Death of a Dog Whisperer (9780758284570) Read Online Free PDF Page A

something we’d both regret. But seriously? My opinion of the man was open to question, but Faith’s sealed the deal?
    â€œBob wants you to meet Nick,” I said. “He asked me to arrange an introduction.”
    â€œHe thinks I’ll take him under my wing,” Peg said shrewdly.
    â€œYour approval would mean a lot,” Sam pointed out. “And if I know Bob, he’s thinking about the bottom line.”
    My ex was an accountant. He was always running numbers in his head.
    I nodded. “Bob thinks your support will attract new customers to Nick’s business.”
    â€œFor once, your ex-husband is right.” False modesty had never been one of Aunt Peg’s faults. “But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I haven’t even met the man yet.”
    â€œI’ll see if Bob can bring him to the dog show this weekend,” I said. “That way the two of you can meet on neutral ground. If you like Nick, you can spend some time with him. If not, you can simply tell him you’re busy and walk away.”
    â€œTell him I’m busy?” Peg said archly. “I plan to be busy.”
    â€œReally?” Sam managed an innocent look. “Doing what?”
    â€œThis is Davey’s first dog show in two years! I’m sure he’ll need help grooming Augie and preparing for the ring. Not to mention handicapping the competition.”
    Davey was still occupied with Kevin, but I heard him suck in a breath. Grateful as I had always been for Aunt Peg’s assistance when I was showing my own dogs, it was time to tamp down her ambitions on my son’s behalf before they got wildly out of hand.
    My initial experiences as a dog show exhibitor had been those of a wide-eyed neophyte confronted by an alien, and often capricious, world. With much to learn, I’d willingly absorbed every nugget of knowledge and advice that Aunt Peg had provided. From wrapping ears and setting topknots, to scissoring just the right lines, she had taught me everything I knew about showing a Standard Poodle.
    But that education had come at a cost. Acquiring the skills necessary to present a Poodle well enough to compete with the pros was a rare and difficult achievement. The fact that Aunt Peg had been doing so for many years and that such expertise was now second nature to her, didn’t make her the most sympathetic of teachers.
    It was one thing for me to choose to immolate myself on Aunt Peg’s rather steep learning curve. It was quite another for me to allow Davey to do the same. Besides, hadn’t we already been here once before?
    But before I had a chance to argue, Sam had already stepped in smoothly. “You don’t need to worry about a thing, Peg. Between us, Davey and I will have things well in hand. Your only job will be to stake out a good place at ringside to sit down and watch.”
    Aunt Peg looked around the table, gazing at each of us in turn. “If you’re quite sure . . .” she said dubiously.
    â€œWe are,” Sam replied. Beside him, Davey nodded. “This isn’t Augie’s first show. And Davey knows his way around the ring. The two of them will have a great time together.”
    â€œAnd that’s what it’s all about,” I said firmly.
    Kevin, who had been largely ignored by the adults at the table for at least five minutes, began to squirm in his seat. “Get down,” he demanded.
    Belatedly paying attention, I was pleased to see that his plate was nearly empty. How much food had ended up in Kevin’s mouth, and how much might have gone to the Poodles lying innocently on the floor beneath his chair, was probably open for debate. At least he only had one smear of ketchup across his shirt.
    â€œCome on, kiddo,” I said. “You’re with me.” I plucked the toddler out of his booster seat and balanced him on my hip. “We have ice cream for dessert. Want to help me dish it