Perfect Partners Read online

  It took Izzy less that a second to consider Sara’s explanation. She clapped her hands against the arms of the chair with gusto. “I can do it.” She stood quickly. “Let’s go—I’ll do it right now.”

  She was ready to bolt but Sara’s hands on her forearms stopped her. “Whoa. Hold on.” They were in each other’s personal space and their eyes locked for a second. Sara dropped her hands to her sides, her gaze shifting to the floor. Izzy used the moment to telegraph her confidence.

  “I can do it. I can lift him. I’m a thousand percent sure of it and I want to show you.”

  “I do love your enthusiasm,” Sara said through a shy laugh, still avoiding eye contact. “Look—I’ll give it some thought over the weekend.” Her expression was earnest, and standing so close, Izzy noticed a spray of light freckles just beneath her eyes. “It’s Friday afternoon. I’m sure you have weekend plans. Go home and try not to dwell on this. We’ll talk about it Monday.”

  Izzy’s shrug was playfully optimistic. “I have no plans tonight.” She rested one hand on the textured frame of the Glock 9 mm holstered on her gun belt, placing the other on her handcuff case on the other side of her duty rig, getting close to a battle stance. “Let’s do this,” she said. “Unless I’m keeping you from something,” she added as an afterthought.

  “I’m sitting at my computer on a Friday afternoon working on next month’s certification schedule.” She half laughed at herself. “You’re not keeping me from anything.”

  “All right, then.” Izzy started for the door but Sara stopped her once more. This time she reached out, applying the gentlest touch to her forearm, making the tiny hairs stand on end.

  “You don’t have to do this,” Sara said. “We’ll figure something out.”

  Izzy’s head was in a million places at once and she thought she might be winning her instructor over, but she wasn’t sure and she wanted Sara to be confident in her decision. She pressed on. “It’s obvious how much this matters.” She willed herself to look at Sara’s eyes, even though her beautiful mouth was so close. “I appreciate you seeing me and listening to my opinion.” She rubbed her palms against her gear. “And I know this won’t set anything in stone. You still have a decision to make, I get that. But if you are going to think about allowing me to partner with Chase, I want you to weigh the odds knowing one of your major concerns is a nonissue.” She opened her eyes wide for dramatic emphasis. “We’ve already established neither of us has a social life.” Offering half a grin, she added, “What’s another ten minutes?”

  Sara didn’t argue her logic, and as they walked through the building to the kennel area, Izzy tried to figure exactly how she was going to accomplish the task at hand. Eighty pounds of solid muscle was going to be a challenge for her slim five-three build. Truthfully, she hadn’t a clue how to approach it. But inside she was calm. Chase seemed to bring out her inner zen, and as she walked, she realized she wasn’t remotely worried.

  By the time they reached him, Chase was already on all fours, doing a tiny prance at Izzy’s presence. She smiled big for him, giving him a fantastic greeting when Sara pressed the button to lift the cage.

  “Give us a minute,” she said to Sara.

  Sara stepped to the side arching her eyebrows in unspoken amusement, affording them space.

  Izzy bent down in front of Chase like she’d done the very first time they’d met. She held his face and touched his head, looking over at Sara as she whispered words of encouragement in his ear. Finally, she stood up. “Okay, we’re ready.”

  Sara closed the gap between them and watched intently as Izzy stroked his back lightly, speaking to him as she rubbed his fur. “Okay, stand up, buddy.” She guided his body with her hands, looping one under his belly and using the other to support his chest. She lifted him swiftly and kept him pressed to her body for half a minute rotating slowly from side to side, illustrating her range of motion before returning him gently to the ground.

  “Sit.”

  On her command, Chase sat down and waited for what might come next. Since this completed her agenda, she bent down and petted his head, a simple thanks for his willing compliance. She darted her glance up to check Sara’s reaction, pleased to find her smiling, palms up in surrender.

  “How can I argue with that?”

