by Kim Watters
Too bad Holly couldn’t muster up the same enthusiasm.
What could Ethan want to discuss with her? They’d painted the garage yesterday, and Ethan had said not to worry about the second coat, that he’d do it this afternoon on his own.
Maybe he’d changed his mind about letting Cam help him after school? Or could he have found a renter and needed her to vacate immediately?
She fingered the gold cross suspended from her neck when she returned his gaze. Lines furrowed his forehead and his lips zipped into a straight line. Her heart stalled. Whatever he needed to discuss didn’t look good as she floundered in the depths of his gaze. It took a few moments for her voice to work properly. “Sure. We were going to the Sunrise Diner for brunch. Would you care to join us?”
* * *
Holly twirled her hair around her finger and stared out at the grayness pushing against the glass. The streetlight out front burned through a cone-shaped area of gloom, accentuating the empty sidewalk. Sunday should have been a good day for sales. With just a handful of customers wandering through her front doors, discouragement settled around her shoulders as she cradled the phone to her ear. “I don’t know, Kristen, even running a twenty-percent-off sale isn’t enough to entice people inside. Maybe I should just blow out all the merchandise and close up as quickly as possible.”
“I’m so sorry. I’ll keep praying that something changes. I know you’ve worked so hard to keep Jared’s dream alive. Maybe that idea of Ethan’s will work? I think it’s brilliant that he thought to raffle off your services at the church raffle.”
“That would be nice.”
“And what’s even better is that he’s going to help you with it. And he’s helping you with Cam. Wouldn’t it be great if something else came out of it, too?”
Kristen, the hopeless romantic. Holly wasn’t interested in replacing Jared.
“It’s starting to snow outside and it’s bound to get worse. I’ve gotta run, Kristen.” Holly said goodbye to her best friend, hung up and began shutting off the lights so she could go pick up Cameron.
She hated driving in the snow, especially now. The weather had been worse that night the accident claimed not only Jared but also the life fluttering inside her womb. She still had nightmares about it. If anything happened to Cam, her only link to her late husband, she’d never forgive herself. She still hadn’t with Jared and baby Olivia.
Chapter Four
“Hi, Cameron.” Ethan met Holly’s son at the end of his driveway Monday afternoon. Relief mingled with a bit of trepidation filled him. The boy had shown up, which meant he didn’t have to go search for him or make that phone call to Holly, but it was also a big commitment. Sure, he was good with kids, liked them, wanted one or two of his own someday, yet his dealings with those Afghan children had been on a superficial level. This was different in so many ways. Somehow he knew, though, that God meant for him to intervene here. “School go okay today?”
The boy grunted a response, his gaze darting around him as if searching for something. “Where’s Bear?”
“Inside with Sadie and the other two that arrived Saturday afternoon. Come on.”
“They came. Yes!” Delight lit the boy’s expression, and he quivered with excitement.
Ethan had had no doubts that this arrangement would work. Still, the boy’s reaction made him happy. A willing student always made things easier, but he was glad he hadn’t brought Bear out to meet him, because he didn’t want the distraction. “And two more are arriving this week. I’ll introduce you to them, but no work until your homework is done.”
“Homework?”
“Homework first. That’s the agreement I made with your mom.”
“That rots.”
“Not really. Education is important.” Ethan scratched the back of his neck. He’d gone into the military right after high school instead of college like Cameron’s father, figuring life training was better than a formal education. He didn’t regret his decision, but he’d changed his mind while serving by taking lay ministry courses online when he could and had just enrolled in a few night courses at the local community college to improve his business skills.
A few stray leaves crunched under their feet, and a crow cawed from the towering pine tree on the other side of the driveway as they made their way to the back of Ethan’s house. A cool, crisp breeze laden with a hint of the encroaching winter made him snuggle deeper into his warm jacket. Some snow remained from last night’s brief storm, and the temperatures had dropped.
Despite his love for his hometown and the numerous family members that remained, he disliked the cold. The winter weather wrapped around his body and seeped into his limbs. He dug his hands farther into his pockets to keep them warm. Opening the sanctuary in Phoenix hadn’t been an option because of the extreme heat in the summer. That and the simple fact his mother had leased him the fifty acres of land outside Dynamite Creek that held the old family farmhouse and a barn at a rock-bottom price so he could operate Beyond the Borders Dog Sanctuary. Although right now he missed the warmth of the Valley and the Middle East.
Five minutes later, after the introductions to the newest occupants, Ethan poured a glass of milk and set out some apple slices, peanut butter and crackers. The boy would probably prefer the chocolate-chip cookies, but Ethan didn’t want to feed him any unnecessary sugar before he had a chance to discuss what type of diet Holly followed.
“Here’s a snack.”
Discomfort lodged between his shoulder blades. Was he usurping Holly’s role? Maybe a little, but he was also helping her, and that had to outweigh everything. The boy needed this; he needed the help, and the dogs needed the attention.
“So what do you have for homework?”
“Just math.”
Ethan didn’t buy that. He may not have kids of his own, but he’d already lived through middle school and he probably still knew some of the teachers at Dynamite Creek Middle School. Kids always had homework. Even over school breaks.
