There was no mention of Shajuanna Collier on the list of competitors, and no reason to think she would be here. Shajuanna lived in Maryland, just outside Baltimore. Yet there were enough things going on to keep Cole off balance. For instance, she was listed on Hugo’s paperwork as Noel Jenkins. So, not only was she road-testing her Agility course skills for the first time in years, she was also undercover.
She wished—No, she was glad Scott—no, Sam—wasn’t here. His dual-personality presence would have been one thing too many to keep track of today.
When the smaller dog classes ended, Cole rechecked the course map. Because each course was different at every event, handlers were allowed a short walk-through of it before the competition started.
This one seemed much more difficult than the ones she’d been using with Hugo. Her worse nightmare was that she would get lost on the course and Hugo would make mistakes because of her.
“This is just a test run.” The sound of her own voice was small comfort. If they didn’t do well, what did it matter? Not a disaster if Hugo popped out of the poles on the Weave obstacle. Except that all the other competitors would wonder how they had achieved Advance status with a team who didn’t seem to know the basics.
She smoothed the exhibitor’s entry labels stuck on her T-shirt after making certain it matched Hugo’s paperwork. Despite the heat of the summer day she felt clammy.
You backed down a Pagan yesterday, Noel Jenkins. Put your big girl panties on and get out there!
“Hi, Noel.”
Cole started at the sound of Scott’s voice at her back. Before she could turn around a hand slid around her waist from behind and pulled her up against him as he dropped a kiss on her neck just behind her right ear. Pleasant sensation zinged through her as his warm breath fanned over her skin. So did confusion. Oh, right, they were Noel and Sam in public from now on.
She turned within his one-armed embrace. “What are you doing here? Sam?”
He nodded, offering her a very wide grin beneath the shades that shielded his eyes. “Sorry to be late, babe.” He dropped another kiss, this time on her lips, before he released her waist. “Got held up in traffic. Isn’t that right, Izzy?”
Cole looked down at Izzy, who was on the leash, and bent to pet her. “Hi, Izzy.”
Scott pushed back his sunglasses and looked around. “Where’s the dog of the hour?”
“This way.” She pointed to the cordoned-off area where participants had set up crates and stations for their dogs.
As they fell into step, he swung an arm behind her and anchored his hand on her opposite shoulder.
Cole looked up to find him smiling at her, a grin that managed to be easy and intimate and slightly intimidating all at once. She smiled back and received a shoulder squeeze. Oh, he was good at this. He was at ease. If she didn’t know better she would believe his possessive lustful gaze was genuine. It seemed so natural. It was, for Noel and Sam, she reminded herself. Simple and easy because they were totally into one another and everything between them was new and fresh. No baggage.
No baggage.
She repeated that line in her thoughts as she reached up and hooked her thumb in the back of his jeans. She was only momentarily disconcerted to feel the impression of a pancake holster against her knuckle. He wore his weapon under his shirt in the small of his back. It was a reminder that this wasn’t a free and easy day. They were on the job. She had two huge tasks ahead of her. Complete the Agility circuit competently. And make every observer believe she was infatuated with Sam.
“Hey.” Scott paused. When she did, too, he steered her around to face him and tilted her chin up with his curved forefinger. “I missed not waking up to you this morning. Just so you know.” He kissed her again, this time taking time to really leave an impression.
When he lifted his head she stared into green eyes edgy with emotion she didn’t dare ponder. Yep, he was good. And that scared her because all she wanted to do now was kiss him again, and go on kissing him until the rest of the world … oh, she was in trouble. She gave him a distracted smile and moved on.
Accustomed to patrolling in crowds, Hugo was standing alert in his crate when they approached, watching his surroundings but not anxious about them.
Cole let him out and snapped on a leash. He walked straight over to Scott.
“Hey there, Hugo. How’s it going, big fella?” Scott tapped his hand against his jeans leg. Hugo came over and allowed himself to be petted.
“Advance Agility for Large Dogs is open for walk-through.”
The loudspeaker’s announcement startled Cole. Her pulse began to pound. She wasn’t ready. She knew it and so, in short order, would everyone watching the competition.
Astonished at her own reaction but unable to control it, Cole took a step backward, bumping into Scott. This was going to be a first-class disaster, in front of Yardley, Scott, and the Agility world. She looked up at Scott. “I can’t do this.”
Scott ignored the panic in her tone, though it amazed him. “No, you can’t. The Agility course is for dogs.” He pulled the course map from her hands “Hell. If he could read, Hugo wouldn’t need you at all.”