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Deep down, he knew Sparks was just trying to help. He was a good friend, but Blake was already confused and struggling with feelings he never thought would surface again. Maybe he’d be better off asking for a transfer instead of getting more involved in the program.

But Blake loved working at Alpha Dog. He enjoyed the kids and the dogs. He was just being a selfish dick again. Thinking about his feelings before anyone else’s.

Charge the bloodhound stuck his nose through the chain-link kennel, sniffing at him. Blake slipped his fingers through the small hole and stroked the dog’s soft black and tan muzzle, laughing as he pushed harder against the fence, attempting to get better pets.

“I see you’re already acquainted with your new trainee.”

Blake glanced toward the front of the kennel where Best stood watching him pet Charge.

He climbed to his feet with a grunt, ignoring Charge as he jumped up onto the side of the kennel. “I can’t have a dog in my current place.”

“I understand that, but I also know that Sparks told you to start looking for one.” As Blake walked out of the kennel, glaring at him, Best grabbed the leash off the door. “Look, I’ve got my hands full, and you’re the only one not fostering. Besides, this guy is perfect for you.”

Best got the door open, and an ear-splitting howl erupted from Charge, who pushed past Best and flew at Blake. When the dog placed his massive paws on Blake’s shoulders, it knocked him flat on his back. The hard cement floor knocked the wind out of him, and he lay there frozen for a second, wheezing.

As he tried to breathe again, he found himself staring into Charge’s loose-skinned face, the animal’s brown eyes hidden beneath the folds.

The dog panted in his face, his breath noxious. And then he was howling again.

He could hear Best cracking up. “Well, aren’t you two getting along like two peas in a pod.”

Blake reached up and grabbed the dog’s long ears, pushing them back. “Get this thing off me.”

Best dragged Charge off him, and Blake sat up slowly. “What the hell is he?”

“My best guess is Irish wolfhound and bloodhound mix. He’s been here three weeks, but most of the trainers were intimidated by his size.”

“Yeah, I understand. He’s massive. I can’t take him home with me! My landlord will shit himself.”

“This guy has no training as far as I can tell but is a natural for search and rescue. I shoved your sweatshirt under his nose earlier, and he went straight for you.”

“Even if I find a place, it will take time to move in. I’m just not ready for him.”

Best’s face lost its smile. “We’ll keep him here for now, but he’s yours to train. When you’re here, I want you working with him. If you want to prove you’re committed to the program, now is your chance.”

Best held the leash out to him, and Blake took it reluctantly.

“Fine, I’ll train him.”

“Good. Because I have an ulterior motive.”

Blake suppressed a smile. “Of course you do.”

“I want to use you two this summer in the Hound It Search and Rescue Tournament in Montana. If you win, it could mean national coverage for Alpha Dog, and we could open two more locations.”

Blake looked down at the hound’s lolling tongue. “You want me to have this guy ready for a national competition in five months?”

“Yeah. Figured it would be easy peasy for you.”

Before Blake could scoff, Bryce popped her head in and sighed loudly. “There you two are! If you’re done diddling each other, maybe you could actually do some work so the rest of us don’t have to babysit your kids, too?”

She shut the door without waiting for a response, and Blake caught Best’s scowl.

“Sometimes I think Megan’s cool, just one of us . . . and then it feels as though I’ve got another annoying sister to watch out for.”

Blake chuckled, as he had the exact same feelings about their coworker.

“Okay, well, I’ll go get my squad under control, and you bring Charge out when you’re ready. I’ve assembled a nice collection of brats for you to mold and shape in your image.” Best paused and frowned. “Okay, maybe not your image. Someone cheerier. Like me.”