, Mr. Battise?”
    â€œShare with you? Sure, sweetheart.” A toothy grin appeared in his beard. “But right here, in front of God and everybody?”
    The other men smirked or tried to hide their smiles. Right. She’d handed him a big slow-pitch softball of a line that didn’t mean anything. She just shook her head and moved away.
    â€œAll right,” Kelli said briskly. “We’ll take a break to allow our dogs to be walked and watered. Then we’ll begin our day’s one-on-one training. Mr. Battise, you’ll be with Jori. Abe, your trainer will be Will.”
    As Kelli paired up the remaining vets and trainers, Jori’s heart began to pound in slow heavy strokes. Battise was looking at her with the light of battle bright in his gaze. She smiled but made the gesture for drinking. She needed a moment to collect herself if she was going to go one-on-one with him all afternoon. At least he hadn’t left.
    The drink machine was located in the hallway. Abe and Ginger had beaten her there.
    Abe rolled his chair back out of her way while Jori dug in her pocket for change. “That was a nice bit earlier about the soft leads.” He cupped Ginger under the chin, stroking her with the familiarity that one would expect from a longer association. “Did you two put that together to make the rest of us feel better?”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?” Jori fed the machine her change.
    â€œThat business of Sergeant Battise pretending like he doesn’t know how to handle dogs. Since the others bought it I guess I’m the only one who recognized him.”
    She collected her bottle. “What do you mean?”
    â€œHe was all over the news about three years ago. Military K-9 police. CID. Special agent. Wounded in Afghanistan. Got a medal and everything.”
    â€œOh.” Jori twisted open her water bottle and took a long swallow. The cold hit her stomach like icicles. Battise was military K-9 police! Compared with his experience with dogs, she was a rank amateur. That certainly explained his attitude toward her. Even worse, he’d let her make a complete fool of herself, thinking he didn’t know or like dogs.
    Jori could feel her pulse begin to beat in her temples. Privacy was a top priority at WWP. But Kelli, who personally conducted all intake interviews, would know Battise’s history. She could have told her a little about Battise this morning. Instead, she had told Jori to get to know him. As if she’d had the time before and deliberately neglected to. Or had she?
    Jori glanced at Abe. She knew the names of his grown children and that he had six grandkids. She knew Seth had gone to college on a baseball scholarship. She also knew that James had fathered two children since losing both legs. And that