Page 32 of Finders Keepers

“I made this for you,” she says quietly.

Gavin’s face lights up as he carefully unrolls the paper.

“This is amazing!” He crouches down to her level, pointing to different parts of the drawing. “Is this Buttercup?”

Sophie nods, warming up slightly. “Uh-huh, and that bird is hurt and you can help her feel better because you’re a doctor for animals. My mommy told me.”

Something catches in my throat at her words.

“Well, this is going right up in my office.” He looks up at me, and I feel that flutter again. “You’ve got quite the artist here, Bailey.”

“She loves to draw,” I manage, trying to ignore to twinge of guilt. “It’s her favorite thing.”

“I love puppies too,” She adds.

“Speaking of puppies…” Gavin stands, and I notice how he keeps a respectful distance. “Would you like to meet some? We’ve got a whole family of them looking for homes.”

Sophie looks up at me hopefully. I nod, and she breaks into a huge smile.

“Can I hold one?” she asks.

“Of course you can. But first…” He demonstrates the proper way to approach a dog, just as he did with the boys earlier. “Always let them smell you first, okay?”

I watch as he guides her through meeting the puppies, his movements careful and deliberate, always checking to make sure she’s comfortable. It’s so different from Matt’s harsh commands and impatience. Gavin’s teaching, not controlling.

The realization hits me hard. I’ve started comparing them. I’m looking at Gavin and seeing everything Matt wasn’t, and it terrifies me. I’m not ready for these feelings, these observations, this warmth that spreads through my chest.

“You okay there, sugar?” Ms. Lucy’s voice is quiet beside me.

I nod, not trusting my voice. Sophie is sitting cross-legged now, a sleepy puppy in her lap, while Gavin tells her about how they rescued the litter. His voice is animated but gentle, his hands moving as he talks, and I can’t help but notice how he keeps glancing at me, as if checking that I’m comfortable with everything.

“It’s okay to feel things, you know,” Ms. Lucy continues softly. “Even if those feelings are scary. Even if you’re not ready for them.”

“I’m not…” I start, but I’m not sure how to finish that sentence. Not ready? Not interested? Not capable of trust?

“I know, honey.” She gently squeezes my hand. “But sometimes the heart heals faster than the mind. Just remember, you’re safe here. Sophie’s safe here. You can take all the time you need.”

I watch as my daughter shyly smiles at something Gavin’s said. He catches my eye again, and this time I don’t look away quite so quickly. The warmth in his gaze doesn’t demand anything from me. It just exists.

Maybe she’s right. Maybe I can just let these feelings exist without acting on them. Maybe it’s okay to notice how different he is, how gentle and patient and kind, without needing to do anything about it.

Ms. Lucy’s eyes catch something across the adoption event grounds. She leans closer to me, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

“Well, I’ll be. That’s Meredith Johnson over there at the bake sale booth. Haven’t seen her since she went up to Dallas to visit her daughter last month.” She looks at me, eyebrows raised in silent question. “Would you mind terribly if I went to say hello? I’ve been dying to hear how her new grandbaby is doing.”

I glance at Sophie, still happily sitting with the puppy while Gavin explains something about proper pet care. The knot of anxiety that’s become my constant companion tightens slightly at the thought of being left alone with him, but I push it down.

“Of course,” I manage a smile that feels wobbly but genuine. “Go ahead. We’ll be fine.”

“You sure, sugar?” Her knowing eyes search mine. “I don’t have to—”

“Really, it’s okay.” My smile steadies. “Go catch up with your friend.”

She pats my hand. “I won’t be far. Just holler if you need anything.”

I nod, watching as she makes her way through the crowd toward the bake sale table. The absence of her reassuring presence leaves me feeling exposed, like stepping out from behind a shield I didn’t realize I was using.

Gavin looks up as Ms. Lucy departs, his amber eyes finding mine. There’s a question in them, checking if I’m comfortable, and something about that silent consideration makes my chest tighten in an unfamiliar way.

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