The K9 Files: Book Bundle 1-10 +

Ethan

A USA Today Bestselling Book 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“Absolutely loved this book. A book about not only our military heroes with two legs but our heroes with four. “ – Amazon Reviewer

When one door closes … second chances open another …

Ethan was lost after a major accident abruptly shifted him from a military life to a civilian one, from working with dogs to odd jobs … In that time, he’d spent months healing from his physical injuries. When he connects with Badger and the rest of his Titanium Corp. group of former SEALs, Badger offers Ethan an opportunity he can’t refuse. A chance to do the work he used to do … with a twist.

Cinn works from home as a project manager plus is heavily involved in global dog rescues dogs of all kinds. When Ethan walks into the next door’s vet’s office with an injured shepherd in his arms, she sees another lost soul—just like the canine ones she helps.

Ethan knows he’s about to take a dangerous step, but he’s on the job, and no one—on the job or not—hurts animals while he’s around. This poor shepherd has taken enough abuse, and Ethan fears she is only the tip of a nightmare he’s determined to uncover.

But he knows she’s going to lead him in the right direction. He has his sights set on saving one dog in particular, Sentry: K9 File 01.

Ethan:

Cinn Michelson studied the man standing at the surgery doors, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, a grim line on his lips, his jaw clenched. She didn’t understand what was going on, but whatever it was hurt him. Even as she watched, a muscle in his jaw flexed at something happening on the other side of the frosted glass.
He stayed there for too long. She didn’t think it could be good for him. Obviously an injured animal was in there, and it was one he cared about deeply. She’d brought in a friend’s dog for more of a grooming-related visit, one she looked after on a regular basis. The little guy would be another half hour yet before he would be ready to go home.
She turned to look around the large sitting room, then walked to the coffeepot. There she poured two cups. She looked at the man still standing at the door and headed to him. “I thought you could use this.”
He turned to look at her with a speed that almost made her spill the coffee. Instantly his hands reached out and studied her, but he didn’t grab the hot cups. He had grabbed her wrists.
Her breath released slowly. In a gentle voice she said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I brought you a cup of coffee.”
At the confusion in his eyes and the intent way he looked at her, she had to wonder how long it had been since anybody had done such a simple deed for him.
She smiled up at him. “You didn’t look like the kind of guy who would use sugar.”
He tilted his head to the side, looked down at her wrists. He dropped her hands and accepted the cup. In a low, deep voice, he said, “Thank you. And, no, no sugar.”
She motioned toward the area where the coffee was set up and said, “If you need creamer, it’s over there.”
His lips quirked. “Black is the only way to drink coffee.” He glanced at his cup and over at hers, then said, “Thank you. I’m sorry for grabbing you.”
His voice seemed almost … rusty, as if maybe the apology or the polite conversation was hard for him.
She didn’t know what it was about these injured animals, but she was a sucker for each and every one. She tilted her head in a gentle motion, wary of making a faster motion and scaring him. “You didn’t hurt me, so it’s all right.” She stepped back and sat in one of the chairs against the wall. “It doesn’t help to stand there and watch the animals on the other side. You know that, right?”
His eyes shuttered away something, like he took a step backward into his own little world again. She was sorry she’d brought it up.
He gave her a crooked smile and said, “Nothing wrong with doing it either.”
“Don’t you think it hurts you more?” she asked. “Whatever injured animal is in there is getting the best help they can get. Louise is phenomenal.”
“I don’t know her,” he said, “but I’m hoping that shepherd gets the care she needs.”
“Is she yours?”
A second curtain went down, shielding whatever else his eyes might reveal. He gave a brief shake of his head. “No, I saw her when I drove past the road. Then stopped to help her.”
“Any idea what happened?” she asked curiously. She hadn’t told him that most of what she did was arrange for animal adoptions, usually from other countries, but sometimes within the general area or across the country. She and Anna worked closely together. He probably didn’t know Anna and probably didn’t know about Anna’s shelter.
“No,” he said, his voice tight. “Possibly hit by a vehicle.”
She felt herself recoil against that. “An all-too-common occurrence,” she murmured. She dropped her gaze to the cup of coffee in her hand and lifted it, hoping it wouldn’t burn her lips. She blew over the cup’s edge, and, when she thought it was safe, she took a sip. “What are you doing after she’s taken care of?”
He only looked at her.
“Or have you not thought that far ahead?”
He raised his gaze. “I’m not sure,” he admitted. “But I couldn’t leave her out there.”
Cinn’s heart melted a little. Any guy who would go to this much effort to save an injured shepherd couldn’t be bad. Those who looked after animals the best were usually injured in some way themselves. Maybe in the hopes somebody would treat them better too.