Chapter 23
F rank opened the front door as Josh approached along the walkway.
“Thanks for coming on such short notice,” Frank said, stepping aside and motioning Josh over the threshold.
Sean hovered behind Frank, shifting his weight from foot to foot.
“You know my son, Sean?” Frank asked.
“We’ve seen each other at Forever Friends,” Josh said, “but we haven’t officially met.” He held out his hand to the young teen.
Sean stepped forward and shook his hand.
“Follow me,” Frank said. “Loretta set out a spread of hors d’oeuvres that could suffice for a meal.”
“Mom’s been in the kitchen the entire day,” Sean added. “She’s been singing, so we know she’s having fun.”
The three entered the kitchen. Trays of caprese skewers, bacon-wrapped dates, and toasted baguette slices topped with warm brie and fig jam were placed at the end of the island. A tiny crockpot containing bubbly crab dip sat next to a basket of crackers.
Loretta slid a casserole dish of scalloped potatoes into the oven, brushed a damp tendril of hair off her forehead, and turned to greet Josh.
Josh held out a bouquet of roses and stargazer lilies that Sunday had suggested as a hostess gift.
“Thank you,” Loretta said. “But you didn’t have to do this.”
“It’s very nice of you to have me over for dinner,” Josh said.
Frank handed Josh and Sean small plates and gestured toward the hors d’oeuvres.
“This looks wonderful,” Josh said, eyeing the offerings.
Loretta gave him a thousand-watt smile as she pulled a vase from the cabinet above the refrigerator. “Have you heard from David?” she asked Frank.
Frank covered his mouth as he spoke around a mouthful of warm, gooey date. “No—and it’s not like him to be late.”
Sean pulled his phone from his pocket. “I’ve got a text from him. David had trouble getting his car started, but he’s on his way. He says he’ll be here in ten minutes.”
Loretta picked up a plate and helped herself to a caprese skewer. She turned to Sean. “Would you go tell your sisters the appetizers are ready if they’d like some?”
Sean headed toward their bedrooms.
“I’m going to feed the twins before we sit down,” Loretta said, setting her plate on the counter.
“Do you need any help?” Frank asked.
She shook her head. “Don’t forget to offer Josh something to drink,” she added over her shoulder as she left the room.
“It’s been so long since we’ve had company for dinner. I’m rusty on my hosting duties,” Frank said with a sheepish shrug. “What can I get you?”
“I know it’s boring,” Josh said, “but I’m a water drinker.”
Frank filled a glass with ice water and handed it to him.
“I’m happy to meet your family,” Josh said. “I understand you’ve been a father figure to both David and Sean. It’s so cool you allowed David to fulfill his community service obligations at Forever Friends.”
“David’s attention-seeking theft from his school following his father’s suicide was a cry for help,” Frank said. “That experience led him to his life’s purpose—working with guide dogs.”
“Now Sean appears to be interested in service dogs, too,” Josh said. “You should be very proud.”
“Those two boys—young men—are remarkable. They’ll be successful in life, no matter what.
I’m lucky to watch them grow into their full potential.
” He smiled at Josh. “Loretta and I were talking the other night, and she suggested having you and David over, so you could become better acquainted. She pointed out that the two of you don’t really know each other yet.
You’ll eventually work closely together.
David heads back to California and his studies at the Guide Dog Center in a few days, so tonight was our last chance for a while. ”
“David seems terrific,” Josh said. “I’m looking forward to working with him, and I’m glad we have this chance to connect before he goes back. I also want to spend more time with Sean.”
“Sean’s always asking about the plans for Forever Guides, but I haven’t included him in meetings,” Frank said, his tone growing serious. “He’s only thirteen. I feel bad that he spends so much time at Forever Friends. He’s a kid, and I want him to enjoy his childhood.”
“From what I’ve seen, Sean is serious and focused. I think he genuinely cares about the rescue animals,” Josh said. “If you’re worried about pushing him into a family business—like sometimes happens with family-owned restaurants—you don’t need to be. Sean’s interest is real.”
