police departments when they’re ready. Plus, you can provide new and refresher classes to other police K-9 handlers soon. But tomorrow’s students? We’ll use them as our basis for bringing in even more students who have their own dogs. Some can become therapy dogs, and we may also acquire younger puppies to start training as service dogs. If classes increase the way we hope they will, we’ll hire additional trainers to assist you, and you’ll get some say in who we bring on. Does all that work for you?”
“Definitely,” he responded. “We’ll need to figure out the scheduling, of course, and we’ll also need to talk about a hiring protocol once bringing in other trainers becomes more likely, but it’s a good way to start.”
Their earlier correspondence had included what Evan’s base compensation would be if he was offered the job, and how it would be increased depending on expansion of their classes. Plus, he would get a home to live in here on the ranch, rent free. So, though they were talking terms, it was more about how he’d teach rather than his salary and benefits.
To be fair, she had also mentioned why they were looking: her father’s death. Detailed news reports were online, so Evan was likely aware that the situation remained unsolved, although the cops didn’t think there was any residual danger. Amber hoped not, of course...but couldn’t be certain. And she’d be willing to discuss the difficult situation with Evan if he happened to bring it up sometime.
“If all that is okay,” Amber finally told him, pushing some paperwork and a pen toward him from across the kitchen table, “I’ve had this agreement drawn up. I’d like us both to sign it.”
“Sure.” But Evan took his time reading it, probably a smart thing to do. Soon, though, he picked up the pen off the wooden table and signed and dated two copies of the contract as indicated, then pushed them back to Amber. She was the one to sign them, not her mother. They had previously agreed that Amber would take charge of the ranch.
“Great,” she said after placing her signature on both copies and passing one back to Evan. “Now, let’s go show you your new home.”
Okay, it was done.
Rather, it was just beginning. Amber continued to hope she hadn’t been too impetuous, too impressed by a tryout that appeared wonderful...but might not mean Evan could produce the many elements of dog training they needed him to do. Still, he’d been great with the puppies. That was what was important. The other stuff—his quiet demeanor, his admitted PTSD, his seldom looking straight at her—was just peripheral to what he needed to do around here to start fixing Chance K-9 Ranch until it was as successful as it had been under her popular, skilled and versatile father.
They were all back outside now, including the two older dogs, who now cavorted as if showing off to one another and to the humans around them. If Amber tried to motion to them or give them a command she doubted they’d change their ways. But if Evan did... Well, not now, though.
“There.” Pointing, she drew closer to the end of the paved path away from the house. It traversed the middle of the rolling green hills within the ranch’s enclosing wooden fence, and along it were some of the other homes on the ranch property. Those were for staff, and some located in the other direction could be rented out to students as they came to learn training methods, although there were also hotels nearby, including the one next door.
Four houses stood in a row here, all compact, single-story structures also constructed with redwood-resembling exteriors. Her mother and she led Evan past the first three to the one at the far end, then Amber turned to look at him. He stared at the house with an expression that appeared both assessing and pleased. Good. That was another plus on his chart.
“This one will be yours.” She walked up to the front entry, a plain wooden door with a window at the top. Having already dug the key out of her pocket, she unlocked the door, pushing it open to let him enter first.
Instead, he gestured politely for her to go in, then her mother. They both did so along with the dogs, though Amber had hoped to see more of Evan’s reaction to the place. Not that the house was anything fancy, but she’d checked its condition when she’d started looking for a trainer and thought it was adequate. The house had been built for ranch hands and their families by a prior owner, but had been rarely used recently, since her dad had had few live-in assistants. He’d kept it up, though, and always believed in treating any employee well.
The door opened into the compact living room, where a fluffy brown sofa and matching chairs faced a small wall-mounted television. A hallway led from it to the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.
“Bear, come.” Evan headed first to the kitchen doorway. That was sweet, Amber thought. He appeared to want his dog’s opinion. Evan peered in as Bear ran inside, then back out again, followed by Lola. By then, Evan had moved to look through the bedroom door. The furnishings in both rooms were as utilitarian as those in the living room—adequate, but not particularly decorative.
Well, if he didn’t like anything, he could always replace it for as long as he was here.
Which, Amber realized, she hoped would be a long time. Provided, of course, that his teaching skills were as good as she believed they were thanks to his demonstration.
“Very nice,” he said. The compliment added to Amber’s estimation of him. He was polite to the point of exaggeration.
He’d turned toward her mother, his craggy facial features lifting into a smile. Amber realized she liked his smiles, despite their rarity and how short-lived they were. She liked it even more when he aimed them at her, but she had the impression he felt more comfortable with Sonya.
That was okay. Amber also liked the idea of her mom getting more involved with the ranch and dog training. It might help her move on with her life a little faster.
“Do you think Bear likes it, too?” Amber asked.
“Oh, yeah. It’s compact enough that he should feel pretty comfortable sleeping near me.” He bent to pat his dog’s head as Bear looked up at him.
Lola, meanwhile, was now beside Amber, sitting on the hardwood floor of the living room as if given a command to do so. Amber couldn’t help bending down to pat the black Lab’s furry head, too, and followed with a quick, warm hug. Similarly, Lola slept in Amber’s bedroom of the main house and had done so since her return to the ranch, though Amber had tried encouraging the dog to sleep in her mother’s room.
But Lola’s staying out of that room appeared to be a sign of her grieving, since Sonya remained in the master bedroom of the house even now that her husband was dead.
Amber didn’t mention that, despite a wave of her own grief pulsating through her as it did so often.
When she looked up from Lola’s back, she noticed Evan watching her.
“Well,” she said cheerily, handing him the house key, “were you optimistic enough about this job to bring any belongings with you?”
“Yes,” he said, “I knew you’d hire me. How could you resist?” That must have been partly a joke, since Amber saw the slightest of grins appear on his face as he continued looking down toward Bear. “My stuff’s in my car. I’ll get it in a bit. But—”
He seemed to hesitate, then turned toward Sonya.
Her
