Substitute Father

Troy bobbed his head up and down, staring at Kealey. “Don’t you know how to skate?”

She colored a bit, then met his gaze. “I’m afraid not.”

“Don’t be ’fraid,” he told her nonchalantly. “I didn’t used to know how to skate neither. But Brian showed me how.” His eyes lit up. “And I could show you.”

Luke met Kealey’s hesitant eyes. “Troy and I could both help you.”

“Sure,” Troy readily agreed.

The youngster put out his hand, and Luke saw the change in her expression. Before he could speculate about it, she clasped Troy’s hand.

Luke took her other hand, feeling her fingers stiffen within his. He leaned close, whispering so only she could hear. “You’d better let me hang on to you. I don’t think Troy can keep you from crashing.”

After a moment, she nodded in acknowledgment, the movement rigid and controlled.

He wanted to tell her to relax, that he was no more a threat than Troy. But the thought dwindled, replaced by a realization of another sort. Perhaps she should be wary.

Shocked by the perception, he didn’t see the skaters slowing down in front of him. Even as he, Kealey and Troy crashed into the line of skaters, Luke couldn’t shake that last thought. And the fact that he couldn’t was more frightening than flying bodies and upended skates.

CHAPTER FOUR

AS THE OLDEST CHILD, Brian had always taken his responsibilities seriously. So when Luke had assigned the children chores, Brian was relieved. He needed to know he had a place in Luke’s house and that he was contributing. His younger siblings didn’t have quite the same need or understanding. However, there was no whining or complaining among them.

But it was Brian who shone under Luke’s tutelage. Soon, he had learned his way around Luke’s surgery and boarding areas. He had a genuine interest in the animals and they sensed it. However, Bentley was the one who adopted Brian, who decided they were a pair. The big retriever was always at his feet, shadowing the boy with uncommon devotion. And something in Brian seemed to loosen because of it.

Luke watched as the boy precisely filled water and food dishes, carefully reading the tags on each cage. It was still early in the morning, so early that they hadn’t yet eaten breakfast, so early that the school bus wouldn’t be by for more than an hour.

Luke would have been happy if the boy only helped out for half an hour or so. It was what he’d expected initially. But Brian didn’t seem to mind, eagerly taking on more and more responsibility.

And after the first morning, Luke hadn’t had to wake the boy. Brian was up at dawn, running down the stairs to the clinic. Ignoring the lure of early-morning cartoons, he walked among the cages of the ill pets and through the kennels of those that were boarded.

And he patiently taught his younger siblings to help as well. In the afternoons, the three of them swept and hosed down the floors. They had even figured out how to work together to load the bags of food on to wheelbarrows, hauling them inside. It was heartening for Luke to see that they truly cared for the animals.

Hannah, the little mother, babied the kittens and puppies, and Troy mimicked Brian’s actions, believing his older brother to be nearly perfect.

Seeing that Brian was at the last row of cages, Luke stepped forward. “How’s the schnauzer?”

“Better,” Brian replied seriously. “He ate more of his food.”

“Water?”

“More than yesterday.”

“He’s a scrappy pup,” Luke replied. “He’ll make it.”

Relief blossomed on young Brian’s face, but he wasn’t yet comfortable with expressing his feelings. “Good.” Despite the brevity of his words, he reached to scratch Bentley’s ears in a heartfelt motion. The retriever looked adoringly at the boy.

“It’s easy to get attached to the animals,” Luke told him casually. “I’m not supposed to since I’m the doctor, but it’s there anyway.”

Brian studied him. “What if they die?”

“I know I can’t save them all, even though I try my best. A doctor’s supposed to remain detached but I became a vet because I love animals, so it saddens me to lose one.”

“But most of ’em get better, don’t they?”

Luke smiled at the touch of optimism Brian was regaining. “For the most part. Now, you’d better eat your breakfast.”

A half shrug of skinny shoulders told Luke that Brian hadn’t planned to take the time to eat.

Luke clapped a hand on those same shoulders, ignoring their stiffening. “Nothing special this morning—just oatmeal. Let’s get washed up, then round up your brother and sister.”

Brian, however, was frowning. “I didn’t finish cleaning up the back.”

“There were more dogs and cats to feed this morning, which took you longer. Wayne and I can clean up the kennels.”

Brian’s shoulders stiffened even further. “I want to earn my keep.”

Luke stopped, turning Brian so that he could face him. “I’m glad you have such a strong sense of responsibility, and I really appreciate all the help you’ve given me. And I think it’s a good idea for kids to have chores—I had plenty growing up.” Luke made sure that Brian met his eyes. “But chores or no chores, you have a place with me here. That’s not going to change if a few kennels don’t get cleaned on time. You understand?”

Longing filled Brian’s eyes and he had to bite down on his lip to keep it from trembling. Still a trace of fear lingered. “I don’t want to let you down.”

Luke grasped Brian’s shoulder, giving him a reassuring squeeze. “That’s not going to happen.”

Together, they headed back to the kitchen. Brian spent more time with Bentley than usual and Luke suspected the boy was experiencing a slew of unsettled emotions. Still, it was soon time to get the kids off to school.

Hannah couldn’t find one of her shoes, and Troy insisted that he bring one of the hamsters for show-and-tell. The hamster, however, had different ideas as soon as Troy opened the cage door. And fifteen minutes later, they had just located both the shoe and the pet. Even so, they weren’t in time for the bus.

Leaving Wayne in charge of the clinic, Luke bundled the kids into his Bronco. It didn’t take long to reach the elementary school. As Luke turned into the driveway he noticed a banner hanging across the doorway: Soccer Tryouts, Grades 3-6, 4:00 p.m.

“What about that, Brian?” Luke asked, pointing to the sign.

Brian shrugged. “They try out when I’m doing my chores.”

Luke tapped the ballcap Brian was wearing, one Luke had purchased when Brian had eyed it yearningly. “There’s no set time for chores.”

“But—”

“Let me worry about the grown-up stuff, okay, Brian? I’ll be here at four.”

Delight tempered with caution lit Brian’s expression. “If you’re sure…”

“Get going. And don’t forget—four o’clock.”

“I won’t!” he hollered with a grin, nearly dancing up the sidewalk to the front door.

And that grin kept Luke smiling all day.

KEALEY SEARCHED the field, easily locating the stands that were filled with parents. Junior soccer in Greenville was the equivalent of pro sports in big cities.