Chapter 17
Danny
After a huge lunch shared with all the helpers, Rob thought the kids needed to get out of the house. We headed out to the boardwalk and the beach. I loved how close they were to Rob’s new house.
I loved how I already thought of it as Rob’s house.
Maybe I shouldn’t have been so presumptuous as to just stick around, but I caught flashes of panic coming off Rob all morning and I just…needed to be close until he settled.
He’d told me walking often calmed the children. That it helped when Rob tried to put them down for their naps. In fact, he was sort of hoping Thomas might fall asleep right in his stroller.
No such luck.
With great indignation, the little one demanded to be let out of the contraption. For a toddler who was pre-comprehensible language, he certainly had the ability to communicate exactly what he wanted and why he felt he deserved it.
Oh, and Hallie tugged on Rob’s jeans and whispered, “Thomas wants out.”
Before Rob could move, I squatted facing Thomas. “Let me get him?” At Rob’s nod, I unbuckled him and gently removed the toddler from the stroller. I tried to sneak in a hug, but he was already twisting and angling for the ground.
With a chuckle, I put him onto the boardwalk and on his feet.
He made a beeline for the nearest stairs.
Chuckling yet again, I sprinted after him. Apparently he wanted the beach.
Even as I was darting to snag the little guy, a cry of, “Gracie,” caught my attention.
I expected to see my sister, but a streak of white-and-black fur passed me, and as I scooped Thomas in my hands to ensure he wasn’t bowled over by anyone who might be following, I glimpsed the mass barreling into Hallie. My heart seized in absolute panic as I envisioned her being mauled.
Rob, who’d been fussing with the stroller, abandoned it and sprinted for his daughter.
I hustled as well. Please let me not be too late. I can call 911. Maybe we can get her to my car…I don’t know where the hospital is. How do I not know where the hospital is? I’m around kids?—
Hallie’s giggles had me slowing.
Rob, however, did not. He swooped in and snagged her up, lifting her above the husky who started to jump up, trying to reach her apparently new friend.
“Papa, put me down. It’s a good doggie!” Hallie’s indignation was as clear as Thomas’s had been.
A young woman jogged up, carrying a leash with a collar attached. “Gracie!”
The dog paid her no mind, still trying to lick Hallie’s skin where her pant leg had ridden up as Rob held her tight.
“Oh my God, this is so bad.” The young woman elongated the so in an adorable way.
Now I could see the dog meant us no harm, I could better take in the situation.
Every time the woman advanced, Gracie danced out of her way. Obviously, to the dog, this was a game.
I turned to the woman. “Trade?” I indicated she should take Thomas. I wouldn’t normally just hand a toddler to a stranger, but Rob’s panic was increasing exponentially with every second that passed.
Clearly understanding my meaning, she scooped Thomas into her arms and handed me the leash.
I undid the collar and tried to assess how to best approach the situation. Getting it around the dog was key. I could tighten it once it was secure.
“Rob?”
“Yeah?” His voice shook.
“It looks like Gracie’s not going to hurt Hallie.”
“You don’t know that.” For just an instant, he looked away from the dog and at me.
Crowds had gathered on either side of us. I pointed to two very steady-looking women who indicated at each side, at least with their body language, they might be willing to help. “Try to nab her if she heads your way?”
Both women nodded.
Gracie could still jump off the boardwalk, but I’d take the chance I’d get to her first.
“Rob?”
“Yeah?” If anything, his terror was increasing.
“Have Hallie call to the dog. But keep her out of reach. That’ll entice Gracie and while she’s distracted, I’ll grab her.” I had no idea the extent of the dog’s vocabulary, but I used a sing-songy voice so she wouldn’t—hopefully—know I was up to something.
“I don’t know?—”
“Trust me, Rob.”
He met my gaze. Very slowly, he said to Hallie, “Call her name.”
“Gracie.” Hallie said the name with great enthusiasm.
Gracie again went onto her hind legs to reach the girl. If Rob hadn’t been so sturdy, I might’ve worried about the dog knocking him over. Also, claws on skin were a thing.
I lunged. I looped the leash around her neck, and then held her while I buckled on the collar.
Where I expected indignation—because that was going around today—she turned and licked my face.
Repeatedly.
“Okay. Just give me a second.” I pulled and slid straps to tighten her collar so she wouldn’t be able to slip her leash again.
