“I’m sorry,” she muttered. “I just…wasn’t expecting that.”
The man chuckled, sliding his hands into the pockets of his khakis with a sigh that said nothing his daughter did surprised him. “Introduce yourself, Olivia. And Kat.”
She put her hand on the dog’s head. “This is Kat, a border collie, as you can probably tell by how she follows orders. They’re smart. And I’m Olivia Hampton.”
“Who makes the rules,” the man next to Gracie whispered with a sly smile. “And enforces them.”
Gracie laughed softly, taking a look at the stunning little girl who stood with perfect posture and maturity well beyond her nine or ten years.
“I’m Benny McBride,” her son responded, his own back stiffening a little. “This is Sir Isaac Newton, a Cavapoo. He’s part poodle, and they’re smart, too.”
Olivia looked dubious. “Does he have a nickname?”
“No. We use his whole name.”
“My dog has a nickname.”
“Which is also the name of another species,” Benny reminded her.
“Species, yes. But still part of the animal kingdom, chordate phylum, and mammal class,” she fired back, crossing her arms. “Plus, it’s super cute and funny.”
“Oh, my…” Gracie turned to look up at Olivia’s father, biting her lip. “I think my son just met his match.”
“I’ll pray for him,” he said with another soft laugh, his eyes—the same midnight color as his daughter’s—twinkling. “Because he’ll need it.”
“Can your dog sit and stay?” Olivia asked.
Benny blinked. “I just got him yesterday.”
“Well, no treats, then.” She stroked her dog’s head. “Kat learned that in a day.”
Just then, a couple came in with a little boy and a golden retriever puppy whose tail thumped the desk like a drumroll as the three dogs circled and barked.
Through it all, Renee managed to keep order, get names, and talk over the noise.
“Let’s go, kids,” she finally called out. “Camp starts in five minutes!”
Gracie gave Benny a hug and pressed her lips against his hair. “Be nice and make friends,” she whispered.
“Do you think that dog is smarter than Sir Isaac Newton?”
“I don’t know, but his owner seems pretty bright.”
His eyes shuttered. “I didn’t think my dog would have real competition.”
“Benny.” She crouched down, putting her hands on his shoulders. “She can be your friend.”
He drew back, as aghast as a ten-year-old knew how to look. “She’s right. Border collies are smart. She could win.”
She exhaled and hugged him again. “There’s nothing to win. It’s not a competition.”
“Yes, it is.” He pointed to the bottom of the week’s schedule to the wordsDoggie Talent Show – Best Trick Wins Treats for a Year!
Oh, boy. “Just have fun, Benny.”
“Leash your dogs and follow me!” Renee stood in the doorway and waved the kids into a hall. “Parents, your work is done here. Say your goodbyes. Next time you see them, their dogs will come when called by name.”
Gracie watched Benny and Sir Isaac head down the hall, keeping their distance from the adorable competition.