The worry lines around Frank’s eyes vanished, like ice that’s just been cleaned by a Zamboni.
Loretta and Marissa returned to the kitchen, with Bonnie and Branson in tow. Nicole was close behind. Sally, Daisy, and Snowball stormed to the front door, barking.
“That’ll be David,” Frank said, heading down the hall.
Loretta inserted a sheet pan of chicken thighs in the oven and followed him to the front door.
“There’s one last piece left. Who’ll take this off my hands?” Loretta carried the cake into the dining room. “I want to wash this plate and put it away.”
Josh drew back in his chair. “It was absolutely delicious—the whole meal was—but I couldn’t eat another bite.”
Loretta looked from David to Sean. “Surely one of you boys would like this.”
“Sure,” they both said in unison.
Loretta chuckled. She cut the piece into two smaller slices and served one to each of the teenage boys.
“The twins are asleep, and I’m going to help Marissa and Nicole finish cleaning the kitchen.
Stay here as long as you like,” she added.
“But someone come get me before you leave. I want to say goodbye.”
Frank pushed back his chair from the table. “You did all the cooking. Leave the cleanup to me. I’ll get it later.”
Loretta passed behind him on her way to the kitchen and rested her hand on his shoulder.
“You’re always good about cleaning up when I cook,” she said.
“I don’t mind doing it tonight. It sounds like you’re in the middle of a serious discussion.
” She patted his shoulder and disappeared into the kitchen.
Frank looked at the three young men around his dinner table.
“This has been a very productive evening. Construction of the new guide dog school will take two years. That seems like a long time, but it’ll be ready to open before we know it.
There’s a lot of work ahead of us. I’m glad to have you on my team. ”
“Running either a nonprofit or an educational institution were my two dream jobs,” Josh said. “I can’t believe I’ve found a position that lets me do both, straight out of grad school.”
“I believe they call that kismet,” Frank said, smiling. “I’m as delighted as you are.”
David finished his slice of cake and set down his fork, eyes lowered to the table.
“You’ve been awfully quiet,” Frank said. “Anything bothering you, David?”
David sucked in a breath. “During these last few months at the Guide Dog Center, I’ve realized I have so much to learn about training a seeing-eye dog, let alone teaching others how to do it.
” He looked up at Frank, his eyes clouded with doubt.
“So many people have donated time and money to my dream, and I’m beyond grateful.
But I don’t have the skill required to run the technical side of the school.
It’ll probably take me years to acquire it.
” Misery poured from him like water over a dam.
“I can’t do this, Frank,” he said. “I’m a fraud. ”
Josh leaned across the table toward David and started to speak, but Frank raised a hand to stop him.
“No one ever expected you to be in charge of guide dog training when Forever Guides opens, son. I hope you’ll want to return to Westbury to work at the school, but I wasn’t even sure of that.
You’re young, and things are going to change in your life.
Heck, I’m even halfway expecting you to fall in love and stay in California.
” He leaned forward, his voice warm. “The point is, David, you sowed the seeds for this remarkable facility, and they’ve taken root.
Forever Guides will become a reality, thanks to you.
I’d love for you to be part of it—but, if you’re not, it’s still going forward. ”
“Really?” David asked.
“Absolutely,” Frank replied. “I’m sorry you’ve been carrying such a heavy weight on your shoulders. If you decide you don’t want to come back, say the word. Don’t be afraid to tell me. I won’t be mad.”
“It’s not that,” David said. “California is great, but Westbury is home. I’ll come back when I finish my training. I was worried you were expecting too much from me when I returned.”
“We’re looking forward to having you as an integral part of our team,” Josh said, “but no one expects you to be the chief technical expert on guide dog breeding, training, or handler assignments. Part of my job as school administrator will be to hire the staff. One of my first tasks will be to prepare an organizational chart and job descriptions. We’ll begin our recruitment process the year before Forever Guides opens. ”
“You’ve already thought of all this?” David asked.
