Chapter Eight
CHAPTER EIGHT
“Good girl, Spangle,” Allie praised the German Shepherd as she placed the bowl of food in front of her and fresh water into the fountain. She swiped her hand across her forehead as she locked up the kennel for the evening.
Hemi trotted beside her while she ensured the service dogs stayed safely tucked in and released Hero to train. Her helper, Lisa, called in sick, and Allie skipped lunch when Chase arrived to tour the facility with a prospective patient. Her stomach growled as she crossed the training arena. She reminded herself to bring extra snacks.
The buzzer sounded, alerting her to a visitor. She released Hero to play while she answered the door. Hemi glanced at her dolefully, wanting his playtime. “As soon as I finish with Hero, you and I will play,” she consoled him.
Allie pushed open the entrance to find Bryan holding a bag in his hand. “I heard even dog trainers must stop to eat now and then. I brought dinner to you and someone named Hemi. Whiskey mentioned he knew how he liked his steak.”
She smiled as she accepted the unexpected meal. “Thank you. I’m working on my last task for the evening. Won’t you come in?”
When he stepped inside, she pointed to a viewing area. “You can have a seat and I’ll set Hemi up with his meal and then I’ll eat with you.” She didn’t want to sound rude and inform him service animals didn’t eat human food after his kind gesture. She took Hemi to her office, poured his food into a bowl, added broth and unpacked the bag. The aroma of the steak salad filled the office when she pulled out a second meal. She noticed a note taped to the box.
Allie,
I made too much food. Here’s an extra chicken parmesan for tomorrow. Thanks for helping Richard and Tank. I appreciate you taking the time to talk to my friend.
Ty
Thinking Bryan misunderstood Whiskey’s comment about ordering Hemi a steak, she smiled as she stuck her bonus lunch in her work fridge. Gathering silverware, her water bottle and the meal, she let Hemi outside to do his business before returning with her golden beside her.
“Thank you for bringing us food. It’s very thoughtful of you. Did you enjoy your dinner? Ty’s extremely talented.”
“Yes.” He nodded to the massive German Shepherd playing with a big round ball. “Who’s the big guy?”
Allie opened the container and poured the dressing. “Hero, he’s on playtime, and then I’ll run him through his tasks.”
“He’s huge.”
Allie laughed. “He’s a giant teddy bear. We’re working on his commands tonight. Then, I’m running him through a couple of drills.”
Allie pierced the salad and watched the dog while she chewed.
“Do you mind if I stay and watch? I’m curious about how service dogs get trained,” he said as he watched her lips move over the fork.
“Sure. Maybe you can act as my distracter for the evening. Usually, LJ helps out, but he must’ve stayed with the grans.”
“The grans?” Bryan asked.
“It’s their big, adopted family. They call the older women ‘grans.’ The team’s kids call all the security men uncle. It’s cute,” she informed him. “How did your meeting go?”
“It went great,” he said as he smiled.
Allie placed all the containers together and stood. “Let me run him through his exercises and then you can help.” She called Hero, who immediately ran to her. Allie sent Hemi to the side with a signal as she spoke German, issuing commands to Hero. Bryan watched as she sent him on various tasks, practiced walking on different mediums, and tempted him with something in a bag. When he ignored it, she praised and handed him something from a pouch attached to her hip. She finally waved him over.
“Wow, Allie. I’m impressed,” Bryan said as he approached her.
“Thanks. Hero does all the work,” she said as the dog sat beside her. “I want you to try distracting him with noise and moving things such as the grocery cart, plastic bags, and a ball. When he’s working, he must ignore everything to concentrate on his human.”
“Does Hero have a person yet?” he asked as he picked up the ball.
“No. I try to match someone with a service animal who likes the same things. An older vet may want a more sedate dog, while another may wish for one who loves swimming and hiking.”
She issued commands while Bryan did his best to divert the animal’s attention. Hero stayed on task, getting praise from Allie. After an hour, she called the session to a halt. She grabbed a big red ball with hidden treats and escorted Hero to a pad.