  Izzy smiled so big she felt her dimples pop on both sides.

  “I think you just got yourself a partner, Isabel Marquez.”

  “Oh my God. Are you serious?” She didn’t even try to contain her excitement. “Because I could pick him up?” she squealed, still reeling at the turn of events.

  “Well, the fact you cared enough to come to me and were clearly willing to fight for him didn’t hurt either.” Izzy thought she heard a kind of pride in Sara’s voice. “Plus, you two do have a sweet bond.” Her smile was gorgeous and genuine, and Izzy had to hold back from reaching forward and hugging her in appreciation. Instead she poured her excitement into Chase, rubbing his head as she updated him.

  “Hear that, big guy?” He looked right at her as she spoke. “We’re going to be partners. You and me.”

  His bark was surely a reaction to her excited voice, but the timing was perfect and she crouched a little, her hands on her thighs, jutting her face out. Chase balanced on his haunches with one paw on her knee, and he leaned up and kissed her cheek. When she looked over, Sara was shaking her head through a smile, and Izzy saw real joy in her expression.

  “Thank you, Sara.” Izzy almost stuttered as she spoke Sara’s name aloud for the first time. She talked over it hoping it wasn’t noticeable. “I won’t let you down. I promise.”

  “I know.” Sara ushered Chase back to his kennel. “I meant what I said before. Chase is spectacular. Smart, social, obedient, loyal. His play drive is unmatched. Truly.” Powering the gate down, she went on, “But with that come a few idiosyncrasies.”

  “Right.” Izzy nodded, following Sara back into the main section of the building.

  “What I mean is…this whole first week has been very…mundane.” She stuffed her hands in her pockets. “Even the free play has been kind of controlled,” she said. “Once we start doing real explosive detection training, it requires a lot more focus. Chase can do it—I’ve no doubt about that. He wouldn’t be here if he couldn’t.” Reaching her office door, she paused and leaned against the frame. “He’ll need more outlets. Ways to burn off his energy. Both physical and mental. Otherwise he’ll develop bad habits.”

  “Like darting after chipmunks.”

  “Exactly.”

  Izzy was busy trying to memorize everything Sara was saying, and it must’ve showed.

  “Quit stressing. You’ve got this.” Sara rubbed her arm supportively. “Anyway, I’ll help you.”

  “You will?”

  “Of course.” She reached for her phone from her back pocket. “Give me your number. There’s some good websites you should check out. I’ll text you the info.”

  “Thank you so much.”

  Sara smiled as she thumbed Izzy’s number into her phone. “This is me texting you right now. Feel free to pick my brain anytime, day or night.”

  “How about right now?” Izzy held her breath as she floated the invitation she hadn’t at all planned on extending. She went with it in spite of her nerves. “Grab a drink with me at the pub in town?” She raised her eyebrows hoping it made her seem casual. “We can talk dogs, training, all the good stuff,” she added.

  “Tempting, but…” Sara looked at her watch.

  Izzy was fueled by excitement. “Come on.” She lifted one shoulder up slightly. “I just got my first ever K-9 dog. Celebrate with me.”

  Behind them, Sara’s desk phone rang. “I should get that.” She reached forward and gave Izzy’s shoulder a small squeeze. “Congratulations.” Her face wore an expression Izzy couldn’t quite figure as she backed away. “Rain check, okay?”

  She should have been disappointed at Sara’s polite rejection. But she just felt too damn good. Chase wa
s going to be her partner. And Sara had talked to her, she’d looked at her—for Christ’s sake, she’d even touched her. A lot, actually. She bit her lip at the thought as she started up her truck. She rolled down the window and let the warm breeze wash over her as she jacked up the music, completely content to replay the last hour in her mind as she sped home.

  Chapter Six

  Sara stood at the front door a good few seconds, debating whether she should ring the bell or just walk in. It was an odd feeling, having lived the majority of her teenage years under this very roof. Just as she was about to knock—an even compromise in her mind—Alyssa pulled the door open.

