Best training he’d ever had. Most enjoyable, and definitely most rewarding.
Isla’s gaze snapped to his. “Really? You trained dogs in the army?”
He’d done more than that, but he nodded. “Yeah.”
“Then do you think you could give me some pointers sometime?” she asked. “Just a few. When you’re not working, of course.”
As much as his mind screamed at him to tell her he was too busy and she’d be better off enrolling in an actual course, Sinjin’s mouth rebelled along with his head because he nodded and said, “Sure.”
Christ. That wasn’t smart.
But apparently, he’d left his brains on the floor at the shelter. Loki not only knocked him to the ground, but the dog had also knocked all good sense right out of him.
“You will?” She set a hand on his arm, and her smile widened when he nodded. “Great. When can we start?”
Never.
Spending extra time with this captivating woman was dangerous. But again, he wasn’t strong enough to back out.
“I’m sure Lyndsey knows of a few classes you could enroll in with Loki, Isla. They not only help train the dog, they trainthe owner to teach the dog,” Gabe said, voicing Sinjin’s earlier thoughts, giving him the out he needed.
“Yeah.” Lyndsey nodded. “I know of a few.”
Isla leaned closer to him while facing her cousin and her husband. “Thanks, but like Sinjin, I don’t have a set schedule, so attending classes won’t exactly work.”
Lyndsey nodded, and although Gabe didn’t frown on the outside, Sinjin could feel it anyway.
He didn’t hold it against the guy. His buddy only wanted what he wanted—what was best for Isla.
Was spending time with his sweet neighbor really what was best for her?
No. It didn’t take more than a split second to come up with that honest answer. Or the one that followed.
He needed her calming presence more than she needed his commanding one.
“So,” she said, releasing his arm as if just realizing she’d been touching him. “I—is tomorrow okay? To help me? You know, uh, to train me and my dog?”
Nosounded through his mind again, but it was no use. His mouth didn’t seem to know that word when it came to this woman.
“Yeah,” Mac replied for him. “Tomorrow is just a planning day, so we’ll be out of the office by five.”
“Great.” She grinned. “I’ll be home by then, too.” Her gaze met his again. “Is six-ish good for you?”
He nodded. “Yes.”
It wasn’t lost on him that among the smiling faces were two people with concern in their eyes. Gabe and Hunter.
One was no doubt worried Isla could get hurt, while the other was worried Sinjin might be biting off more than he could chew.
His money was on Hunter and the biting off part.
Chapter Six
Four weeks had gone by since Isla moved into her cottage. Life was good, fun, and exciting, both in and out of school. Each Friday she was assigned to a different ward to gain exposure to every aspect of the job. She embraced the unknown and enjoyed the new experiences. Her weeks had been busy, challenging, memorable, and eye-opening.
She’d learned a few interesting things about herself, too.
She loved clinicals—no surprise there.
