Chapter 29
GINA
“That’s great, Saxon. Just hold the leash up, but don’t jerk it. Cheese knows what to do. He’s done this a hundred times.”
I’m standing back with my arms crossed, watching the Beagle’s gait and our stocky defenseman leading him around the rink. It’s our one and only rehearsal before the Pucks and Pups charity show next week.
We were able to talk to all the guys about it and even recruit some of my dog show pals at our Friendsgiving dinner to help prepare.
Haddy’s been working overtime, and she really seems to enjoy being busy. Lisa is a pro as always, along with Carla, who handles the foster dogs.
“This is such a great idea.” Carla leans into my ear, whispering as I watch them. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t have all the foster dogs placed by the end of the night.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if you get a waiting list of people wanting more.” I wave as Sax goes to his spot in the lineup. “Great job Sax and Cheese!”
“That dog’s name is Cheese?” Haddy laughs, jogging up to me. “Sorry, I’m late. I had to feed Lucy and pass her off to her daddy.”
“His name is actually Say it with Cheese, but Mav’s right. What dog is going to come to that?”
“Well, ‘Sax and Cheese’ is hilarious,” she replies, bumping my hip.
I look up to see who’s next, and my chest squeezes when I see my gorgeous fiancé standing at the starting line, holding the leash for Ladybird.
“Ready, Owen?” Even I can hear the change in my voice when I tell him what to do. It’s way less business and way more swoon.
In addition to catching up horizontally, we’ve been spending a lot of time working on the right speed for LB’s gait. Turns out, it’s a jog. Good thing Owen Stone is in great shape physically. (Internal rawr.)
When he gets the cue, he lifts the leash and takes off, looking like a professional dog handler. Ladybird actually seems to remember all the things we’ve been drilling for the past few weeks. She lifts her legs, trotting alongside her owner like she’s been doing it as long as Spanky has.
She’s not completely up to AKC standards, but for the purposes of our charity show and the people who’ll be watching, she could be a purebred show dog.
I watch them make the large oval, around the tables, past the ribbons, and slow to a halt in front of Carla and me. I look over at my friend, and her eyes are bright, her lips parted.
Owen is sex on a stick. His long hair hangs in shiny waves off his face, and the T-shirt he’s wearing is losing its battle to contain his muscles.
His chest rises and falls as he catches his breath, and a proud smile curls those full, sexy lips, revealing a deep dimple in the side of his cheek.
Don’t forget his straight white teeth, a rarity in this sport, and the possessive glint in his sapphire-blue eyes when he looks at me.
“That was perfect,” I say, smiling up at him, a little breathless myself.
“Really?” His brow quirks, almost like he’s surprised. “You don’t think I need to do it again?”
“I wouldn’t mind seeing it again.” Carla grabs my arm, and I laugh, giving her a nudge with my elbow.
“Easy, girl. He’s mine.”
She shakes her head. “I only meant, if you’d like to go again, that would be okay. It’s hard to believe you’ve never done this before. You seem so… skilled.”
“Is it my turn, Mama G?” Maddie yells from across the arena where she stands at the starting line with Princess Petunia on a leash.
A big smile splits my cheeks at the sight of them. “It sure is, sweetie. Show me what you’ve got!”
My helper says their names, and Maddie’s posture straightens. She lifts her chin, and the little dog at her side trots in perfect time with her steps.
Maddie knows the exact speed for the toy poodle, and Peepee’s fluffy cinnamon legs flurry as she scampers around the ring like she was born to do it.
“Look at her go,” Lisa says at my side. “I think that little girl’s a natural handler.”
“They’re so cute,” Haddy coos. “Who knew my little Patsy could walk that way?”
“I did,” I say with a shrug. “Lisa judges toy divisions all the time.”
“Is she a winner, Lisa?” Haddy leans forward, and my friend gives her a thumbs up.
“They’re going to be the finale,” I explain, examining the list. “The crowd will love seeing the two of them after all the big guys. Mav, you’re up!”
“I think the crowd’s going to love seeing all the guys,” Carla says under her breath as my cousin steps up to the line, holding Spanky’s leash.
“Yeah, he has that effect on everyone,” I tease. “Ready?”
They give the signal, and Mav does a flawless impersonation of the John Michael Higgins character from the movie Best in Show. His arm is extended, his pinky raised, and his hips swish side to side.
“He’s so funny!” Maddie bounces on her toes, clapping.
“Well, darn,” Carla groans beside me. “All the hot ones are gay.”
“Oh, no!” I hold my nose, snorting a laugh. “Mav’s totally straight.”
