Each day wasn’t all sunshine and laughter, but looking back, she remembered more happy moments than sad, so it must have been all right.
A niggling voice told her she had a selective memory.
Perhaps she did, but she was fine with it.
Debra grabbed vegetables and chicken from the refrigerator and was in the process of preparing dinner when she caught a glimpse of movement outside her house. Sean strode along the sidewalk and paused in front of the yard, before kneeling to greet an exuberant Aidan and Jewel.
Amazing. The inexplicable ache settled in Debra’s chest once more. She had never seen Aidan so open and friendly around a man before. For a brief, crazy moment, she indulged the fantasy of Aidan’s father, returning from work—the reunion between father and son out of proportion for the few hours that had passed but entirely in line with the amount of love between them.
If only.
Pasting a smile on her face, she went to the door. “Hello, Sean.”
“Hi, Debra.” He paused at the lower step. “Aidan’s probably told you I agreed to adopt Jewel. I’m here to pick her up.”
“He did. I didn’t realize you were looking for a dog.”
“I grew up with dogs, though I haven’t had one for several years now. It’s time to start back up.”
“Well, thank you, then, for giving Jewel a home. I don’t know if you know, but she’s part Irish Wolfhound, part St. Bernard.”
Sean laughed. “Yeah, I’d heard. I’m trying to imagine what she’s going to look like fully grown, but I’m sure my imagination isn’t entirely up to the task. Does she have any…supplies?”
“Uh, not much.” Debra flushed. “We’ve only had her for two nights, and I haven’t had the time to get her settled yet. There’s a small pack of dog food I bought yesterday morning; she’s already halfway through that.”
Aidan pushed his way into the house past Sean and Debra, the motion bumping them together. “I’ll get it.”
Debra swallowed hard at Sean’s sudden proximity and the rush of body heat. She stepped back quickly, smoothed a stray lock of hair behind her ear, and then wondered what else to do with her hands.
Sean appeared not to have noticed. His gaze was on Aidan. “That’s a great kid. Lots of energy.”
“Yes, he…keeps me occupied.” She glanced toward the kitchen, hoping that the familiarity of her surroundings would steady the rapid pounding of her heart. It didn’t. “I was just preparing dinner. I should get back to it before it burns.”
“Doesn’t smell like it’s in any danger of burning.”
His voice was neutral, even lighthearted, but Debra heard its subtly wistful edge. She had heard it often in Aidan’s voice and her own; she could not have missed it in someone else’s. Her thoughts raced—she could add more pasta and gravy; it would stretch the smaller portions of chicken and vegetables to feed three. “Would you like to stay for dinner?”
His eyes brightened, but his answer was polite. “Oh no. I don’t want to impose. I came over only because I just got off work.”
“Well, unless you have a warm meal waiting for you at home, you’re most welcome to stay. Aidan.” She raised her voice. “Can you please set the table for three?”
“You’re staying for dinner?” Aidan’s cheerful voice rang out. “That’s cool.”
Debra smiled as she added another portion of pasta and gravy to the meal. How could something as simple as Sean staying over for dinner charge Aidan with that much enthusiasm? Whatever it was, Aidan’s mood remained exuberant through the meal. The conversation focused entirely on dogs, and Aidan seemed to have no trouble keeping track of the many dogs who had played the role of Sean’s best friend over the years.
“So who came after Joey?” Aidan asked as he dragged a slice of bread through the last drippings of gravy on his plate.
“After Joey, there hasn’t been anyone else. And now, it’s Jewel.”
“But you said you had Joey when you were twenty, and now you’re—”
“Twenty-five.”
Debra stifled a sigh. Sean was so young. As young as Peter had been when— She bit down on her lip and hoped she hadn’t flushed.
Sean’s gaze flicked to her for a moment, but returned to Aidan as the boy kept talking.
“So why didn’t you have a dog for—” Aidan counted his fingers. “—five years?”
“I dated a girl who said she was allergic to pet dander. Do you know what that is?”
Aidan frowned his way into a squint. “Like pet fur?”
“Actually, it’s more like skin cells. Even dogs without fur shed dander.”
“There are dogs without fur?”
“Ever seen a Chihuahua?”
“Allison has one. It looks like a mouse. A big mouse.”
Sean chuckled. “That’s an accurate enough physical description of a Chihuahua, except the ones I knew had attitudes as big as lions. Anyway, my girlfriend then was allergic to pets, so I had to give Joey away.”
Aidan’s eyes widened. “You gave Joey away?” A look of betrayal flashed across his face, and his gaze darted to Jewel.
“Joey went to live with my sister and her husband on a large farm in West Virginia. He had a grand old time chasing squirrels and deer. He’s buried there, under an oak tree. My sister’s children even carved out a headstone for him.”
“So he was happy.” Aidan sounded relieved.
“I think so.” Sean smiled. “I visited him often, but he never seemed to want to come home with me. He loved my niece and nephew.”
“That’s okay, then. But you promise not to give Jewel away, right?”
“I promise.”
Aidan released his breath in a sigh and rose from the table.
Debra spoke up. “Take your plate to the sink.”
Aidan did as he was told before escaping to the yard with Jewel.
Debra smiled. “Thank you for putting up with him.”
“Life comes around, you know? According to my mom, I was a nosy little thing—always full of questions. Now I’m paying back my debt to society and to all those adults who patiently
