He and Julian went downstairs together. Julian was sure it wouldn't take Danny long to follow them down. He had the urge to hover near his little brother all the time, but he knew that wasn't smart. He wanted Danny to develop some independence.
Instead of going to his office, Julian decided to get some coffee and hover in the kitchen instead. "It's cereal for breakfast today or we can order in," Julian said and looked at Rob.
"Cereal is fine by me. I'll get the bowls," Rob said as he opened a few cupboards until he found them.
"None for me. I'm not hungry," Julian told him.
Rob gave him a disapproving glance over his shoulder. "You need to set a good example for Danny," he said and set out a bowl for him too.
Julian couldn't argue with what he said, and he was defenseless against the stern, furrowed brows over his green eyes. There probably wasn't anything he wouldn't agree to if Rob simply turned those eyes on him.
So as not to dwell on what he wanted Rob to ask of him, Julian talked about his little brother. "When Danny first came to live with me, he wasn't a good eater. He did much better when I ate with him. I guess I shouldn't get complacent just because he's doing better."
"And the fact that you need food doesn't enter into it," Rob said and made him laugh.
It was so odd to have him here and not to feel like there was a stranger in the house. Rob's natural confidence was part of the reason. Though he was hesitant from time to time, Julian could see so much strength in him. It first became evident when he confronted Thayer, and it was Thayer who came away intimidated, not Rob. Since then Julian's trust in him had been building as if he'd known him forever.
That was one reason he wanted to change his plans for today. "I was thinking about our trip to Ashbury to meet Danny's new therapist," Julian said to him while he poured them both coffee. Originally he planned to leave Rob to handle things in the office. Now he had something else in mind. "I'm going to look into getting a dog for Danny."
"There is an animal shelter in Asbury. You can have a look-see today. Two birds with one stone," Rob jumped in to say.
Julian smiled. "You did research already. I did too."
"I saw how Danny was with those dogs. He's still a little unsure with the kids, but when it comes to those dogs, that was pure happiness," Rob said.
"It was, wasn't it? We'll go after we see the therapist."
Rob stopped as he was shaking out cereal into the bowls, no doubt surprised that Julian was moving ahead with it just like that. Then he asked, "You want me along?"
It was exactly what Julian wanted, and he almost said, "Of course. I always want you with us." Instead he gave Rob a more measured answer. "If you don't mind. Danny is nervous about meeting the child psychologist. Having you along well help a lot."
"And what are you telling him about the dog mission?" Rob wondered pulling a carton of milk from the fridge and bringing it to the table.
"I don't want to keep it a secret. Danny is nervous about the drive and meeting Dr. Vallarta. It will give him something to look forward to," Julian said, thinking out loud. "I won't tell him that we're looking for a dog to adopt in case it doesn't work out."
Julian was still making up his mind about exactly what to say when Danny poked his head into the sizable kitchen and peered at them.
"Hey, Danny. I just found out I'll be going with you guys to Ashbury," Rob told him.
Danny's eyes lit up at the news, so Julian went ahead and told him what else they would be doing in Ashbury. "While we're there, we'll go see Dr. Vallarta first then we'll go and visit some dogs."
"Doggies?" Danny said, his eyes going wide.
"They have a place in Ashbury where they have dogs," Rob said.
"I want to see the doggies!" Danny said with breathless excitement.
"We're all going to see the doggies," Julian told him and called him over to the table. "Now let's have breakfast."
It wasn't long before breakfast was finished and they were all in the car with Rob in the back to make sure Danny was doing OK. Coming down from the hill road and going toward Ashbury, they passed Mitch and Rico as they drove up. After waving to them, they drove on.
Soon they neared the turnoff toward the elementary school and saw all the kids they knew clustered together, wearing colorful backpacks. Wyatt was with them so he must have been walking them to school. Since Danny was looking over there eagerly, Julian turned the car to drive toward the school. He pulled the car over so Danny could say hi.
"You guys going for a drive?" Wyatt asked.
"We are," Julian told him.
"You kids on your way to school?" Rob asked the kids as he rolled down the car window on Danny's side and leaned over.
