“You believe in Gus. Refuse to give up on him even when he gets a little…grumpy,” Jace said.
“He’s just a little grumpy,” Avery promised.
“I know, baby. Now let me start your bath.”
“Don’t forget the bubbles, Daddy,” Avery told him. Bubbles were real important.
“Would I do that?”
“No, Daddy, you would never forget. You’re the best Daddy ever,” Avery replied truthfully.
Jace chuckled as he walked over to the tub and turned on the water.
Sitting on the counter, Avery kicked his feet as he waited. He watched his Daddy carefully, making sure that Jace didn’t skimp on the amount of bubbles he poured into the water. Immediately the bathroom started to smell like strawberries and Avery clapped his hands.
Grabbing the backet attacked by suction cups to the tile wall beside the tub, Jace dumped all the toys as the tub filled.
“Yay!” Avery cheered. “Good job, Daddy!”
“Thank you, baby,” Jace said as he returned to Avery. “Arms up.”
Avery lifted his arms, allowing his Daddy to tug the T-shirt he wore over his head. When Jace helped Avery down from the counter, Avery leaned against him. Now that Avery had finished with all his classes, he could focus all his attention on his work, his Daddy, and their makeshift family made up of good friends.
“Daddy?”
“Yes, boy?”
“I’m gonna play with my friends soon, right?” Avery asked. He felt bad that his weeknights had been dedicated to school and that he hadn’t seen his friends for a couple of weeks.
“Tomorrow night Mitch, Caleb, and Hayley are coming over for a playdate,” Jace told him. “Then you’ll see everyone at your graduation party on Friday. Now that school’s over, you’ll see them more.”
“But they’re not mad?” Avery asked, worried.
“They aren’t mad,” Jace said. “They’re so proud of you. You know that.”
Avery nodded. He did have good friends. And they knew why he had been working so hard. They’d been to the camp to take the tour and for benefit nights. Caleb, Mac, and some of them that had lots of money even donated to make sure that the camp ran smoothly. Best friends Avery could have ever asked for.
“You’ll feel better once you get in the bath.” Jace finished undressing him before picking Avery up and carrying him to the tun.
Avery was set on his feet beside the tub that was nearly full. Jace turned off the water then offered Avery his hand.
Carefully Avery stepped into the hot water and sank down. He didn’t want to get in trouble for letting the water splash out and have his toys taken away.
Picking up his pride rainbow duckies, Avery got them ready to start a race. Jace settled on the side of the tub as Avery began the countdown.
CHAPTER TWO
Avery
Walking Noel and Gus around the beautiful property that the camp had been built on, Avery barely had to hold on to the leash for Gus. He did hold on to it because losing one of the dogs would be horrible but Avery didn’t have to worry about Gus. His buddy was the perfect dog. Noel on the other hand tugged and tried to run off so Avery couldn’t let his mind wander too much.
Avery had decided to take the long way around that would lead in front of the cabins before they returned to the kennel building for the night. He wanted to make sure Gus got plenty of exercise before his dinner. Gus was responding better to their newest guest than anyone had expected.
Clint had informed Avery that Gus had walked right up to Thomas and sat by his side.
For Gus that was almost like declaring his undying love.
Thomas had been told that he would meet with multiple dogs to find the right pick yet everyone knew that Gus was going to be the deciding factor.
