to Brooke. The trio huddled together in the middle of the aisle, their heads bent toward each other as if blocking out anyone trying to eavesdrop.
Brooke lowered her voice. “Rex couldn’t resist the peanut butter or the string cheese.”
“That’s a high-value treat.” Authority spread through Ella’s voice and pushed her shoulders back.
Ben gave a firm nod to back up his friend’s claim. “We know that because Ella and I help with the animals.”
“We only get to use peanut butter for something really special.” Ella grimaced. “Usually we give out tiny crunchy biscuits or kibble.”
“I thought Rex could use something special,” Brooke said.
Ella smiled. “Everyone needs special things.”
“Grandpa Rick told me that your house burned down.” Ben brushed his copper bangs out of his eyes and studied Brooke. His green gaze was somber, but his voice was hopeful. “Did you get something special, too?”
“A nice place to stay with my pets until I find a new home.” That was so much more than other families waiting at the shelters. Brooke wasn’t sure how she’d repay the Sawyers for their kindness, but she would.
Ben’s mouth dipped into a frown and he scratched his head.
“But you need something for yourself, Brooke.” Ella hopped up and down and clutched Ben’s arm. “We should tell your dad, Ben.”
Definitely not that. She was indebted to Dan already. She didn’t need anything else, especially from Dan. “Your dad already helped me with my cat Archie this morning.”
Dan had been capable and gentle. Had given her an extra towel, bandages from his personal supply and a steadiness that had allowed Brooke to regain her composure and rein in her panic. He’d stood right beside her when Dr. Porter relayed the news that Archie had survived. She’d considered staying right there, relying on Dan for support. Until she’d locked her knees and remembered that she’d never allow her knees to buckle.
“What happened to Archie?” Ben chewed on his bottom lip.
Brooke explained about Archie’s stitches and his surgery.
“Archie is gonna need something special, too.” Ben pointed over Brooke’s head. “The cat section is over there. Does he like toys that squeak or ones with bells?”
“Or ones with feathers?” Ella tucked her curls behind her ears. “He probably can’t play right now. He needs something to cuddle with. Mom got me a fluffy unicorn after my last eye surgery. I still sleep with it every night.”
“I got a bear wearing a Bay Water Medical shirt the last time I went to the hospital.” Ben pulled a blue vest from the rack and handed it to Brooke. “My pancreas doesn’t work like it’s supposed to. But Dad says I’m getting really good at checking my blood like the nurses showed me how to do. The hospital isn’t bad, but I’d rather not go.”
“Have you been to the hospital?” Ella asked.
“I have, and like Ben, I’d rather not go back.” Brooke picked up a fleece dog blanket, forced herself to stay in the moment. In the sleepless hours of the night, she could sometimes still hear the machines beeping and humming from her time spent in the intensive-care unit. But she’d healed, just like Archie and Rex would. That ache in her chest pulsed as if reminding her that she still had to rebuild somewhere. “Should we head to the cat section?”
“Do you have other pets besides Archie?” Ben asked.
“Cupid is my silver cat with only three legs. Luna is my dog.” Brooke lifted up the fleece blanket covered in cat and dog paw prints. “Luna likes to sleep on couches when I’m not there. I think this might protect your dad’s couch.”
Ben touched the blanket as if testing its softness. “Can we meet them? My dad won’t let me have a pet. He says he’s allergic.”
Brooke set the vest and cat supplies on the checkout counter to cover her frown. Why would Dan lie to his own son?
Evie shook her head. “Your dad is no more allergic to animals than I am to chocolate.”
“That’s what we decided.” Ella grimaced.
“Lincoln’s mom is allergic to cats and her nose gets really red and her eyes really puffy if she touches a cat.” Ben drummed his fingers on the counter. “Dad’s eyes don’t even get red or puffy even when he cries.”
“You saw your dad cry?” Ella asked.
“His eyes got all watery, like one time when I woke up in the hospital and he was sitting next to me.” Ben shrugged. “I gave him my teddy bear.”
“Then what happened?” Ella asked. “Did tears run down his cheeks? Tears ran down my dad’s face when he married my mom. I felt them on my cheek when he hugged me real tight.”
“My dad hugged me and the bear at the same time.” Ben scratched his chin. “Then I went back to sleep.”
Evie wiped at her own eyes and busied herself rearranging the muffin container. “Well, I have reasons not to overindulge in chocolate and your dad has reasons not to have a pet even if he isn’t allergic to them.”
“Not a very good reason,” Ben muttered.
“I bet there is one very good reason.” Evie cut the tags off the dog vest, her gaze soft as she eyed Ben.
Evie’s love for the children was more than obvious. Dan’s love for his son would be just as strong. Just as protective. Ben was no doubt the reason for Dan’s white lie. Was Dan’s love only reserved for his son? Love. Where had that come from? She’d fallen in love before. The head-over-heels kind. The once-in-a-lifetime kind. She’d be too greedy to consider a second chance. Brooke reached for that invisible pause button to stop her tumbling thoughts.
A strong hand landed on Brooke’s lower back and settled as if to catch her when she fell. Brooke glanced over her shoulder. Dan stood just behind her, his smile gentle.
“Can I please meet Brooke’s pets?” Ben asked.
Dan shifted his attention to his son. “Before we disrupt Brooke’s evening, we need to make dinner and concentrate on your homework.”
“What about Archie?” Concern widened Ben’s eyes. “We can’t leave without Brooke and Archie.”
“Archie is going to spend the night here with Dr. Iain.” Brooke was going to spend the night in Dan’s rental apartment. He’d be a shout away. Only a short run would take her to his back porch.
A small shift and she’d be under his arm, within his protective embrace. A small shift and she’d be a welcome part of the pet store.
Perhaps in another lifetime she’d risk again.
“Well, Brooke needs a ride home,” Ben argued.
“I can take a cab,” Brooke said. She worked better alone. She was safe alone. “I want to see Archie before I leave.”
