High in Trial - By Donna Ball Page 0,26

pale face that now seemed a little drawn. “I opened the outside door with my key card, you know, and it’s always a little awkward trying to get the dog in because the door swings out.”

We all murmured agreement. It was hard to manage the key card, the leash, and the heavy door without tripping or stepping on your dog’s toes while trying to edge inside the door.

“Well, I was holding the door open with my shoulder and trying to get Brinkley untangled from his leash when I noticed this guy jogging toward me. He yelled at me to hold the door for him because he’d forgotten his key. Well, let me tell you, I lived in New York City for twelve years and you never fall for that line. I pulled Brinkley in as fast as I could and let the door slam, and when he reached it he actually pounded on the glass and cursed me like a sailor. So you girls be careful.”

“Did you report it to the front desk?” I asked.

“I most certainly did. They even got someone from security down to take a description. That’s why I was a little late.”

“Maybe somebody really did forget his key,” offered Ginny.

“Then he should have gone to the front desk and gotten another one,” returned Aggie. “Sarah’s right. You never let somebody into the building with your key.”

Ginny rolled her eyes. “Well, I know that, Mother. I’m just saying, we don’t always have to think the worst.”

“And I’m just saying we all should walk our dogs in the courtyard tonight,” said Sarah.

I raised my water glass. “I’ll drink to that. I’ve had about all the drama I can take today.”

At their questioning looks, I explained about how Bryte had gotten loose and Neil had made such a scene with Marcie. Aggie, of course, had heard about the incident but hadn’t realized I’d been the one to catch Bryte.

“Doesn’t surprise me a bit,” she confided. “That Neil always had a temper, especially when it comes to his dogs. I wonder if she did it on purpose. Marcie, that is.”

“Well, it seems to have worked out okay.” I shrugged. “I saw Marcie with her boyfriend this afternoon, and they had both dogs.”

Aggie looked at me alertly. “Her boyfriend?”

I groaned inwardly. I don’t mind listening to gossip now and then, but I really hate to instigate it. I tried for a quick change of subject. “I think I saw prime rib on the buffet, and I promised Cisco I’d bring him back a treat. Does anyone want to check it out with me?”

Sarah took me up on it immediately. “Congratulations on your win!” she said as we slid out of the squeaky vinyl seat. “I can’t believe Brinkley almost ruined your run. Next time I’ll make sure we’re on the other side of the fairgrounds.”

We laughed about the incident, and the conversation was successfully diverted to our individual runs as we all went to survey the buffet. We relived our triumphs and our training trials all through dinner and didn’t think about Marcie again until she actually walked into the dining room.

She’d changed from her muddy shorts into jeans, but she still wore my sweatshirt. Her eyes looked puffy and her face looked shadowed, and I hesitated about waving to her, particularly considering the way she’d snubbed me earlier. Aggie, however, had no such reservations.

“Marcie,” she called, waving her over. I remembered they were both members of the sponsoring agility club. “Come sit with us.”

Marcie had a trapped expression on her face as she hesitated, glancing at the exit, but in the end she really had no choice but to come over and join us. I scooted over to make room for her.

“Hi,” she said. She smiled, but her eyes looked haunted. The incident with Neil that afternoon must have upset her more than she’d indicated at the time. “I didn’t know I’d see you here, or I would’ve returned your sweatshirt.”

“Don’t worry about it,” I assured her. “I’ll be at the site tomorrow.”

“We had the buffet,” Ginny said. “It was pretty good. The fish was actually crispy.”

“I’m not staying,” Marcie said. “I just came in to see if I could get some yogurt for Flame. Her stomach’s a little upset.”

We all made sympathetic noises. There is nothing worse than staying at a hotel with a sick dog.

“I hope she didn’t pick up something contagious,” Sarah said, and Marcie shook her head.

“No, Bryte’s fine. Flame has always been sensitive. I’m sure