She mimicked it as closely as she could, aware of him watching her.
“Almost,” he murmured, stepping close enough that she could feel his warmth seep through the cold air. “May I?”
Her breath caught, but she nodded.
He moved behind her, his hand wrapping gently around hers, guiding her wrist in one smooth, controlled arc.
“Like this,” he said near her ear, voice pitched low enough to warm every nerve ending she possessed. “Firm. No jerkiness. Confidence.”
Her stomach flipped; her breath stuttered; her entire body went warm despite the chill.
“Aunt D, your face is red!” Jake shouted helpfully. “You can take your coat off if you’re hot!”
Mortification swept over her like a tidal wave.
She stepped away from James so quickly she nearly slipped. “I’m fine, Jake. Just… the fresh air.”
James tried—and failed—to hide the laughter dancing in his eyes.
“Let’s try again,” James said gently, giving her the moment to recover without crowding her. “Jake, bring Bash over?”
Jake hauled Bash forward, though the dog was very distracted by a rogue squirrel rustling in the undergrowth.
“Bash, sit,” James said.
Down went Bash immediately.
“Your turn,” James urged, soft and encouraging.
Doreen inhaled and steadied her wrist. “Bash, sit.”
Bash looked straight at her, tail sweeping through the snow…and then sat.
“He did it!” Jake shouted, bouncing around in the snow. “Aunt D, hedid it! He listened toyou! He’s going to win a rosette, Iknowhe is!”
Doreen laughed, the sound bubbling out brighter than she expected. “Good boy, Bash!”
James locked eyes with her. “You’re a natural. Jake trusts you. Bash trusts you. You’re remarkable.”
The words hit her square in the chest. Doreen swallowed hard as she murmured, “Thank you.”
James crouched beside Jake again, explaining the next command with quiet patience. The sunlight caught the silver strands in his hair, and she ached to run her fingers through it.
Then James looked up at her, that small half-smile appearing again, catching her off guard. “I brought something for later. If you’re up for it.”
She tilted her head. “What is it?”
He just grinned, a hint of mischief lighting his eyes. “You’ll see.”
Her pulse flickered with something warm and bright and hopeful.
And just like that, the morning, the training, the snow, the world around them—all of it felt like a chapter turning toward something she hadn’t expected to want again.
Something she wasn’t sure she could stop wanting now.
Chapter Eight – James
“Stay,” Jake commanded, extending his palm toward Bash. The golden retriever’s whole body vibrated with pent-up enthusiasm, but he held still, eyes locked on Jake as the boy backed away through the snow.
