Chapter 5
Genevieve
“Do you have any questions about what you need to work on before we meet up again?” We’ve practiced going in and out of the house over a dozen times. We’re at the point now that if Luke turns and walks toward the back porch, Bogey eagerly follows.
Definitely getting better, and I wasn’t lying when I said his husky is smart. I think a big problem Luke will run into is channeling the dog's mental energy. But that’s something to think about tomorrow.
A dog that thinks is ideal for a working dog.
But a pet? Not so much. Luke, being a professional golfer, is a positive in this situation.
He has a unique understanding of what it takes to hone an athlete.
When he sees his pup as having the same need for intense training, things will really start to balance out.
“No, I think I’ve got it,” Luke says, absently petting Bogey’s head.
Watching the man and the dog, my brows pull together. This is the second time since I’ve been here that Bogey has just casually come and rested against Luke’s side. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear he’s acting like an emotional support dog.
“Is Bogey a—” I cut myself off. Nah. Luke doesn’t need anything like that. He’s one of the most confident people I’ve ever met.
“Is he a what?” Luke’s brow furrows.
“Nothing,” I shake my head.
“We’re meeting up tomorrow, right?” he asks, his voice rising a bit at the end, and Bogey leans in closer.
“Yes,” I say, making my way toward the gate. Luke follows me while the husky takes the opportunity to run laps around the yard. “I know you need to get this under control before the season starts. So I have you down on my schedule for the next few weeks. Everyday.”
Turning toward him, I see relief flicker in his gaze. And my pulse jumps. It feels good knowing he wants to see me again.
Maybe a little too good.
Focus, Gen. You’re here to train a dog. Just because it feels good to have Luke need you, remember who he is.
“Tomorrow we’ll start here, but then we’ll head out for a walk. If he’s anything like your typical sled dog, he’s dragging you.”
My voice has lost its warmth, but Luke doesn’t seem to notice.
“That would be great.” He blows out a breath and rakes his hand through his hair. “Everything I read tells me that I have to walk my dog.”
“You don’t have to walk your dog, but it’s nice to go for one if that’s what you’re in the mood for.” I shrug, just as a gust of wind blows a chunk of hair in my face. Raising a hand, I push it behind my ear only to lock gazes with Luke, who’s holding his hand up and slightly toward me.
I freeze as a memory of him brushing my hair gently aside right before the first time he kissed me hits like a slap. Skin prickles along my arms, my throat closes.
My gaze drops to his arm as it slowly falls back to his side, and my jaw clenches.
I’m only here because of Claire.
Luke’s brows knit, and I know that he can see my internal shift.
Good. I don’t have to worry about him mistaking why I’m helping him.
Walking through the gate, I turn to flip the latch only to have a sharp jolt run up my arm as my hand brushes against Luke’s as he’s pushing it closed. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” My voice sounds breathless even to my own ears. I can only hope that he doesn’t notice.
“Tomorrow,” Luke says gruffly, and my stomach swoops.
He noticed.
Walking back to my car, I get in and start the engine. Not once do I look toward the gate where I know Luke stands watching me. The weight of his gaze sends tiny pricks of heat everywhere it roams.
“Call Claire,” I announce, hitting the call button on my steering wheel once I’m on the street driving away. The car fills with a ringing sound, followed by Claire’s voice.
“Hi. You’ve reached—”
Sighing in frustration, I hit the end button.
It’s probably for the best that she didn’t pick up, because I was going to give her an earful. But the truth is, I’m not mad at her for asking me to help her brother.
I’m irritated at myself for saying yes.
Even angrier that my body responds to the small touch of Luke Nichols' hand.
The sun feels warm on my skin, just as a cool spring breeze blows through my hair. It’s the perfect day to be training outside. Three weeks have passed since I started working with Luke and Bogey, and the part of the process I love most is just beginning.
They’re falling in love.
Yeah, I know how crazy it sounds, but it’s true.
Dog owners love their pups; I wouldn’t have a job. But not all of them are in love with the four- leggers when they first meet me. By the time we’re done working together, they are.
Maybe I should’ve named my business ‘K9 Cupid’.
“Hmm, that’s kind of catchy.” My lips pull up, and I chuckle to myself as I make my way to Bean Me Up, where Luke and Bogey are meeting to work on manners in public.
Nervous energy races through me. It’s been building as the clock ticked closer to our scheduled session time, so instead of driving, I’m walking over.
My head is still on board with the Luke-Nichols-is-off-limits-and-dangerous-to-your-heart speech, but watching how gentle he is with Bogey, the way Bogey melts against him, and Luke’s eyes soften as he looks at him, has my heart weakening more each minute I spend with him.
Every day, it gets harder to remember how long it took me to stop crying after he left. Working with him daily only reminds me why I fell for him all over again.
Luke was always a bit bristly on the outside with people he didn’t know, but when he let you in, the room felt smaller, warmer, like his focus on you was the only thing that mattered.
Watching him fall in love with Bogey is bittersweet.
You see, I was the object of his affection once, and he looked at me the way he’s looking at his new furmily member.
Enough, Gen. We don’t fall in love with our clients, unless they have four paws and fur.
“And not even then,” I scoff.
