Rob looked pleased. “Henry is a constant source of amazement to me. He has such a well-developed sense of kindness and maturity.”
“Naming him team captain was an impulsive move on my part that first day,” Aidan replied, “but nothing that’s happened since has given me cause to regret it.”
Rob grinned at him. “If all your instincts are on track like that, I’m predicting it’s going to be a good year.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Aidan cautioned. He wanted the community to be excited, but not so optimistic that disappointment was bound to follow.
* * *
Because Shanna always had a coffeepot going in her bookstore for her customers, Liz occasionally popped in there to grab a quick cup to go, especially when she didn’t have time to wait at Sally’s. Shanna’s coffee might be weak, but at least it had enough caffeine to keep her going for an hour or two.
As she walked in late on Tuesday afternoon, she found Henry in the seating area with an unfamiliar boy with an olive complexion, dark hair and big brown eyes. Henry looked up, pushed his glasses back into place and grinned.
“Hi, Ms. March. Are you looking for Mom?”
“I’m actually looking for coffee. Any left?”
“I guess so,” he said with a shrug. “I’m just keeping an eye on the store because she had to run around the corner to help Grandma Megan with some pictures she was trying to hang in the gallery.”
“How was practice today?” Liz asked as she checked the fancy coffeemaker, then poured herself a cup.
“Awesome,” Henry said excitedly. Then his expression turned apologetic. “I’m sorry. This is Hector Santos. Hector, Ms. March owns the pet store next door.”
The boy greeted her shyly, his English heavily accented.
“Hector, are you on the football team, too?”
“Si. I mean, yes, ma’am.”
“He’s going to be a superstar quarterback,” Henry declared as color stained Hector’s cheeks.
“Not so,” he said. “Taylor is quarterback.”
“Not for long,” Henry argued. “Wait till you see Hector pass, Ms. March. He’s awesome, and he can scramble out of the pocket like a pro. Taylor can’t do that.”
Liz chuckled at his enthusiasm. “Are you sure you’re not his agent?” she teased. “You sure do know how to sell his skills.”
Henry took her quip seriously, his expression immediately turning thoughtful. “Maybe that’s what I should be,” he said solemnly. “I’ll never be good enough to play professionally, but I recognize real talent just like Mr. Mitchell.”
“Something to consider,” Liz said. She glanced at Hector. “Do you have a pet?”
He shook his head. “I would like a dog, but my parents have said no.”
Liz recognized the real longing in his voice. “Well, you have Henry bring you by my house one day. I have three dogs and a cat. They’d all love some extra attention.”
Hector’s face lit up. “Is true? We could do that?”
“Anytime I’m home,” she assured him. She put a dollar in the honor jar by the coffeemaker and held up her to-go cup. “Henry, tell your mom I said thanks. Study hard, you guys.”
By the time she reached the door, she could already hear Hector chattering excitedly, half in English, half in Spanish, about the chance to play with her dogs. She had a hunch she’d have company before the week was out.
* * *
After so many long days in the store, Liz was in desperate need of some exercise. She also needed to do something to work off that caffeine she’d had late in the day just to keep her eyes open till closing.
Since the dogs had been cooped up too much as well, she got all three of their leashes and headed to the dog park. As soon as she unsnapped the leashes, the dogs barked exuberantly and took off. Fortunately they were all socially well behaved and got along well with the other dogs who were there, giving her a chance to chat casually with the other owners.
“Uh-oh,” Kitty Fawcett said, laughing. “There goes Archie!” A shouted warning to the man just leaving wasn’t in time to keep Archie from making his escape through the open gate.
Liz sighed. “Can you keep an eye on the other two for a few minutes while I round Archie up?” she asked Kitty.
“Sure,” the other woman said at once, then added with a chuckle, “But I do want to be home before dark.”
Since dark was at least an hour away, Liz made a face at her attempt at humor, then took off running.
As she raced out of the dog park and over Dogwood Hill shouting for Archie, she reminded herself that tonight had been about getting exercise not just for the dogs, but for her. Archie had definitely assured that she’d get more than she’d bargained for.
As she emerged from the dogwood trees, she spotted her traitorous speed demon of a dog sitting calmly at Aidan’s feet.
Aidan shot her a grin that made her already-racing pulse scramble just a bit more. Apparently all those lectures she’d delivered to herself over the holiday weekend hadn’t had any effect at all. She was alive, all right!
“I figured you’d be along soon,” he commented. He gestured to the dog, who was ecstatically wagging his tail. “Does he belong to anyone you know?”
Liz bent over at the waist trying to catch her breath, but she still managed to feign a scowl for Aidan’s benefit. “Very funny. This is all your fault, you know.”
“How so? I was nowhere near the dog park. I assume that’s where he was since he’s not dragging a leash behind him.” He glanced pointedly around. “No geese in sight, either.”
“No, but he seems to have some sixth sense when you’re around. He obviously came straight to you.”
“Shouldn’t you be thanking me?” Aidan teased. “If it weren’t for me, he could be down by the bay by now going for a swim.”
“You’re right. I should be thankful for small favors,” Liz said as she clicked the leash into place on Archie’s collar.
