For Love of a Dog by Janice Carter

Author:Janice Carter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming
Published: 2017-10-18T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

KAI GLANCED QUICKLY at Luca when Miss Munro asked how to introduce him. During the drive to school, they’d had a brief exchange about this introduction, deciding “friend of the family” would be best. Kai added that Luca was helping with the soybean planting.

“I’m happy you could come,” the teacher said. “Would you mind waiting here in the hallway while we have morning exercises? I scheduled the presentations throughout the whole day to give parents more flexibility. And to preserve some of my sanity, too.” She laughed, then ushered Thomas inside and closed the door.

There were already half a dozen parents chatting quietly in the hall. Some were holding cages with small animals—cats or kittens and at least one rodent—but the only other dog was an excitable Chihuahua on a leash that yipped frantically at Amigo.

Luca wound Amigo’s leash around his fist, keeping him as close as possible and asking him to sit. He stroked the dog’s head to reassure him and Kai hoped their wait wouldn’t be too long. She had a horrifying vision of pets—unleashed and uncaged—running wild during the anthem.

Fortunately, the group was called into the room seconds after the anthem finished on the PA system. The students were seated on a carpet in the front corner of the classroom and twenty-some heads pivoted to the door as they filed inside. Kai spotted Thomas, sitting cross-legged next to Robyn, and waved. He smiled but didn’t wave back.

Amigo had also seen Thomas and gave a low whine as he strained against Luca’s grip. Luca shushed him, patting his head and back. Kai’s worry about how Amigo might handle this social event returned and she looked anxiously at Luca.

“He’ll be okay,” he whispered, “once Thomas is with him.”

Miss Munro called on Thomas and Luca after three short presentations. Kai readied her camera and as Luca led Amigo to the front of the room, she moved across to the window side, getting the sunlight behind her.

She thought Luca seemed a bit pale as he stood before the students. During the drive to town, she’d noticed him nervously tapping the steering wheel, and as they crossed the school parking lot she’d placed a hand on his forearm, saying, “You’ll be fine, and Thomas is so happy.”

He’d followed her gaze to Thomas, skipping ahead to join his classmates as the bell sent them inside. He’d simply nodded but flashed her a quick smile.

Before Luca began to speak, Kai took a couple of pictures and then let the camera dangle from her neck. She figured neither Luca nor Thomas—much less Amigo—needed the distraction.

“Thank you for having me today, girls and boys,” Luca said. “And a special thanks for inviting Amigo. I know he’s been wanting to see Thomas’s classroom and meet his friends.”

At this, a couple of students giggled.

“Can anyone tell me what his name means? Amigo?”

Robyn’s hand shot up. “It means friend,” she said when Luca nodded to her.

“Right. Friend. And that’s an excellent name for this dog because he is my friend and he’s also Thomas’s friend.

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