“If you want to prove to yourself that you’ve got what it takes, I’m gonna release you and stand back so you can crush it. I’ll take lots of pictures. But there’s nothing for you to prove tome. I already think you’re amazing.”
She blinked, confusion and a billion other emotions battling across her face. “You do?”
Man, she was killing him.
This was Sabrina West in full vulnerability mode, and he did not mistake it as anything other than a huge gift that she’d let him see this glimpse into her soul.
“I do,” he murmured and that’s when he brushed his lips across her forehead.
That turned her polar ice caps into puddles. Her whole body just…unspooled, going slack against him, her lithe frame feeling like heaven against his as he took her weight, hefting her even closer with the arm she’d never removed from her waist.
He counted that as much of a win as the rest.
Because what was this but another sign? Jacob’s warnings had some merit, sure, but Noah had never felt like this with another woman. As if he could fly. As if he could helpherfly. That’s what he’d seen his whole life between his parents—two people united in everything, supporting each other, loving each other,understandingeach other.
“Sorry,” she murmured against his heavy fleece pullover. “I forgot for a second that you’re not normal.”
He had to laugh at that. “I’ve never felt so oddly complimented in my life.”
“Are we going to like, do any dog stuff or stand here all day?” she asked him, her own arms tight around him. “Because I’m trying to figure out which one I’d pick, and right now, it’s stand here.”
He rested his head against hers, enjoying their height difference. “Standing here is very nice, I completely agree. But I already know you’re a champion hugger. I want to see what you do with Ripley.”
“Kay.” She levered her face up to his and pressed a long kiss against his lips that he had to fight to keep chaste.
This was her show. He was just here for the moral support.
Finally, she stepped back. “All right, crisis is over. Show me everything.”
That was it? Their first fight and it was just…done? Man, he could get used to this. And how well he’d handled it, if he did say so himself. Before he could get busy patting himself on the back, he had more important things to do, like dog stuff.
“First things first.” He gestured to where Dancer sat demonstrating perfect form, patiently waiting for the humans to get their act together. “The foundation of SAR work is the bond between handler and dog. Everything builds from there.”
Sabrina nodded, her gaze on him in that way she had that made him feel like the only person in her world. “You and Dancer have that. I noticed it right away.”
“We’ll start with proper heel position.” He demonstrated with Dancer, explaining how the dog should stay on the left side, shoulder aligned with the handler’s leg. “Consistency is crucial in the field. It builds trust, creates a rhythm between you. That’s how you create a bond.”
She summoned Ripley to her side and the dog pressed against her leg instantly, looking up with complete adoration. Yeah, he’d made the right call. Ripley needed someone extraordinary, who could match her drive, her enthusiasm, her fierce heart.
And vice versa.
“Like this?” Sabrina asked.
“Exactly like that.” He moved behind her, his hands settling on her hips to adjust her stance slightly, his fingers lingering because, man, she felt good. “You want your weight balanced, ready to move in any direction.”
She glanced over her shoulder as his fingers traced up her sides, her sharp intake of breath telling him that she’d noticed his position. And how nicely it worked. “Is this a training session or an excuse to get your hands on me?”
“Both?” He pressed a kiss to her cheek, just because he could. “I’m excellent at multitasking.”
She laughed, the sound skating across his skin. “I see how you are. This is a ploy, isn’t it? To keep me from learning so I can’t beat your times.” She snapped her fingers. “Less flirting, more training.”
“Yes, ma’am.” But he kept one hand on the small of her back as he moved beside her to demonstrate the hand signals. “These commands need to be crystal clear and consistent. Your dog has to trust that you’ll always give the same cues.”
“Trust,” Sabrina repeated, something flickering in her expression. “That’s not something I have a lot of experience with. Giving it or accepting it.”
“It’ll come in time. The right partner will be patient with you.”
Their eyes met and held. Which made it really easy to see that she got the point, and it wasn’t solely specific to dog training.
