Dad in Training (18 page)

A frown darkened his face while she thought back to those days at the end of her senior year. “I messed up badly in my senior year. It started the summer before. My dream was to be a veterinarian. That’s all I wanted, and you know me—what I want, I get.”

Brent’s eyes searched her face.

“Up to then my grades were excellent. A 4.0. I’d been a good student. I met my parents expectations, but near the end of my junior year, I rebelled. Many kids from my class were drinking, trying drugs, becoming promiscuous. I’d begun to feel like an outcast. I hadn’t experienced anything. In the summer, I tossed my faith out the door and joined in.”

She looked at Brent’s questioning face and barreled ahead. “I’d had a few drinks at parties, at first, pretending I’d had more than I’d really had. You know, just to feel I was one of the gang.” She faltered, hating to continue.

Brent nodded. “I understand, Molly.”

“Then it changed. The night before the college tests we’d had a party. I drank too much that night, and on the way home, the guy pulled onto a dark side street and…” She looked into his anxious face. “You know the rest.”

Brent slipped his fingers through hers. “Molly, we all make mistakes.”

“There’s more.”

His eyes searched hers. “You messed up the tests.

She nodded, blinking back tears and garnering courage to finish the story. “Yes. Veterinary programs are few, and acceptance is impossible without being at the top.”

“And you didn’t make it.”

“It wasn’t only that, Brent. I thought I was pregnant. I panicked. I felt dirty and awful. I thought of abortion, but I knew I couldn’t do that. By then I realized that I’d not only devastated my parents, but I’d turned my back on God.”

He cupped her hand in both of his. “What did you do?”

“I wasn’t pregnant. My folks were startled, but they stood by me, even when they thought it was true. It changed my life. From that day on, I promised myself I’d never lose my concentration on a dream, and I turned my back on men. I couldn’t trust them or me.”

Moisture rimmed Brent’s eyes. “You suffered too long with this. Give it to the Lord.”

Her heart soared. “I never have…until you came along.”

Brent’s hand tensed beneath hers. She lifted her eyes to his. “And I’m glad you did. I would have lost something wonderful.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that.” He kissed her fingers. “I’m glad you came along. You’ve made me whole again, and you’ve given me faith. I’d be lost without you, Molly. I’m sorry you had to go through what you did, but you grew from it, and it drew you closer to God.”

“It did that. That’s when I couldn’t settle for anything less than the best I could be.” Her comment triggered another thought. “I mentioned delusion, and let me tell you one I lived with for so many years.” She began her story, relating the recent talk she’d had with her mother. “I was looking for a fairy tale. Something that doesn’t exist. Now I know the truth—that a relationship is based on the ability to cherish the positives and handle the negatives in a positive way.”

Brent’s serious expression faded to a tender grin. “That’s you, Molly. Absolutely optimistic.”

“It’s the only way to be.”

He squeezed her hand. “I’m glad we both opened up, Molly. I don’t want there to be any secrets between us.”

“Never again. Promise.”

He slipped his arm around her shoulders. “Promise.”

Molly sat in silence, Brent’s arm holding her close, their thoughts somewhere else until she lifted her gaze. “Did your father tell you about the check?”

“He did.”

Hearing his tone, her concern edged away. “And you approve? It’s okay?”

“He explained, and I’m all for it. Dad has a hard time expressing himself without using money as the reward. It’s his gift for all you’ve done for Randy and for me. You’ve changed us, Molly.”

She placed her palm against his cheek. “It wasn’t me, Brent. You changed yourself.”

“But with your help…and the Lord’s.”

His words assured her that God was at work. “I wonder where your dad is.”

He gave her hand a squeeze and sent her a loving smile. “Don’t worry. I’m guessing they’re setting Randy’s arm about now.”

The image of Randy, struggling to be brave and his sweet “I love you” struck her again. “I can’t help but think of how Randy looked in there. He’s scared.”

“But he’s strong. He’ll do fine.”

Her heart kicked, and she closed her eyes a moment. “He said he loved me.” Her tears couldn’t be restrained. They bubbled on her lids and then rolled down her cheeks.

Brent’s expression softened. “Don’t cry.” He lifted his hand and swept away her tears. “I know Randy loves you.”

