LITMIR.BIZ

       Chapter Three

      “Here comes the bus now.” Savvy pointed toward the archway of trees that formed the lengthy driveway to the children’s home.

      Haley shielded her eyes from the setting sun to spot the bright yellow bus coming into view. Her stomach fluttered. Not so much because of how anxious she was to make sure Eli received his schoolbag, but because seeing the boy would undoubtedly equate to also seeing the formidable man that’d brought him and Buddy to her office earlier.

      She’d chatted with Savvy while waiting for the kids to return from soccer practice instead of merely leaving the backpack, partly because she’d wanted to fine-tune the details on the Adopt-an-Animal program and partly because she hadn’t stopped thinking about Eli and wanted to let him know how Buddy was doing. But now she second-guessed her decision to hang around. If she’d simply left the backpack, she’d have lessened the chance of seeing the grumpy man again.

      Then again, maybe Gavin Thomason wasn’t on that bus.

      “So who went with the kids to soccer practice? Like, which adults?” She tried not to make it sound as though she was referring to anyone in particular.

      Savvy wasn’t fooled. “Gavin is on the bus.” She leaned one hip against the porch rail. “I’m guessing he wasn’t on his best behavior at your office today?”

      “You mean he has a best behavior?” Haley, still shielding her eyes, turned away from the approaching bus to face her new friend. She had developed a huge respect and appreciation for Savvy over the past few weeks while they’d discussed the program over the phone and via emails. Even more so after seeing Willow’s Haven firsthand.

      Mae Martin hadn’t lied. The circle of cabins nestled in the center of the woods was beautiful. Peaceful. And with the colorful fall foliage creating a kaleidoscope of reds, oranges and golds in the surrounding woods, the location felt extremely welcoming. Warm and inviting.

      She was glad Doc Sheridan had encouraged her to use her experience to benefit the community and to let the town of Claremont truly get to know the newest veterinarian. He’d been the one who’d thought she should find a way to help the children at Willow’s Haven. However, he obviously hadn’t realized that one of the counselors she’d be working with would be such a ray of sunshine.

      “Bless your heart.” Savvy moved one finger to her mouth in an effort to cover her smile. “But things aren’t always as they seem. Gavin has been through an awful lot in his past, and he really felt God leading him to work with the kids here. He’s one of our best counselors, even if he isn’t so much of a people person when it comes to adults sometimes.”

      “And I managed to get on his bad side from the get-go? Just because I couldn’t guarantee that I could heal the puppy? I told him I would do my best, and I intend to, but to make that kind of promise...”

      Savvy sighed heavily. “Bless his heart. He doesn’t want Eli to lose that puppy.”

      “I don’t, either. Like I told him, I’m going to do everything I can to heal him, but I don’t see why he had to insinuate that I wasn’t capable.” Especially her first day on her own. She’d been nervous enough, but to add a customer who had no faith whatsoever in her abilities didn’t do anything for her confidence.

      The brakes on the bus squeaked loudly as it eased to a stop at the far end of the cabins.

      “They will be here soon, but you should know that any other day, Gavin might not have come across quite so grizzly.” Savvy frowned, looked as if she debated what else to say before adding, “Brodie thinks he’s got a tough personality. I think he’s merely protecting himself from getting too close to anyone again. But that’s me guessing. Only God knows for sure.”

      “Protecting himself?” Why would he feel the need to shield himself from her?

      “As I mentioned, he’s been through a lot, but having him here is a blessing for these kids. Particularly for Eli.”

      Haley wondered what the man had been through to make him such a grouch and why her friend thought he was such a blessing for Eli, but Savvy didn’t elaborate.

      “You’ll get a chance to see the good in Gavin, I’m sure, with the Adopt-an-Animal program. Brodie and I have decided he’d be great as your main point of contact at Willow’s Haven for the new program.”

      “What did he have to say about that?”

      “We plan to tell him in the morning.”

      Haley winced. After their first meeting she didn’t imagine that would go over well at all.

      A waving Brodie Evans caused them to look toward the bus. He wore a red T-shirt that matched those of the kids around him, scrambling eagerly as they exited the bus.

      Savvy returned the wave with a grin. “Eli should be getting off soon.”

      “That’s great,” Haley said, even if she knew that meant the bear would also arrive soon.

      A group of boys in green T-shirts climbed off next, with a man in the center. No sign of Eli or Gavin.

      Yet.

      “Soccer went well,” Brodie said to his wife as he neared the porch. “A little better once we convinced them it wasn’t cold enough for their winter coats.”

      Savvy laughed and then explained to Haley. “The church gave the boys their new winter clothing today. Most of them aren’t used to getting new things, so they wanted to wear it all immediately.”

      Haley smiled. “Eli had on a jacket and mittens earlier. I thought it was a little much for the temperature outside, but I didn’t say anything.”

      Brodie laughed. “Yeah, he was the last one to admit he was hot, but he ended up taking it off for practice.”

      “So, how did the teams do?” Savvy asked.

      “I don’t expect we’ll win a lot of games, but we’ll do okay. The guys are having fun.”

      “That’s what matters.” She gave a reassuring smile to Haley and then also to her husband. “I’m not so sure the Willow’s Haven girls will win any games, either, but they had a good time at their practice last night. Rose and Daisy were excited about their new pink T-shirts. I think that’s all they cared about.”

      Brodie tossed a mesh bag filled with black-and-white soccer balls toward the cabin door. “I figured as much.” He looked at Haley. “Speaking of excited, Eli got pretty excited when he saw you here. The guys from his cabin should be getting off the bus next. They were gathering their gear from the back. I’m sure he’ll make a beeline over here to find out how Buddy is doing. He hasn’t stopped talking about that puppy. I’m hoping you’re here with good news?”

      Haley lifted the backpack. “I’m actually here to return this. But I wanted to give him an update on Buddy, too.”

      “So, how is he?” Brodie asked, climbing the porch steps to stand next to his wife. He wrapped an arm around her and she smiled up at him.

      Haley swallowed. They reminded her of her parents back when things were still good, and of the kind of relationship she’d always thought she’d have.

      “Buddy?” Savvy asked him. “I didn’t realize we knew his name. Was he wearing a collar?”

      “No,” Haley said, “but apparently Gavin named him when they found him.”

      “Did he, now?” Savvy asked with a grin.

      “From what he told me earlier, it wasn’t intentional,” Brodie said with a chuckle. “But, anyway, how’s he doing?”

      “He’s doing...” Haley paused. She didn’t want to

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