“We’re ready whenever you are.” Drew pointed his thumb toward the cameras. His gaze darted between Sadie and Denali before he held his hands up at his sides in a move of surrender. “No rush, though.”
“We’re ready.” Sadie bumped her shoulder against Denali’s and whispered. “Be nice.”
“Not guaranteeing anything,” Denali said with a grumble.
“Rowdy!” Sadie called and jogged toward the grassy section.
Another dog bolted from the bushes and ran toward them with a happy yip. He was a huge lab with his tongue hanging out of his mouth. A chuckle bubbled up from Sadie at how goofy he looked as he bounded to them. Rowdy wagged his back end, getting caught up in the excitement.
Sadie scanned the area the dog had come from. Where was the big guy’s owner? Sadie shifted course, pulling out her leash from her pocket just in case the dog didn’t follow orders.
“Hey, big guy. Did you get loose?”
Sadie laughed as the lab and Rowdy circled each other, pawing at one another like they were long-lost friends. Their playing escalated, and they barreled into Sadie, knocking her on her back. The big lab stepped on her stomach, and her breath whooshed out of her with an oomph.
“Get off, you big lug.” She pushed him off with a laugh before turning serious. “Rowdy, come.”
Rowdy stopped his playing, his head snapping in her direction. Sadie pushed herself to her feet. Thank goodness her dog listened. She snapped her finger and pointed to her side. Rowdy’s head hung as he made his way. The griffon breed was known for being sensitive. It was what made them so easy to train, but the way he’d get all sad that he had let her down always made her chuckle.
“You’re not in trouble.” She rubbed behind his ear. “You just have to learn not to run with the wild crowd.”
A young woman ran up, her eyes wide on her petite face. “I am so sorry! Lovebug got away from me again.”
“Lovebug?” Drew choked out a laugh as he stepped up beside Sadie.
“He’s such a tank.” The woman’s expression turned from worry to exasperation. “I can’t get him to listen.”
Sadie bit the inside of her cheek to keep her retort in. The lady probably never trained the dog to begin with. Her eyes filled with tears as she tried to call Lovebug over. Sadie stuffed down her annoyance.
“We rarely do pet training, but if you call North STAR Kennel, we can set up some classes for you and Lovebug.” Sadie rubbed her aching belly where the monster dog had stepped.
“You’d do that?” the lady asked with surprise.
“Yeah, sure.” Sadie shrugged.
“Oh, thank you!” Lovebug’s owner threw her arms around Sadie only to jump back, her face scrunched in disgust as she looked at her hands covered in brown poo.
“Oh no.” The rank smell hit Sadie as she twisted to see the back of her sweatshirt.
Drew stepped away and waved his hand in front of his face. “Mate, that’s a smelly one.”
“Great.” Sadie’s armpits started to sweat even more.
“I’m so sorry.” The lady wiped her hands on the grass and snagged Lovebug’s collar as he attacked her with kisses while she bent down.
“Don’t worry about it.” Sadie waved her off. “It’ll wash out.”
“I’m just going to get this big lug home before he does any more damage.” The lady dragged Lovebug off.
“Do we need to wait to film, or are you good to go?” Drew tipped his head toward the cameramen approaching.
“We’re good, just…” Sadie wanted to throw the stupid shirt off and not worry about her scars, but she wasn’t ready for that yet. “Just give me a minute.”
“No worries. Take your time,” Drew said before going to his cameramen.
Denali gave her a small nod and an encouraging smile. “Just remember what Bjørn said.”
Sadie took a deep breath and yanked the sweatshirt off, being careful not to get any poop in her hair. Cool air hit her skin, and she sighed in relief. Pulling the fabric the rest of the way off her arms, she tossed the shirt next to a tree.
Bands tightened around her chest as she turned to Drew and his crew. She hated that their reaction meant so much, but it did. Maybe someday it wouldn’t. Denali stared at Drew from the side, her arms crossed, ready for a confrontation.
Drew’s gaze skimmed from Sadie’s shoulder to her arms, one eyebrow rising as he met her eyes. “You ready?”
What? No reaction or questions about how she got the scars? Denali’s arms dropped as her expression turned from mama-bear protective to surprise.
“I’m ready.” Sadie stepped up to Denali and pushed her arm to snap her out of her shock. “Let’s see what our dogs can do.”