Page 72 of Gunner

“No need. I was just wondering about setting an appointment with you?”

“Oh, of course.” I tried to temper my surprise, but I knew I hadn’t done a great job when Jack chuckled.

“My brother just moved here from Arkansas. I don’t know how much you know about Sam and me, but well, it’s quite thestory. The short version is that Sam was married to my brother when we met, only I didn’t know I had a brother.”

“I have heard the rumors but wasn’t sure what was true.”

“Probably everything you heard.” Jack smiled. “Anyway, Sam wants us to be a family.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “The truth is, I do too. I never had a family until I joined the club, but now, I do. And well, there are some things we need to work through. I thought maybe you could help with that?”

“Of course, Jack.” I reached out, placing my hand over his. Physical touch could do wonders in making people feel comfort in a variety of ways. “I’ll grab my calendar later and we can make a plan.”

“I was hoping Derek could stop by today, maybe meet you?”

“Of course.”

“Thanks, Haizley.”

Jack stepped away and I noticed Aspen was looking around the room.

“Everything ok?”

She whipped her head around to me. “Huh? Oh, yea.” Her eyes dropped to the dog as she petted him.

“Hey, talk to me.”

“It’s nothing,” she dismissed, shaking her head.

“It’s not nothing if it has you feeling down.”

Aspen bit her lip and looked at me. Something was bothering her, but she almost seemed embarrassed to say what it was.

“There is no judgment here, Aspen. You can tell me anything.”

“Well, it’s just that...” She looked around the room again before taking a deep breath. “It’s just usually Banshee sits with us in the morning for a little bit.” She hitched one shoulder as though it didn’t matter.

I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face. Aspen had no idea the progress she had made. Just anticipating havingbreakfast with a man was huge. But being disappointed that he wasn’t there was even bigger.

She wasn’t thinking about her fear when it came to Banshee. I guessed he must have felt like a father figure. That was a start.

“He must have had something to do early this morning. I’m sure he’ll be around for lunch. Or dinner.”

“Yea.”

Tucker lifted his head and barked before running to the door and bouncing around excitedly.

“Tucker, come,” Maureen called. The dog turned and made it halfway before changing his mind and running back to the door. His excited barks went up in volume before the door opened and Banshee walked in with another dog that looked similar.

Tucker bounced around, his butt wiggling almost uncontrollably. The dog with Banshee began acting the same.

“Sit!”

Immediately, both dogs sat at Banshee’s firm command and looked up at him, waiting.

“Tucker, Mom.”

Tucker whined, but didn’t move. Banshee looked at the dog, his hands on his hips.

“Tucker, Mom!” he said more firmly. Tucker whined again but slinked back to Maureen and laid at her feet. His head rested on the floor between his front paws, and he continued to whine.

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