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“For sure.” He reached for her hand. “I want you to know… I heard what you said before about proceeding with caution, and you’re right. It’s just that I’m so damn happy to have you back in my life that I want everything right now.”
“I want that, too.”
“But we’ll take it slow, because you’re also right about Caden not having ever seen me seriously interested in a woman. As much as I’d like to think I can predict how that’ll go, I can’t. And we’ve got this thing with Chloe to contend with, too. I don’t want to overwhelm him.”
“If it’s meant to be, we’ll figure it out, but that doesn’t have to happen today.”
“I hear you, and please note how many times I’ve told you that you were right and it’s not even ten a.m.”
“Duly noted,” she said, smiling at him. How could she not? He was even cuter than he’d been at eighteen, and she wouldn’t have thought that was possible.
“I can’t wait for him to see Daisy.”
Hearing her name, the dog gave a playful bark.
“Are you ready to meet your little boy, girl?” Max asked, looking at her in the mirror.
Another excited yip.
“He’s going to freak out when he realizes she’s his, and it’s all your fault that I now have a puppy to care for in addition to an active seven-year-old.”
Lexi laughed. “That logic is twisted, but okay. I’ll accept the blame if she makes Caden happy.”
“He’ll be thrilled, and I’ll let him know it was all your idea.”
“You should take credit for her, Max. It’s your big surprise.”
“I’ll tell him you helped.”
He wanted Caden to like her, and knowing how much he loved his son, that touched her deeply.
When they arrived at the barn, Daisy perked up at the sight of several other dogs running around in the yard.
Max let her out but kept a tight hold on her leash so she wouldn’t run off. “George and Ringo will teach her the ropes around here.”
The older dogs came over to sniff the newcomer.
Daisy’s tail wagged so hard that it thumped against Max’s leg.
Caden came bursting out of the mudroom door, followed by a girl around the same age as him. She had strawberry-blonde hair and was slightly taller than Caden.
“Dad! It’s my birthday! And Savvy’s!”
“Is it?” Max asked. “I’d forgotten.”
“No way. You did not!” Caden came to a sudden stop when he saw the dog standing next to his dad. “Who’s that?”
“This is Daisy. Daisy, meet Caden. Dude told me she’d be the perfect first dog for you.”
“What?” Caden’s cute face expressed surprise, amazement and pure joy all in the span of two seconds. “She’smine?”
“Only if you promise to help take care of her.”
Caden dropped to his knees to hug the dog. “I’ll take such good care of her. Hi, Daisy, I’m Caden, and we’re gonna be best friends.”
Max gave Savannah a hug. “Happy birthday, Savvy.”
“Thanks, Uncle Max.”
