James tried to focus on the dog. Really, he did. But how was he supposed to resist stealing glances at her when the winter light caught in her hair, warming every brown strand into a soft, rich glow? She’d tucked her hands into her coat pockets, shoulders slightly hunched against the chill, but her smile stayed warm, bright, and utterly disarming.
James cleared his throat, dragging himself back to the task at hand. “Okay, ready?” he asked. “Now, Jake, call him to you and remember lots of praise.”
“Bash, come!” Jake shouted, and Bash rocketed toward him, his tail a blur of gold.
“That was impressive,” Doreen said, brushing a snowflake from her cheek. James found himself tracking the simple motion with embarrassing focus.
“He’s a smart dog,” James managed. His voice sounded steadier than he felt. “Just needs consistency.”
A gust of wind swept through the clearing, swirling snow around their boots. Doreen shivered, and every instinct in James urged him to step closer, to warm her with his body, his coat, anything he had.
Instead, he nodded toward Jake and Bash. “Let’s try ‘heel’ next.”
Jake eagerly brought Bash back, and together they circled the clearing. “Like this?”
“Perfect,” James said.
“Now you try, Aunt D,” Jake said, holding out the leash to her.
She hesitated for a moment before stepping forward, and she exhaled a nervous laugh. “I’m not sure he’ll listen to me.”
“He will,” James said, moving close to show her the right grip. “Here…keep the leash loose, but ready.”
He positioned himself beside her, not touching, but close enough that he could feel the heat from her body. His fingers grazed hers as he adjusted her hold on the leash, and the contact sent a shock of recognition coursing through him.
“Like this?” she murmured.
“Perfect,” he said, voice low and rougher than intended.
Doreen swallowed once and lifted her chin. “Bash, heel.”
To everyone’s astonishment, including Doreen’s, Bash fell into perfect step beside her, trotting with focused precision.
“I don’t believe it,” she laughed.
“I told you he’d respond to you,” James said, unable to hide the smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “You’ve got calm energy.”
Our mate has perfect energy,his bear rumbled proudly.
James didn’t argue. For once, the bear wasn’t wrong.
Jake came barreling back toward them, practically vibrating with excitement. “Deputy Pike! Do you think Bash will be ready for the dog show? Because there’s a fancy dress contest, and I want him to go as a bear!”
James choked on absolutely nothing. “A bear?”
Jake nodded with dramatic seriousness. “Bear Creek has bears! It’s perfect.”
James cleared his throat. “Well, maybe Bash would make a better… Santa. Or reindeer. Something harmless.”
We are harmless?his bear snapped.To our mate. And her kin.
James rubbed the back of his neck, trying not to smile. “And he might surprise us in the obedience class. He’s doing incredibly well today.”
Jake beamed, oblivious to James’s inner turmoil. “He’s gonna win a rosette. I just know it.”
“You hear that, Bash?” Doreen asked. “You have your work cut out.” She glanced at James and smiled, her dimple showing.
“I’m up to the challenge,” James said with a nod.
