“But both Earl’s and Sherlock’s safety is at risk every day he remains alone in his house,” Ava said.
“What about his daughter Cara?” Brooke suspected the family had valid reasons for not taking the dog. But she always preferred to gather all the information she could.
“Cara travels for work and cares for her grandkids,” Sophie said. “One of her granddaughters has asthma and severe allergies.”
“And Cara doesn’t want Sherlock to spend his senior years alone and always outside at her house,” Ava said.
That proved his daughter liked animals. Cara would be patient with her father’s concerns for his dog. But for how long? At some point, her father’s safety would have to come first, even before his beloved Sherlock. Brooke asked, “What can I do?”
Sophie lifted her head and locked her gaze on Brooke. “Pet mediation.”
“Is that what it’s called?” Ava asked.
Sophie rushed on, ignoring Ava, “Brooke, I’ve watched you at the pet store with the animals and the customers. You have a special way with both.
“I need help getting Earl to release Sherlock to another family. A good one, of course.” Urgency was there in Sophie’s tone and a quiet understanding lingered in her gaze. “His bond with his dog is just so very strong.”
Brooke wished she had her cabin. She’d take Sherlock home to live with her, too. Yet Earl might not approve of her, either. “What makes you think I can convince Earl to let Sherlock go to a new home?”
Sophie scooted closer to Brooke. “Like I said, you’re really good with pets and people. Everyone trusts you.”
One more statement her former boss had made often: people trust you, Brooke. It’s a gift. But Brooke struggled to trust the world. Still this wasn’t about her. This was about a man and his beloved dog.
“And there’s Valerie,” Ava said. “Dan told me he appreciated Brooke being with him today.”
Brooke wasn’t looking for a relationship. That wasn’t part of her new support system she intended to build. But Dan’s words flipped her insides and almost made her reconsider. Almost.
Meanwhile, she could help Earl and Sherlock. Her work had always fulfilled her and eased the loneliness. “When can I meet Earl and Sherlock?”
“Really?” Sophie asked. “You’ll do this?”
At Brooke’s nod, Sophie jumped up and hugged her.
Brooke returned the enthusiastic embrace. And if she hung on a little longer and a little tighter than normal, that was only because Sophie held on to her.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
DAN’S GAZE CONNECTED with a familiar couple walking behind the visiting team’s soccer goal. No. Anger spiked his blood pressure. Frustration slammed his teeth together. He dropped his chin, glared at the grass and worked to unclench his jaw.
Dan glanced at the bleachers behind him. Irritation turned his voice brittle. “Dad, did you invite them?”
“Valerie mentioned the soccer game last night at dinner. I assumed you’d already spoken to her about it.” Rick shifted on the bench and stood up. “I’ll go talk to them.”
Well played, Val. Dan set his hand on his father’s arm. “It’s okay, Dad.”
“This isn’t what you planned.” Rick shook his head.
Nothing ever went as planned with Valerie involved. Dan forced a few deep breaths and walked with his dad toward Valerie and Jason. “She wasn’t going to wait.”
Unfortunately, Dan hadn’t prepared Ben for the news of his mother’s return. Ben had spent the morning with Wesley and Nichole, while Dan had refereed two early soccer games. Dan only saw Ben long enough to unknot the shoelaces on his soccer cleats and tell him to play hard.
Dan stuck the flag he used as linesman into his back pocket and swallowed his urge to yell “Out of bounds.”
Or perhaps the foul should be called on Dan. Had he made a mistake not telling Ben last night? He’d wanted his own time to process. To plan. Valerie had taken that from him. Now he’d let down Ben. His son liked to plan ahead, too.
Ben would be mad. How could he not be? Dan crossed his arms over his chest. Upsetting Ben always chewed up his insides.
He checked his watch. Less than a minute until the game started again. Could he usher Valerie and Jason off the field and back into their rental car in thirty seconds?
“Sorry we’re late.” Valerie hugged Rick. “Jason had a business call.”
The referee blew the whistle signaling the start of the second half and the end of Dan’s stalling. Time was up. In twenty-five minutes, Ben would meet his mom.
