“Everyone, back up five feet. Now.” Scott’s tone demanded and got obedience. The crowd shuffled backward though those in front did not want to relinquish their positions.
Cole motioned to the owner. “Ma’am, I need you to back out slowly. I’m about to release my dog.”
When the owner was once again outside the fence, Cole opened the gate and let go of Hugo’s collar. “Hugo, wache! Wache!”
Hugo nimbly jumped inside and shot straight toward the dog and child.
The little girl screamed to see another, bigger dog racing toward her. But Hugo wasn’t targeting her.
He slowed at the last minute, ears forward, his stance strained as he targeted the border collie.
The collie had been intent upon the child and he didn’t notice Hugo until the bigger dog was right up on him. Startled, he backed up.
All bulky black coiled muscles and piercing gaze, Hugo moved into the space between the collie and child and swung around, putting his body between them. His head was low and his stance unequivocal. It said: Back off before I bite your ass.
The border collie seemed confused by the sudden change in dynamic. Uncertain if he wanted this particular fight, the dog backed up a few more steps but his ears stayed flat and his eyes remained round with excitement.
“Hugo. Pass auf.” Satisfied that Hugo would only guard and not attack, Cole motioned to Scott to go ahead.
Scott swung a leg over the fencing nearest the camper. The child looked toward him and he motioned to her with a hand. “Hi, there, Boo Bear. My name’s Sam.”
The child looked at him and then at the dogs, her eyes so round with fright it seemed she would never blink again.
Scott edged closer, not wanting to draw the attention of either dog. In a situation this tense, even a handler could get bit by his partner if he or she made a mistake.
Scott held out his hand and said softly, “Come to me, sweetheart. Slowly, like you’re sneaking away. That’s a girl. Come on.”
She moved one foot and then the other in great exaggeration of each step. When she got close, Scott grabbed a handful of her shirt and hauled her up into his arms and put her down on the other side of the fence before climbing back over.
Lorene was there to scoop her up. “Oh, Boo Bear, are you all right?”
Her lower lip trembled as she shook her head. “I wet my pants.”
“That’s okay, sweetheart. Pants can be washed.” Scott ruffled her hair and turned to watch Cole handle Hugo.
Cole waited for Scott to nod and then opened the gate. “Hugo. Hier!”
Hugo didn’t hesitate. He shot past the border collie like a black comet, out of the gate before the other dog had a chance to do more than yelp his surprise.
“Gute Hugo! Gute Hund. So est brav.” Cole tossed him a bell ball, which he happily chased after.
The crowd, having witnessed his furiousness, applauded but backed out of his path.
“I never saw anyone handle a dog like that.” The owner was staring at Cole in wonder. “I don’t know what happened with Bebe. He loves children.”
“You just better thank your lucky stars he didn’t bite my granddaughter.” Lorene held the child protectively. “Keep your damn animals away from the public until you learn to control them. My little granddaughter could have been mauled.”
“Oh no. But he would never, ever harm…” The woman’s voice trailed off as two friends or relatives herded her away. “I just can’t believe it. How could he have behaved that way?”
Lorene snorted her opinion. “They should never let novices attend these big events. Too many people and too much noise. Dogs get all nervous. If the handler does, too, it torques up the animals even more. That gal doesn’t know the first thing about how to train a dog. But you sure do.” Lorene smiled at Cole.
Cole smiled back. “Thank you.”
Lorene looked up at Scott. “Treat her right. She’s a keeper.”
Scott looked at Cole. “I already knew that.”
Cole looked up to see Leila come running up to them.
“Well, hi, Leila. Where did you come from?”
“Mama sent me back with our bodyguard.” Cole looked up to see the Mountain standing a few feet away. “Mama said to ask you if you like jazz.”
“Yes, I guess. Some of it.”
“Not that esoteric sh—stuff. Mama likes smooth jazz, rhythm and blues, that kind of thing. She said if you do, there’s a birthday party for Shujaa at our house tonight. So, tenish. Bring Hugo.” Leila’s gaze shifted to Scott. “She says you can bring him, too.”
With that she turned and hurried away in the direction she’d come, the Mountain following.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“Wuss up?” Eye-C studied Cole and Scott out of distrustful deep green eyes tucked under a heavy brow framed by long thick dreads. Everything about him was broad. His face, his nose, his shoulders, even his waistline. It was a linebacker’s physique except for his height. Shajuanna towered over him in six-inch platform sandals.
She folded her arms and leaned them on his shoulder, hip cocked, as she greeted them. “You’re late.”