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Coop scratched his head. “Well, I don’t know about that. What about practice?”

“That’s only once a week.”

“And your games. You have a game on Thursday. And your homework.”

“Daddy, please, I promise I’ll get it all done. It wouldn’t be any different than when I came over to Julie’s to help you after school. Only, this time, I’ll be helping Taylor.”

“I could walk her home,” Taylor offered, liking this idea more and more.

Coop took a breath as he glanced at Taylor. “I have an idea. Why don’t you come over for dinner tomorrow night? Bring Muffin for a trial run. We’ll see how well Cassie and Muffin do together.”

“Dinner?”

He nodded. “You know, when you open your mouth and put food in.”

“You are so funny, Coop.”

“So I’ve been told. Well?”

“Okay by me. What time?”

“Dinner is at six.”

“That sounds good. I’ll be there.”

*

The next night,Grandpa Joe greeted her at his door at precisely six o’clock.

“Hi.” She held Muffy in one arm and handed Joe a dish. “Marble pound cake, for dessert.”

“Ah, thank you. Looks good.”

As soon as Taylor set Muffy down, the dog began sniffing Joe’s loafers, the floor and furniture. “Sorry about that. She’ll settle down once she inspects the place.”

“No problem. Muffy is welcome anytime. I like dogs.”

“That’s good to know.”

“Cassie is finishing up her homework and Coop is getting washed up. Come in, dinner is almost ready.”

“Thanks, something smells really good.” The place had a garlicky aroma that invited her in and made her mouth water.

“Spinach lasagna. Gotta get Cassie to eat her veggies somehow. Trust me, you’re gonna like it. Come into the kitchen. You can help with the salad.”

“I’d love to.” She liked the way Joe included her, rather than treating her like a guest. It had been that way for as long as she could remember.

In the kitchen, she cut up tomatoes and cucumbers, tore romaine lettuce, and made a simple dressing of olive oil and vinegar with herbs and Romano cheese.

“I see my dad’s got you working the kitchen.”

She looked up from her task at the island counter to find Coop, just out of the shower, she presumed, wearing a bicep-bulging T-shirt that said “Coach,” smelling like soap and looking refreshed. His hair was still damp and combed off his face. She always found the locks curling at his nape pretty cute. Gosh, he’d hate that she thought that.

“I’m happy to do it.”

Muffy was sniffing Coop and wagging her tail. He was more a sucker for this dog than he let on. “Dad went all out tonight. Lasagna. It’s his personal best.”

“Anything for our Taylor.”