“Let’s see your agenda.”
“You don’t trust me?”
“Should I?” He stared Cameron down. The boy held his gaze for a few seconds before he looked away. Ethan recognized that look of being busted; Holly’s son had worn it the day he caught him and his friend spray painting the garage.
“No. I have social studies and science, too.” Cameron pulled out the binder that held his notebooks and agenda from his backpack.
“No English?”
“It’s called language arts now.”
“Okay. No language arts homework?”
“No. I did it in class.”
This time Ethan sensed the boy was telling the truth. “Good. So who’s your language arts teacher this year?”
“Mrs. Metcalf.”
He blinked and wrinkled his forehead. “She’s still there? She’s got to be near retirement now. She was one of my teachers when I went there.”
“Really?”
Ethan almost laughed at the raised eyebrows and O-shaped lips. “Yeah, really. Don’t look so surprised. I’m about the same age as your mom. If I remember correctly, your dad had Mrs. Metcalf, too.”
“You knew my dad?”
“We used to be friends.” Ethan squeezed his eyes shut and rubbed his face. An image of a high-school-aged Jared imprinted itself on the inside of his eyelids. He could see his father’s influence in Cameron’s features, though his blond coloring came from Holly’s side. “I’m sorry he passed away, Cameron. I know it’s got to be hard on you, eating you alive on the inside while you try to hide it from everyone else.”
A scowl replaced the boy’s earlier surprise and Ethan felt him pull away. “How would you know?”
The camaraderie they’d shared a few moments ago disappeared, but Ethan knew he had to reach out to the boy or he’d lose him. That wasn’t an
option. God had brought Cameron into his life for a reason, just as He’d given him the idea about the dog sanctuary. Maybe they were meant to help each other out; the dogs, too.
“I know because my dad passed away when I was just a year older than you were. It hurts. It leaves a hole in your heart and makes you feel like you’re floundering in a sea of monsters. You don’t know where to turn or who to reach out to. So you beat yourself up, lash out at the world, feel the injustice and want to hurt things, spray-paint things, maybe hurt yourself, too. But nothing changes the fact that he’s gone, and you blame yourself.”
White pinched the skin around Cameron’s mouth, and anger flashed from eyes that looked so much like Holly’s that Ethan was taken aback for a moment. Like mother, like son. Holly hadn’t recovered from Jared’s death, either. When the boy slouched at the table and buried his face in his hands, Ethan recognized the pain. He’d worn it so many times as a youth until it became a second skin. With the help of his old neighbor, though, he’d finally managed to shed it in high school.
“Come on. Get your homework done so you can play with the dogs.” Ethan changed the subject and picked up the envelope that had slipped out of Cameron’s agenda. Since it had Holly’s name on it, he didn’t open it, but he doubted it was a report card. “What’s this?”
The boy flopped back into his chair, glanced at the envelope and then back down at his notebook.
“I asked you a question, Cameron. I expect and deserve an answer. If you can’t have the respect to do that, then I’m not sure how well we’ll work together with the dogs.”
A stricken look flashed across his features. This time he had no trouble finding words to say. “You mean I can’t work here after all?”
“That’s a choice you have to make. I want an open form of communication and need to feel that I can trust you. We made a great start. Let’s keep it that way.”
“It’s a letter from my math teacher. I’m not doing good. I mean, I just don’t get the stuff we’re covering. It all gets so jumbled up in my head.”
“Does your mom know?”
Cameron shook his head. “She doesn’t get it, either. I mean, she’s good with numbers, but all this algebra stuff...”
“What is it?”
“She’s just so busy all the time. And worried.” Cameron played with his pencil in one hand and twirled his hair through his fingers with the other. “I can’t talk to her anymore. Things used to be so different.”
Ethan pulled out a chair and sat down. He’d made a promise to Cameron earlier, and he wouldn’t go back on his word. The phone calls and paperwork could wait a few more minutes. “Want to talk about it?”
“Yeah. We used to have so much fun.”
“It’s hard trying to take care of everything by yourself. Life, just like math, can get pretty overwhelming at times. I’m sure your mom is doing the best she can. How many of these communications have you gotten?”
“First one.” Cameron refused to look him in the eye.
“Try again.”
“This is my fourth.”
“And who signed off on them? Your mom?”
Silence filled the kitchen.
“You signed your mom’s name, didn’t you?”
Guilt flashed across the boy’s features before he hung his head in shame.
Ethan dug his hands through his hair. Holly had more to worry about than she realized. His gaze rose, taking in the stark whiteness of the kitchen ceiling, but he wasn’t really paying attention. Thank you, Lord, for bringing me into Cameron’s life. That the boy needed more guidance was an understatement. He couldn’t fault Holly. She’d done a great job so far, but he knew from firsthand experience now that he was opening the sanctuary how much time it took to run a business. She had a son and household to run by herself, as well.
“We’re going to have a talk with your mom when she picks you up. Now, I have a few phone calls to make and some paperwork to do. Finish up your other homework and I’ll come help you with the math. That actually was one of my best subjects, behind lunch.”
“Lunch?”
