Chasing Stanley Read Free

Or worse, trotting out into traffic and getting hit by a car.
    Delilah had a waiting list of owners dying for her to train their dogs, but she’d always been a sucker for the neediest cases. “I’m a dog trainer,” she confessed.
    â€œI had a feeling you were some kind of animal nut.”
    â€œI am not a nut!”
    Jason looked apologetic as he rose to his feet. “Let me rephrase that. I had a feeling you were a trainer or walker or something.”
    â€œBoth, actually. I board dogs, too.” She reached into the zippered compartment of her fanny pack and pulled out her business card, handing it to Jason.
    â€œ ‘The Bed and Biscuit, Delilah Gould, Owner,’ ” Jason read aloud. “You’re a godsend.”
    â€œWhy’s that?” Delilah’s attention was divided between Stanley, who had sauntered over to sniff her dogs, and Jason, who was giving her the once-over. Delilah felt her stomach contract. Sweaty face plus frizzy hair plus fur-coated walking shorts equaled major bowwow. She was sure of it.
    Jason was smiling proudly. “I’m a hockey player for the New York Blades.”
    â€œAre those your real teeth?” Delilah blurted.
    Jason did a small double take. “What?”
    Delilah took a deep breath, fighting the impulse for flight. Her foot was so deep in her mouth she could feel the toe of her sneaker kicking against her rib cage. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that. It just—came out.”
    Jason’s expression was guarded. “Apology accepted.”
    â€œThank you,” Delilah said gratefully. “Now tell me why I’m a godsend.”
    â€œI’ll be traveling a lot during the season, and I’ll need a place to board Stanley. How much do you charge?”
    â€œFifty dollars a day.”
    â€œIn Minnesota it was only twenty-five!”
    â€œYou’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto.”
    He looked over her card before slipping it into his pocket. “I guess if that’s the going rate, I’ll pay it.”
    â€œNot so fast. I only board dogs who are trained.”
    Jason frowned. “And how much do you charge for that?”
    â€œIt depends.”
    â€œBallpark estimate.” Jason tugged on the leash in an attempt to pull Stanley back from approaching an elderly woman who clearly thought a bear cub had escaped from the zoo. “Excuse me a minute,” he said to Delilah as he grabbed Stanley’s collar, restraining him. “He’s harmless!” he assured the woman, who looked terrified as she hurried to cross the street. He turned back to Delilah. “I know, I know: he needs to be trained. When can you start?”
    â€œWhen can you start?”
    Jason looked confused. “Can’t I just drop him at your place and pick him up when the lesson’s over?”
    â€œNo. His success depends on your cooperation and dedication. You need to observe what I’m doing and practice with him between lessons.”
    â€œYou’re pulling my leg, right?”
    Delilah was silent.
    â€œGuess not.” Jason rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Okay, look. How about I look at my schedule and give you a call, and we can figure out a time and place for our first lesson?”
    â€œI need to interview you first.”
    Jason blinked. “Huh?”
    â€œI don’t take on just anybody. I like to get a sense of the dogs and their owners first, see how they interact.”
    â€œYou’ve seen how we interact! I beg Stanley to do something, Stanley ignores me, and if I’m lucky, he gets bored and eventually obeys!”
    Delilah found herself smiling. “I need to see how the two of you interact in your home environment,” she continued, nervously running her sweaty palms down the front of her shorts. Dumb move. Now her hands were coated with dog hair. She laced them behind her back. “I know it sounds like a bit much. But it’s