Hallie tried to lean out of Rob’s hold. “Papa, I want to see the puppy. Danny gets to play with her. I want to play too! She’s a nice puppy. Pretty puppy. Soft puppy. She has all the fuzz!”
“Sweetheart—”
“No! Put me down! Puppy!” Hallie kicked both legs.
In any other circumstances, I would’ve been amused. Instead, I was stunned. Admittedly, I’d spent little time in Hallie’s presence. I’d assumed she was as placid in the rest of her life as she was with me. If Rob faced this spitfire on a regular basis, I felt a little sorry for him. She reminded me a little of my own Gracie and how fiery my sister could be—especially if she saw an injustice in the world.
As I clung tightly to Gracie’s leash, I snagged the stroller and indicated to the woman with Thomas that we should move to the side so we were no longer blocking the boardwalk.
When I did that, a spontaneous burst of applause came from the onlookers.
I grinned and took a bow.
The young woman, obviously chagrined, said, “Oh my God.”
“It’s all good,” I told her. “No harm, no foul. Now?—”
“Papa, I want the puppy now! Put me down!” Then, in a sad tone I’d never heard from Hallie before, “Please.”
My heart broke. Shattered right there.
By the obvious look of distress on Rob’s face—with the wide eyes and drooping mouth—I could tell she’d bested all of us.
“Really, she’s a good dog.” The woman continued to hold Thomas, who squirmed so violently, I worried he might try to escape.
“She’s clearly an escape artist.” I chuckled.
“I swear that’s never happened before.” The woman winced. “I’m a temporary foster for her. The previous owner—an older woman—broke her hip in a fall. Not Gracie’s fault,” she was quick to add. “But she had to move into a nursing home. She was my neighbor, and I said I’d take Gracie. But I just got a job in San Diego. My new condo doesn’t allow big dogs. I plan to rescue a small dog, but I’m going to have to give up Gracie. I just…” She winced. “I don’t want to take her to the shelter in the city.”
“Papa—”
“Hush, Hallie, please.” Rob’s voice quavered. “Let me think.”
I pointed to the stairs. “Why don’t we all go down to the beach, and Hallie can meet Gracie in a controlled way.” I continued to hold the dog’s leash. “I have her, Rob. I won’t let her hurt your kids.”
“She would never,” the young woman added. “My neighbor had six grandkids who played with Gracie all the time. Frankly, I think she misses the kids.”
“I don’t know…”
“Papa, I want to see the puppy!” Hallie struggled to get down.
Thomas struggled to get down.
Rob, meeting my gaze with resignation—and just a touch of annoyance—sighed. “Yeah. On the beach.” He eyed me. “You control her or this ends.”
“I will.” I didn’t have a ton of experience with dogs, other than Widget. Every instinct I had, though, said this dog wouldn’t hurt the kids. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe the young woman was lying to us, and… “What’s your name?” I glanced at her.
“Druscilla.” She winced. “Obviously I didn’t pick it.”
“Nothing wrong with the name.” I grinned. “I’m Danny. That bundle of energy is Thomas.” I pointed to the wriggling body. “They are Rob and Hallie. Let’s move to the sand.”
When Gracie and I were partway down the stairs, Rob finally let Hallie down.
She tried to bolt, but he held her hand tight. Somehow, he wrangled her and the stroller.
Druscilla had a competent grip on Thomas, so I wasn’t worried. Within moments, I had a corner of the beach staked out. The day had been overcast, and I spotted some darker clouds on the horizon over the ocean. Even though we were close to home, we’d need to be aware of impending rain.
I plopped down onto the sand and pulled Gracie toward me without being too rough.
Clearly pleased with this turn of events, she licked my chin.
“Stop.”
She did.
I met her gaze. “Be good.” Of course, I had no idea if she actually understood me. Or if she’d continue to do her own thing.
Druscilla stayed back as she waited for Rob and Hallie to join us.
Thomas again lunged, nearly toppling them both over.
“Can you hang onto him? We’ll let Hallie take her turn.”
The young woman laughed. “I swear, nothing spooks that dog. She’s just a bundle of energy who adores children.”
As Gracie tried to pull toward Thomas, I winced and pressed a hand over my incision.
“Danny?” A fraction of a second later, Rob was by my side.
Hallie, taking her father’s momentary distraction as permission, ran toward the dog.
The two crashed into each other in a tangle of limbs, giggles, and happy barks. Gracie got in a few licks before I managed to pull her back. I winced again.
