Page 18 of Summer with a Single Dad

Chris

I was back at work and loving it. The Love Beach branch had always been one of my favorites.

What made my transition easier was my reunion with Emily.

For once in my life, luck, or fate, if you will, seemed to be on my side.

I put in extra hours the first week. My days were filled with typical managerial work. All my extra hours went into setting up my office and reviewing my employees to ensure I knew who was who and what they did. I studied our top clients and worked on a list of potential new customers we might acquire.

Every night after work, I picked Luke up and took him to Emily’s. He was always almost as excited as I was. While the week followed a daily pattern, I didn’t mind. It was nice to come home to a beautiful woman night after night.

Because I’d put in extra time at work, we missed our group sessions. I still practiced,sit, stay, and shake, but when Saturday rolled around, and we met Emily at the park for a group class, Luke did not perform like he had the week before.

I was frustrated. Luke was unaffected. Everything was a game for him. He got to see his friends. He got to run around. Our work with fetch seemed to have gone by the wayside, whichmeant I had to put in extra time with him. I didn’t know when I’d be able to fit it in for the next week or so.

“Do you like the farmer’s market?” Emily asked as we strolled down an aisle Sunday morning.

“It’s bigger than I expected,” I said.

We stopped in front of a stand for pet products. Homemade dog treats, dog toys, and outfits covered one wall. Goods for cats and other animals were on the other.

“Get these for Luke,” Emily said, pushing a bag of all-natural peanut butter treats into my hand. “He’ll love them.”

“He better for how much they cost,” I said.

“They’re homemade with love. And it’s important to support local businesses.”

“Valid point.” I picked up two more bags and shook them. “Since they come highly recommended by a beautiful woman.”

Emily’s cheeks flushed as she smiled up at me. She tucked her arm through mine and picked up another bag herself.

By the time we left the farmer’s market, we were stock-piled with fresh fruits, veggies, bread, bagels, and homemade honey and jams that Emily swore I had to try.

On Monday morning, I was happy I took her advice. The strawberry jam was unlike anything I’d ever tasted. Hudson was going to love it too.

The workday went by quickly enough. For the first time, I clocked out right on schedule.

My happiness only lasted for the time it took me to drive home.

Luke greeted me by jumping all over me as soon as I walked through the door.

“You little shit!” I yelled. “How’d you get out?”

Wet, sloppy kisses, joyful barks, and a tail-whipping ensued.

“Off! Down!” I said, pushing him off of me. After three attempts, Luke finally sat. Large brown eyes looked at me expectantly as his tail swished back and forth over the floor.

“Good dog, Luke. Good sit.” I slapped my leg for him to follow. Throwing my briefcase on the counter, I repeated thesit, staycommands. When he obeyed, I dug into his treat container and offered it to him. “Let’s see what’s going on.”

His baby gate was still intact and closed. He hadn’t destroyed it. I knew I put him in this morning, but maybe I didn’t lock it all the way. I opened it, waited for him to enter, and shut the gate. I jiggled it, making sure it was secure, and made my way through the house.

Everything looked in order until I turned down the hallway. That’s when I saw it. A large pile of shit. I groaned and dragged my hands over my face. I cleaned it up, then went to my room, where, again, Luke had left me another present. Instead of poo, this time, I found my bed crumpled andslept in. I was suddenly reminded ofGoldilocks and the Three Bears.

“Who’s been sleeping in my bed, Luke?” I shouted.

Within seconds, I heard the telltale sounds of him running to me. I turned just in time to avoid being clobbered by my dog leaping into the air. He landed on the bed, turned in three circles, and laid down.

“Well, I’ll be,” I said, finally realizing he could catapult himself over it like a runner does a hurdle. “I guess you’ve outgrown your baby gate.”

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