“He’s here!” Jake shouted, scrambling to his feet before Doreen could even turn from the counter.
She took a steadying breath, ran her fingers through her hair once more, and moved toward the door. Her fingers hovered on the knob for half a second longer than necessary — ridiculous,but she felt the moment stretch, charged, expectant. With a long exhale, she opened the door.
“Good morning,” he said, his voice steady and sure, somehow making her feel both flustered and calm at once.
“Good morning. You’re right on time,” she managed, stepping back to let him in. The scent of cold air and pine followed him into the cabin as he stomped snow from his boots. Doreen was intimately aware of him. As if his very presence could reach in and touch that frozen part of her and melt it faster.
Jake immediately launched into questions, barely pausing for breath. “Are we going to practice more for the dog show? Did you bring treats? Do you think Bash will remember what he learned yesterday?”
Bash circled James’s legs in joyful greeting, his tail wagging so hard his entire body wiggled with it.
James laughed, kneeling to ruffle the dog’s fur. “Whoa there, buddy. Yes, to all of those questions, Jake.”
Doreen watched them, a surge of happiness flowing through her. He’d said nine o’clock, and here he was at nine exactly. Not a minute early, not a minute late. He’d kept his word.
“Should we get started?” James asked, looking up at her with those clear blue eyes.
“Of course,” she nodded, reaching for her coat. “Let’s head outside.”
The morning air was crisp and cold, burning slightly in her lungs as they stepped onto the porch. Bash wiggled with excitement, barely containing himself as James demonstrated the first command.
“Remember, firm but gentle,” James said, his voice calm and firm. “Bash, sit.”
His hands moved with precise, confident gestures that Doreen found herself watching too intently. There was something mesmerizing about the way he gave a command, the certainty in his movements, the unmistakable authority in his voice.
Bash obeyed immediately, looking expectantly at James.
“Now you try, Jake,” James encouraged.
Jake mimicked the gesture with surprising accuracy. “Bash, sit!”
The dog hesitated, glancing between Jake and James before lowering his hindquarters to the snow.
“Good boy!” Doreen exclaimed, surprising herself with her enthusiasm.
James turned to her with a smile that made her melt inside. “Jake’s a fast learner.”
“Just like Bash,” Jake said happily, ruffling the dog’s ears.
While Jake guided Bash through the “stay” command, the dog investigated a patch of snow, nose twitching with interest at some hidden scent.
James kneeled beside Jake, adjusting the boy’s hand position slightly. “That’s it. Consistent signals help him understand what you want.”
Jake nodded solemnly, his face scrunched in concentration. Then, as if the thought had just occurred to him, he looked up at James. “My dad said he was going to help me train Bash when he got back from his business trip... but he broke his ankle and couldn’t travel home.”
The simple statement hung in the frosty morning air. Doreen felt a pang in her chest, hearing the disappointment behind Jake’s matter-of-fact words.
James’s expression softened, his eyes filled with understanding as he placed a gentle hand on Jake’s shoulder. “That must be hard,” he whispered. “I’m sorry your dad couldn’t be here.”
Jake shrugged, trying to appear brave. “It’s okay. Aunt D brought me here to Bear Creek, which is amazing. And now you’re teaching me dog stuff.”
“Well,” James said, his voice warm, “I think you’re doing an amazing job.”
“When my dad gets home, I’m going to show him everything Bash has learned,” Jake replied.
“Your dad would be proud of how well you’re taking such good care of Bash,” James told him.
Doreen watched as Jake’s face brightened at the praise. James had a knack for saying just the right thing.
