The Rebound Effect by Linda Griffin

Author:Linda Griffin [Griffin, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Alpha Male; Children; Contemporary; Divorced Heroine; Friendship; Love Triangle; Police; Rebound; Romance; Romantic Suspense; Serial Killer; Sign Lang
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2019-05-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

The dachshunds weren’t slow or steady, but they were very cute. Eight dogs were entered, a lot for so small a venue. Four were only puppies, and they were all amateurs—a good thing, as constant racing would have been abusive. Most of them didn’t run at all. The boldest three dashed across the course to their waiting masters, and it was nearly a photo finish. None of the spectators cared, least of all Aiden, who squatted to pet the most sociable pair.

“Hi,” Frank said behind Teresa.

She hadn’t been thinking about him, totally focused on her son and the dogs, but she was very glad to see him. He looked great, tan and rested. He gave her a quick squeeze while Aiden wasn’t looking, and they walked together to join him. At the last second, he took her hand, and she couldn’t pull away without being obvious. She didn’t think it was a good idea, but she liked the way it felt.

If the boy noticed, he gave no sign. He looked up at Frank, plainly awed. Frank signed, “Hello.”

“Hi,” Aiden said shyly. Curiosity won out over diffidence, and he signed, “Have your gun?” Teresa translated.

“Not today. I’m not working today. I’m here to have fun.” She slipped her hand out of his to translate. She couldn’t tell if Aiden was disappointed. “Where shall we go next?” Frank asked.

Aiden took a second to understand he was the one being asked. He shrugged, looked at his mother, and then signed, “Dance?”

“Folk dancing,” she explained. “He likes to watch.”

“He can’t hear the music…?”

“He can feel the vibrations underfoot, and he likes the costumes and the movement—it really is something to watch. Pretty girls—you should enjoy that.”

“I only have eyes for you,” he said. Aiden couldn’t follow the conversation, and she didn’t try to interpret. Frank took her hand, and the three of them strolled slowly toward the music stage, pausing to look at toys and handicrafts in the booths. Aiden seemed to have taken it for granted that Frank was part of their group. Maybe he simply missed having a man around—if it couldn’t be Brett, Frank would do as a substitute.

They stood next to the bleachers, and Aiden scrambled ahead, perched on a seat a few rows closer, and watched intently, swinging his legs. In spite of his denial, Teresa could tell Frank liked watching as the young girls twirled and lifted their skirts. It was a very pretty, lively dance, with quick steps and intricate maneuvers. When it was over, they applauded enthusiastically, and she glanced around at the dozens of people who had gathered to watch. It was then that she noticed Brett.

He had seen Aiden and started toward him and then stopped, hesitating. The boy was still watching the stage, his back to them. Brett approached him, and he stood up, both eager and wary. Brett signed something she didn’t catch, and Aiden pointed toward her. Brett ran his eyes along the rows of bleachers and found her just as Frank turned to see what she was looking at.

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