  “I was so happy when my parents told me you were coming.” Before she could even respond, Sara was inside, her old friend’s arms around her. “I haven’t seen you in forever.”

  “That’s what happens when you move clear across town.”

  “Ha. That’s rich, coming from someone who lives practically at the Canadian border.”

  Sara enjoyed that they could slip right back into a spirited back and forth even though it had been ages since they’d seen one another. She squeezed Alyssa tight before stepping from her embrace. “Where’s the birthday boy?” she asked, shaking a small superhero-themed gift bag in front of her.

  “You didn’t have to get him anything, Sara.” Alyssa took the gift and placed it on the table. “But thank you.”

  “And disappoint a four-year-old on his birthday?” She put on a fake look of horror. “It’s bad enough I’m crashing his party.”

  Alyssa whacked her arm lightly. “Please. Hannah and I are convinced Mom and Dad would trade either one of us for you in a heartbeat.” With her corny joke she let out a high-pitched cackle Sara’d almost forgotten about. For a split second she fell all the way back into the past, a fourteen-year-old orphan graciously given shelter by her high school besties and their parents.

  Her smile was bittersweet over the memory. Life with the Dixons had been wonderful despite the tragic circumstance that brought on the makeshift arrangement. Sara had been devastated at the loss of her mother, but John and Rose Dixon were kind people. They’d made her feel comfortable in their home and let her bring along Lucky, the German shepherd rescue no one else was willing to consider. Alyssa and Hannah were good friends and they’d stayed close even as their interests diverged over the years.

  Sometimes when she thought about it, she wondered how different life might be if she’d never come to live with them. If they hadn’t rescued her, if she’d been forced to stay with her Aunt Maureen and Uncle Jim, who were nice people but wanted no part of her dog. The Dixons saved her from that fate, and then John had introduced her to a career she loved, one she’d likely never have found without his influence.

  The birthday boy charged through the living room followed by his crying baby sister. Alyssa scooped her up handily, shaking a bottle as she headed to the kitchen.

  “Is your dad around?” Sara asked over the jingle of a toy xylophone.

  Alyssa pointed with her chin, popping open the microwave. “On the deck.”

  Sliding open the glass door, Sara walked outside, enjoying the sound of quiet and the feel of the late day breeze as it hit her. “Hey, boss man,” she said.

  “Can’t get enough of me, huh?” he teased, offering her a beer from the cooler.

  She took it from him even though she wasn’t at all sure she wanted a drink. “Who’s talking to you?” She reached down and gave John’s partner Duncan a good scratch on the head. “I’m here for this guy.”

  “Same difference.” He took the Adirondack next to her. “You saw us both two hours ago.”

  Sara picked up a tennis ball and whipped it across the yard, then watched Duncan scamper after it with glee. She needed a service dog of her own. It had been too long. “Three,” she corrected.

  “Huh?”

  “It’s been closer to three hours.”

  “Get anything done after I left for the day?”

  “I scheduled all the re-certs for next month.”

  “That’s good.”

  The cold lager felt good as she swallowed a long sip. “I decided to partner Chase and Izzy together.” She watched Duncan lope back over. She felt John’s eyes on her, turned, and could almost see him process her decision.

  “I think that’s the right call.” He rubbed his mustache, a habit she knew meant he was thinking hard. “I know you had some concerns, but I think it’s a good match.”

  “I hope so.” She said it almost under her breath, her uncertainty coming through against her will.

  “She reminds me of you, ya know.”

  His statement was matter-of-fact, and Sara squinted in the sun, wondering if she had the heart to tell him that the tough, feminine vibe he was picking up on was nothing more than his own gaydar at play.

