He smiled shyly. “I always wanted a dog.”
“He's yours,” Dern said.
“Really?” Noah's mouth rounded in surprise, and his little face brightened.
“Really.”
Noah walked forward to pet Rover and was rewarded with a wet tongue to his face. “Eeewww!” he cried in delight, but kept petting the dog. Fighting tears, Ava squeezed Dern's hand, then let go as she walked up to her son, bent down, and gave him a hug. “Welcome, home,” she said, her voice cracking. “Oh, Noah, welcome home.”
“I told you my name's Peter,” he said again.
“That's right.” She laughed. “Well, Peter, I'm glad you're here!”
The dog, spying a squirrel, gave a sharp bark and took off, and Peter didn't hesitate but gave chase. He was so much taller than he had been the last time she'd seen him two years earlier.
“I think he's gonna be all right,” Snyder observed as he watched the kid run after the dog. He cleared his throat. Turning his gaze back to Ava, he offered a quick nod, as if satisfied. “You know, I think you're
all
gonna be all right.”
Ava grinned. Basked in the thought. “Count on it,” she said, and then, unburdened, she took off running, chasing after the boy she'd thought she'd lost forever, the son who was finally home for good.
KENSINGTON BOOKS are published by
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Copyright © 2012 by Lisa Jackson LLC
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Library of Congress Card Catalogue Number: 2012936436
ISBN: 978-0-7582-7959-0
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