“But…”

His eyes glazed with emotion. “Let him love you, Molly.”

She searched his face.

“Because I love you, too.”

Molly’s breath jigged with each flutter of her heartbeat. She searched his eyes.

“You had to know.” He brushed a few more stray tears from her cheek, his touch as light as butterfly wings.

“I hoped—” she saw the truth in his loving eyes “—but now I know for sure. I love you with all my heart.”

A smile formed on his lips and charged to her heart. She wanted to kiss him, but she knew that would come later when they were alone. For now, she cherished the comfort of his arm around her shoulders and his hand in hers.

M
olly left her office and headed to the back. The exciting but stressful past four weeks had taken their toll. She missed her time with Brent, and with school beginning soon, she felt torn.

Another woof resounded down the hallway. A new guest at the shelter hadn’t adjusted yet. Her chest compressed as she headed toward the plaintive sounds. “What’s wrong, Tilly?”

She scooted through the Dutch door and crouched beside the older cocker spaniel, its honey-colored coat needing more brushing. She cuddled the dog to her side, running her palm over its head and down its long silky ears. The neglected animal had been found in the apartment of an elderly woman who’d passed away.

When the dog had calmed, she placed him in the doggie bed and tossed him a rubber bone. He gave her a forlorn look and then nosed the bone and pawed at it. As his attention shifted from her to the toy, she inched open the door, slipped out and watched him for a moment before heading to the front.

Other than an occasional woof or whimper, the building remained quiet. Steph’s doggie day care wouldn’t move in until the beginning of September, another two weeks away,
and with her opening, she’d acquired five dogs in the past week, but she knew more would come. So many more.

Now that summer had almost ended, Molly had begun advertising her Teacher’s Pet program. She’d already spoken to a couple of her former students about volunteering with possible employment later, and she’d placed an ad for her obedience training classes in the local newspaper. For now, she needed to schedule her sessions after school hours.

Pleased with her progress thus far, she only regretted she’d had less time with Brent, who’d also been busy with a new project at work and caring for Randy. He’d finally have his cast off today.

Molly eyed her watch. Nearly dinnertime. She needed to let the dogs run outside for a short time, and then she would leave for the night, but not before turning on a radio. She’d found the dogs liked the distraction. One day she’d like to hire someone to stay the night.

After locking the front door and placing the Closed sign in the window, Molly headed to the back and opened the doors of the pens. By the time she reached the side door, five eager tails were slapping against her legs. She eyed the outside fence to make sure it was locked and then opened the door. The five shot outside as if a starting gun signaled the beginning of a race.

She stood near the door, watching them scamper across the grass and head for the sandy area to relieve themselves, paw the dirt, then spring away, running in circles and chasing each other. Molly grinned at her perfect life and her answered prayer.

Tires crunched in the parking lot, and she turned to see Brent’s sports car. Randy leaped from the passenger seat, his cast gone, and opened the back door. Rocket raced to the fence, his tail flailing like a whip. Molly waved and opened the gate to let Rocket inside. He flew across the grass and joined the frolicking pack. She watched to make sure it was an amiable welcome. It was.

Randy reached the gate first with Brent behind, an evasive look on his face. Since they’d opened their hearts to love, Molly had also opened her eyes. In the past three weeks when they were together, she’d studied every nuance of Brent’s expression and behavior and had begun to read him well. Today he had something on his mind.

She kept her eyes on him as he approached.

“Look.” Randy lifted his cast-free arm, his face flinching.

“Be careful. You have to watch that arm until it heals all the way.”

“I know. The doctor told me.”

She grinned. “What are you guys doing here?” She lifted her gaze again to Brent, still flashing his guilty look.

He slipped his arm around her shoulder. “We thought you might like to go out to dinner with us.”

She peered at Randy’s arm. “It’s a celebration.”

He chuckled. “Exactly.”

“I think I can handle that.” She motioned behind her. “I have to get them put up for the night.”

“We’ll help,” Randy said, heading for the dogs.

Brent gave a whistle. “Not with that arm.”

Randy spun around. So did the dogs. Randy scooted out of the way as the excited animals sprinted toward Brent, obviously responding to the whistle. Molly puckered her lips and failed. She needed to take whistling lessons.

