Page 49 of Wicked Healing

Chapter 12

Paul and Hopearrived a little after noon the next day. Erin was glad she’d shifted her schedule to get all of the horse work in early, letting her stay closer to the house. Corralling all of the dogs into the back yard she went out front to greet her guests.

Paul looked even more worn out but happy to be out of the rehab atmosphere. There was a tired grin on his face. He took her hand in both of his to shake and when Luca and Wicked came down the lane he greeted them the same.

Hope, on the other hand, looked around curiously but didn’t really engage, until she saw Wicked. With a quiet word Luca released the dog and he came to the girl’s outstretched hand, letting her pet his head. Finally, a smile played at her lips.

“Let’s go inside where it’s cooler and have some lemonade,” Erin suggested.

They all trooped inside to the kitchen. Hope went to the kitchen table and perched on a chair, running her hands over Wicked’s face.

“That’s the only thing she’s asked about. When would she see Wicked?”

Luca sat on one of the stools, legs stretched out in front of him, looking more relaxed than she could remember seeing him. Crossing to the fridge she retrieved the pitcher of lemonade she’d made this morning. The glasses were waiting on the island to be filled. There was a small cup with a popular children’s cartoon on it waiting for Hope. The girl smiled slightly and thanked her as Erin handed her the cup, but her eyes barely drifted away from the dog in front of her.

Erin laughed. She could remember being that horse crazy when she was a girl. Paul had his work cut out for him.

A thought occurred to her and she caught Luca’s eye. “Can you pour your lemonade? I forgot to bring someone in.”

If this worked the way she thought it might, Paul could kill her. Moving to the back door she stepped outside. The dogs wanted to come in and check out the new people, but she called Sophie to her. The little terrier mix wiggled with excitement as Erin lifted her up and carried her inside.

Hope looked at her as soon as she came in, and her big blue eyes widened as Erin set Sophie on the floor. Immediately the little dog went to Wicked to greet him, then she turned her attention to the little girl, jumping up against her leg. Hope immediately went down to the floor on her knees, holding her hand out to the fuzzy little dog. Sophie seemed to sense a willing mark and did her cute little wiggle, making up to the little girl.

“Can I hold her?” Hope whispered, looking up at Erin.

“Just be very careful. She loves little kids but she’s tiny. If you drop her it will really hurt her.”

Hope nodded. “I’ll be super careful.”

Then she scooped Sophie into her arms, letting the little dog lick her neck. Hope giggled for the first time Erin had ever heard, and she watched the two of them fall in love right before her eyes.

The men stopped talking. Paul looked stunned, then his face relaxed into a grin. His entire demeanor changed as he looked at his little girl. For a second her gaze met Luca’s, and there was a moment of satisfaction that they had maybe managed to bring the little girl and her father some enjoyment.

It seemed like within just a few minutes Hope was running around the house giggling as little Sophie gamboled along behind her.

Erin looked at Paul. “Remember I was telling you I had a dog that would be perfect for the hospital? That’s Sophie. I’ve been fostering her and conditioning her for a few months, and I think she just found her new favorite human.”

Paul looked like he’d taken a fist to the gut, his blue eyes wide. “Are you suggesting that we take her home?”

Erin took a sip of lemonade Luca handed her. “That is completely up to you, but you’d better decide fast because that little girl is going to be crushed if she falls in love and you tell her no.”

Paul snapped his mouth shut and scrubbed his face with his good hand. “I haven’t had a dog for years. Do you really think it’s a good idea to bring in another house member now?”

Erin shrugged. “You’ll have to make that decision. I won’t do it for you. Sophie is a good little dog. She’s completely house trained, up to date on all of her shots and she’s been socialized to the best of my ability.”

Paul looked out into her house. Hope’s laughter could be heard even from the other room. Finally, he looked at Erin with a wry expression on his face. “I didn’t come here to get a dog.”

Erin laughed. “I know you didn’t but I think you’ve found a new friend. Take some time to think about it and you may want to talk it over with Hope. Express to her that it will be a big responsibility to bring in a new family member. She should have part of the responsibility for taking care of the dog.”

The big man nodded, still looking a little out of his depth. Luca rested a hand on his shoulder. “It’s a four-pound dog, Paul, not an assault on a terrorist-held village.”

Paul laughed, nodding his head ruefully. “You’re right, of course. Let me get this visit out of the way and I’ll talk to her about it.”

Nothing more was said about the adoption, but they were all very conscious of how much Hope was enjoying Sophie. When they left an hour later, silent tears rolling down Hope’s cheeks as she said goodbye to Sophie and Paul looking on hopelessly, Erin knew they’d be back. That man would do anything for that little girl.

Luca rested an arm over her shoulders as they waved goodbye to the Jamesons. “Did you know that she would take to the little dog like that?” he asked her.

“Of course not,” Erin said immediately, wrapping an arm around his waist and leaning into him. “But I might have hoped.”

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