Page 97 of Nanny for the Athletes

I paused with my hand on the rinsing hose. “He said that?”

“He also said Loki hated his old girlfriend. Not my mommy. A different girlfriend who lives in Indian Anna.”

“You mean Indiana?”

“That’s what I said.” Claire rolled her eyes.

“Does he ever say anything else about his old girlfriend?”

“Not really.” Claire glanced behind her. “Who’s next? I’ll go get them.”

“Daisy, then Cooper.”

Claire turned and went running out of the kennel into the field. Except rather than normal running, she jumped from side to side, imitating the way an ice skater would move. I smiled after her.

“You hear that, Princess? The dogs like me more than their ex.”

Just as I was finished drying Princess, a lime green Hyundai pulled up my driveway. I didn’t recognize the car, or driver, nor did I recognize the enormous Newfoundland that jumped out of the back seat when the door was opened. But there was only one reservation on my schedule for a Newfoundland.

“You must be Jackie,” I said while joining her at the gate. “Andyoumust be Woodard!”

“He goes by Woody,” the woman told me. “This is a nice place you have here.”

“We have lots of room, as you can see.” I opened the outer gate, then opened the inner one to allow Woody into the field. All the other dogs came running up, circling him and sniffing him from all sides.

“I’ve got some forms I need you to fill out over in the kennel office, if you’ll follow me. Watch your step; we poop scooped twice today, but you never know what we miss.”

“I didn’t miss anything!” Claire insisted. She was crouched down petting Woody, who was easily twice her size. “I never miss any poop. I getallthe poop.”

“You sure do,” I said.

“She’s adorable. Your daughter?” Jackie asked.

“Nope, just a helper. I’m kind of dating her father.”

“You look familiar, actually.” Jackie squinted at me. “Shot in the dark: were you at the Colts game last week?”

I gave a start. “I was, actually.”

“I knew it! That little girl was there, too. The two of you were sitting with a hockey player.”

“A friend of mine,” I said.

“Friend, or more than friend?” she teased.

I laughed it off as we walked into the office. “Woody’s vaccine records already came through, so you’re good there. I just need you to fill out the list of extra amenities, and then sign the estimate of charges at the bottom.”

She took a pen and skimmed over the list, making a check-mark next to several of the extras. That made me happy; a regular dog stay was profitable, but I made most of my money on the extra services.

“Braden Clark kissed you, didn’t he?” Jackie suddenly asked. “He jumped into the crowd and gave you a big kiss. Then Christian Baker copied him on the next touchdown.”

I felt the hair on the back of my neck go stiff. “Yes…”

“That’s crazy, jumping into the crowd and kissing arandomwoman.” Jackie signed the bottom of the form and gestured with the pen.

I narrowed my eyes at her. “Is there a reason you’re asking so many personal questions? Because I don’t believe that you justhappenedto recognize me from the game.”

Jackie sighed and gave me a smirk. “I’m a freelance journalist. Just figured I’d ask some questions while I was here.”

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