Irresistible Force by D. D. Ayres Read Free Book Online Page B

they had been together James had been continually surprised by his dog’s intelligence. Bogart would often sense and size up a situation as quickly as he did, sometimes more quickly. Yet they were still figuring each other out. One veteran of the K-9 force had warned him that Bogart was his “learner dog.”
    “It won’t be until you’re working with your second dog that you’ll feel as if you know what you’re doing most of the time.”
    James stroked Bogart’s back, an action that was almost second nature when they were together. While he hadn’t liked to hear it, he was beginning to understand what the seasoned handler meant. For instance, he didn’t quite get why Bogart had sided with Shay Appleton, even after he appeared. Was it because he had sensed which of them was more in need of his support?
    Or was his partner feeling abandoned and untrusting of the man who’d allowed his at-the-time girlfriend to give him away?
    James winced as regret sucker-punched him. What the hell had he been thinking to let Jaylynn into their lives? He’d let her screw up everything.
    No, he wasn’t going to think like that. He and Bogart just needed to get back to their routine and they’d both be fine.
    James took his dog’s muzzle in his hand and wagged it. “Okay, you win this one. I might even have been tempted if Shay Appleton had looked at me the way she looks at you.” He scratched his partner behind the ears. “But that’s over now. ‘Prince’ has had his day. Bogart is a working stiff. We’re going home where we belong.”
    The ringing of his cell phone caused him to pause before climbing into his truck.
    “Hi, Mom.”
    “Hello, James. How are you, sweetheart?”
    “Great. What’s up?”
    His mother hesitated and James came instantly alert. His mother wasn’t the type to let small things bother her. Something was wrong. “I just wanted to remind you about Thanksgiving. It’s at my house this year.”
    James frowned. “It’s always at your house, Mom. Thirty-something years.”
    “That’s just it. Allyson has got it into her head that, as the eldest daughter, she should have it at her house this year. She said something about all the preparations being too much work for me.”
    James had never thought about that. “Well, is it, Mom?”
    “I’ll have you know I can hoist a twenty-pound turkey in each fist. I don’t go to the Y three times a week for nothing. I can certainly handle a meal for nine adults and two children. Of course, we’ll probably include a few last-minute people, too.”
    James smiled. That sounded like Thanksgiving at the Cannon house. The numbers increased as the day drew closer. “So, great. I’ll have my feet under your table on Thanksgiving.”
    There was a pause. “You won’t let Allyson change your mind? You know she’s not the best cook but she can be very persuasive about things she wants. She’s got almost three weeks to work on everyone.”
    “Sic her sisters on her.”
    “Yes. I could do that.” There was that hesitancy again.
    “Is there something else on your mind, Mom?”
    “I was just wondering how you’re doing, son. Alone.”
    James frowned. “What’s with the sad tone, Mom? Given how you felt about Jaylynn, I thought you’d be jumping for joy that I’m single.” Before his mother could respond he glanced at Bogart. “Oh, great news, Mom! Bogart’s turned up. Just this morning.”
    “Really? James, that’s just wonderful! A miracle. How did it happen?”
    James gave her the quick, clean version of Shay having taken his partner in at a shelter in Raleigh and then him finding out about it. No point in laying out the whole shitty mess that involved Jaylynn’s part in Bogart’s disappearance.
    “So, is he all right?”
    James scrubbed Bogart hard behind the ears and he barked in response. “Hear that? He’s fine.”
    “Okay. You be careful driving back to Charlotte. It’ll be dark out.”
    James smiled. He was a cop. He carried a gun. His