Harrison knew she was complimenting the puppy for a job well done, but he couldn’t help a feeling of pride from swelling up in his chest. Smart and brave were right—and that was his service animal they were talking about.

The raccoon under the porch had nothing on Bubbles.

It was asking too much for Sophie to politely keep her distance while he ducked into his tent to pull out his testing gear. That damnable woman wasn’t happy unless she was pushing him—physically, mentally, emotionally. Before he could suggest she take the puppy back to the campfire, she’d followed him in and promptly arranged herself on top of his sleeping bag. She even grabbed his pillow and held it in her lap like it was a stuffed animal.

He bit back a groan. He’d never get the smell of her out of it now. He’d end up being exactly like the Sleeping Beauty she’d mocked him as—snuggling up with that puff of down and fabric in order to feel close to her once again.

“You could give me a little privacy, you know,” he pointed out, his voice gruff.

“I know.”

“You could also take that comment as the hint it is.”

“I know.” She peeped up at him through her lashes. “But you wouldn’t deny me this moment of triumph, would you? I’m just as curious to see if Bubbles is right as you are.”

She had him there. He was, after all, her project—her job. This puppy and this woman might be rapidly becoming Harrison’s whole world, but she had other things at stake.

He unhooked the sling and let Bubbles down. The puppy still showed signs of distress, but Sophie made no attempt to soothe her. She simply let the dog whimper and snuffle about, watching her with a fond, detached smile.

“I know you want me to pick her up, but you’re going to have to get used to the idea that she has to be uncomfortable sometimes.” Sophie spoke in a calm voice that could have been designed to set his teeth on edge. “It’s literally what we’re training her to do. You want her to be emotionally invested in your health.”

“Easy for you to say,” he muttered as he rummaged around in his bag. He zipped open his kit and pulled out a testing strip. “You’re a cold-blooded monster.”

Sophie’s soft peal of laughter filled the tent. “Do you know no one has ever insulted me as well as you before? Or ever?” She settled more comfortably in her seat, pushing out the sides of the tent as she did. “Tell me what else you think about me, please.”

“You have some serious problems.”

“That doesn’t count. Everyone has problems. Will it help if I go first?”

He glanced up from the prick of blood pooling on his forefinger. “What?”