Proof of Angels by Mary Curran Hackett Page A

keeping whom.
    Chief walked past James, past Gaspar, and past Libby and lay down in front of Sean’s wheelchair before propping his head on top of his paws.
    â€œGuess he’s stayin’,” Sean said.
    â€œLooks like it,” Libby said with a smile.
    â€œSo he’s mine?” Sean said again, incredulously. “Just like that? He’s mine?”
    â€œWell, technically, we have to work together for a couple of weeks and make sure he’s a good fit for you. I’ll have to teach you how to command, reward, feed, and take care of him. It seems as though Chief is quite smitten with you, so I think we’re good there, but you’re going to have to be released from the hospital, and in your own home, before I can really start training you. For now, do you mind if we just come and visit every day?”
    â€œSure, that’d be fine,” Sean said, looking at her, taking all of her in for the first time. She wore little makeup, just some mascara and eyeliner that accentuated her doe-shaped gray eyes, and a hint of bubble gum pink lipstick. He was sure her skin was meant to be the color of a white peach, but it hadbeen burned so many times by the sun that it was awash with thousands of faded brown freckles. Tiny crow’s-feet gathered like party crepe-paper streamers around her eyes when she smiled. And her small, slightly upturned nose crinkled when she laughed. She had a huge, open, contented smile, the type of smile that looked as though it might give way to a boisterous howl of laughter at any moment. Sean liked it. Sean liked her. She had an easy vibe. Sean glanced over at James and could see that he, too, saw what he did. Both men were now smiling back at her.
    â€œAll right then, we’ll come back tomorrow, and every day after that for a quick visit, and let you guys get acquainted,” Libby said brightly. “It was so nice for us both to meet you, Sean. Looking forward to working with you. Come on, Chief. Come here, boy.” Chief stood up and walked alongside Libby out of the room.
    Gaspar caught James and Sean watching Libby, her long, muscular legs snugged tightly in faded jeans, leave the room with Chief.
    â€œThanks, Libby! Look forward to seeing you tomorrow!” James called after her.
    As the door clicked behind her, James turned to Sean. “Whoooweee, I guess I’ll be seeing you a lot this week.”
    Sean cocked his head. He hadn’t been listening. His eyes were still on the door.
    â€œWell, well, well, look who’s gotten a little puppy love for his trainer,” James said.
    â€œWhat? Who me?” Sean said, trying to shake his head. “The trainer? No way.”
    â€œYeah, right,” James said, knocking his friend in the shoulder lightly.
    â€œShe’s quite pretty, Sean,” Gaspar added. “Sure you want to book those flights to Italy?”
    Sean’s smile fell and his eyes darted across the room to Gaspar.
    â€œItaly?” James looked back at Sean. “Whaddya mean, Italy?”
    â€œIt’s nothing, James. Nothing at all. Gaspar here has a knack for running his yap when he shouldn’t be.”
    Sean didn’t want to embarrass Gaspar, but he wanted to remind him in that moment that it was Gaspar who’d told the boy his father was in Los Angeles. It was Gaspar who’d told the boy his mother had known all along, and that she’d kept the secret from him for years. It was Gaspar’s fault in the first place that the boy ran away, that he got it in his head to go to Los Angeles and find his father. If there was blame to go around, and there was plenty, Sean wanted to blame Gaspar in that moment, but knew he was equally to blame for keeping the secrets to begin with. Can’t shoot the messenger , Sean thought and immediately recanted. “I’m sorry, Gaspar. That was a cheap shot. Even for me.”
    â€œI’m sorry, Sean, I am. I just thought, she is pretty and