Both teams sprinted onto the field. Dan moved into position on the sideline. It was for the better. Nothing about Valerie’s arrival made Dan want to sit and get comfortable.
Valerie chatted with Rick about hiking and exploring the peninsula across the Golden Gate Bridge. She paused and asked, “Which one is Ben?”
Dan choked as if a soccer ball slammed against his windpipe. How could she not recognize her own son? Never mind Ben was the only redhead on the field. Dan had sent pictures to Valerie often.
His father pointed to Ben. Valerie launched back into her hike, describing the sea cliffs and the green and crimson pebbles across the beach. Dan moved farther down the field.
Jason stepped beside Dan. “Ben is Number Fourteen.”
Dan nodded. Should he be pleased his brother hadn’t required help finding his own family?
“Ben has skills.” Jason shaded his eyes with his hand and tracked the play toward the visitor’s goal. “Serious ones.”
What was the catch? Pretend the silence of the past few years never existed? Act like they always watched soccer games together? Make his brother the villain? But in what story line? Dan rubbed his forehead. He’d worked twenty-four-hour shifts early in his career and hadn’t ever been so tired. So weary.
Jason walked beside Dan along the sideline, toward the opponent’s goal. Maybe it was the exhaustion of the constant second-guessing, the constant endless questions. Whatever it was, Dan opted for a fact, something real, and said, “I tell Ben all the time that he takes after his uncle.”
Jason paused and glanced at Dan. “Ben doesn’t play football like you?”
“Basketball and soccer.” Dan wasn’t as proficient in either sport. Not like his younger brother had been. Dan studied Jason, saw the disbelief and grief. Or perhaps that was Dan seeing his own feelings. “Ben is lean like you, with the same quickness, speed and lightness on his feet. Ben could’ve used your advice and assistance.”
Jason rubbed his hand over his face. Dan was certain he saw regret in his brother’s shadowed gaze. Was it regret that he hadn’t been there? Or something else? All Dan knew was that standing beside his brother at his son’s soccer game, he wished they hadn’t lost so many years. But wishing got him nowhere.
Jason shifted and tracked the play on the field. “If Ben planted his foot and angled ten degrees to the left, he would’ve made that goal.”
Dan accepted Brooke’s advice. Accept things as they are. He said, “You should tell him that.”
Jason shrugged. “It’d be easier to show him.”
“Then do that.” The offer slipped out, yet only surprise shifted through Dan. Surprise that he didn’t want to take back his words.
“Really?” Jason asked.
Dan nodded, opening the door very slightly for his brother. He wanted Ben to know his uncle. Buried deep inside were the good memories when Dan and Jason had been best friends without secrets between them. Everything had shattered once Jason had learned he’d been adopted. But to Dan, Jason was only ever his younger brother. Then there was the fallout with Valerie. And then so much water on the bridge it had collapsed.
But Dan missed his brother and that loss ached inside him like a damaged nerve.
“Ben usually goes to the park with Wesley on Sunday afternoons.” Dan pointed
to Number Eight on the field. “They could both use some pointers if you can make it tomorrow.”
“Yeah, I’d like that.” His smile waned. But the pleasure was there in his low voice. “I’d like that a lot.”
“I’ve been wanting to visit the park and the botanical garden there.” Valerie lifted her hand and waved. “Look, there’s Brooke.”
Nichole and Brooke returned from the restrooms. Dan had introduced the two women before the game. Brooke had wished Wesley a happy birthday. Nichole had grinned and confessed that it was Wesley’s half birthday, but Brooke’s birthday wish wasn’t entirely inappropriate. That launched their conversation, which had continued through the first half without a hiccup.
Dan’s gaze connected with Brooke. Her smile wobbled as her hand landed on Nichole’s arm. Nichole pushed her glasses up and her shoulders back. Brooke slid between Jason and Dan.
Nichole faced Valerie eye to eye. Both women surpassed the height requirement for a supermodel. The similarities ended there. Valerie filled every inch of her stature. Nichole hadn’t quite adjusted to her height and was often more clumsy than poised. Yet Nichole was brilliant, witty and observant—traits she used to her advantage. She might drop the soccer snacks on the grass. But she could clean up and design a computer program in her head at the same time.