Josh nodded, smiling. “We have. And because you’re employed by one of the premier guide dog schools in the country, I’d love your input on the job descriptions and staffing levels—if you have time.”
“I’ll make time,” David said. “Whatever you need, I’m there for you. How will you find the right people? There aren’t that many guide dog trainers.”
“We’ll advertise on social media,” Josh replied. “And I’ll post jobs in industry magazines. Westbury is routinely rated as one of the top 20 small cities in the U.S. That’ll help us. Many people in big cities are looking for a quieter lifestyle.”
“Sherry Parker has also offered to help us recruit,” Frank added. “She was a veterinary intern at one of the East Coast guide dog schools. Sherry still has lots of contacts. She and John are also going to serve as our vets until we hire staff in-house.”
David rocked back in his chair. “You’ve got this.”
Frank and Josh both nodded.
“I’ve been worrying about nothing,” David said. “I feel so much better.”
“I’m glad,” Josh said. “You’ve got enough to think about with your studies.”
“That’s right,” Frank agreed. “Josh and I know nothing about training service dogs. Heck, I can’t even train my own household pets. Josh and I will handle the business end of Forever Guides.”
Josh nodded his agreement. “When do you head back?”
“I plan to leave by the weekend,” David said. “Dodger and I drove, and it’s a two-day trip. My mom insists that I take my car into the shop first, to make sure everything’s okay.”
“That’s smart,” Frank said. “You don’t want to break down en route. It’s a long drive.”
Sean, who had been listening, finally spoke up. “You said it was hard to start your car tonight. That’s why you were late.”
“It’s the first time that’s happened,” David said. “I think it’ll be okay.”
“I hope you have a safe trip back,” Josh said. “And now I’d better go—I have to work in the morning.”
They rose from the table.
“I’ll go tell Loretta you’re leaving,” Frank said.
Josh, David, and Sean headed to the front door.
“Could you bring Dodger over before you go?” Sean asked. “I miss him.”
“Sure,” David replied. “I was going to bring him tonight, but my mother wanted him to stay with her.”
Loretta and Frank joined them at the front door.
“Everything was delicious, Mrs. Nash,” Josh said. “Thank you so much.”
Loretta pulled him into a hug. “You’re most welcome,” she said. “And it’s Loretta, please.”
Josh shook Frank’s hand and walked to his car.
“Did I hear that we’ll see you again before you leave?” Loretta asked.
“If that’s okay,” David said.
“Of course it is,” she replied. “You’re welcome here anytime.”
She and Sean stood in the open doorway as Frank walked David to his car.
David got in and inserted the key. He turned it, and a click-click-click echoed into the night. He tried again, with the same result.
Frank walked around the back of the car, bending to examine the tread on the tires as he came alongside the driver’s door.
David opened the door a crack.
“You can roll down your window,” Frank said.
“It doesn’t work anymore,” David replied. “I have to open the door—even at a drive-through.”
Frank nodded. He was rich now but remembered the beat-up old cars of his youth. “You’re going to need a new starter, son,” Frank said, “and maybe an alternator. Your tire tread is low. I’d recommend a new set before you take off.”
David stared at him.
“If you need money to help with that—” Frank began.
“I’ve saved money from my wages at the Guide Dog Center,” David said. “I should be able to pay for those things myself.”
“Okay,” Frank said. “But just in case, I’m here for you.”
David shut his door and turned the key again. This time, the engine caught. He pulled out of the driveway, leaving a faint smell of burning oil in his wake.
Frank walked back to the house, shaking his head.
Sean retreated to his room.
Loretta slipped her arm around Frank’s waist as he came inside. “I know what we need to do tomorrow,” she said. She lifted her face to his, her eyes twinkling with excitement.
“Are you going to tell me?” Frank asked.
Loretta planted a kiss on his cheek. “I think you’ll figure it out.”