Hush, Puppy (The Dogmothers Book 5) by Roxanne St. Claire

Author:Roxanne St. Claire [St. Claire, Roxanne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: South Street Publishing
Published: 2020-06-11T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

“He said she was hit in the shoulder.” Summer pressed her hand to her own shoulder like she could somehow telepathically send comfort to her daughter, while John broke several speed limits rushing toward Waterford Farm. “I guess it could have been worse.”

“I’m sure they’re not using a standard six- or seven-ounce softball with those kids,” he said, hoping to reassure her. “So it depends on who threw it, how close they were, how hard the toss.” He reached over and put his hand over hers. “Shane said it wasn’t serious. If it were, we’d be driving to the hospital.”

She let out a nearly inaudible whimper at the thought. But he heard it, and it only made him hit the accelerator harder.

“But we’re not,” he reminded her. “I’m sure she’s just bruised. And…scared.” That poor kid. She’d really enjoyed playing and wanted so much to conquer her fears. “I know how she feels.”

“She’ll never want to play again,” Summer said softly. “And she was having so much fun.”

“She has a decent arm, too. And a great head on her shoulders.”

“Her bruised shoulders.”

“Better than a bruised head,” he said, giving her hand a squeeze. “And she has a fantastic voice. Any chance we can talk her into switching playtime from softball to singing?”

She sighed noisily as a fresh set of unshed tears dampened her eyes. “John,” she whispered.

“I know, I know,” he said quickly. “I understand the stutter makes it hard. I was just thinking—”

“No, that’s not it.” She brought his hand to her lips and laid an unexpected kiss on his knuckles. “You’re so sweet to care about her.”

“Sweet again, huh?” He gave an easy smile and fought the urge to pull their joined hands to his mouth and kiss her hand right back. Instead, he settled for holding her hand on her lap. “She’s the best kid in the world, you know?”

“Oh, I know.”

“And when she struggles to say something…” He shook his head.

“Rips your heart out.”

“And stomps on it,” he added.

“I told you that’s why she whispers and sings,” Summer said. “That way, she won’t stutter.”

“Well, then I’m confused,” he admitted. “If she can sing without a stutter, why is she staying out of the choral stuff? That would seem to be her happy place.”

“Only when she sings solo,” she told him. “She was in a group at school and couldn’t come in on the right note or at the right time. So a chorus situation also scares her.”

“I hate for her to be scared of anything,” he said.

“You helped her so much with softball, John.”

He winced. “Hello, square one, we’re back.” He leaned a little closer and squeezed her hand. “We’ll think of something to help her.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, looking at him with so much affection he damn near missed the turnoff to Waterford.

He’d barely had the 4Runner halfway down the long drive when he caught sight of his mother, Daniel, and Liam hustling toward them. Then John noticed another person in the welcoming committee. Little Christian held his father’s hand, looking up at Liam with eyes red-rimmed from tears.

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