“How’s she doing?” His mom bent down and caressed Hope’s chest.
Hope smiled, or at least that’s what Carl wanted to believe it was. “The fog’s lifting, but there is brain damage. The vet’s not sure if she’ll ever recover fully, but he’s committed to providing the best care he can.”
“Have you looked into specialized veterinary hospitals? There are several that specialize in working with animals who’ve experienced trauma.”
“Yes, but they are pricey.” He rocked on his heels and sighed. “I have money saved but sending Hope to a specialist would drain me pretty fast.”
“But you would if it came to it, wouldn’t you?” His mom knew him too well.
“Luna can’t lose this dog.” He ran a hand over his hair. “Hope symbolizes all that she went through, and if Hope doesn’t recover, Luna will see that as a sign she won’t either.”
“Did she say that?”
“Not in so many words.” The magnitude of weight placed on Hope’s recovery weighed heavily on him.
“You really like her, don’t you?” The close relationship he shared with his mom allowed her to decipher that from the little he’d shared since taking in Hope.
Or maybe he was that obvious. “I couldn’t help you, but I can help her.”
“Oh, my sweet son.” Mom drew him into an embrace. “Helping me wasn’t your responsibility, but even so, you did. More than you’ll ever know.”
He didn’t agree, but he accepted his mom’s hug. Certain things one never outgrew. “Speaking of liking, where’s this new boyfriend?”
“On the back patio. His daughter called from overseas, and he stepped out to take the call.”
“Is she military?”
Mom nodded. “Air Force, stationed in Germany.”
“That’s cool.” After serving in the Marine Corps, he had a bias, but he respected and appreciated each branch, recognized they all sacrificed for their country.
“You’ll have something to talk about when you meet her.”
Was it that serious that he’d meet Jeff’s family? He hadn’t considered the possibility he might gain stepsiblings out of this. “Does he have any other children?”
“Two sons and a daughter,” a tall man who matched Carl’s height of six feet two inches answered, walking in from the back door. He approached Carl and shook his hand. “Hi, I’m Jeff.”
“Carl, Jackie’s son.” He cast an appraising stare over the man.
He pegged him for his early fifties and had salt and pepper hair. Smile lines formed on the outskirts of his mouth and eyes. He had friendly green eyes that offset his sharp nose. But most importantly, Carl saw how Jeff looked at Jackie, his eyes full of love, admiration, and respect.
“It’s an honor to meet you. I feel as though I already know you.” A solemn expression came over Jeff. “Thank you for your service.”
Carl acknowledged the gratitude with a nod. He’d served active duty for twelve years and had been out for two. To this day, he hadn’t discovered how to be comfortable accepting praise for his service. “The same to your daughter, I hear.”
A proud grin tugged at Jeff’s mouth. “This is her first enlistment. It wasn’t easy letting go, but she’ll do great things. She’s a go-getter with a zest for life.”
“I look forward to meeting her.” He sat on the couch, gestured for Jeff to join. “Do your sons live nearby?”
Jeff sat on the other end after his mom left to make coffee. “Sam lives in San Diego. Fell in love with a girl from California and moved there to be near her family. Lucas lives outside of Baltimore and I see him often. Your mother and I will be going to his house this evening.”
A stab of jealousy pierced him and took him my surprise. The green monster wasn’t an enemy he often faced. “She’s met him?”
“No, your mom felt strongly that you and I meet first.”
Appeased, the resentment disappeared. It shouldn’t have been there in the first place, but, man, this was all new territory for him. “I appreciate that.”
Jeff steepled his hands and leaned forward. “Can I be honest?”
