Page 14 of Small Town Sash

Braden gave her a sheepish smile, "I'm hoping."

Hadley laughed at that, the sweet sound echoing throughout the room. It was a sound Braden found he liked very much. "I'll take that as a yes," she said, finishing her muffin.

Just then, Dash came careening back, ball in mouth, and tail wagging furiously.

"Looks like someone is eager to get going." Braden glanced at his watch. "Are you ready?"

Hadley tossed her empty water bottle into the recycling bin and draped her towel around her neck. "Let's go."

As they left the gym, Braden noticed a few of the patrons watching them. He just grinned and nodded in their direction before following Hadley out the door, Dash bounding along behind him.

"Hey, Braden?" Hadley called over her shoulder.

"Yeah?"

"Can we stop at the Coffee Loft? Michelle makes a killer iced mocha that I'm suddenly craving after that muffin."

"Lead the way," he responded, the grin on his face growing wider with every passing moment.

It was a quick walk back to the Coffee Loft, and Michelle was still behind the counter, a friendly smile plastered on her face. "Hadley, Braden," she greeted them enthusiastically, an aprontied around her waist. "I wasn't expecting you back tonight. You both want the usual?"

Hadley leaned against the counter, a twinkle in her eyes as she shook her head. "I'm feeling a little rebellious tonight. I want to splurge and get your amazing iced mocha."

"Make that two," Braden added, patting Dash, who sat beside him obediently. His eyes met Hadley's, and he shrugged sheepishly. "Can't let you have all the good stuff."

Michelle chuckled, punching their orders into the register. "Anything for my favorite customers. I’ll make a puppuchino for Dash, too.”

A couple of minutes later, they were back outside with two cold drinks in their hands and smiles on their faces. Dash was still licking his mouth from his own treat.

"Dash is gonna love the park," Braden said as they started walking again. "He's got way too much energy left to burn."

"And maybe you do, too?" Hadley suggested with a playful smile.

"Perhaps," he replied with a grin. "Though it's been a pretty long day already, and I need to study when I get back to the B&B."

The wind blew through their hair as they walked toward the park, their laughter filling the air around them as they talked about their lives.

"Speaking of studying," Hadley nudged him with her elbow, "How's the academy training going?"

Braden took a moment to respond, sipping his iced mocha thoughtfully before answering. "It's not a walk in the park, but Dash is picking up things pretty quickly, and I'm holding my own."

Hadley glanced down at the golden retriever wagging his tail excitedly. "He seems like a pretty smart dog."

"Smartest dog I've ever met," Braden agreed proudly, reaching down to give Dash a pat on the head.

As they entered the dog park, Dash immediately took off after he was released from his leash, barking and wagging his tail with joy as he ran around.

"He sure loves his freedom," Hadley commented, careful not to let her drink spill as Dash ran past them, kicking up grass.

"That he does," Braden said with a chuckle as he watched Dash make another lap around the fenced-in area.

They spent some time talking and laughing as Dash played in the park. Hadley told him about her childhood beauty pageants she was forced into by her mother, and Braden shared funny stories from his time in the Air Force.

"Hey, Braden?" Hadley asked after a moment of silence.

"Yeah?"

"Do you think Dash likes being a bomb detection dog?"

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