  But before she could say anything, he explained, “She’s a natural. Like you.” He brushed a wayward flower petal from the flat wooden arm of his chair. “When I saw you that first time with Lucky.” His eyelids dropped closed as he fell into the memory. “That dog was tough as nails and you handled her like a pro.” He picked at his soggy, peeling beer label. “I knew right then you were special.” With his thumb he pushed the label back in place. “Izzy has no experience. No training. But man, does she have the knack.”

  Sara wanted to believe him, but she worried her emotions influenced her objectivity. “You think so?”

  “Come on, Sara.” His expression was pure disbelief. “You see what I see. Chase is a great dog, but he’s not easy,” he said with an even expression. “He’s big and smart and has so much drive. He likes to chase things. His name is fucking perfect.” He laughed at the irony, knowing the true source of his moniker.

  “You’re just highlighting all my concerns, you know.”

  “But, Izzy, from day one”—he shook his head and his tone signaled awe—“she had him under control.” He poked her arm with his meaty index finger. “That’s my point.” Draining the last of his beer, he stood up to snag another. “Not to rub it in, but I would like to mention I did say I had a good feeling about her right off, even if her path to us was less than traditional.”

  “Speaking of…” Sara twisted her drink in her hands. “Nicole called me earlier.”

  “Oh, yeah?” He shook the ice chips off the dark brown bottle he pulled from the cooler, then offered it to Sara first but opening it for himself when she declined. “What’s new with her?”

  “I didn’t really ask. I was too busy railing into her for not telling me about Izzy.”

  “What’d she say?”

  Sara shrugged. “That it was an oversight. She figured you told me. It was last minute.” She ticked her head from side to side as she enumerated the excuses. “A bunch of things. All weak.”

  “Did she apologize?”

  “She did. And capitalizing on her guilt, I took the opportunity to try to get some real info out of her.”

  “About?”

  “I asked her who Izzy’s connection is.” Not knowing was starting to make her a little twitchy, and she wasn’t sure why. “It’s just so unusual the way it all went down. I guess I’m still trying to figure out how she ended up in K-9.”

  “And?” He started prepping the grill.

  Sara frowned a little thinking about it. “Nicole said she got a call from a ranking officer at the NYPD she’s close with, saying it was a must. She didn’t give me any other details.” She watched Duncan entertain himself in the yard. “Honestly, I got the impression she didn’t know too much.”

  “Hmm.” Smoke rose from the barbecue grate as he cleaned it with a wire brush. “Why don’t you just ask Izzy?” He adjusted the burners, holding his hand a few inches above the flame to assess the heat. “She seems like a good egg. I bet she’d be straight with you.”

  “It hardly matters, anyway,” she responded, brushing his suggestion off as she focused on a blue jay a few yards away.

  “How’s Nicole otherwise?” He swa
llowed a hefty sip of his beverage. “How are things with the two of you these days?”

  She wasn’t sure what he was asking. Even though she never talked about their breakup, she and Nicole hadn’t been a couple in years. In fact, they’d been platonic for a while now, aside from the minor hiccup a month ago when they ended up in Nicole’s bed. But John had no way of knowing about that.

  “Things are fine. I guess.” She didn’t even try to hide how thrown she was by the question.

  “I only ask because I know you went to DC recently.” Yeah, he read her like a book. “And I saw your truck parked outside her house last week. Was she in town?” He mimed driving a golf ball deep with his spatula.

  “Keeping tabs on me, boss?” She was kidding and she knew he knew it.

  “Her house is around the block.” He shrugged in playful defense. “Your car is very distinctive. Primarily because it belonged to me less than a year ago.”

  She laughed in response. “I love that truck. I don’t know why you wanted to get rid of it so badly.”

  “I use the work car so much I wasn’t putting any miles on it. Rose didn’t like it. She complained it was too big for her.”

  Sara shook her head, the theory unfathomable to her. She adored every inch of the black Dodge Ram 1500 she’d inherited for a bargain price. It was perfect for the rugged terrain near the trails by her house, and she felt invincible behind the wheel of the sturdy pickup on a daily basis.