Page 23 of Surge

Dad squeezed her hand and let go. He patted his leg, and Surge put his front paws up on him and got a pet. “And this guy is the other reason Heath gave you the mission.”

She pulled a KONG out of her muddy jacket pocket. “Ready, Surge?”

He jumped up to stand in front of her, eyes flicking between her and the KONG.

“If you could speak English, you’d be saying, ‘Please with a cherry on top.’” She smiled as he stood in front of her, edging away, anticipating her throwing it. She raised her eyebrows. “Ahem, sir.”

He sat, leaning forward, anxious for action. She tossed it into the trees, and he charged after it, then returned and plopped under the table, teeth squeaking over the rubber toy.

Dad smiled at the Mal, then her. “And here’s the final thing. Learning—from Heath?—”

Her face heated at the memory of doing community service at the ranch for her stupid graffiti back in high school. But it led to this passion, this career of her life.

Dad squeezed her hands again. “When he taught you about dog training, he trainedyoutoo. You are unafraid—a maverick, yes, but you’re also wise enough to listen to those in authority over you. An independent thinker. Just like MWDs.” He nodded. “You can handle this mission.”

How’d she get this man for a father?Thank You, God.

Surge sat up and poked his snout into her hand, and she scratched behind his ears.

Dad pointed at her. “Singapore is your mission. If you want it. And I’m guessing you do. I don’t think it has anything to do with the money or Surge or Heath. Maybe it does have all of those. But really, deep down inside, you want to be a hero.” He looked at her. “The hero that you wanted to be back at our store.”

Her eyes filled with tears. “Maybe.”

He chuckled. “Just for the record, you’re already a hero in my book.” He put his helmet on and nodded to the Jeep. “Let’s get home.”

“Hey, my turn to drive.”

Dad waggled his eyebrows. “If you want to drive without power steering.”

She flexed her arms to show off her biceps.

He laughed and tossed the keys to her.

“Let’s go,” she called, and they all three climbed into the Jeep. She’d rather drive this thing without power steering across the country and back than go on this mission with the arrogant frogman. But she wanted that titanium leg for Dad.

And she wanted Heath to see his belief in her was deserved.

* * *

A BREED APART RANCH, HILL COUNTRY, TEXAS

Garrett studied Singapore and Southeast Asia on the wall map, tapping his foot under the conference table as he half listened to Caldwell and Zim chat. He’d been sort of listening to them for at least ten minutes since they arrived. Singapore was a ball of worry in his stomach. Caldwell was a tension headache. But his problem was Thompson. This briefing was her first chance to prove to him that she had what it took, and she was already late.

He looked at the boring schoolroom clock on the boring white wall. 1905 hours. So much for things being done his way and her showing up at nineteen hundred.

Maverick.

Rogues didn’t belong on teams. They got people killed. “Caldwell.” He waited for the guy to turn to him. “You said this dog was the only one with training, right?”

The spook’s gaze narrowed. “Yes.” His definitive answer warned not to go there.

The door swung open, and Daniels entered with Thompson, who had a wet braid hanging down her back. Surge trotted into the room and ran a perimeter check, his intensity raw and on full display. Daniels stood at the table, and Surge sat next to him, leaning in for a pet.

Garrett stood.

But Daniels sat down and nodded his head at Zim. “Delaney, you’ve already met Petty Officer Zimmerman, I understand.”

Zim stood. “Hey, Thompson. Been a while,” he said with a wink.