“If you want,” Shane started, “Kevin can come back up to Watchdog tomorrow for more training while you’re visiting Ellie. That way, your dad can have a day off and your mom and Hannah can focus on working.”
Kevin’s eyes lit like twin fireworks. “Mom, can I?”
I could say no to Shane, she reminded herself. She could build walls, keep distance, protect herself like she had all these years.
But sitting here, with Kevin glowing and looking so hopeful, Rochelle watching, and Shane’s calm, steady presence across the table, April knew she had no choice.
“That’s…very generous of you.”
Shane cocked an eyebrow. “That doesn’t sound quite like a yes.”
“Please, Mom. IpromiseI’ll be good.” Kevin sat up as straight as he could in his chair. “Benny needs me.”
It didn’t escape April that Kevin’s focus had shifted from protecting her to watching over the scrappy little puppy.That could only be a good thing, right?
“All right, if you pinkie swear you’ll listen to Shane and Alex and Kyle and anyone else who’s training dogs.”
Kevin’s hand was up, pinkie extended before she could finish. April hooked her little finger around his and they swore on it.
“Shane, I have another idea how to help Benny.” Kevin launched into yet another elaborate scheme to get the puppy to learn new tricks.
April barely touched her food. She let herself just…watch. Kevin was still buzzing from the morning at Watchdog, words tumbling over themselves as he explained his ideas. Every time she looked at Shane—his easy smile as Kevin spoke, the steadiness in his eyes—her chest tightened.
Her heart ached with pride as she remembered the morning. Kevin had lit up in a way she hadn’t seen in months, maybe since the drive-by. He’d stood taller, shoulders squared, voice steady as he’d worked with Benny. He’d been bold and bright and brilliant, and Shane had been right there, listening like everything Kevin said mattered.
But her pride in her boy had teeth that threatened to sink into her heart. Kevin was eating up all the attention. He was puffing himself up at the table, recounting one more time how he was the only one to get through to Benny.Him. His grin was turning smug, his voice too self-assured, and for a heartbeat April’s stomach twisted.
She caught the echo of Kevin’s arrogant father, and it made her skin prickle.
He’s acting a little too much like Vince.
Except Kevin’s joy was sweet, pure, nothing egotistical or selfish in it.
Right?
“Kev, sweetie, don’t brag,” she said gently. “Benny listened to you because you were kind to him. That’s the important part.”
Kevin shrugged, unfazed, and reached for another potato chip beside his sandwich.
Shane gave her a small smile across the table, one that said he understood, maybe more than she wanted him to. And that was the problem, wasn’t it? A part of her wanted him to let Shane into their lives, especially after yesterday and today.
He left me.
Abandoned her at the bus station with all her hopes and dreams packed in a thrift-store suitcase. The rational part of her knew he’d grown, changed, that he’d matured into a responsible man. Knew she was older now too, wiser, strong enough to walk away if she had to. But the voice in her head whispered cruelly.
You’re doing it again, April. Falling for the bad boy who’ll break you.
She took a sip of her soda, as if that could wash the thought away.
It wasn’t only about April’s heart anymore. If Shane ever walked away from Kevin, she didn’t think she could ever forgive him.
Or myself, for letting Shane into our lives and breaking my son’s heart, too.
The next day,Saturday, sunlight spilled like honey across the hills, warming the road that climbed toward Watchdog Security. It was the kind of May morning that made Colorado feel like heaven—blue sky stretching forever, wildflowers just peeking over tufts of new grass.
Kevin had been practically vibrating on the way up to Watchdog that morning—baseball cap slightly askew, lunch packed like he was heading off to boot camp. She loved the change in him—excited, carefree. And best of all, fearless. He’d dropped right off to sleep the night before, tuckered out from his day. She’d been checking on him in the middle of the night ever since she discovered he was afraid for her. He’d been restless, but last night when she peeked in, he was smiling in his sleep.
“Benny’s gonna be the best dog ever, Mom!”
