Trixie’s tail thumped against the floor, her warm brown eyes looking up at him with unwavering loyalty.
“Okay. Ten more minutes, then we’ll head to the kitchen for a coffee.” As Liam returned to his work, a small figure walked into the dining room. It was a little boy, his eyes wide with curiosity as he took in his surroundings. Spotting Trixie, the boy’s face lit up with excitement.
“Hi,” the boy said, approaching cautiously. “Can I pat your dog?”
Liam smiled. “Of course you can. Trixie loves making new friends.”
The boy grinned and kneeled beside Trixie, who immediately wagged her tail in greeting. Gently, the little boy stroked her head, his small hands moving with a mixture of excitement and tenderness.
“What’s her name?” the boy asked, his voice filled with wonder.
“Her name is Trixie,” Liam replied. “And I’m Liam. What’s your name?”
“I’m Oscar,” the boy answered, still focused on Trixie. “She’s really soft.”
“She sure is.” Liam watched Trixie lean into Oscar. “Do you like dogs?”
“I love them,” Oscar said softly. “But we don’t have one. Sometimes I get to pat Rex, but he’s not here today.”
Liam wondered if Rex was the same toy poodle who belonged to his friend, Steve. “What are you doing at The Welcome Center, Oscar?”
“I go to the after-school program. My mom’s teaching a class right now, so I get to play with my friends.”
“That sounds like fun,” Liam said. “What kind of class does your mom teach?”
“She teaches people how to bake,” Oscar explained. “She makes really yummy food.”
Liam smiled. “That sounds great. What do you like to do when you aren’t here?”
“I like playing with my dinosaurs and building things,” Oscar replied eagerly. “And I like learning about new stuff. What do you do?”
Liam paused, thinking of how he could explain his work to a boy who must only be five or six years old. “I write stories. I’mworking on a book about all the interesting things that happen in small towns like Sapphire Bay.”
Oscar’s eyes widened with interest. “What kind of things?”
“Stories about old buildings, fun events, and amazing people,” Liam told him. “I’m trying to find out what makes Sapphire Bay special.”
Oscar wiggled a little closer. “Are you writing about Trixie, too?”
Liam laughed. “Maybe I will. She’s definitely an important part of my life.”
A woman with blonde hair walked into the dining room, looking worriedly around the tables. Her eyes immediately softened when she saw Oscar happily petting Trixie. As she approached them, Liam saw wariness and relief in her hazel eyes.
“Oscar, there you are,” she said, her voice gentle. “You were supposed to wait with the other children.”
Oscar looked up with a huge grin on his face. “It’s okay, Mom. This is Liam and his dog, Trixie. Can we get a dog like Trixie one day?”
“Maybe one day, but it won’t be for a while.” Chloe’s gaze shifted to Liam. “Thanks for letting Oscar play with your dog.”
Liam stood up, extending his hand. “Trixie enjoyed it as much as Oscar. It’s nice to meet you.”
Chloe shook his hand. Her grip was firm, but her eyes still held a hint of caution. “Oscar loves animals. We’d better leave you to finish whatever work you’re doing.”
“It’s all right,” he said quickly. “I was ready for a break, anyway.” Liam searched Chloe’s face. There was something about her that intrigued him. “Oscar was telling me about your baking classes.”
Chloe placed her hand on her son’s shoulder. “I volunteer here twice a week. It works out well with the after-school program that Oscar goes to.”
Liam smiled, trying to put her at ease. He didn’t blame her for being cautious. There were a lot of weirdos in the world, but he wasn’t one of them. “If you ever need an extra taste tester, I’d be happy to volunteer.”
