Page 13 of Sweet Beginnings (Honeysuckle, Texas #1)
She grinned. “I really do think so.”
The rescue organization allowed Preston to sit on a bench outside a chain link fenced area to watch Sarah Sue’s interactions with the dog in question.
From what he could see, the animal was a stunning specimen of a German Shepherd.
Thick neck, mixed coat, and dark face that would have scared the bejesus out of any ferocious creature.
In complete contrast the dog was stiff, unresponsive, almost trying to hide in the dirt beneath his feet.
The temperament looked nothing like what Preston expected from a military dog.
The man holding the leash, Aaron, had to practically drag the canine to meet Sarah.
Finally, the man sat on the ground, made a tsking noise to call the dog, and head down, not making eye contact, slowly the animal crept toward the trainer.
When Samson was close enough for the man to touch, he scratched at the dog’s scruff and though still clearly apprehensive, the dog seemed to relax at least a little.
Sarah immediately squatted where she stood, her gaze riveted on the animal. Finally, pushing to her feet, she called out to the man, “Where do you kennel him?”
Leaving the dog where he laid, Aaron walked up to where Sarah stood, still watching the animal. “He has his own area.”
“So this is not familiar to him?”
Aaron shook his head.
“Can I see him in a familiar to him setting?”
Hefting one shoulder the trainer shrugged, then cast his gaze in Preston’s direction. “Just one of you?”
Sarah glanced over her shoulder at Preston and he could tell she was debating her next move.
When her shoulders relaxed and she momentarily blinked her eyes shut, he knew exactly what she’d been thinking: if he was to help retrain this dog, how the dog interacted with Preston was potentially more important than how he reacted to Sarah. Her head bobbed. “Both of us is best.”
Aaron hesitated so long that Preston thought he might say no. Finally, he looked to Sarah. “If you’re sure.”
As Preston crossed the yard toward Sarah, he got a better look at the dog. Once he stopped by Sarah’s side, he smiled. “I thought Brady was a handsome boy, but this fellow is gorgeous.”
“Brady?” the man asked.
“My brother’s military dog. He retired out and my mom took him in. Took a while to get him used to living on a ranch, but Mom did it.”
Aaron sighed. “It always does, but not everyone recognizes that patience is key. Nothing good comes overnight.” Picking up the leash, he started toward a back portion of the yard and suddenly the dog that didn’t want to move was practically dragging the man behind him.
As soon as the dog crossed into the smaller kennel area, it was like night and day.
His tail started wagging, he stood erect, proud, and bounced around the trainer seeking attention.
“Wow.” Preston hadn’t meant to say anything.
Sarah, who had remained focused on Samson, nodded. “Other dogs?”
The guy shrugged again. “Not so good.”
Which meant Brady might be a problem. She crouched low and opened her palm. The dog crept carefully closer and slowly nibbled the treats from her hand. When the dog leaned into her, Preston could sense Sarah was smiling inside. “Does he have any health issues? Arthritis?”
“None. Clean bill of health.” Aaron watched the dog interact with Sarah as she gave him another treat.
Every time the dog leaned into her, she gave him another treat and soon began scratching behind his ears. “I was expecting worse.”
“He’s a good dog,” the man said without taking his eyes away from Samson. “But the slightest change…”
“Yes,” Sarah agreed. “I can see that. I have an idea.” She handed Preston a few treats and the dog stayed in place, but his gaze tracked the treats and then focused on Preston’s hand.
Already squatting near Sarah, Preston opened his hand the way she had. The dog looked back to the man he felt comfortable with, waiting for permission.
“These dogs are always searching for instructions.” The trainer lifted his chin at Preston. “Go on,” he told the dog and immediately Samson walked over to Preston, a bit more sure of himself.
On a sigh, Sarah pushed to her feet. “Let me see what I can do.”
The guy’s face broke into a broad smile. “It’s getting harder and harder to keep up with the dogs that need retraining. We have someone possibly interested, but we’ve never worked with her before. If you have someone experienced in mind for this situation, it would be a huge relief for all of us.”
Sarah nodded. Preston had the feeling she knew all too well what the man spoke of. “Give me a few days and we’ll talk again.”
His head bobbing up and down, the man sighed. “I’ve got four more coming in next week, if we don’t find a placement for Samson…” He let his words hang. Both Sarah and Preston knew what wasn’t being said.
Another thirty minutes and they were back in Preston’s car and on the road to the Sweet Ranch. Preston could see the wheels turning in Sarah’s mind.
“You know,” Preston spoke up first. “If you’re going to be on the ranch with us for a bit, even if Mom isn’t up to it yet, it looked to me like Samson took to you. If they could keep him here until then, and we can figure out how to keep him away from Brady, maybe…”
Sarah nodded.
“What do you think?”
Her gaze shifted from the open road to him, and the muscles in her jaw seemed to hold more tension than he liked. “How do you feel about eloping to Vegas?”