“No, not yet,” Nick admitted, feeling guilty for putting it off. He hated sharing bad news, especially with his son. He’d already given him a heavy dose of reality by telling him about Frank Baker. At this rate Miles was going to age practically overnight.
“If the offer still stands, maybe you can be there to explain things and answer questions. And I can cook us a fabulous meal.”
“Of course I’ll talk to Miles about Zeus. Whatever you need,” Harlow said with an enthusiastic nod.
“Can you manage tonight? Dinner at my place?” he asked, sending her an apologetic look. “I know it’s last minute, but my work schedule has been brutal. I hardly know if I’m coming or going.”
“I should play coy and say I have plans, but I really don’t,” Harlow said with a grin. “I’m still trying to get the lay of the land here in Mistletoe.”
“Well, I hope it’s growing on you,” Nick said. “I’m sure you miss Seattle.”
“I do, but being here puts me closer to Malcolm and my mom. That means a lot to me. And I must admit, the folks here have been really welcoming.” The expression on Harlow’s face reminded him of a little kid—full of wonder and awe.
“Not to mention the pets, right?” Nick teased. “I’m sure they love you too.”
“I sure hope so,” she said with a slight shrug. “Would you believe someone sent a homemade meal over to my house? I’ve never received a tuna casserole before. I haven’t had one since I was a little kid.” A wistful expression passed over her face. He didn’t want to pry, but it seemed apparent that some things from her past were bubbling to the surface.
“I can’t say I’m surprised,” Nick said. “That’s Mistletoe for you. And casseroles are a sign that the community is opening their arms to you.”
A look of surprise crossed her face. He thought he spotted the beginnings of a smile tugging at her lips. “Seriously? I didn’t expect that, especially not so soon. I thought I’d have to work hard to win the town over.”
“There’s no timetable on things like that,” Nick said. “Just face it. You’ve made a big splash here in town.”
She ducked her head and didn’t answer. Harlow didn’t seem to recognize her appeal. A small town like Mistletoe tended to welcome newcomers with enthusiasm, especially if they had a particular skill to share. Even though Harlow insisted she wasn’t sticking around Maine, he also knew that Mistletoe had a way of getting under a person’s skin. Before she knew it, Harlow would feel as if this town was her very own.
Nick hoped Harlow would stick around town and became a permanent fixture in Mistletoe. The thought took him by surprise, forcing him to realize that Harlow was way more important to him than he even wanted to acknowledge.
Chapter Fourteen
Do you understand, son?” Nick asked Miles, who appeared to be blinking back tears. With Harlow present, Nick had just explained to Miles about Zeus’s medical situation. As far as Harlow could tell, Miles seemed to be taking the news fairly well. “Zeus’s tumor is cancerous,” Nick continued, “but Harlow thinks with treatment and lots of love, he’s going to be just fine.”
Miles looked back and forth between Harlow and Nick. “Is that true, Doc Harlow?” He looked down at Zeus, who was obediently sitting at his feet. “Is he going to be all right?”
She placed her hand on his shoulder and stared into worried brown eyes. “I can’t predict the future, and it would be wrong of me to promise you a particular outcome, but I’m really optimistic about his chances of a full recovery.”
A huge grin broke out over his face. He looked down at Zeus and began enthusiastically patting him. “Did you hear that, boy? You’re going to be all right.” Miles put his face against Zeus, who began to lick him as if he understood what was going on.
Harlow rarely was able to observe her clients in their own houses, so it felt refreshing to be able to witness this incredible moment between Miles and his beloved dog. There was no ignoring the fact that Miles was a little boy who had a lot of love to give.
While Nick was cooking dinner, Harlow sat at the kitchen table with Miles answering a host of questions about Zeus. Every time the dog heard his name, he looked at them with his ears standing up straight and his head cocked to the side. Harlow was captivated by Miles’s depth and wisdom. He possessed an emotional intelligence that was impressive for someone his age.
Is Zeus going to need surgery?
Will he still have lots of energy?
Can you one hundred percent cure him?
What can I do to help?
Harlow had done her best to give it to him straight without scaring Miles. As a nine-year-old, it would be understandable if he continued to ask questions until the situation resolved itself.
“I’m very optimistic that Zeus will recover with the proper treatment,” Harlow reiterated. Miles listened with big eyes, even jotting her words down on a piece of paper.
Harlow had a hard time keeping her gaze from veering toward Nick as he whipped up dinner. He’d rolled his sleeves up to cook and his strong russet-colored arms were toned and muscular. Nick was wearing an apron emblazoned with the wordsWHAT’S COOKING, GOOD LOOKIN’?Harlow wasn’t sure she’d seen anything quite as sexy.
The ding of the doorbell caused Miles to jump up and run to the front door. A few moments later, he came back into the kitchen holding up a brown paper bag. “It’s my dinner delivery from the Funky Rooster.” Miles rubbed his stomach. “Can I eat in the playroom, Dad? The football game is about to come on.”
“As long as you clean up after yourself, I’m good with it,” Nick said, looking over his shoulder at his son.