When Bean Me Up comes into view, my eyes land on the man who’s been living rent-free in my head for the past five days, and the expression on his face steals my breath.
Bogey is lying down, happily lapping up his pup nova (whipped cream in a cup), and Luke is seated in a chair watching him with a small smile on his face.
A feeling of a job well done flows through me as I reflect on the first time the three of us sat at one of those tables.
“AWOOOOOOO” Bogey screams again, and Luke’s brows pull together just as a flush creeps up his neck.
The excited ball of fluff is drawing attention to us, and I’ve learned over the past week that any attention drawn to him makes Luke uncomfortable.
“Here,” I reach a hand out and grab the leash from the brooding man next to me. “Let me take him and sit down, while you head inside for the pup nova. I think you need a break.”
Luke scrubs his hand up and down his face as he grunts out, “Thanks.”
With Bogey sitting in front of me, his back to me, we stare at Luke’s broad shoulders as he enters Bean Me Up. All the while, the husky’s ears stand at attention. When his human is out of sight, the dog starts to pace.
Normally, I’d pull out a treat or two, but we quickly learned that isn’t what motivates this pup to do anything in the real world.
It’s made things a bit more frustrating for his owner, but even I have to admit that Luke has been doing a great job trying all the suggestions I’ve given.
We’ve had some small steps forward and are really seeing a change. It’s just been slow.
“Hey boy,” I say, softly, running my hand from Bogey’s snout all the way to the end of his spine in long, slow strokes. “Your dad’s coming back. He just went to get you a snack.”
Under my gentle ministrations, I can feel the big fluffball start to relax, and before I know it, his butt is on the ground. He’s still staring at the door, but quiet and relaxed.
I’ll take it.
“Maybe you can give your dad a break and tone down the excitability a bit. In case you haven’t noticed, he’s not really one to draw attention to himself.
” Bogey’s tail wags, encouraging me to keep talking in a soft voice.
“Which is strange considering his career draws an enormous amount of focus his way.”
My hand continues stroking Bogey as I think of all the sports magazines I’ve seen Luke in over the years. Hundreds at least. I wasn’t expecting this version of Luke to be so…what is he? Shy? No, that’s not the right word. Self-conscious? Not that either.
“I’m not sure what’s going on with your dad, but I know it’s your job to help him.”
Bogey’s tail wags faster, and some fur flies up around me, just as I hear Luke say, “Get it.”
Heat crawls up my face at the realization that he most likely heard what I was just saying to Bogey. At his next words, my fear is confirmed, and my cheeks flame.
“Careful, Gen, or Bogey might think you like me or something.”
“That’s not it at all,” I say, shoving the leash at him and pretending to pull down the sleeves of my sweatshirt. “I just want to make sure that he doesn’t end up back at the rescue.”
“Surrre.”
I can hear the teasing in his voice, but I don’t dare look up because if I see even the hint of a gleam in his eyes, I swear I’m going to quit right here and now.
Forget about Claire.
“Seems as if Bogs definitely likes whipped cream.”
I glance over to the husky and see him lying down, trying to push his snout in the cup to get to the bottom so as not to miss even a speck of the white fluff.
“Well, look at that.” A smile tugs at my lips as I watch Bogey’s teeth showing as his mouth contorts to lap up the pup nova like he’s a starving canine.
“Here.” Luke pushes a cup in front of my face, and the smell of espresso makes my mouth water. “Soy Latte, no foam with just a smidge of whip.”
“Thank you,” I mutter, the warmth as I sip is not just from the hot liquid but the actions of the man across from me.
Ever since that day, I’ve worked to keep any thoughts I’ve had about Luke to myself, no more talking to the dog as if he were my therapist.
It’s been working well, and so is the ball we’re using, instead of treats, for reinforcement. Turns out this sled dog loves fetch.
It never fails to surprise me how every dog is different in what they enjoy. I didn’t think the ball would work, but it did. So glad I dismissed my bias and tried anyway.
My focus is still on Luke and the relaxed husky when his gaze slams into mine, his soft brown eyes making my throat tighten.
“That was so great!” I jump up and down, gently patting Luke on the shoulder. “Your timing was amazing. Good job, Nichols.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you, Genevieve.”
Luke’s tone is sincere, and again I can feel his gaze heavy on my face. “WAOOOOOOO!” Bogey comes back, ball in his mouth, and drops it in front of him.
The ball flies through the air, and a brown blur chases after it.
“Gen, I—”
“Don’t.”
The muscle in Luke’s jaw clenches, and he squeezes his hand into a fist.
“I’m sorry.” The words fall from my lips unbidden. “I just want to make sure we keep the dog training as our main focus.”
“Right.” Luke grumbles, as he puts his focus back on the dog running toward us with the ball.
Shaking my head I pull in my bottom lip, afraid I’m losing the battle of keeping my heart closed off to ‘Golf’s Grim Reaper’.
Luke points down at Bogey, gives me a thumbs up, and smiles so brightly that my knees buckle.
Why do I suddenly want to do whatever’s necessary to have him smile like that at me all the time?
So much for keeping Bogey as the main focus.
Maybe I should fire myself before the reaper collects my soul…again.