Page 12 of Cowboy Elite 2: Mike

Liv looked up from labeling ingredient containers. "Sure. Is something wrong?"

"Not at all. Just wondering if you might want to come watch me work with Mo. He's our newest pup. Smart as a whip, but distractible as a toddler with Skittles."

Liv glanced toward the window. The open space beyond the barn. "I should probably stay close to the kitchen. I've got pie dough chilling and?—"

"Mike can handle pie dough." Heather's voice was gentle but firm. "You've been inside way too much. Come on. Fresh air won't kill you."

Liv wanted to argue. Wanted to say that fresh air meant being visible, exposed, easier to spot if someone came looking.

But Heather was already halfway out the door.

Liv followed, pulse ticking faster with every step away from the house.

The sun had warmed into mid-morning, the light soft and golden without the harsh glare of glass and concrete. Around the side of the barn, a fenced-in area had been set up with small agility stations. A wire-haired black-and-gray puppy with mismatched ears sat in the middle, chewing on a bright orange rope toy.

Heather pulled out a treat pouch and tied it around her hip. "First goal is building trust. They don't work for people, they work with them. We do this right, and when someone's lost out there in the canyon or flood plain, this little guy will find them."

Liv leaned against the fence rail, watching the puppy race forward to sniff a training cone and then dart away again.

"You do search and rescue work?" she asked.

Heather nodded, her eyes more shadowed now. "Mostly just training the dogs. But sometimes I go out on missions. We had a scare with Charlotte a while back. Scout and Holly found her." She glanced over at the German Shepherd and Golden Retriever sitting patiently—if a little judgmentally—as little Mo got distracted and had to be guided back to the training path.

"What made you want to do this?"

"I've always loved animals. But my real motivation came when my roommate in college went out for a run one morning and didn't come back." Heather's voice went quiet. "We never found her body. But watching those dogs give their hearts and souls to looking for her showed me what I wanted to do with my life."

"Oh!" Liv's heart pinched. "I'm so sorry."

Heather gave a small smile. "These animals saved me in ways I can't even explain. I was in a very abusive marriage before I married Lyle. And now... well, sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure this life is real. I'm a very lucky and well-loved woman."

Liv felt a pang of envy and tried to push it aside.

"You want to try calling him?" Heather asked.

Liv glanced up. "What if he doesn't come?"

"Then we try again."

It sounded like a metaphor. Everything did lately.

Liv crouched down. "Mo."

The puppy's ears swiveled toward her, but he didn't move. Just sat there, head tilted, like he was deciding whether she was worth the effort.

"Come here, baby," she tried again, softer this time.

Mo stood. Stretched. Ambled over like he was doing her a favor.

Then he flopped sideways in front of her, belly-up, paws in the air.

Liv laughed, surprised by how good it felt. She scratched his belly, and the puppy groaned, tongue lolling out the side of his mouth.

"He likes you," Heather said.

"He's bribing me for treats."

"Maybe. But he's picky about who he flops for."