Nichole reached out to shake Valerie’s hand. Valerie waved away the gesture and wrapped Nichole in a full embrace. The kind family shared after an extended absence. The kind that wouldn’t allow Nichole to remain detached.
“Oh. Okay. We’re hugging.” Nichole adjusted her glasses and patted Valerie’s back with three quick precise taps.
Brooke frowned. “I didn’t realize Valerie was such a hugger.”
“Valerie embraces everyone.” Dan hadn’t held anyone like that in a long while. He wanted to wrap his arm around Brooke, tug her into his side and hold on. As if that was his right. What was wrong with him? His son was about to meet his mom, he wasn’t sure how to reach his brother and all he wanted to do was get closer to Brooke.
Brooke bumped into his side, jarring Dan’s debate. She whispered, “Nichole looks uncomfortable.”
Dan laughed. “Nichole has a wider-than-normal personal-space boundary.”
“That Valerie just crossed in a big way.” Brooke bit into her lower lip. “Should we help?”
“Valerie is releasing her now.” Dan stepped away from Brooke. He didn’t embrace his acquaintances or friends. He couldn’t start with Brooke. Or he’d become like Valerie, hugging everyone all the time. Was it a problem that the only person he was interested in hugging was Brooke? He added, “Watch out. You might be next on Valerie’s list.”
Brooke retreated, closing the distance between Dan and her. Putting herself within hand-holding reach. But if he held her hand, he’d want more.
“We’re having a picnic at the park tomorrow.” Valerie beamed at the group and linked her arm with Nichole’s. “I’ll pick up the food while Jason works with the boys on their soccer skills. Then we can hang out for the afternoon.”
Or not. This wasn’t a quaint family reunion. This was awkward and complicated. Picnics were for families who wanted to share memories and reconnect. That wasn’t them.
Dan glanced at Brooke. What would she tell him? Small steps forward mattered. That had been her praise to Rex on their walk. It was a simple picnic. One afternoon.
Nichole looked at Dan and worry pinched her eyebrows together. “I have a Fall Festival committee meeting for tomorrow afternoon. I can’t stay at the park the whole time.”
“I can be there.” Brooke stepped beside Dan and glanced at him. “If you want.”
* * *
A PAUSE BUTTON would be useful right now. Dan needed a few minutes to collect his scattered thoughts. Work out his explanation to Ben. And reveal Valerie’s arrival.
But he had no pause button. The referee blew the whistle and ended the game. Parents cheered for Ben’s team. Dan struggled to find his applause. Seconds passed. The players shook hands. The coach called the team together. But for less than a minute.
That wasn’t nearly long enough. He willed the coach to talk more. But the team dispersed.
Nichole slipped away to intercept Wesley, giving Ben more privacy.
Ben crossed the soccer field. The rush of victory hurried his steps. Dan high-fived Ben, then wrapped his son in a tight hug. Time wasn’t stopping. And Dan had passed the stalling limit. He released Ben, set his hand on his thin shoulder and nudged his son around.
“Ben, this is your mom and your uncle Jason.” Dan’s voice was flat, even to his own ears.
“Surprise.” Valerie opened her arms as if certain Ben would welcome her open embrace.
Ben had always been tuned to Dan and Rick’s emotions, even as a small child. A deep thinker, Ben often relied on caution and his observations. He didn’t step into Valerie’s arms. He simply clutched his soccer ball and planted his cleats in the grass.
Jason dipped his chin at Ben and remained in place as if he understood Ben’s reserve.
Ben’s voice quieted, signaling the first hint of anger, as if Valerie was ruining everything. “Why are you here?”
Dan wanted to know exactly how long Valerie planned to stay this time. Surely, she wasn’t intending to become a permanent fixture in Ben’s life. Valerie never did anything permanently. How long before she wanted to experience more than what her son and the city could offer? Or worse, how long before she took Ben for ice cream and forgot to check his numbers?
