I like it a lot, and I put my arm around her, holding her close as well.
The male judge I’ve only worked with a few times walks down the line, motioning to the foster dogs. “I’d like to see the Chiweenie and the Shihtzuranian, please.”
Hancock and Akers step out with their dogs, and a ripple of laughter rolls across the crowd at the sight of the two big guys walking tiny pooches. I confess, that was my goal.
The female judge walks over to our side, slowly making her way down the row. “I’d like to see the toy poodle, the borzoi, and the standard poodle.
I squeeze Maddie’s hand as we take our dogs forward. I’m pretty sure I know how this is going to go when the judge gives us the motion to gait. We all circle the center table, and they call it.
“That’s the order: first, second, Best in Show!”
The entire arena is on their feet, cheering and blowing airhorns, and for a moment, I’m confused.
“What just happened?” I stop, looking all around as Heather, Haddy, Owen, and Maverick all come running into the center of the ring to surround me.
“You won Best in Show!” Haddy puts her hands on my shoulders, looking me straight in the eyes. “You did it!”
“I don’t understand…” I also don’t understand why my eyes are filling with tears.
“Spanky’s Best in Show!” Mav scoops me around the waist, lifting me off my feet and doing a little spin. “You won!”
“I thought you broke your ankle?” I frown, pushing out of his arms. “You faked it… That’s why you made me stay backstage!”
“You’re supposed to scream with joy,” he replies. “I know you know how the movie ends.”
“You won, Mama G!” Small arms go around my waist, giving me a squeeze.
It makes me laugh. “Were you in on this, too? Were you even nervous?”
“Congrats, babe.” Owen puts his arms around me, leaning down to kiss my temple. “I’m sorry LB screwed it up for you last time, but I’m glad we were able to make it right.”
My forehead wrinkles, and I swallow hard as tears leak out of my eyes. “You all planned this for me?”
“I made a few calls.” Haddy shrugs like it’s all so obvious. “I asked how we could get Spanky a Best in Show honor for real. He might be a rascal, but he deserves it. And so do you.”
“Y’all!” My nose is hot, and I can’t stop the tears filling my eyes. “What am I going to do with all of you?”
“Oh, you know,” Mav pokes my side. “Just keep being awesome and supplying us with pets.”
The group closes around us, and I can’t remember when I’ve been happier, more at home, and so surrounded by family. I guess it was the last time I was in Newhope, at Cooters & Shooters, watching my sweet cousin marry the man of her dreams.
Looking up at Owen, I smile so big. His face breaks with a smile, and he leans down to kiss me. I guess we’re next.
30
OWEN
“They thought Ladybird was a show dog,” Haddy complains, leaning on the table in Gina’s house reading through the judges’ notes. “That’s why they didn’t pick her for the non-pedigreed group.”
“It’s really okay,” I tell her, holding a box of Gina’s things.
I’ve finally convinced her Maverick will be just fine living in this big house all by himself—her words. She’s trying to find him a dog to keep him company, and I’m moving all her things out today before she has a chance to change her mind.
“I was just glad I jogged her all the way to our spot without falling,” I add with a laugh.
Haddy’s lips poke out with a frown. “But Ladybird did a great job, and she worked so hard. She deserved to be recognized.”
I chuckle, reaching out to shake her shoulder. “We had fun. We raised a bunch of money for the children’s hospital. That was the point.”
