Sweet peaches and salt.
He pressed his forehead against hers. “Hurry back, Scrubs.”
“Why? So we can leave early and celebrate our anniversary alone?”
“You read my mind.”
“I love the way you think.”
“I loveyou.”
She kissed him one more time and got in the car while he stowed her drone in the trunk. He closed the trunk, banged on the top twice, and waved as she drove away.
“You look good, brother,”Waylon told Elias back at the party.
“I feel good, brother.” They clinked beer bottles and drank. “You buy that tux yet? Wedding’s only two weeks away.”
“Still hoping Scrubs is gonna steal one for me.”
Elias smirked. “She’s out of that game, so I guess my best man’s gonna show up in his underwear.”
“Naw, you’re in luck. I’m renting the same damn tux I wore to the last wedding.”
“Telling you. If you buy it, you’ll save money.” Elias nodded at the scene across the lawn. A pack of dogs made up of pets—including a very happy Chuck and Penny—and working dogs from Watchdog, were taking turns doing tricks for Shane while guests clapped and cheered then returned to their conversations.
No surprise, the most enthusiastic audience member was Kevin.
Shane gestured to the kid, who came tearing up to him. Shane crouched down, told Kevin something while he pointed at the dogs, then handed him a dog treat.
Kevin shouted, “Peetie,” and Shane’s working dog broke from the pack and trotted up to Kevin. The boy told him to sit, then he balanced the treat on Pete’s nose. He shouted another command, and Pete flipped the treat high into the air and caught it in his mouth.
Kevin lost it. He clapped and shouted and jumped up and down while Shane practically glowed with pride, watching the boy. Then he turned in time to see April walking up to him.
“See?” Elias said. “There’s your next wedding.”
Watching April, Shane glowed brighter.
Until April walked right past him to Kevin.
“We need to go now,” she said flatly.
“Mom, no! I was just getting started.”
“Now, Kevin.”
He stamped his foot. “No!” Tears ran down his cheeks.
Guests murmured then pretended nothing was happening.
“Kevin, listen to your mom, buddy,” Shane said, dropping down to the boy’s level. “I can teach you more tricks at the wedding reception, but not unless you do what she says, and do it with respect. Not because I’m trying to punish you. But because good dog trainers know how to control themselves first, or no dog will ever listen to them.”
Kevin wiped his arm across his face and sniffled. He looked from Shane to April as he gave Pete a scratch behind the ears.
“Okay,” he said. He turned and gave Pete a kiss on the head. “Ready.”
“Then go to the car, please,” April said calmly.
Kevin ran toward the line of cars parked along the quiet road. It looked to Elias like their ride was parked damn near halfway to the house where Wren was.
