The Search by Nora Roberts Read Free Book Online Page B

you and Kojak go first? Position about ten feet away.”
    Earl took the ball, got into position. He unleashed his dog, gave him a quick rub, showed him the ball. “Get it, Kojak!” he yelled as he tossed it.
    The dog took off like a bullet, made a leap—and a splash. He came up with the ball in his mouth and a shocked look on his face that clearly translated into, to Fiona’s mind, What the fuck!
    But he leaped out again, returned to Earl when his master snapped a finger.
    Show-off, Fiona thought, but with a grin, and one that widened as Kojak shook ferociously and soaked his proud and praising owner.
    “You see that?” With water dripping from his face, Earl looked over at Fiona. “He did it, first time out.”
    “He did great.”
    And so did you, she thought.
    Fiona routinely tried to schedule an hour between classes, knowing that a good chunk of that would be taken up by handlers who wanted to talk, ask for advice, get her input on the day’s session.
    With what she had left, she might be able to squeeze in a quick lunch, play with her own dogs, return any calls that came in during a session.
    Since she had forty minutes to herself when the last car bumped over her bridge, she tossed balls, played tug, before dashing inside to grab a couple handfuls of Cheez-Its, then snagged an apple so she didn’t feel guilty.
    She ate while she checked and answered voice and e-mail, made a few notes for the blog she updated two or three times a week.
    The blog, she knew, led people to her website—or vice versa. And that led some of them to her school.
    She left herself enough time to empty the pool and go over her lesson plan for the next group. Even as she started to set up, someone drove over her bridge.
    So much for quiet time, she thought, then frowned as, for the second time in two days, an unfamiliar vehicle rolled down her drive.
    She lifted her hand to shield her eyes from the sun and recognized Rosie and Devin Cauldwell. When the car made the slight turn, she caught a glimpse of Hugh in his car seat in the back.
    “Okay, boys, best behavior. Greet.”
    As the car parked, all three dogs lined up beside it and sat.
    Devin got out, dog-side. “Hey, Peck. Hey.” When Peck lifted his paw, Devin grinned, then bent over to shake. “Good to see you again.”
    “Newman,” Fiona said as Devin walked down the line, accepting paws. “And Bogart.”
    “Guess you’re a fan of classic movies.” He held out a hand to Fiona. “I hope it’s okay that we came by.”
    “Sure it is.” She turned toward Hugh, who had his hand in his mother’s and looked none the worse for wear in a red hoodie and jeans. “Hi, Hugh. Do you want to say hi to Peck and his pals?”
    “Doggies!” Hugh scrambled over to throw his arms around Peck. “Doggie found me. I got lost.”
    She introduced the boy to the other dogs, who were all treated to a hug.
    “I never even thanked you yesterday,” Rosie began.
    “You were a little preoccupied.”
    “I—Is that all right?” she asked when the dogs flopped down and Hugh began crawling over them, giggling, tugging on ears.
    “They’re in heaven. They love kids.”
    “We’ve talked about maybe getting a dog. We thought we’d wait another year or two, but now . . .” Rosie watched Hugh, and smiled. “Any recommendations on breeds for an active three-year-old?”
    “Obviously I’ve got a soft spot for Labs. They’re great with kids, with families, but they want a lot of interaction. And they need room.”
    “We have a yard, and a park not far from the house. The way I feel right now? If there’s another Peck out there, I want him. Sorry,” Rosie added when her eyes watered up. “I haven’t quite settled down yet. Ms. Bristow—”
    “Fiona.”
    “Fiona.” Rosie reached over to clasp both Fiona’s hands. “There aren’t words. There just aren’t. There’s no payment, no gesture. There’s nothing we can do that comes close to what you did for us.”
    “Hugh’s playing with