Page 99 of Falling for Brody

Roland's big head lifted up and his ears flicked up hearing the word in German. A moment later he leaned in and gave Chip's cheek an enthusiastic lick.

Chip got up on his knees and laughed. "Now, Ikuss!" He wrapped his arms around the Shepherd and kissed him on the side of his face.

The Chief of Police from his seat in a chair and shook his head. "I think Chip's going to need a dog before he starts commanding out K-9 out in the field."

Brody heard Rhea sigh beside him.

"Chip, sweetie?"

"Yes, mom?"

Rhea sagged against Brody's shoulder, and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders to give her his support. "Sweetie, that's Gabriel's dog and you know he's a working dog."

Chip nodded, his whole demeanor serious and staid. "I know. Uncle Angel's dog is a police officer like him."

"Yes." Rhea nodded. "And the commands that he gives Roland are commands that he needs to do his job."

"Of course!" Chip leaned against Roland and grinned at her. "That's why I looked for a book about German in the library."

Rhea looked at Chip and Brody heard her groan.

"It's like when you had that guy who worked at the hospital where you took your patients?"

Brody leaned in, curious about this story.

"He was deaf, and you learned how to sign to say hello and ask him things."

Rhea covered her mouth with a hand. "Brian."

Chip grinned at her. "You learned how to talk to him and now we know Roland and he speaks German."

Simon and Bea laughed from their seats. Bea sighed with affection for Chip shining in her eyes. "It's sound logic, Rhea. I don't think you can be all that upset with the boy."

Rhea leaned forward and looked across Brody, her hand on his knee. "Sorry, Chief."

Simon lifted his hands in surrender. "As long as Chip understands that when Roland is working with his Uncle Angel that he can't call out to Roland and distract him."

Brody looked at Chip who was nearly bursting with excitement.

Chip crossed his heart. "I promise, Chief! Not when he's working." Then he looked at Roland and put out his hand. Roland put his paw on Chip's hand. "That's right!"

Gabriel came to the porch and sat down beside Brody. "Get that boy a dog, Brody."

Chip picked up a ball and held it out in front of Roland. The K-9 stared at the ball as if it was the Holy Grail. "Ready, boy? Ready?" He tossed the ball across the yard and Roland looked after it, tracking it with his eyes. "Bringen!"

Roland ran after it as fast as a bullet.

Gabriel laughing at the whole scene. "Oh, boy."

Rhea sighed, smiling. "We'll look into it."

Brody squeezed her shoulder at the 'we.' "I'm sure my dad can help us."

They all looked as Simon got out of his chair and came to sit down on the edge of the porch to talk. He addressed Rhea first. "Custody fights can be the worst. And while we're a small town and I'd stake my life on it that we have a lot of good people here, there is always a concern when it comes to children."

Rhea nodded beside him and Brody tightened his hold around her.

"So when Gabriel came to me and explained about the custody fight, I asked him to look into your husband's family to get some background information. Especially photos. So we can keep an eye out for them if they come here to Fallport. I know you've made sure that you have all of your paperwork in at the school detailing who is allowed to pick him up."

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