Page 16 of By Any Beans Necessary

"Go out with me?" His request was casual, but his heart thudded with hope.

"Pick me up at seven?" She passed him his cup, fingers brushing his, sending a silent zing of anticipation up his arm.

"Seven it is."

Before he could take a sip, a sudden commotion by the door snagged their attention. A small, elderly woman grappled with an oversized, rebellious umbrella that refused to collapse. Heaven knows why she had it open since there wasn't a cloud in the sky. It snapped open, then shut, startling patrons nearby as it threatened to poke out eyes and overturn tables.

"Battle of the umbrella, round one," Jeff quipped, the corners of his eyes crinkling with amusement.

Michelle chuckled, hands on hips. "I’ve got five on Mrs. Peterson."

Jeff grinned, watching as the woman executed a deft maneuver, finally wrestling the umbrella into submission. "And the crowd goes wild," he announced in a hushed, sportscaster-like whisper as a few customers clapped.

"Your commentary's getting better. You should consider a career change," Michelle teased, wiping down the counter.

"Ah, but then who would assist in finding all the missing umbrellas in the world?" he lifted his coffee in salute.

"Fair point," she conceded with a laugh as she leaned down and handed Winston a homemade doggy treat from her glass canister.

Jeff savored a mouthful of the rich brew, letting the familiar bitterness ground him. The warmth spread, mingling with the flutter of excitement for tonight.

"All right, I better get going. Can't keep those bossy instructors waiting." He pushed off the counter, feeling lighter than when he'd entered.

"See you at seven," Michelle called after him, her smile lingering in his mind as he pushed through the door.

"Seven," he echoed, stepping out into the day, his stride buoyed by the promise of the evening to come.

The sun was already flexing its muscles in the clear blue sky by the time Jeff arrived at the academy. The dust from the dirtlot plumed around his boots as he made his way to the training field, a steely determination setting into his features.

"Morning, Parker," Danny called out, leaning against the chain-link fence with Rambler sitting obediently at his side.

"Morning," Jeff replied as he placed his duty bag down on the ground.

"Ready to kick some tail?" Hunter quipped, nudging Jeff with a grin.

"Only if Winston's on board." Jeff rubbed the eager canine's head, who responded with an affectionate nuzzle against his hand. "You up for it, buddy?"

Winston barked once, sharp and confident—a good sign.

"All right then, let’s show 'em what we've got."

"Go get 'em, but remember," Danny interjected, "it's about trust, not just commands."

"Got it," Jeff nodded, stepping into the designated starting area.

"Begin," Charlie shouted to the group of trainees.

Jeff and Winston moved as one; the canine's strides matched Jeff's, their rhythm synchronous. Through the obstacle course they went, Winston leaping over hurdles, weaving through poles, never faltering, never breaking stride.

"Look at you two, poetry in motion," Danny cheered, clapping his hands.

"Focus, Parker. You don't want to mess it up at the end," Hunter chided playfully from the sideline, Duchess staying loyally by his feet.

"Time," Charlie's voice boomed across the field as Jeff and Winston cleared the last jump.

"Outstanding work, Parker," Danny commented, making notes on his clipboard. "Winston's really responding to you well now."

"Thanks, Instructor Bowman," Jeff said, using the professional title since they were in front of others. Panting slightly, he scratched behind the German shepherd's ears. Winston's tongue lolled out in a doggy grin, and Jeff couldn't help but share in his K9 partner's joy.

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