Page 52 of Elsie's Strong Shelter

Mr. Sweet stared up to look at a cawing bird flying overhead. “Best and hardest job in the world. You’ll never love anything more than your child, and all you want to do is protect them. Make them happy and watch them flourish.”

“The happy and flourishing part sounds nice.”

“It is, but then they get older and make their own choices. You might not agree with all those choices, but you have to let them make their own mistakes. Live their own lives. And sometimes, even when they make all the right decisions, fate steps in with other ideas. Ideas that will crush your heart and leave you broken on the floor.” A sad, wistful tone coated Mr. Sweet’s voice.

“Elsie told me about her brother,” Dean said, his gut twisting like a pretzel. “I’m so sorry.”

Mr. Sweet studied him, head tilted slightly to the side. “I’m surprised she talked to you about Brad. She rarely mentions him. At least not with me and her mother. It’s as if she thinks saying his name will remind us of the pain, but the pain is always there. We just learn to live with it. Learn how to channel our loss into something more positive. I’m glad she opened up to you.”

“So am I, sir.”

“You want kids some day?” Mr. Sweet narrowed his blue eyes and his lips curled ever so slightly at the corners.

Dean shrugged and watched the giggling children climbing over the playset. “I was married before and thought that’s what we both wanted, but I was wrong. I’ve come to realize that none of that makes sense if I don’t find the right woman.”

“None of what?”

“Marriage, kids, building a future. Like a neat little package tied in a bow.”

Mr. Sweet chuckled. “Even with the right woman, nothing comes tied together all nice and neat. Marriage, parenting…it takes a lot of work. A lot of patience and love and commitment from all sides. I was lucky. I found my person when I was only a teenager, and we’ve worked together to build the future we both want. It might not always go as planned, but we keep fighting. Keep building. Keep loving the hell out of each other. So the question I’m interested in is, do you think you’ve finally found the right woman?”

Dean grinned. Elsie’s dad shot straight as an arrow, no beating around the bush. Reminded him of his own father. “I really hope so. Elsie’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met.” He wasn’t willing to say more. As much as he wanted to reassure Mr. Sweet that he had only the purest intentions with his daughter, he needed to have that conversation with Elsie first.

Mr. Sweet gave one decisive nod then winked. “She’s the best. Just don’t tell her sister I said that.”

Boo jumped to his feet at Dean’s side. He pinned back his ears, fur standing on end at the scruff of his neck, and let out a low growl.

Dean followed Boo’s line of vision to the small shelter that housed the bathrooms and picnic area. He rested his hand on the top of Boo’s head. “It’s all right boy.”

“He okay? I didn’t hear him make a sound like that last night.” Mr. Sweet frowned.

“Probably anxious because he can’t see Jimmy. It’s crazy how he’s responded to the boy. He understands that he needs to keep an eye out, pay a little extra attention to Jimmy.” Even though he spoke the truth, unease tightened his nerves. He liked having Jimmy and Elsie out of sight even less than Boo.

“He’s a good dog,” Mr. Sweet said. “Made me wish we had one of our own.”

“Don’t tell Elsie that. She already told me how she was never allowed to have one as a kid.” Dean threw a quick grin over his shoulder then kneeled beside Boo. “Come on, boy. You’re fine. Just relax.”

Jimmy ran around the side of the building, a wide grin splitting his face. “I’m all better.” He waved an arm high over his head as if he needed to make extra sure he was seen.

Mrs. Sweet trailed behind him. “Not too fast. You don’t want to trip and hurt yourself again.”

Her concern slowed Jimmy a little. He made a beeline for the monkey bars. “Dean, watch. I can do this whole thing.”

“I’m watching, buddy,” Dean said, standing.

Agitation twitched Boo’s body. He stayed on alert. His steady gaze never venturing from the building.

Mrs. Sweet came to a stop beside him. “Jimmy’s right as rain. Just needed a little antiseptic so he wouldn’t get an infection and a kiss from Nana. Of course that kiss had to come in the privacyof a bathroom stall so no one would see. I mean, talk about embarrassing.”

“He’s got to keep his reputation intact. Glad he’s feeling better.” Dean watched Jimmy make his way across the monkey bars, his little body swaying with the effort.

At the last bar, Jimmy hopped to the ground and lifted his hands above his head. “I did it.”

Dean clapped. “Way to go. I’m sure when Elsie gets out of the bathroom, she’ll want to see you do it, too. Have enough fuel in the tank to make it across again?”

Mrs. Sweet stepped over to a bench and set down her large purse. “Elsie didn’t come to the bathroom.”

Boo whined and tugged at the leash.

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