He buckled the girls into their booster seats and motioned for Zoe to sit in one of the empty chairs. Once she did, he sat across from her and folded his hands. “Girls, let’s say our prayers before we eat.”
They bowed their heads, and Caleb gave thanks for the food. Under his breath, he thanked God for reconnecting him with Zoe again. He didn’t know what God’s plan was for the two of them, but he didn’t believe seeing her again was a coincidence. He’d go with it until God steered him in a different direction.
Caleb poured cereal and milk into the girls’ bowls. He pushed his bowl out of the way and reached for his coffee mug. After the first couple of sips, he started to feel almost human again. Almost.
Caleb leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table.
Ella tapped his arm with her spoon. “Daddy, no elbows on the table.”
“You’re right, sweetie. I forgot.” Caleb smiled at her as he pulled his elbows down and rested his forearms on the table.
“It’s okay. Everybody makes mistakes.”
And he’d made more than his fair share of them. He smoothed a hand over Ella’s drying hair and shifted his attention to Zoe.
She watched them with a mix of sadness and wistfulness. What was she thinking?
Even in the short time they’ve been reacquainted, Caleb could see she wasn’t the same girl he’d known at school. The woman sitting across from him carried heavy burdens. Her eyes used to sparkle with laughter and a touch of mischief. Now they had been dulled with pain and brokenness.
He wanted to see her filled with joy once again, not return to a past life they’d once shared. No, those days were over. But perhaps this could be a new season of fresh starts for both of them.
She reached for Ava’s napkin and wiped the milk dripping off her chin. “I can stay for another hour if you’d like to get a start on Riley’s training.”
He glanced at his watch to see their designated hour was almost up. She was right—the morning hadn’t gone as expected. “Yes, that would be great. But only if you’re sure.”
She smiled. “It’s not a problem as long as I’m not messing up your plans.” At the shake of his head, she continued, “I’d like you to have some basics in place before I leave. Let me just grab my bag so we can go over paperwork and a couple different training plans.” She pushed back her chair and stood. “Mind if we talk in the living room? That way I can see how the girls interact with Riley and his reactions to his surroundings.”
“No, that’s just fine.”
As she walked past him to retrieve her bag, he caught a whiff of her perfume, a sweet fragrance that reawakened emotions he thought were forever locked behind a door marked Do Not Enter.
Maybe not.
Ella drained her juice and wiped her mouth with her napkin. “Daddy, may I get down? I’m all done.”
He glanced at Ava. “Are you ready to get down, too, Aves?”
She nodded and smiled, but didn’t say a word.
She’d talk. In her time.
He slid out their chairs and helped them down. “Let’s go into the living room so Daddy can talk to Miss Zoe, okay?”
They headed for the living room to find that Zoe had laid a couple of folders on the coffee table and sat back against the cushion to wait for them. Her long fingers stroked Riley’s fur as he curled in her lap.
As he settled beside her and flung an arm over the back of the couch, Riley stirred. His ears perked. He bounded off Zoe’s lap and jumped on Caleb’s chest.
Caleb turned his face away from Riley’s rough tongue and moved the pup into a better position on his lap.
Zoe reached for the folders and handed one to him. “I’m sure Leona gave you some of this material already when you met with her, but I included it in the packet so it would be together in one place. I’m kind of OCD like that.”
“No worries. Despite the chaos you walked into this morning, I’m an organized person, too.”
“No wonder we get along well.” The smile that spread across her face warmed his insides faster than the coffee he’d downed a few minutes ago.
Zoe reviewed the papers in the packet—Leona’s advertising brochure for dog-training options, a more detailed letter explaining policies and practices, and then an in-home behavior-training program. “At any time, if you’re dissatisfied with Riley’s progress or my training, contact Leona and she will refund your money. All of her programs offer a money-back guarantee. Any questions?”
“Would it be possible to do trainings several times a week instead of spreading them out over the next six or eight weeks?”
“I’m sure we can work something out. Once you sign the release form, we can get started this morning with some basics.”
Caleb leaned forward, upsetting Riley’s comfortable sleeping spot. Once the dog bounced off his lap, Calebreached for the Canine Companions pen and scribbled his signature where Zoe had marked an X. Just knowing they were heading in the right direction helped him to lean into hope—something he hadn’t done in a while.
“The key to Riley’s training is going to be consistency. Training a puppy is similar to caring for your daughters—you want to stay positive, remain patient and praise him for doing well. When you came into Canine Companions, you seemed frustrated.”
That was an understatement.
Caleb rubbed a hand over his jaw. “I guess you could say that.”
“Don’t worry. By the time we’re finished, Riley will be the best-behaved pup in town.”
With the girls in tow and Riley nipping at his heels, he gave Zoe a tour of the house and backyard. She suggested he move Riley’s crate into his bedroom to give the little guy some extra security.
Out in the yard, the morning temperatures were climbing already. As the girls chased each other, Zoe showed him how to take the lead when they snapped the leash onto Riley.
Back in the house, she demonstrated how to stay consistent with crate training. She helped Ella and Ava give Riley a treat. Each time Riley did as instructed, she praised him with words and affectionate touches, then offered him a small treat.
By the time their hour was up, Caleb felt more confident about the pup not destroying everything in the house. But he was reluctant to walk Zoe to the door.
She handed him a piece of paper. “Here’s a list of things that will help you with training. If you give Riley toys to chew on, he’ll leave your personal belongings alone. Try to remember he’s like a toddler and needs gentle guidance and instruction to help learn positive behaviors.”
He glanced at the sheet, then looked at her. “You’re a natural at this, Zoe.”
She dropped her gaze to her feet and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I love animals, especially dogs. Always have. They’re forgiving and eager to please. I get them, and they get me.”
“I can see why. Thanks, Zoe. For everything.”
She placed a hand on his forearm and squeezed. “My pleasure, Sully. I’m really looking forward to this.”
“Me, too.” He curled his fingers over his arm where her hand had been to lock in the feel of her tender touch against his skin.
Maybe, by working together, they’d have an opportunity to revive the past connection they’d once shared. Maybe he could be the one to fill her eyes with joy once again. Would she give a broken has-been like him a chance?
He’d