Page 13 of Pretty Princess

“Just because you found your Daddy there doesn’t mean Hayley will too. We need to take him to more places than just the club,” Avery said.

“The park!” Caleb shouted.

Mitch shook his head. He needed to steer the conversation away from Hayley’s love life before the sweet kid took off running and never looked back.

“Are you ready for your new program Avery?”

That worked. Avery sat up straight. “I’m so glad to be done with all the qualifications.”

“I don’t see why you have to have certifications just to volunteer,” Caleb said.

“Well if I was just going to volunteer, I wouldn’t have had to. But after I visited with the program director Clint, and he explained all that they needed, I applied for one of the paid positions. I’ll get to work with the dogs EVERY DAY!”

Every day was said loudly. Mitch winced.

“Oh!” Caleb bounced. “I didn’t know that. So, you’ll be like training dogs?”

Avery nodded so hard he almost fell over. “I get to work hand in hand with the trainers. At first, I was just going to feed the dogs, clean up after them, and take them on walks. Which would have been okay That’s important work too. But now I’ll be able to actually teach the dogs the skills they’ll need to be placed with their special human. Cint said since I’d be so close with the dogs I’d even get to go through the applications for their humans.”

“And it’s for disabled vets?” Hayley questioned.

“Yes! Clint’s brother, which is his twin, how cool is that? But anyway, Clint’s brother Cody works with VA hospitals all around the country to find people who need either physical or mental help. Some will be able to assist their humans with everyday tasks and some will be comfort dogs. It’s all so exciting.”

“It sounds like it,” Mitch said. “You know we’re proud of you, right?”

Avery blushed, dropping his chin.

“Avery?” Mitch pressed. “You worked hard. We know it wasn’t easy for you. And you are about to make a big difference to a lot of people.”

Avery scooted closer to Mitch. “Do you… do you think if my grandma was alive she’d be proud of me?”

Mitch wrapped his arm around Avery’s shoulder and held him close. Caleb moved closer to Avery’s other side while Hayley laid on his stomach right in front of Avery with his fingers wrapped around Avery’s ankles.

Jace rose from his chair across the yard.

Mitch gave a short shake of his head. Byron grabbed Jace’s shoulder and started to talk to Jace.

Sometimes a boy needed his friends.

“From what you told me about your grandma,” Mitch said. “I think you’re a lot like her.”

“You do?” Avery peered up at him with pure innocence in his eyes. Avery was such a genuine sweet boy.

“She took care of you. Even when it was hard. She never gave up and did everything in her power to make sure you would be okay. Even after she was gone.”

Avery played with the binkie clipped to his costume. “I wish she’d been around to meet Jace. I think she would have approved.”

“I know she would have,” Mitch agreed. “Because we do.”

Avery nodded. “And you all just want what’s best for me too.”

“That’s right. You’re like my little brother,” Mitch told him. “I have to make sure Jace is doing a good job taking care of you.”

“He’s the best!” Avery declared.

Hayley sighed. “I want that.”

Caleb threw himself over Hayley’s back making Hayley grunt. “You’ll get it! And then we’ll all have Daddies. We’ll have play dates and throw parties. It’s going to be so awesome!”

---