The program that they ran required any applicant for a canine companion and service dog to stay in one of the cabins that had been built on site. For six to eight weeks the veteran had to learn about proper care for his dog as they met different ones to see which canine would be the best fit. Clint wasn’t going toput the person or dog in a situation that either could be harmed. What they did was too important.
Entering the nursery, Avery grinned as he started at one end of the room and began to greet all his stuffed friends. He did this every night so that they all knew that he’d missed them. There were so many stuffies that had been collected over the years that Avery would never be able to play with each one every day.
They didn’t mind. Each stuffie had a name and stayed close to their other stuffed friends so they were never alone.
Avery tried not to play favorites but Jared and Buster Brown were the two that waited downstairs for him to come home from work.
“Hey, baby boy.” Jace strolled into the room wearing a pair of faded jeans and a T-shirt.
“Daddy!” Avery bounced. “I missed you so much!”
“How much?” Daddy asked, stopping in front of him.
Avery had to think what was the largest number he could come up with. When the answer didn’t come easily as his mind was already beginning to regress, he spread his arms as wide as he could. “This much, Daddy!”
Jace blinked and grinned. “That’s a whole lot.”
Bobbing his head, Avery agreed. “It is, Daddy! It’s sooooo much!”
“I missed you too.” Jace picked him up before scrunching his nose. “But you smell like dog.”
“Woof, woof!” Avery said with a giggle.
“Okay,” Jace drawled. “Daddy’s silly boy needs a shower.”
“Bath?” Avery asked. Baths were the best. He could play and splash.
“Hmm,” Jace said. “Did you eat all your lunch today? I can hold off on dinner unless you’re hungry now.”
“I can wait,” Avery assured him. “And I did eat all my lunch. Promise!”
“And your snack?” Jace questioned.
Avery froze. He didn’t want to lie.
“Baby?”
“But Gus loves apple slices, Daddy,” Avery confessed. “He was nervous about maybe finding his forever person. I had to share.”
Jace nodded. “You asked Clint’s permission?”
Avery held up three fingers. “He said I could feed Gus this many.”
“Okay, I guess that does mean that you ate most of your snack.”
Avery was relieved. Daddy packed his lunch and a snack every day but sometimes Avery was so busy that he forgot to eat it. It wasn’t a problem when Clint or one of his co-workers was around to remind him. Today he’d eaten in Clint’s office as they went over applications.
“So Grumpy Gus might have found his person?” Jace asked as he carried Avery out of the nursery and through the master bedroom to the bathroom.
“Clint thinks so. A new guy arrived this morning. We gave him time to settle in and Clint met with him. They were walking the dogs as I left so maybe.”
“And you’ll be okay with that?” Jace asked with concern. He placed Avery on the long countertop and cupped his face. “I know how much you love him.”
“I do love him,” Avery said. “Gus is so awesome that I know the person that he picks is going to be perfect.”
“I’m so proud of you.” Jace kissed his forehead.
“I didn’t do anything,” Avery claimed.