Rob snagged the dog’s leash. “Damn, man.” He met my gaze for just an instant before turning his attention back to Hallie. “You need to back up a minute, hon. I had dogs when I was growing up. They can get really excited around kids and sometimes hurt them without meaning to.”
Hallie stuck out her lower lip. “I want to pet the puppy.”
Thomas clapped his hands.
Rob sighed. He knelt and petted Gracie, running his hands over her ears, her legs, her face, picked up her paws, even opened her mouth. Her tail never stopped wagging. He rocked her lightly back and forth, while she panted, then eased his grip a bit. “She seems pretty chill. Here, honey, let me show you how to pet her. No hugs. You don’t like strangers running up and hugging you.”
Hallie said, “I guess not.”
“What a dog likes is patting, rubbing, and scratch her neck and her front, like this.” Rob guided Hallie in petting the dog’s thick coat.
Until Gracie twisted herself in a pretzel to lick Hallie’s face.
Hallie giggled.
More pats and licks were exchanged. Going to have to do some serious washing tonight.
I sat back down carefully on the sand, trying to hide the ache in my stomach.
“Is it because of your surgery?” Rob whispered the words with both anger and urgency.
“Uh…” Was there a good way to answer that question? James and Colin didn’t know I’d had a rougher recovery, with a mild incision infection and more pain than Dr. Patton was happy with. If she’d known I carried a few boxes today, she’d throw a fit. I’d pushed. But I worried that my brother, and especially Colin, would feel guilty if they knew. “It’ll pass.”
“Gentle, sweetheart. Let the puppy move.” Rob gazed over to them.
Hallie had wrapped herself around the dog’s front paws while Thomas reached for a handful of fur.
Druscilla gently redirected his hand.
Which Gracie promptly licked.
He’s going to put that in his mouth. Did we bring wipes? Did we even bring a diaper bag? This had been meant to be a quick stroll to get the kids sleepy for a nap.
Now everyone was the opposite of ready to rest.
Rob went and took back his toddler, holding Thomas where he could see the dog.
“Gentle.” Druscilla motioned petting Gracie gently.
To my delight, when Rob tipped Thomas down close, the toddler mimicked the action.
The dog’s tongue lolled.
“Keep the puppy,” Hallie declared.
“Fucking hell.” Rob’s whispered curse could only be heard by me, but I felt it. He didn’t swear often. And certainly never around his kids—at least that I knew of.
“The puppy belongs to Druscilla, Hallie.” I smiled. “We have to give the puppy back.” I stilled. “How old is she?”
Druscilla grinned. “Puppy’s almost accurate. She’s one. I’m not sure my neighbor should’ve rescued her?—”
“She’s a double rescue?”
“Yeah. She was living on a tether on a property just outside of town. Really horrible for a dog with fur like this to be out in the heat.” She said the words quietly, ensuring Hallie couldn’t hear. “Arthur rescued her.”
“Arthur Bjornsson?”
“Yeah.” She cocked her head. “You know him?”
“I do. He’s a friend.”
“Oh, wow. Like, small world. Anyway, he rescued her, but needed a foster, and my neighbor was happy to take her. And usually Gracie’s good on a leash. I swear.” She looked like she was about to cross her heart. “Your kids…I guess they made her think of my neighbor’s grandkids.” She blinked. “I’m hoping the shelter in San Diego can place her.” She swiped at a tear. “I don’t want to leave her. But my job is going to be twelve-hour shifts. I can’t be driving back and forth to Gaynor Beach while working those hours, and I can’t afford doggy daycare.”
The drive was just over an hour. She’d have to be in bed the moment she came in the door and back on the road so soon after waking up. No, that wasn’t a solution. And I wasn’t going to suggest finding a condo that accepted large dogs. Such a thing wasn’t practical, and I had no doubt Druscilla had tried. Hard.
“Have you talked to Arthur?”
She bit her lip. “He sort of…he got all upset, and I lied to him. I said I had a lead in San Diego to take her. He’s such a great guy, and…”
“Do you know if he tried to find a foster home?”
“Yeah, he tried. He said there’s nothing and was going to try out of town. But with the economy the way it is, there aren’t a lot of people who can foster. No, Gracie needs a permanent home. It breaks my heart I can’t be the one to give it to her.”
Before I could think it through, the words came out of my mouth. “I’ll take her.”