She opened the door, and the dogs headed inside, even Rocket.

“Randy, you have something else to do. I’ll help Molly.” Brent gave him a knowing look and tilted his head toward the parking lot.

Randy’s face burst into a smile, and he hustled to the car.

Though curious, she pushed her question aside and rounded up the dogs, putting them into their rooms, checking water dishes and closing the gated upper doors. Each dog she passed followed her with his eyes, making her feel as if
she were abandoning them. “I’ll see you guys in the morning.”

Brent came down the hall with Rocket.

Molly had forgotten he’d come in with the others.

He stopped to attach his leash. “Ready?”

“Close. I need to do a couple things in the office.”

“I’ll put Rocket in the car.”

She scooted past him and headed for her desk. Molly closed the computer windows and shut it down and then stacked her files. When she looked up, Randy stood in front of her with a young dog cuddled in his left arm.

Molly melted. “You have another golden retriever?” She sailed to his side, and he settled the squirming dog in her arms. Its tongue lashed out and swept her across the cheek.

“He likes you.”

“He likes you, too.” The conversation sent her back to the one she had with Adam when she’d first met Brent. “What made you decide to get another dog?”

Brent stepped around Randy with a bag in his hand.

She eyed the sack and then the retriever.

He shook his head. “She’s not mine.”

Disbelief smacked her. “She’s abandoned? How could anyone do that to this darling dog?” She looked down at the cuddly puppy, whose eyes followed her every movement.

Brent drew closer. “She was, but not anymore.”

Her heart skipped. “What?”

“She’s yours. A real teacher’s pet.”

Teacher’s pet.
Her eyes shifted from Brent to Randy, both wearing a ridiculous smile and both nodding yes.

“But…but I can’t have a dog at the condo.”

He slipped his arm around her shoulders. “We’ll work something out.”

Her mind spun. Work something out?

Randy grasped the paper bag from Brent’s hand. “Here are her toys.”

Toys? She felt Brent slip the dog from her arms while she stood there gaping at them and holding the sack.

Randy poked at it. “See what we bought her, Molly. Look inside.”

Nothing made sense. Brent knew she wanted a dog one day, but her time wasn’t her own right now…though he
was
a cute dog. But seeing Randy’s eager face, she unwound the top and opened the bag. She tried to smile as she pulled out a ball, followed by a rawhide bone.

Brent and Randy stood beside her, their faces expectant and eyes focused on the sack. She delved in again and pulled out a box. Her mind reeled.

“Open it.” Randy’s eagerness spurred her on. Molly dropped the other items back into the sack and opened the box. Her pulse skipped in dizzy circles. A ring box. She looked at Brent, his smile growing while Randy bounced on his heels. “Come on. Open it.”

She lifted out the black velvet case and raised the lid. A gorgeous diamond solitaire glinted at her, shooting red and blue rays. Her head inched upward, her eyes misting as the diamond’s splendor blurred into a glistening prism.

“Ask her.” Randy’s whisper buzzed in her ears.

Brent clutched the dog tighter and knelt on the tile floor. “Molly, I’m asking you to be my wife, for better or worse, but I’m thinking better. I promise to love you always.”

She clutched the diamond ring while joyful tears streamed down her cheeks. She gazed into two sets of amazing eyes, hearing laughter spring from her throat. “I wish I had a camera.”

The dog gave Brent a wet swipe across the face, and he set her on the floor before he rose. The dog darted off with Randy following, and Molly greeted the moment alone to give Brent her answer. She tiptoed upward, curled her arms around his neck and gave him the longest, most precious kiss she’d ever given.

Brent drew her closer and kissed her again, filling her with overwhelming happiness.

“Would you mind if I name the dog Toby?”

He searched her face. “The dog’s a girl. Toby’s a boy’s name.”

Molly gave him one of her determined looks. “Who says?”

Brent’s serious expression broke into an amazing smile. “I love you, Molly.”

“I love you.”

Brent held her close, his lips brushing her cheek and nose, then settling on her lips.

Molly melted in his arms while three words bounced into her mind.
In God’s time
. She needed to remember that. All good gifts came in God’s time. Today she truly understood what that meant. She closed her eyes and sent a fervent thank-you to the Lord for His blessings.