Cavin smiled and extended his hand.“Hello, sir, I am Cavin Dawson.”
“Hi there, Mr.Dawson,” the man greeted, shaking Cavin’s hand.“I am Rudy.”
“Nice to meet you, Rudy,” Cavin acknowledged.
“Kevin has been helping us look for Scout,” Levi declared.
“Yeah, and he is helping us start a non-profit dog finding business,” Laney added.
“Is that right?”Rudy said, obviously impressed.
Jack rolled down the passenger side window a few moments ago, and he and Mrs.Madelyn enjoyed listening to the conversation before joining.
“I don’t believe I’ve met you before, Rudy,” Jack stated.“I am Jack Brown, and this is my better half, Madelyn.”
“It’s an honor to meet you, Mr.and Mrs.Brown.”
“You too, sir.Do you live here in Beaufort?”Jack asked.“We used to know everyone here, but I don’t get out as much these days because of my age.”
“I have seen you in the candy store,” Mrs.Madelyn announced.
The man rubbed his belly.“You found my weakness,” he laughed jollily.“Now that you mention it, I remember you from there as well, and there is also another really nice lady who’s always there.”
“That’s my mom,” Levi announced proudly.
“Her name is Noel,” Laney informed the man.
“I met these two kiddos in front of the candy shop while they were selling hot chocolate, and I have been by for more several times this week,” Rudy explained to all of the adults.“I am a sucker for little entrepreneurs and delicious chocolate.”
“They’re the best helpers,” Mrs.Madelyn claimed.
“I imagine,” Rudy accepted with a wink.“Are you two the lucky grandparents?”
“Family friends,” Jack explained, “but we like to spoil these two, so we are kind of like grandparents.”
“How about you, Mr.Dawson?Are you related to any of these wonderful people?”
Cavin grinned.“I must say I am merely a victim of the candy shop and hot chocolate stand just like you,” he teased.“I am visiting the area for a while and made quick friends with this crew.”
“Quick friends are often the best kind,” Rudy announced.“You fine folks are welcome aboard my boat anytime,” he invited, reminding Jack of the way strangers used to invite one another to sit on those porches he told Cavin about and talk until they became friends.
“You have a boat?”Laney asked as her eyes widened.
“My daddy had a boat,” Levi shared.“But it crashed,” he added solemnly.
“I am sorry to hear that,” Rudy replied, frowning.
Everyone's faces told the story, and Rudy’s expression dampened at the realization.
“It happened about a year ago,” Jack shared.“We miss them dearly and ask that you keep the family in your prayers.”
“I pray every day, morning and night, and as much as possible in between.I will gladly add you all to my list,” Rudy promised with sincerity.“And to answer your question, Laney, as well as yours from earlier, Mr.Brown, I live on a boat.”
“You do?”Laney questioned enthusiastically.
“I sure do.I travel all over the world,” Rudy explained.“But I am not going anywhere else until I find my Scout.”He reached into his pocket and handed a generic business card to both Cavin and Jack.“You all please call me if you see or find the little guy,” he requested.“And do come visit me on the boat, it gets lonely out there.”
“I sure will,” Cavin guaranteed.He found this man fascinating and wanted to learn more about him.When Rudy first walked up, he almost expected him to announce himself as Santa Claus or Kris Kringle or maybe just Nick or Chris.
