Chapter 216

Trick and Billie in the same vehicle was trouble enough. Scooter managed to chivvy her into shoes—why did kids hear “we’re going somewhere” and notrealize that meant they needed shoes?—while Andy leashed Trick and texted Kat and Jason that they should open for lunch. They’d been doing more of that sort of thing lately; Scooter didn’t expect he’d ever be thrilled about it, but every time they came back to find everything running smoothly it made the knot in his chest ease a little.

It was close enough to lunch that by the time they got there, the patio was already filled, so they had to wait. Andy took Billie into Local Heroes, the comic book shop, while Scooter lingered outside with the dog.

“Scooter, gorgeous!” a voice boomed and Scooter found himself squashed into an enormous hug and a kiss that would have drowned a man unprepared for it.