She’d been disbelieving and then outraged and then had burst into a flood of tears. Spencer had found that last reaction bewildering until Maury showed up with a box of tissues and a comforting arm. Early pregnancy always hit Eva that way. They had to issue a blanket statement at work that the veterinarian sobbing over every kitten’s perfect toe beans wasn’t a sign that the animal had to be put down.

Through those tears, Eva had called him every bad name she knew. Considering she was bilingual and had grown up with a father who hadn’t shied away from teaching his kids all the best Spanish swear words, they had numbered quite a few.

“If it makes you feel any better, I’ve already been raked over the coals by Eva,” he said. “Several times, in fact.”

“Eva?” Ruby echoed with another glance around the gym. She didn’t find what she was looking for. Eva was busy backstage making sure that everything unrolled exactly as it should. Early pregnancy made her weepy, but it didn’t quell her energy levels in the least.

“She’ll probably come find you later, so you don’t have to worry. You’ll have plenty of time to abuse me behind my back. I can’t decide whether she’s angrier at me for giving up my judging post or being so stupid as to offer to throw the show for you, but I’m leaning toward the second one.” His smile faltered. “I didn’t realize what I was doing, Ruby. I mean, I did, obviously, but not what it meant—not what an insult it would be to someone as strong and capable as you. I wanted to whisk you into my arms and kiss away every problem you have. Hell, I still do—and if I thought for one second it was what you needed from me, I’d do it. But I know now what a terrible idea that is. Caleb set me straight.”

This apology didn’t appear to comfort her. Her mouth flattened to a thin line.

“Take it back,” she demanded.

“What? The fact that I love you? I can’t.”

“It’s not true,” she countered with an angry wave of her hand. “The thing you really love is this dog show. You know it as well as I do. The rules and the neat little rows of animals, the way all of them do exactly what they’re told.”

“I can still love it without being a judge.”