Valerie lowered her arms and stepped forward. Her smile swirled through her lilting voice—the combination always aided her in winning over people from every generation. “I wanted us to get to know each other.”
“Right now?” Ben’s face pinched along with his voice.
Brooke bent down beside Ben, her movements slow as if she feared overstepping Ben’s personal space. Yet she remained close enough to offer Ben her support. “Your mom’s probably hoping you guys can spend time together in person.”
Ben faced Brooke. “Why?”
Dan wanted that answer, too. He’d only received a cryptic reply from Luann. A one-line response. We all need to talk in person.
Brooke gave Ben her full attention, as if to let Ben know that she’d heard his concern. Her voice was gentle. “Maybe because she’s missed a lot of your life and wants to make it up to you.”
Dan wished he believed that. He wanted to believe that for his son.
Ben tipped his head toward Valerie, but kept his eyes on Brooke. “Did she tell you that?”
Ben’s skepticism soured Dan’s anger. Ben was too young to be a cynic like Dan. He stepped beside his son. “Your mother hasn’t told us anything.”
“When did she get here?” Ben asked.
“Yesterday,” Dan confessed. Ben needed as much of the truth as Dan could provide. Ben relied on Dan for that. He’d already let down his son. “Brooke and I came back from the store and your mom and uncle were on the front porch.”
Ben narrowed his gaze on his dad. “When were you going to tell me?”
“Tonight.” After Dan figured out how best to protect Ben. Valerie wouldn’t hurt him intentionally—being malicious and having a mean spirit weren’t part of her makeup. Still, she would hurt Ben at some point. Because Valerie’s nature rejected responsibility and the instinct to grow roots.
“Everyone is waiting for me. We’re supposed to go to Roadside Burgers.” Ben glanced at Valerie and Jason. “We won our game.”
“We watched the second half,” Jason said. “You have excellent ball control. I might have a tip or two to help you with scoring from the left side of the field.”
Ben relaxed his hold on his soccer ball. “Dad says you were one of the best soccer players on the field in high school and college.”
“I know my way around a midfielder and cent
er back,” Jason said.
“Cool.” Ben shifted his weight from one foot to the other. A challenge shifted through his voice. “What did you guys do after you won a game?”
“The team went to Olive Brand Pizzeria and ate more slices of pizza than we should have.” Jason held Ben’s gaze.
“Every time?” Ben asked, his voice serious, as if Jason’s answer mattered.
For the first time since Jason’s return, Dan saw a glimpse of his younger brother in the twitch of his mouth.
“Every time.” Jason nodded, his voice as serious as Ben’s, as if he’d just made a pact with his nephew.
Dan exhaled. His brother understood Ben, the child, perfectly. He hoped Ben might reach the old Jason and convince him to stay around. Dan knew he couldn’t. There was too much murky water between them.
Valerie set her hands on her hip and scowled at Jason. “We’re celebrating at the Glass Violet Restaurant. I already made reservations.”
She completely ignored the tradition of the soccer team. No surprise there. She’d ignored the pediatrician’s advice on the best baby foods, been determined that an infant Ben would eat the same foods as the adults. And now eating cheeseburgers and sweet-potato french fries wasn’t part of her plans, either.
Horror widened Ben’s eyes and he grabbed Dan’s hand and tugged.
Dan squeezed Ben’s fingers. “Wagyu beef isn’t really his sort of thing, Val.”
“Why not? Glass Violet is one of the top-ranked restaurants on the West Coast.” Confusion pulled Valerie’s perfectly arched eyebrows together. She studied Ben as if she couldn’t understand him. “It’s a culinary experience.”
“So is dunking your french fries into your double-fudge chocolate milkshake,” Jason said.
Ben held his fist out for his uncle to tap. Jason paused. Dan willed him not to let his nephew down. Finally, Jason bumped his fist with Ben’s.
Something rapped inside Dan. It was the start of a connection between Ben and Jason.
“That’s rather disgusting.” Valerie grimaced. At the fist-bumping or french-fry dunking, Dan wasn’t sure.
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