Dad in Training by Gail Gaymer Martin Page A

nearly three.”
    Air drained from his lungs. “I doubt if they’re open tonight.”
    “They’re open until seven on Wednesday. Today’s Wednesday.” The corner of her mouth lifted into a coy smile. “What do you say?”
    Brent swiveled his head, amazed at her maneuvering. “Cornered.”
    She leaped from the edge of the desk. “Cornered? I thought I was being helpful.”
    She faked a pouty expression so flirtatious that it made his head spin. He’d never noticed Molly flirting before, and he couldn’t win with that behavior. He had a hard time not buckling under to her determination. “I’ll have to talk with Randy.”
    “Should I meet you there?”
    Talking with Randy hadn’t swayed her determination. She assumed Randy would be eager, and she assumed right. A dog. He pressed his fingers against his temple again.
    “How about six? I’ll meet you at the Humane Society.”
    He forced a nod.
    Her expression softened. “You really need to do something about that headache.”
    “I will,” he said, knowing his headache would soon be on her way.
     
    Molly stood beside her car, and as soon as Brent’s foot hit the brake, Randy darted from the passenger door before Brent could put it in Park.
    Today his shyness had vanished, and he bounded toward her waving his arms. “I’m getting a dog.”
    Her stomach tightened seeing the boy’s eagerness. Yet she knew kids, and they made promises that they didn’t keep. How would Brent handle cleaning the yard and feeding the dog when the newness wore off? She hid her concerns and gave the boy a grin. “I know, and you promised to take care of the new dog, too.”
    He nodded. “Feed him and clean up…yuck.” He gave her a crooked smile. “But I will.”
    “You’d better.” Brent’s voice cut into their conversation. He rested his hand on Randy’s shoulder but looked at her. “You look chipper.”
    His tone sent a message, and she didn’t doubt the meaning. “I’m happy for Randy.” She thought a moment. “And for you. I know you enjoyed a dog when you were a boy.”
    Randy spun around. “You did? I thought you hated animals.”
    Brent flashed her a “button your lip” look, then shifted to Randy. “I had a dog once.”
    “You never told me.” The boy’s mouth drooped, and his eyes showed his hurt.
    Molly gathered her thoughts to right her mistake, but surprising her, Brent beat her to it.
    “I’m sorry. I’ll tell you about Toby later.”
    The name Toby caught in Brent’s throat, and Molly’s excitement twisted into anxiousness. She wanted a dog for the boy and for Brent, too. She hoped Randy would find a friend and something that would help him enjoy life, and she wanted to believe that Brent would heal from whatever happened in his past.
    She lifted her shoulders above her concern. “Ready?” She glanced at her watch. “They close in forty minutes.”
    “I’m ready,” Randy said, bounding in front of them toward the entrance.
    When he was out of earshot, Molly clasped Brent’s arm. “I didn’t know you hadn’t told him about owning a dog. I assumed—”
    She felt him stiffen. “I should have. I’m a grown man acting like a kid. I need to get over it.”
    “Over what?”
    He looked straight ahead. “It’s nothing, Molly. The story is long and boring. I don’t want to dig up all that old garbage. Not anymore.”
    It certainly wasn’t boring. Nothing boring could affect a man like Brent had been affected. Whatever happened seemed to litter his life with sadness and self-doubt. The controlled man she’d met weeks early had lost his armor. She had pried away his shield and somehow left him wounded.
    Molly studied him as he opened the door to let Randy bounce in and then waited until she’d entered. Though he’d been hurt, she knew that wounds healed with good care and the proper treatment. Brent could be whole again. It would take time, and she needed patience and stamina. And she needed to face the truth. Brent didn’t only