Ethan tried to lighten the mood swirling around the kitchen. “Yeah. If they gave out grades for that, I would have gotten an A.”
Cameron smiled. “You’re okay, Mr. Pellegrino.”
“Call me Mr. P. if that’s easier, or Ethan if your mom approves.”
An hour later, Cameron closed his math book and stretched. Ethan did the same. They did things differently now in school with the new programs the administration and government had put in place, but at least the fundamentals were the same. Cameron was a smart kid; he just needed to be shown by example and given an explanation how to do the problems.
Ethan pushed his chair back and stood. “Good work. Now, what else do you know about dogs?”
“They like to be played with?”
“And?”
“They need to be fed and have lots of water?”
“And?” Ethan sensed the boy was toying with him.
“They like to be scratched and petted?”
“All of the above, but you’re forgetting one basic thing. They need to be cleaned up after.”
“But I thought I was here to play with them.”
“That’s one reason, but you’re also here to help. And that would include making sure that the environment is safe and healthy for them.”
“What do I need to do first?”
Ethan threw Cameron his jacket and led him to the back porch, where he handed him a small rake and scooper. “I think you know what to do with these. And after that, their food and water dishes need to be washed out. Then, after you brush them, it’ll be time to play.”
* * *
Knowing that her son was in good hands, Holly had stayed open a bit later than usual to accommodate another decent sale. Her cat wouldn’t be too happy with the delayed dinner, but Mrs. Hendricks had come in to buy several ornaments for her book-club ladies along with the remaining snow globes so she could start a family tradition with her new grandbabies. Business had also been good for a Monday and Holly had actually made a profit. If she could sustain it, she’d have a lot less to box up and sell on eBay and actually make more than a minimum payment on her credit cards for once.
Since she knew she’d get home too late to scrounge something together, she stopped at the grocery store to pick up dinner. Holly hadn’t asked if Ethan had made any plans, but she’d picked up enough fried chicken and side dishes to feed them all if he didn’t mind sharing his kitchen with them for the meal.
Recyclable cloth bags in hand, she stepped quietly from her car, not wanting to disrupt the scene playing out in front of her. Both Ethan and Cameron stood in the backyard, throwing tennis balls to Bear and Sadie. When Ethan placed a hand on her son’s shoulder and pointed at something off to their left, the scene brought tears to her eyes. Cameron needed a male influence in his life.
The action made her miss Jared again.
“Hello?” Her voice wobbled. She had to get a grip on herself. Not only for Cam’s sake but her own, as well.
“Hi, yourself.” Ethan waved, a tentative smile on his lips, his gaze never leaving her face as she approached.
“Mom.” Cam ran toward her and flung his arms around her waist. “You’re here. Wait till you see what Oreo can do.”
“Oreo?” Holly dragged in a breath of cold air and focused on her son. Her attention should be on him, not the man who sent conflicting emotions through her at a mere glance.
“One of the new dogs. She can catch a disc in her mouth and then bring it back. She’s in her kennel now, but we can go get her.”
“I can’t wait to see it. I brought some dinner.” Holly held up the bags. “I figured you guys would be hungry after a full day at work and school. You don’t mind, do you, Ethan?”
“’Course not. Eating was his favorite subject,” Cam broke in. “Here, let me help you and then you can watch me with Oreo.”
The turnaround in her son caught Holly by surprise. She’d hoped Ethan would be a good influence on her son, but over time, not just in a few short hours. Holly took in Ethan’s crooked smile and the way the light wind ruffled his wavy dark brown hair. She’d never noticed the slight dimples before, which added another dimension to his character. In her core, she felt a tiny ripple, somehow knowing she could depend on Ethan no matter what.
“Things went okay today?”
“Better than can be expected. There is a small issue with his math he needs to show you, but I think we’ve got a handle on it now. Other than that, Cameron’s a great kid. He’s just hitting that tough age to be a boy. Do you have anything else that needs to come inside?”
Holly shook her head and walked beside Ethan as they made their way to his back porch. Math. Ugh. She was glad Ethan had been able to help Cameron because what her son was studying wasn’t her strong point. Accounting, yes; algebra, no.
In the kitchen, Holly pulled out the food while Ethan scrambled for plates and utensils. In the background, she could hear Cam talking to the dogs as he put dry food into their bowls. The scene held more promise of a future than Holly was accustomed to. Night had descended beyond the windowpanes, adding a cozier feel to the small kitchen than she was comfortable with. It almost felt like it had before with Jared. Their last meal. Except that time, she had the flutter of life inside her. Dinner hadn’t been a good idea, but with everything Ethan was doing for her son, she felt compelled to return some sort of favor. Cam reentered the room, washed his hands and went to sit down.
“Wait a minute.” Ethan stopped Cam from sitting at the table. “A gentleman always pulls out the chair for a lady.” Ethan moved the chair back and motioned for Holly to sit. The action brought more than a flutter to her pulse. It brought back a simpler time, when the little things mattered.
Ethan took his seat, bowed his head and clasped his hands together. “Dear Lord, thanks for providing us with the food we are about to receive that comes from all Your good graces. In Jesus’s name we say amen.”
