Page 43 of Cole's Joy
“Great actually, how about you?”
“Wonderfully, I don’t think I moved at all.” She looked at the clock and smiled. “Who knew that I’d still be up between five and five-thirty even on a vacation.”
“Yeah, who knew,” he said as he came out of the bathroom and went over to the table. On the way, he pulled out a pair of clean socks, and made another cup of coffee. “Yeah, I thought you were crazy when you suggested we bring a real coffee maker, but if we do this again, I think we should. The rate we’re going, it’s going to cost us more in coffee than the actual hotel room.”
Lois laughed as she agreed, then she gathered her clothes and went into the bathroom for her morning shower. By the time she emerged, there was another cup of coffee waiting for her, and Cole was watching the morning news. As she finished getting ready, she listened to it, and then sat down and put her shoes on.
“Do you think we could take Tim to breakfast with us?”
“I’m going to say yes, he’s already eaten, so he won’t be begging to eat our food. Do you give him table scraps?”
“I don’t like to.”
“Then I won’t offer him any bacon or sausages.”
She laughed and nodded. “I wouldn’t say no to bringing a couple of pieces back to the room for him. As a treat.”
“Got it. I feel that his size will disguise him, it’s not like we’re trying to hide him, but he won’t be as noticeable as a larger dog.”
“Yeah, when I took him down to do his business, there were at least a dozen or so other dogs there.”
“Wow, yeah, I don’t see why we can’t take him, and I’m going to also agree with taking him over to the rodeo later.”
“Why?”
“First, we’ll keep him in his carrier, because of his size, but if you’re set on helping me with the ranch, or when you’re over at New Double doing the garden and canning, you’re going to want him to get used to the animals and the in and out traffic. I’m not dissing your home, but there’s not a lot of foot or vehicle traffic.”
“You’re right, there’s not. I agree the only way to train him properly is to have him around things like that.” They looked at the dog and they both laughed and shook their heads when he sat up and Lois swore he grinned at them.
It was a comfortable silence and when both their stomachs began to growl, they looked at the clock, stood, gathered Tim, and headed to the door. As they waited at the elevator, Cole looked at her with a frown.
“What?”
“What was the kid’s name again?”
“Kade, with a ‘K’, Montgomery. He said it like that.”
“Got it. Let’s hope they’re on time, we’re about fifteen minutes early.”
They stepped into the elevator and pushed the button to the lobby.
CHAPTER 17
As soon asthey stepped off the elevator, Lois looked up, grabbed Cole’s hand, pulled him gently off to the side.
“What’s wrong?” he asked in concern.
“Nothing, but Kade is here already and I thought you might want to observe him for a few minutes before you meet him.”
“Oh, yes, which one is he?”
“He’s got the sling over his left arm, and a cast on his left leg. He’s only got one crutch with him. I think the boy with him might be his brother, they look similar to one another.”
“They do, and I know you don’t know about this life, but while they’re young, they look like they’ve been rode hard and put away wet.”
“What’s that mean?”
“Someone who is rundown, tired, at the end of their rope, had all their hopes and dreams crushed. Don’t know where to turn.” He looked at her and gave a decisive nod. “You did good in offering them breakfast. If they don’t take us up on the offer of a job, at least I’ll feel better that they have some food in their stomachs.” He looked at them again, and could only picture two scared boys unsure of what to expect. With her hand in his, he gave it a gentle squeeze. “Ready?”
