Page 26 of Everlasting Promises

BEN

I standin front ofThe Paw Palacewith my arms firmly crossed in front of my chest in an attempt to keep from fidgeting. Rex circles my legs, picking up on my anxiousness. I drop my hand to slide my fingers through his fur to settle him and ground myself, and he drops to his butt beside me. “You’re okay, boy.”

For the past two weeks, I haven’t stopped thinking about the slip of a woman with long curly hair and aquamarine eyes. She’s filled every waking moment, and I’ve had to wrestle my thoughts away from her to concentrate on important stuff, like my job.

I loved having Hope and Evan at my house, and I hated it when they left. The house suddenly felt too quiet, too big, too empty. Something changed in Hope, and she seemed in a hurry to get away. I’m not sure if I did or said something to upset her, but I didn’t like the sudden shift in her demeanor—I felt responsible somehow. I thought we’d spend the entire afternoon together. I was even about to suggest a walk along the beach when she suddenly stood to clear the table.

The last two weeks have felt like a decade has passed, and I’ve counted down every minute until I get to lay my eyes on Hope again. It certainly doesn’t hurt that Evan already feels like a friend.

I hear the door open and close behind me, and Tori comes to stand by my side. “Hi, Ben.” She crouches to greet Rex with a scratch behind his ear. “How come you guys are waiting out here?”

“Hey, Tori.” I look down at her. “No reason.”Just waiting for the woman I can’t get off my mind as if I’m a kid waiting for the fair to open when it comes to town.

“We only have a handful of puppies, but we got some kittens early in the week. They’ve had all their checks, so they’re ready for the kids.”

“Okay, sounds good.”

“Are you okay?”

I glance down at Tori. “Yeah. Why?”

She swipes her tongue over her bottom lip, making it shimmer, and shrugs. “You don’t seem yourself.”

Wrapping my arm around her shoulder, I tug her into my side and squeeze. “I’m fine. Promise.”

She smiles up at me, then pulls away. “Okay. I’ll head inside and get everything ready.”

As each child arrives, my nerves kick up another notch. What if Evan doesn’t show? I don’t have Hope’s number to check on them. I guess I can always go around?—

Hope’s car pulls into the parking lot, and when she stops at the front door, the air trapped in my lungs wooshes out. Evan leans forward and kisses her, then climbs out of the car. She watches him run toward me and waves politely, then drives out of the parking lot. My body deflates and my shoulders drop. Disappointment takes the place of my anxiousness to see her, and I don’t know how to feel about her not staying. I’ve beenwaiting for two weeks to see her again, and that thirty seconds wasn’t nearly enough.

“Hey, Ben.”

“Hey, Ev,” I reply as I watch her car disappear down the street.

He crouches low, resting his head on Rex’s back as he rubs his fingers through his dark fur. Rex is equally happy to see his new friend, trying to spin around so he can lick Evan’s face, making him laugh loudly. As I watch them, I realize I need to pull my head out of my ass and get with the program. I’m here for the kids. No other reason.

“You ready to head inside?” I ask Evan as I open the glass door.

He stands with a beaming smile and a sparkle in his eyes. Hope would be thrilled to see him so happy. “Yep. Come on, boy.” He pats his thigh, and Rex trots inside beside him, leaving me behind like I’m chopped liver.

We walk through to the back part of the shelter where the cats and dogs are. Tori’s already there with the others, explaining which animals they can spend time with today. Once the kids are settled out in the yard with their dogs, or inside with their kittens, I make my rounds as usual, checking in with the kids about how they’ve been since we last caught up.

Donnelly tells me all about the running club, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so animated. He and Evan seem to have developed a friendship, which is exactly what I’d hoped for. It’ll give Evan a support person at school and Donnelly someone to watch over.

As the session winds down, my stomach twists. I need to think of something to do so I can spend time with Evan and Hope. I probably should have thought of a plan before this, but I’d hoped she’d come to the session like she did last time. She seemed to enjoy spending time with the pups, and I figured she’dwant to do it again. I didn’t count on her not attending, which is my fault; I guess. I only invited her to the first session and told her it was best if she didn’t stay, so Evan would bond with the other kids.

I watch out the front windows as the parents pull in to collect their kids and finally, an idea hits. “Hey, Tori. Do you need any dogs bathed today?”

She grins brightly at me. “You betcha. Are you offering?”

A sense of lightness flows through me because, if I do this right, I might get to spend some time with the woman I can’t stop thinking about. “Of course.” I move next to Evan and keep my voice low.I know I’m evil using Evan’s love for the dogs, but a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do. “Hey, Ev. Do you have time to help me bathe some dogs this afternoon?”

His eyes grow as wide as full moons. “That’d be awesome. I’ll ask Mom.”

Bingo!

My grin is instant and broad. Now, let’s hope his mom agrees. Some of the kids organize to catch up with each other next weekend, making my heart expand. I started this program to give the kids an outlet and something positive to look forward to. I never dreamed it would also give them the opportunity to build strong friendship connections.

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