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“Beth needed help with the dogs,” Braden explained. “We spent the whole timeworking.” He shot me a wink.
Claire scrunched up her face to think about that. “That makes sense. The dogs are alotof work. I know, because I helped yesterday.”
“You sure did. I heard all about it from Beth.”
“I told him how you were such a good helper,” Beth said while coming through the field gate. “What are you two doing here?” The last part was more to me than Claire.
“Claire wanted to come help some more,” I explained with an apologetic grimace.
“That’s so nice of you!” Beth crouched down to hug Claire. “Why don’t you go put your stuff inside while I talk to Christian?”
“I’ll keep an eye on her,” Braden said, putting the coffee mugs on a fencepost. “I’ll give you a piggy back ride.”
“What’s a piggy back ride?”
“Oh man, we havesomuch to teach you.” Braden crouched down. “Hop on. Hang on around my neck and I’ll carry you.”
Claire jumped onto his back and clung to him like a monkey. She yelped happily as he stood up and walked toward the house.
“You want some coffee, kiddo?”
“No!” I snapped. “She can’t have coffee. Sorry, Claire.”
“What?” Braden asked, looking offended. “I was joking.” Then he whispered to Claire, “You can have just a sip.”
I sighed as they went inside. Beth shook her head too, then turned to me. “Claire was helpful yesterday, but I wasn’t expecting this to become a daily thing. I’m kind of worried about liability. We almost had an incident yesterday. If one of the dogs snaps at her or something… well, I don’t know how any of that works.”
“It’s not ideal,” I admitted. “But she was excited to come here. It was the first thing she mentioned this morning. Well, after getting McDonald’s.”
Beth winced and glanced back toward the house. “Christian…”
“Look, I know it’s not the best situation,” I admitted. “But she just lost her mom. She’s been gloomy about almost everything for the past week… everythingexceptcoming here to see you and the dogs. I wouldn’t ask if it didn’t seem like the only thing she’s been excited about. We can convince Logan to pay you for another day of nannying, or whatever you want to call this. That way it’s a win-win.”
Beth sighed, but I saw the gleam in her eyes when I mentioned the money. I knew she was still trying to get the dog boarding business up and running, and every penny helped.
“And I’ll make it up to you by taking you out tonight,” I added. “That way it’s win-win-win.”
Beth’s eyesreallylit up at the prospect of dinner. “I need to see if Suzie can stay late.”
“And if she can’t, I’ll make Braden do it,” I said. “He’s good at following directions.”
Beth smirked and glanced back at the house. “Braden’s a lot of fun, but I don’t know if I would trust him to watch the dogs for an evening.”
“Yeah, I knew it was a bad idea as soon as the words left my lips,” I admitted. “But if Suzie can stay late, we’ll go out tonight?”
She nodded. “Yeah. We’ll go out tonight. With one stipulation.”
“Name it.”
“I don’t want to go anywhere fancy,” Beth said. “No clubs, or Michelin star restaurants, or anything like that. Just a regular date.”
I smiled. “A regular date sounds perfect.”
The front door swung open and Braden came jogging outside with Claire clinging to his back. “Coffee is gross!” she immediately announced.
I sighed. “Braden, dude?”
“She’s joking! I didn’t give her any coffee.” But then Braden whispered, “Dang, girl. You said you would be cool.”
