Page 137 of To Belong Together
Impractical.
The truly impractical decision had been his choice to give in and part ways with her, leaving an important truth unspoken.
Though he had to rectify the situation, he again delayed, this time because Issy stood near the entry with her backpack strapped on and her coat dangling from her hand.
Tim approached, carrying his luggage.
With raised eyebrows, Erin turned to John for an explanation.
Oops. Had he never mentioned Tim and Isabella?
He made introductions, and Tim shook Erin’s hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“You have?” She grinned at John as if he’d complimented her, but he had to shake his head.
“From Gannon.” Tim pulled his laptop bag higher onto his shoulder as Erin laughed.
John rested his arm around her waist but focused on Tim. “You’re leaving?”
“Issy was accepted into a new school. We’ve got to go get her settled. She starts classes next week.”
“I don’t see why I can’t keep going online.”
“Structure. Friends. Supervision.” Tim put a hand on her shoulder and steered her toward the exit.
So John wasn’t the only one who’d noticed the cartoons.
“I’ll see you out.” John opened the door.
“Nice meeting you, Tim. Issy.” Erin stepped toward the kitchen, and the dogs ran ahead of her.
Outside, Tim took the lead on the narrow path toward the driveway. “I suppose I should thank you.”
“For doing the show or for letting you stay here?”
Tim kept walking. “The show was for your own good.”
Maybe. The “Wreckage” video and footage from the concert had performed well online. The buzz had revived Tim’s optimism about the contract.
Tim switched his laptop bag from one shoulder to the other. “I chose a Christian academy.”
“For Issy?”
“Isabella.” The girl’s voice rose from behind them.
Tim rounded the corner and stepped onto the driveway. “Figured it wouldn’t hurt, and I like the dress code.”
John laughed and eyed Issy’s frown. Hopefully over time, more than the dress code would sink in. After the issues Tim had raised, clothes couldn’t have served as the main motivator in his decision. “If you need me, you’ll reach out?”
“Looks like you’ll be busy.” Tim lowered his bags into the trunk of the rental, then lifted Issy’s backpack and coat in. “Next time I see you, I’ll be delivering another ring.”
John didn’t know enough about jewelry to say whether a local jeweler could locate or create the caliber of ring he’d want. If not, Awestruck was due in California in the fall, and John could do his own shopping. Tim thought he’d need one before then? He didn’t mind the idea, but first, he had to say to Erin what needed to be said.
After they’d rolled down the drive and out of sight, John found her in the kitchen, wiping her jeans with a paper towel. Camo stood nearby, panting with his broad mouth open. Spotting John, Trigger lifted his head from the water bowl, streams shedding off both sides of his mouth.
“Do they slobber indiscriminately, or does this mean I’m part of the pack now?” She brushed the paper towel over the wet spot twice more, then straightened with a smirk.
The dogs would drool on anyone, and telling her she was part of the pack was definitely not the way to express what he needed to.
