He ran his pink tongue over her palm, and she scooped him up. “Is he your dog, Jessie?”
“Kinda, but not really. Daddy won’t let me have a dog. He says he doesn’t have the time to take care of anyone but me.” Her lower lip shot out, and she plopped onto a step.
Jessie’s pain hung in the air like the smoke from yesterday’s fire.
Were Jessie and Reid living the same life Mia’d had with her father? Mia continued to stroke the dog, but looked up at Reid.
Ryan leaned forward and whispered, “I know what you’re thinking, but it’s nothing like what you went through with your dad. Jessie is oversimplifying things. Reid’s a great father, but he’s really struggling to cope as a single parent, and a dog is just too much right now.”
Mia nodded to let Ryan know she understood that this situation was nothing like her past. For that Mia was grateful as she had come to care for Jessie and wanted the child to thrive.
Reid came down the stairs and held his hand out. “It’s good to see you again, Mia. I’ll never be able to repay you for saving Jessie.” His voice caught, and he cleared his throat. “I hope you don’t mind that we took over the lodge, but we wanted to bring a few friends over to say thanks.”
Mia hid her surprise by looking at the dog and stroking her fingers down his back. “And does that include this cutie?”
Reid cast a concerned look at Jessie. “We didn’t know Bandit would be here.”
Jessie popped up and pointed at the bandage wrapping his rear leg. “He got a bad ’fection and had to stay at Doc’s for a really long time. Now he’s better enough to come home, and Doc brought him.”
Ryan stepped forward. “Bandit was Wally’s dog. When Wally was up here in the summer to run the camp, Bandit lived in the lodge. When Wally went back to Atlanta, Bandit stayed in the barn, and Jessie and our staff took care of him.”
Jessie crossed her arms. “I tookgoodcare of him.”
“You did at that, Tater Tot.” Ryan grinned at Jessie.
“I’m not a Tater Tot.” She wrinkled her nose.
“But youarelittle and one of my favorite things.”
“I know, but when I grow up I won’t let you call me that.”
“Of course not.” Ryan gave her a very serious nod, but his eyes crinkled with humor as he turned to Mia. “Since Bandit no longer has a home in the barn, we were hoping you’d keep him at the lodge for now.”
Jessie looked up at Mia, her expression hopeful. “If you keep him, I can help you take care of him.”
Her lower lip came out, and she tilted her head, her ponytails dangling, her freckled nose wrinkled.
Ah, how could anyone say no with that pleading face? After this poor child had been through so much in her young life? As a counselor, Mia knew that she shouldn’t give into a big thing like this for a child without contemplating her decision first, but Ryan had considered the idea and thought it sound. She’d never owned a dog and had no idea what it entailed, but Jessie did, and she could benefit emotionally from the pup.
“What do you say, Bandit?” Mia cuddled him against her chest, his black-tipped tail thumping like a pendulum on her arm. “You want to live with me?”
His tongue lapped at her but couldn’t connect due to the cone.
Still smiling, she looked at Ryan. “How about we try it for a few days to see how things go?”
“Yes.” Jessie pumped up her fist and jumped up to dance around.
“Thank you,” Reid mouthed.
Jessie grabbed Mia’s hand and tugged. “C’mon. Let’s go to the party.”
“Slow down, Jessie,” Reid warned. “Mia needs to take things easy for a few days.”
“Okay, I’ll take Bandit.” Jessie extended her hand for the leash.
Mia set the dog down, and Jessie jogged up the steps with the cute dog.
Mia smiled at Reid. “She’s going to love coming over to see Bandit.”
