Chapter 2

After giving the two dogs time to get acquainted, Dane sat on his haunches and extended a closed fist to Blood. Distracted from his attentions to Cinnamon, the hound took in the man’s scent by a thorough sniff of him. Satisfied this was a safe person, he allowed the stranger to scratch his wrinkled head and rub behind his long, droopy ears.

“This is the first Bloodhound I’ve seen. He has great points and beautiful tan coloring. I don’t fancy the other colors myself. You ever show him?”

Warmth rushed through Bear as he watched how fast Blood had accepted him. Later, he thought that may have been the moment he’d fallen for Dane Garrison. The team was composed of dog lovers, but he could tell this guy and his hound had formed an immediate bond in a special way. That brought his esteem for the man up several notches.

“Thanks. I was lucky to find him, and I prefer the tan, too. No, I’ve never shown him. Not my thing. Your Cinnamon’s a real beauty. Friendly nature, too.”

Responding to her name, the bitch edged over to check Bear out. At first seeming intimidated by his size, she finally allowed Bear to sniff. Her coat, of a medium length in contrast to Blood’s short, smooth coat, felt soft and silky.

Bear looked up to see Bill smiling as he watched them. “Excellent match. Let’s start training. I’ll play victim first.” He jogged off and disappeared to hide for the dogs to locate.

Once he’d disappeared from sight, team members fastened vivid blue vests with the word “Rescue” over the backs of their dogs. Giving Bill fifteen minutes to hide, the morning began. They moved along the mountain trail, the aromatic scent of pine so strong to humans Bear thought it a wonder the super sensitive noses of the dogs could smell anything else.

Dane and Cinnamon worked well beside Bear and Blood, so there was no chance of a reprieve from partnering with him. Crazily, despite their winter jackets, anytime they were close, Bear thought he felt the man’s heat. He had to draw his gaze away from Garrison’s hands as the long, adept fingers signaled and handled his canine. He shuddered. The thought of them gliding over his naked body to stroke and penetrate didn’t stand considering.

Inwardly, he groaned, annoyed with himself. It’d been a long time since he’d responded so fast and deep to any man. I’m acting like a school boy with a crush. I need to concentrate on the training, not the ache in my swollen dick.

Cinnamon was quick and clever. Blood’s forte was trailing, picking up rafts of scent along the ground. His ears almost reached dirt, acting as a conduit for the flow of skin cells up to his sensitive nose. Cinnamon was an air scenter, head up as she sniffed.

Blood was familiar with the smell of the thousands of unique skin cells each team member shed. When they hid someone, he automatically sought the one scent that was different or missing. It took the silken retriever only a few tries to develop such discrimination.

When they broke for lunch, the talk settled, as usual, on search and rescue experiences and the dogs themselves.

Bill clapped Dane on the shoulder. “Blood found me on that first hide, but Cinnamon made her share of finds today, too. She’s a great dog. She’ll give him a run for his money at the annual Firefighters’ Muster in Zanja City if you can be there. Despite how big he is, Bear’s hound has always located more victims faster than any of the smaller dogs.”

“And this muster is—” Dane asked.

“It’s a big community event held in the park—chili cook-off, tug o’ war, pole climbing, searches. Several fire companies participate, along with the SAR groups. Hope you can join us.”

Dane smiled. “I’d like taking part in your muster if I’m available.” He glanced around. “It’s play time, I see.”

Balls, squeaky toys, and flying disks came out of bags as the men continued to reward their dogs with play for a morning of hard work. Dane pulled out Cinnamon’s favorite ball and tossed it. She raced for it, returning with it clutched in her mouth. She dropped it and sat, her tail wagging as she waited for another throw.

Most of the members brown-bagged their lunches, but Bill provided coffee and soft drinks from the SAR command vehicle. After the dogs had played themselves out, they were watered and fed. A few team members left, but most pulled out their food and sat at various tables to eat.

Bear opened a packet of hand wipes and offered one to Dane when he wandered over to sit opposite Bear. He pulled the Velcro closure apart and opened an insulated lunch pouch.