Free Lonestar Homecoming by Colleen Coble Page A

boss studied Michael’s face. “Let’s get something clear, Lieutenant. I heard you requested this duty, and that you’re planning on taking Border Patrol training and staying here permanently. If you’ve come back to the area to avenge your brother’s death, you can turn around and leave. I’ll not have a vigilante on my team.”
    Michael kept his face stiff. “I’m not out for revenge.”
    â€œYou’re sure?”
    Michael’s muscles tensed. “Look, sir, this is my job, nothing more. I’m here to bring criminals to justice.”
    Pickens’s large mustache twitched. “Your brother had a lot of passion for his work and believed in the importance of protecting our borders.You don’t share that passion?”
    Did he? Michael hadn’t thought of it in those terms. “I believe in following orders. In doing my duty.”
    â€œWithout emotion?”
    â€œEmotion can keep me from thinking clearly, so I never let it get in the way.”Michael shrugged. “It’s what I’m trained to do. If my commander tells me to apprehend terrorists who are strapping bombs to kids in Baghdad, that’s what I’ll do. If you need me to stop drug traffic, I’ll be Johnny-on-the-spot.”
    â€œGood. I thought it best to clear the air. Finding your brother’s killer is not your job. It’s mine.” Pickens’s teeth showed briefly in a smile under his mustache.
    Michael kept any expression from his face. “Of course.”
    â€œWith that out of the way, I’ll be glad to have you on my team after your training. Oh, and I’ve got a surprise for you.”
    Michael rose from his chair and stood at attention. Maybe a superior officer was in the building. Pickens entered a door behind them and returned a few moments later with a leash. Michael gasped when he glanced from his boss’s hand to the pooch trotting behind him. “Caesar!”
    The black lab’s head came up, and he lunged toward Michael. Pickens dropped the leash and let the dog go.Michael fell to his knees as the dog leaped against his chest and showered him with wet kisses. He hugged Caesar and inhaled the good scent of clean dog. Caesar’s coat was like fine silk under his fingers.
    â€œI didn’t think I’d ever see you again, buddy. Last time I saw you was under a date palm tree in Iraq,” he muttered. Leaving his dog had been harder than he’d expected.The two of them had been a team for three years. He roughed up Caesar’s ears and the dog whined with pleasure.
    â€œI thought you’d be pleased,” Pickens said.
    Michael glanced up to find Pickens wearing a grin nearly as big as the one stretching his own lips. “How’d this happen?”
    Pickens shrugged. “If we’re going to bust this drug ring, we need a good sniffer.Your commanding officer said this guy was the best and the two of you work like one. He arranged to send him over and had him wait here for you.”
    Michael kept his hand on the dog’s head. “He’s lost weight.”
    â€œHe wouldn’t eat much after you left.Your commander says he’s yours.”
    â€œMine?” Michael’s smile widened.
    â€œHe’s no good to the regiment without you. I hear that all he did was lie on the floor after you left.Wouldn’t work with anyone else.”
    Michael had been nearly as inconsolable. “Thank you, sir,” he managed to choke out.
    â€œDon’t thank me. Thank your commanding officer.” Pickens glanced at his watch. “If we go now, I can introduce you to Phil’s old partner. He’ll take you out to your unit. Ready to get to work?”
    â€œThat’s why I’m here.” Michael followed him to the green SUV parked outside. He put the dog in the backseat, then hopped in beside Pickens. “Where we headed?”
    â€œWe located a crossing west of town. The last