“A little too straight if you ask me.” Haddy rolls her eyes.
“Oh, is he an eff-boy?” Her lip wrinkles, and she lowers her voice so Maddie doesn’t hear.
“No, not that!” My cousin shakes her head. “He’s actually very respectful of women. He’s just… a lot of man.”
“I don’t mind a lot of man.” Carla’s eyebrow arches, and I just shake my head.
Even pretending to be gay, Mav has the ladies falling at his feet.
Donovan, on the other hand, looked fantastic earlier, walking with my favorite borzoi Haze. I’m pretty sure the fellow he brought with him to Owen’s housewarming party and who also joined us at Friendsgiving might be someone special. I hope so. He’s such a nice man.
Mav finishes with a flourish, doing a dramatic bow right in front of us while Spanky stacks beside him like a pro.
“Very impressive,” I say, checking off the last name on the list. “Now bring on the show.”
Show day is as hectic as a real Continental Dog Show.
The hockey rink has been transformed into an enormous venue with thick velvet curtains, podiums for the dogs to stand on while they’re being evaluated, and smooth turf for the handlers to walk the dogs around the perimeter.
Backstage, the foster dogs are jumping and barking, while the show dogs are waiting, sitting or standing, calmly looking around like it’s just another day at the office.
Haddy runs around making sure the guys have their numbers, and I walk through the crowd of six-foot-something men in designer suits holding dogs on leashes like I’ve died and gone to dog-lady heaven.
The truth is, I only have eyes for one sexy handler, and he’s on one knee beside his daughter, helping her straighten her dress and giving her what appears to be a pep-talk.
“You’ve practiced so much with Mama G, just relax and let your muscle memory do the work.” His voice is low, and I love the way they call me Mama G now.
I didn’t even have to ask them. It’s like Maddie had that nickname locked and loaded and was just waiting for her cue to start using it.
“Everything okay over here?” I pause as Owen rises to give me a quick kiss on the lips, sending sparkles through my chest.
“We’ve got a case of nerves.” He tilts his head in his daughter’s direction.
“Oh no…” I look down to see Maddie sitting on the turf in her raw silk gown, holding Peepee on her lap.
“It’s okay, Peep,” she tells the little dog. “Everybody gets scared walking out in front of a big crowd for the first time.”
I’m in a beige skirt and blazer, but I take a knee beside her. “You doing okay, honey?”
“I’m okay,” she nods, holding Peepee up to show me. “She’s worried about walking in front of all those people for the first time. She’s afraid she might trip and fall and show her underwear and be super embarrassed.”
“I see…” I don’t point out her dog isn’t wearing underwear. “You know what I like to do after a big show?” She shakes her head, and I reach out to hold her hand. “I like to go home and get in my comfy clothes and have a facial.”
“With real cucumbers on your eyes?” Her eyes widen.
“Always, and we can make pigs in blankets and watch a funny Christmas movie.”
“Like Elf?” She’s on her feet now, putting her hand on my shoulder.
“Whichever funny movie you choose.” I straighten, taking her hand in mine. “We’ve just got to get this walk done, and then it’s party time. Okay?”
“Okay!” She bends down to pet the toy poodle. “Ready to walk, Peep?”
The little dog hops around, doing her squeak-barks. She’s such a cute pooch. I’m smiling down at them when a large hand covers my shoulder, pulling me against his rock-hard chest for a hug.
“Is it wrong that I want to sneak you behind that curtain and show my appreciation right now?” Owen’s low voice in my ear makes my core clench.
He leans down to kiss the side of my neck, and the scuff of his beard flushes my entire body.
“Just doing my job.” I lift my face to give him a quick kiss. “I’ve got to check on the others. You all set here?”
“All set.” His pretty eyes meet mine, and they’re so full of love.
My thumb automatically goes to the shining engagement ring on my finger, and I’m so happy.
It all came true. My vision, Heather’s reading. Hope has found me. There’s no more fear. We’ve won, and we’ve healed each other’s hearts in the process.
Haddy is calling for the guys to line up in order, starting with Donovan and Haze. They’re the leaders, all polished and shiny.
They’re followed by Saxon and Cheese, Hancock and a small foster dog named Rory, Akers with another foster dog, all the way down to Owen with Ladybird. Mav is the last player to go, walking Spanky, and Maddie will be the fun finale walking with Peepee.
“I think it’s really cool that we were able to get actual AKC judges to come out for this,” Lisa says as I help her straighten the numbers on the guys’ upper arms. “It’s like the dogs are winning legitimate awards.”
“I can’t believe they agreed to do it for free,” I quip.