A young man entered the building. “Hi, Allie.”
“Hello. Hero finished his work, and you can take him back after he finishes his treat. When Jake arrives, I think Weston has a sore tooth. Please ask him to check on it,” she asked the young man. “Billy, this is Bryan. He served as my helper this evening.”
Billy nodded in Bryan’s direction. Allie grabbed the food containers and took them to her office. She grabbed her coat and purse before they walked outside.
“Does this guy go everywhere with you? He seems well-behaved,” Bryan asked as Hemi stayed next to Allie.
“Yeah.” Allie glanced down, giving the dog a head rub. “Don’t pay him any attention. We’re learning hand signals to avoid using his name publicly.”
“Can I drive you home?” Bryan headed toward his car.
“No. I live down the path,” she said as she pointed to a lighted pathway.
Seeing the disappointment in his eyes, she smiled. “Why don’t you walk with us? There’s a pool table and I play a mean game. It’s usually free at this time in the evening.”
Bryan nodded as he joined her. “How did you get involved in service dog training?”
“My friend, Erin. I worked for a small business training dogs. When the owner retired, I bought him out. I started with goldens, shepherds and a few poodles. My business boomed and I expanded my services. I reached a point when I needed a change and she discovered this job. Kassie invited me to meet with her and Chase, and here I am.”
“Whiskey and Samantha can’t say enough good things about the hospital. Do you only work with veterans?”
She shook her head. “No. Kassie has a teen unit and we’ve trained a couple of dogs for her patients.” They entered the dormitory, rode the elevator to the fourth floor and walked into the common area.
She placed her coat on the couch, and Bryan followed suit. They gathered the pool balls, and Bryan reached for a cue.
“Shall we place a bet?” he asked.
She cocked her head. “What do you have in mind?”
“How about dinner in Seattle tomorrow?” He racked the balls and allowed her to go first.
Allie glanced uneasily at Hemi, who sat close by. “I have to bring my friend. If I win, you’ll have to work as my distractor for three nights.”
“It’s a bet.” Bryan watched as Allie started the game strong, calling stripes. He watched as she sank one ball after another.
“Do you play often?” he asked as he chuckled.
“You might say Hemi and I practice daily,” she confessed as she moved around the table. Bryan’s eyes roamed to her nicely shaped ass and small waist. She leaned forward as he walked to the side of the table. She gave him an impish smile as she focused on her next move.
Determined to gain the upper hand, Bryan realized she only made the bet, believing she’d win. He drew closer and as she lined up her cue, and tipped the end of the stick, making the rogue ball fly into the eight ball.
“You cheated!” She accused as her eyes narrowed.
Bryan laughed. “Yes, I did. I can say the same thing about you. You and this Hemi play professionally.”
Allie giggled. “You caught me.”
“How about a deal? I’ll take you and your friend for dinner and I’ll work for you until I leave,” he bargained as he approached her. He watched as she swallowed and met his gaze. “I want to see you again, Allie,” he admitted softly.
The smile disappeared and she shook her head. “I don’t date.”
“Dinner between new friends doesn’t constitute a date. We’re sharing a meal,” he reasoned. Her light floral scent drifted to his nose. He leaned down and hovered over her soft, plump lips as if they put him in a trance.
She stepped back and shook her head as if to clear it. “All right. Since we both cheated, I’ll agree. I start early in the morning. What time shall I expect you?”
He grinned. “I’m working until three. What’s your schedule?”
“I’m here until five. I have patients until three,” she informed him as he retrieved his coat.
He walked to the elevator and pushed the button. “Goodnight, Allie.”
“Goodnight,” she said softly.
He stepped inside and stared at her until the doors closed. He walked up the path to his car, and thoughts of Allie consumed him. Something about her made his heart race and she didn’t seem immune to him. He took out his phone, making dinner plans for the following day.