Kate Winslet peeped out of her gaze. “Give the map back.”
“I don’t think so. You’re a natural-born competitor. You and Hugo are a team. You read each other like you’ve got a psychic connection. He trusts you. You trust him. You got this.”
Cole could hear his words but they weren’t getting through to her mind. She reached for the map. “I need that back.”
He backed away from her, holding it higher than she could reach. “Tell you what. I’ll walk the course with you and you can explain it to me.”
Cole nodded, mostly because she didn’t want to get into a physical struggle with him she knew she couldn’t win.
They walked the course with the other handlers for fifteen minutes. By the time they exited, Cole was silent but feeling a bit more calm.
They went back to get Hugo.
Once on the leash, Hugo remained aloof from the other dogs, some barking and yipping with excitement, too certain of his alpha status to get caught up in the noise of those intimidated by strangers and unfamiliar animals.
Scott leaned against the crate and watched Cole continue to study the map as if it contained the answer to some cosmic mystery. He’d seen SWAT team members get overfocused just before a bust. It never went well. He needed to get her mind off the map for a second or she’d blow this.
“I was a jerk to you in New Jersey.”
She looked up, gaze scattered. “Yes, you were.”
“I’m trying to apologize.”
She nodded and lowered the map. “I’m trying to hear it.”
“Your being there meant everything to my parents.”
“Your mother already sent me an e-card saying thank you.”
“How did she know how to find you?”
Cole cocked her head to one side. “We exchanged e-mails and phone numbers.”
He murmured, “I don’t have that information.”
“Wonder why?”
He scowled. “Geez. You’re tough.”
“Just say the words.”
“Give me—” Scott stopped himself as she raised an eyebrow. “May I please have your contact info?”
“Oh, you smooth talker, you.” She smiled before whipping out her phone so they could exchange information.
“So, that’s settled.” Scott reached back to tuck his phone into his pocket. He missed and it fell onto the top of the crate but he didn’t notice.
Cole was about to point out his mistake when Hugo came up. She smiled at Scott but watched as Hugo picked up the cell in his mouth. Holding it delicately he immediately made a dive for his crate. “You were apologizing for being an arrogant ass.”
Scott looked away from her but his cheek in profile popped a dimple. “I’m glad you came with me. I needed you in ways I hadn’t known I would.”
“You’re welcome.”
He slipped off his shades and turned back to her. For a moment his expression softened into a smile that tugged her heart. “Thank you.”
She nodded and stood up.
“Hugo is up!” The gatekeeper’s cry didn’t startle her this time.
Adrenaline kicked up her heart rate in anticipation of the challenge ahead. But this time it felt on-the-job familiar, not out of control. Hugo, alert to Cole’s change in energy, barked twice and leaped into the air. He was ready to go.
Scott caught her hand and squeezed it. “Ready?”
Cole smiled at him. “Absolutely.”
He leaned in and kissed her again, lingering long enough this time to signal an intimacy she didn’t expect. Oh, right. For the benefit of the crowd. “I trust you to do this. Go kick some doggy ass.”
Scott found a place to watch in the shade by the portable picket fencing used to cordon off the one-hundred-by-one-hundred-foot space.
“Down in front, good-looking!”
Scott glanced back over his shoulder. Two older women in sunshades and floral-print tops and white capris sat beneath portable umbrella chairs, each with a can in hand.
The redhead waved. “Nice butt, but I can’t see around it. Want to back it up over here?”
Tucking in his smile, Scott and Izzy moved back from the fence toward the women.
The redhead lifted her shades. “I don’t know you. You’re new. Who are you?”
“Name’s Sam, ma’am.”
“My name’s Jennifer. This is Lorene. Want a beer?” She pointed to the cooler at their feet.
“No. Thanks all the same. You got a dog in the ring?”
“My daughter’s got a boxer named Tobey. Lorene and I used to compete but these days my legs won’t move as fast as they need to. Lorene’s got the damned MS. So we just come for the joy of watching.” She pointed back in the direction of the parking lot. “We recently got a 2008 Winnebago Sightseer 35J. Hardly ever miss a show on the Atlantic Coast, Maine to Florida. Who are you here for?”
Scott pointed out Cole and Hugo, who were entering the ring.
“Nice dog. Cute girl. They belong to you?”
In my dreams. But he was Sam today. “Yes, ma’am. My lady friend.”