Page 56 of Ruff and Tumble

Hailey grimaced. “‘Friends’ is pushing it right now.” She passed a hand over her eyes. “What happened to Fitz? I thought he was going to keep Cleopatra distracted until we were ready to bring her out.”

“He was. But he’s one of the only union technicians here today, so they asked him to set up the rigging.”

“This is just what I need,” she said in the same exasperated tone she’d used when she’d seen Cole and Garrett walk through the warehouse doors. “That puppy is going to be the death of me. Next year, we’re not getting any animal who’s bigger than a breadbox.”

“Hey, now,” Cole protested. “That’s mywinningpuppy you’re talking about. I told you she was top draft material.”

Hailey’s gaze snapped toward his, the steely glint impossible to ignore. “You’re absolutely right,” she said.

“I know I am.”

“She’s your problem, not mine.”

“You say problem, I say secret weapon.”

“Which meansyoushould be the one to take care of her today. I’d like to see how many leashes she can get through before you manage to quiet her down.”

“I’m one step ahead of you.” Cole laughed and darted out a hand to prevent Garrett from making good his escape. “In fact, it’s why I’m here. Garrett offered to foster Cleopatra until the Puppy Cup airs. He wants to do his part to bring comfort and healing to the canine world.”

“The devil I do.” Garrett pinched Cole’s hand until he was forced to let go. Garrett didn’t leave, though, which was the most important thing. “What’s wrong with her?”

Hailey narrowed her eyes at Garrett. Cole had been on the receiving end of that look so many times that he could only laugh to see it. For once, someone else was going to feel what happened when Hailey put on her full puppy armor.

“Nothing is wrong with her,” she said, her voice clipped. “She’s a large-breed, active puppy who needs exercise, that’s all, and she’s not getting it while confined in an eight-by-four kennel. Imagine if you had to live inside a concrete cage for most of the day, only allowed out when someone else decides they have the time and inclination. How would you like it?”

“Um.”

It was probably the first time Cole had ever seen Garrett at a loss for words, and he was enjoying every second of it.

“You run every day as part of your training, right?” Hailey continued.

Garrett swallowed. “Why do I get the feeling there’s no right answer to that question?”

Cole relaxed and stood scratching Philip while he watched the exchange, confident that things would turn out exactly the way he’d hoped. Other people might quail at the thought of asking favors of a man whose size and running capabilities had earned him the nickname of “Refrigerator,” but not Hailey. Not when it came to this.

“I wouldn’t ask you to do anything you’re not comfortable with, and I know it’s a big responsibility,” she began, her voice a perfect blend of innocence and iron will. “But it would mean so much if you housed her until she gets adopted. It’s only for a few weeks, and you and Cole could have playdates. So the puppies get comfortable being on the same team.”

Garrett physically balked. “Playdates?”

“I meant man dates. Bro time.” Hailey took her lower lip between her teeth and tried again. “Hypermasculine bonding rituals?”

Cole couldn’t contain his laughter after that last one. “Just agree to the plan, Gar, and save us all the trouble. She’ll win in the end. She always does.”

“Nelson, could you go ahead and bring Cleopatra out so they can get acquainted?” Hailey asked the PA who was still standing with them. The poor guy looked torn between wanting to return to his work and awed at the opportunity to watch his coworker reduce Garrett Smith and Cole Bennett to putty. Cole didn’t blame him. A few weeks ago, he’d have paid good money to watch such a spectacle himself.

“You aren’t obligated to take her home with you afterward, of course,” Hailey added to Garrett. “It’s just an introduction. To see if you get along.”

It wasn’t just an introduction, and everyone standing there knew it. Garrett took the time to cast one last accusing glance at Cole before agreeing to be introduced to the Great Dane who was shortly to become his boon companion.

“I can’t believe I bought that garbage you sold me about Reggie being here,” he muttered. “Fucking Bennett.”

Cole was about to hotly defend himself, but Hailey stepped up and did it for him. “He wasn’t lying,” she said, casting a quick look around the warehouse. “She’s around here somewhere. She’s been really helpful coordinating all the publicity between our people and yours. Honestly, I don’t know if we’d have been able to do it without her. She’s good.”

Cole felt a surge of pride for his sister, who was, in fact, very good at her job, as his million-dollar contracts with various retail sponsors could attest. His pride, however, had nothing on Garrett’s, who perked to a ridiculous degree.

“Sheisgood, isn’t she?” Garrett asked in a purely rhetorical spirit. “Maybe she’ll have some ideas about what I can do with Cleopatra.”

And just like that, Cole got his way, everything falling neatly where he wanted it. Garrett was the proud and temporary owner of a Great Dane mix. Hailey got another home for one of her precious darlings. And best of all, Cole finally had her to himself.