He prayed she would never have to, but Holden was confident Scout could prove her worth as a top Avalanche Rescue Dog if the need ever arose. She’d “rescued” countless pieces of fabric during their simulations, learning to ignore the human scent on the surface of the snow and sniffing around for it buried beneath instead.
Holden had gotten Scout as an energetic puppy and knew right away she’d never be happy with the lazy lifestyle of a shop dog. She needed more. She was driven, competitive. Sure, she appreciated rest and a good nap by the fire, but it was the challenge and ensuing reward which really motivated her.
It wasn’t lost on Holden that Scout was his canine counterpart. Maybe that was why they got along so well. They understood one another in an unspoken way that he often couldn’t replicate with people.
As odd as it was to admit, something about the woman from the coffee shop reminded him a little of Scout. That competitive, yet endearing, nature. Warm, but determined all the same.
Holden reached behind his back for the hidden chew toy. Scout’s golden eyes danced with delight the moment it appeared. She chomped down on the rubber, her backside swishing to and fro. A throaty growl gurgled from her mouth as she bared her teeth and tossed her head.
“So ferocious.” Holden couldn’t keep from chuckling. Scout was all bark and no bite, and Holden had a feeling the coffee shop girl was the same. She had been yesterday, at least.
He’d had fun with her, showing her around the mountain from the back of the snowmobile. Maybe he’d even had a little too much fun, really poking the bear about the mistletoe. She’d been right. It was ugly. Much uglier than he’d remembered. But he still didn’t regret taking her down to see it. The only thing hedidregret was that they didn’t get another adventure on the calendar before she left.
By the time they’d made it back to Major Hart Mountain Sports, the guy coming in for the interview had already arrived. Lance had been waiting on Holden to get things started, so they’d said their goodbyes in a rush. Holden couldn’t ignore the pit forming in his stomach as he watched her Jeep drive off the property. She knew where to find him, but he had no clue where to find her, other than the Coffee Bar. He couldn’t stake out the place; that wasn’t his style.
No, if they were to cross paths again, it would have to be serendipity that brought them together. Chance. Fate. Whatever you called it. Holden had tried chasing a girl before, and that had resulted in more than just a broken heart.
He wouldn’t do it again.
“Should we go inside and get cleaned up before we head to Mom and Dad’s?” Scout didn’t answer, but she loosened her grip on the dog toy and held it obediently in her mouth when Holden let go on his end.
His house wasn’t as large as his parents, but it was home all the same. It was a steep A-frame cabin with the kitchen and living room downstairs, along with a full bath and large closet for his linens, jackets, and snow gear. Upstairs, he’d converted the loft into a bedroom. It didn’t have doors or a closet, so he couldn’t label it as one if he ever sold the place, but it functioned the way he wanted it to and fit his queen-sized bed just fine.
Who needed doors, anyway? That would only block his unobstructed view of the sunrises over the Sierra, the majestic wash of morning light filtering in through a stretch of floor-to-ceiling windows. It was like a new painting each day, layers of pinks and oranges and purples that deserved to be framed.
“Wipe your paws,” Holden reminded Scout after they’d ascended the small front porch deck. She shuffled her four little feet along the bristled mat before bounding into the cabin once Holden unlatched the door.
He dropped her toys into the wicker basket near the fireplace, then filled up a dog bowl with fresh water from the kitchen sink. She lapped it all up as soon as he lowered the dish to the ground.
Holden could use a drink himself. Tugging on the refrigerator handle, he studied the contents within it, coming up empty.
Maybe he should go to Bitter Cold and get himself a to-go hot chocolate on his way to his parents’ house. Or maybe not to-go, depending on if a certain someone was there.
He shook his head.
What was he thinking? This desire to make something happen with a practical stranger was crazy.
Scout nudged her empty food dish across the wooden floor until it met Holden’s foot.
“You’ve already had breakfast.”
Puppy dog eyes challenged him to say no. He couldn’t do it.
“Fine, fine. Just a snack.”
Scout didn’t get kibble or dried food. No, Holden made her full-on meals. He’d read once that fresh food was significantly more nutritious for dogs than the store-bought, bagged stuff, so he’d tried his hand at preparing a few at-home meals. At first, it was just boiled chicken and steamed rice. But then he added to the list of ingredients. Sweet potatoes. Broccoli. Even eggs. Of course, Scout devoured it all, tail wagging appreciatively in non-stop motion. It was her way of saying thank you, and for some silly reason, it made Holden feel good.
It felt good to cook for someone other than himself.
He reached into the cupboard to collect the container of peanut butter dog biscuits he’d baked earlier in the week. He broke off a large piece from one, almost tempted to take a bite for himself. “Only this for now. I don’t want you to spoil your appetite before dinner.”
Scout gently took the treat and nibbled it down. Her tongue came out to lick any stray crumbs from her lips. When she lifted a paw for a shake, Holden caved.
“Okay. I suppose that was only half, so here’s the other portion. But this reallyisall you’re getting.”
She wolfed down this piece faster than the first, eyes pleading for more. Looking up at Holden, she spun around in a full circle. Then rolled onto her back. It was the playing dead part that had him doubling over in laughter.
“I don’t know where you get it from.” Relenting, he tossed her another half of a cookie. “But that’s it. For real. I’m serious.”
