golden retriever careened toward Trent, pulling the dark-haired boy at the other end of the leash.
Austin.
Trent’s chest thudded with anticipation as he bent to intercept the dog.
“Ellie Mae....” Austin moved closer, shortening the leash as he approached. “Sorry, mister.”
“Ah, it’s all right. We’re friends, aren’t we, Ellie Mae?” He rubbed harder.
The pooch sat at Trent’s feet, tongue dangling, and continued to enjoy the affection.
“She sure likes you.”
Trent savored the smile on his boy’s face, the way it sparked his brown eyes. “She’s a golden retriever. I bet there aren’t many people she doesn’t like.”
“Yeah.” Austin knelt beside the animal and stroked her back. A smattering of freckles dotted his nose and cheekbones—like Trent had at that age. “You were at my mom’s shop.”
“You’re a very observant young man. I’m Trent.”
“I’m Austin.”
“I know. Your mom’s an old friend of mine.”
The boy’s eyes widened. “Really? Did you know my dad?”
Trent recognized that gleam of expectancy. For years after his mother died, he’d held on to the hope of one day meeting his father. He wanted to reveal to the boy that he was his dad. However, he knew that wasn’t necessarily what was best for Austin.
“What has your mom told you about him?” Bolstering himself for what could be an uncomfortable response, he focused on a couple of magpies vying for a scrap of bread.
“Not much.” Austin shrugged. “Just that he loved me, but he had to go away.”
The reply surprised Trent and pricked his conscience. At least Blakely had acknowledged him in some sense.
He inhaled the aroma of pine. “She’s right, you know.”
“So you do know my dad.”
Trent’s gut clenched. He wouldn’t lie by saying no, but even if he said yes, would Austin perceive it as a lie whenever he did learn the truth?
“Do you think I’ll ever meet him?”
Thankful for the reprieve, Trent said, “That, I can promise you.”
Austin beamed.
“By the way...” Trent straightened. “How was the basketball game?”
The boy stood beside him now. “Too short.”
“Bummer.”
“Yeah.”
Trent wasn’t ready to relinquish these few precious moments with his son. “Well, I’m not doing anything. How about a game of one-on-one?”
“You mean it?”
“Sure. There’s got to be a hoop around here somewhere.”
“There’s one at the park. Just down the road.” Austin pointed in the direction of the city’s hot springs pool. “I’d have to get my ball, though.”
“No problem. Why don’t you let Ellie Mae run you home, and I’ll meet you at the park?”
“Awesome!”
As his son jogged away, Trent wondered how Blakely would react if Austin told her who he was meeting. He’d give it an hour. If Austin didn’t show by then, Trent might have to pay her another visit.
The roar of the falls faded in the distance as he picked his way back down the rocky terrain, heading in the direction of Fellin Park. Obviously he and Blakely still had plenty to talk about. But one thing was for sure—now that Trent knew about Austin, nothing would keep him and his son apart.
* * *
Blakely was ready for a long soak in the motel’s hot tub. Or maybe she’d sink into a bubble bath where she could be alone. Her body ached from lifting heavy-duty tires. Her mind reeled from worrying about Trent and Ross, her son and Adventures in Pink.
Plus, she had no idea what to fix for dinner.
She cut through the motel’s front office, stopping to check how many guests were booked. It wouldn’t be long before every motel in town would be filled to capacity, especially on the weekends.
“Gran?” She continued down the hall that separated the office and housekeeping areas from the main part of the house.
“In here, dear.”
Jethro yipped, stopping when Blakely scooped the Yorkshire terrier into her arms. Ellie Mae nudged her hand, looking for some love of her own.
Blakely leaned against the doorjamb of the laundry room. The fragrance of spring-fresh fabric softener filled the air. “Hey.”
“Hey, yourself.” Gran smiled, pulling another load of white towels from the dryer. “You look beat.”
“Nothing a good dinner and tub of hot water won’t cure. Where’s Austin?”
“Still at the park, I guess.” Her grandmother halved then quartered a wash cloth and set the neat square on the stainless steel worktable. “He did tell you, didn’t he?”
“Yes. I just thought he might be home by now.”
“Well, if I know my great grandson, he probably ran into one of his friends. He’s a good boy, though. He’ll be home before dark.”
“I suppose you’re right.” She nuzzled the soft fur on Jethro’s neck. Gran was usually right. Blakely wished she could talk to her about Ross Chapman. But it would break Gran’s heart. After all, she and Granddad had run two of the most successful businesses in town for almost forty years. Through good times and bad.
Now the season hadn’t even started—her first as owner—and Adventures in Pink was already on rocky ground.
Shoving a stack of towels aside, Gran rounded the long table. “Would you prefer I fix dinner?”
“No, I’m just being whiney. You have enough to do.” With Granddad gone, responsibility for the motel fell solely on Gran. Yet she never complained.
Blakely would do well to take lessons.
The bell dinged in the office.
“Putting on new tires today?” Her grandmother paused on her way out the door.
“How’d you know?”
Gran ran a thumb across Blakely’s cheek, then held it up to reveal a black smudge. “It’s written all over your face.” Chuckling, she continued down the hall.
Blakely
