This was Leo’s gift – the same gift he’d had since he was four years old, and Duke the traumatized German Shepherd had laid his head in Leo’s lap. My son didn’t train dogs; he understood them, spoke their language, helped them heal. He’d built a career on it, become successful enough that people flew him all over the country to work with their animals.
But he’d never bought into the fame that came with it. He did occasional interviews when pressed, turned down reality TV offers regularly, and kept his social media presence minimal. For Leo, it had always been about the dogs, not the recognition.
“When are you coming home?” Chloe asked, and I heard the hope in her voice. Leo had been away for two years now, moving from job to job across the country. We’d visited him a few times, but it wasn’t the same as having him home.
“Actually…” Leo’s expression shifted to something I couldn’t quite read. “That’s part of why I called. I thought I might come back to Willowbrook after I finish up here.”
Chloe’s hand found mine under the table. “Really?”
“I miss home. Miss you guys. Miss Monroe’s cooking and Declan’s terrible jokes.” He paused. “And I’ve been away long enough. There are some things I need to sort out.”
I exchanged a glance with Chloe. We both knew what – who – he meant.
“We’d love to have you home,” Chloe said softly. “For as long as you want to stay.”
“Thanks, Mama.” Leo’s smile was genuine but nervous. “Anyway, I should let you two get back to your anniversary dinner. Just wanted to say I love you both. Happy twenty-five years. You guys are relationship goals.”
“We love you too, sweetheart,” Chloe said. “Call us when you know your flight details?”
“Will do. Enjoy your steaks.” He grinned. “I can see them on the plates. Don’t let Dad sneak the dogs any under the table.”
“I wasn’t—” I started to protest, but Leo just laughed and ended the call.
Chloe looked at me, her eyes bright with tears. “He’s coming home.”
“He’s coming home,” I confirmed, pulling her hand to my lips. “It’s time.”
We ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes, but I could see Chloe’s mind working through what Leo’s return would mean.
“Twenty-five years,” she said finally, looking up at me with a soft smile. “Can you believe it?”
“Some days it feels like yesterday. Other days it feels like you’ve always been mine.”
“Sap,” she accused, but her eyes were warm.
“You love it.”
“I really do.” She set down her fork, her expression turning slightly watery. “Look at us now. Three kids, a thriving clinic, the Copper Fox is still going strong. Monroe is running the bar better than you ever did.”
“Hey now,” I protested mildly.
“It’s true, and you know it. She has my people skills and your organizational brain. Deadly combination.”
I laughed because she was absolutely right. Monroe had transformed The Copper Fox over the past three years, expanding the menu, hosting community events, and turning it into something better than it ever was when I ran it.
“Declan’s doing well too,” I said. “Jack tells me he’s one of the best young contractors he’s worked with. Says he has an eye for detail.”
“High praise from Jack.” Chloe smiled. “Harper told me they’re thinking about officially making him a partner in a few years if he keeps progressing.”
“Our kids turned out okay,” I said, a massive understatement.
“They turned out more than okay.” Chloe’s voice was fierce with pride. “They’re good people, Sam. Kind people. People who know how to work hard and how to love.”
“They learned that from you.”
“They learned it from us,” she corrected. “From watching us together.”
Maple chose that moment to rest her head on Chloe’s lap, looking up with soulful eyes that clearly said she deserved some steak. Chloe laughed and gave her a small piece.
