Page 30 of Love in Mission City

“Come in.”

Okay, so the young guy was clearly not concerned about security. Or he figured I’d be here shortly and trusted my two babies to yap their heads off if some stranger barged in. I turned the handle, pushed the door open, and prepared for the worst.

Which I didn’t find.

For just an instant, I had a snapshot of Sheffield gnawing away on something while Rosebud lay next to the guy on his couch—with her chin on his thigh, as he stroked her forehead.

Moments later, Sheffield spotted me, and as predicted, all hell broke loose.

Sheffield barked his head off as he ran to me and tried to jump into my arms.

Rosebud poked her head up, spotted me, and abandoned her clearly comfortable place being petted by the stranger. Obviously no longer a stranger to her…

The man rose as well, a huge grin on his face. “They missed you.”

I spotted the box of Rosebud’s favorite Greenies and Sheffield’s precious cheese bone. Fortunately Rosebud didn’t like them, so I faced no competition between the two. I also saw a squeaky toy and a massive stuffie almost double the size of my girl. “You didn’t have to—”

“I wanted to.”

“Let me pay you back.”

He shook his head. “My treat. I’m hoping to bribe them over here again and again.” He gave me a sheepish look. “Only if Daddy’s okay with it.”

Daddy? Oh, he meant me. I never referred to myself as daddy. Just…Byron. Which reminded me… “Byron.” I stuck out my hand.

The kid grinned.

“Carter.”

He shook my hand firmly. But not too hard. He wasn’t trying to prove anything, which I appreciated. I handed him his messenger bag, which he promptly propped against his couch.

“Well, I’ll just get them out of your hair.”

Rosebud was already back on the couch snuggling her massive stuffie, and Sheffield had resumed his chewing.

“Why?” He swept his arm around the condo. “It’s now a rainy day. I mean, I guess they’ll need to go out later, but for now…well, they’ve doneeverything.”

I understood his meaning.

“So, Byron, what kind of work do you do? Please sit down.” He plopped back onto his massive black leather sectional couch. He coaxed Rosebud toward him, leaving a clear seat. Also, his recliner appeared incredibly comfortable.

“I’m certain we should be going—”

He waved me off. “I’m about to order Boston Pizza. I had a great meeting in Vancouver with some film executives and, trust me, I can afford to splurge.”

I didn’t consider Boston Pizza as splurging. We had a couple of high-end dining establishments in both Mission City and Abbotsford that were much pricier. And who didn’t deliver or even do takeout.

He scrolled through his phone. “Or we can do Wendy’s, A&W, Domino’s, Cedar Valley Pizza, McDonald’s, White Spot…oh. White Spot’s got their turkey Easter dinner on the menu. I’m pretty sure that’s a little late, but whatever.” He glanced up. “Any of those catch your fancy? I love Fifties, but they don’t deliver.” He stroked Rosebud’s fur.

She glanced up at him with clear admiration and love.

“I don’t want to move.”

“Well, I could go to Fifties to pick up the order.” The diner didn’t have a huge variety of healthy options—but they did have a couple.

“Nah. Not unless you really want to. You look like you need to take a load off. Why not sit on the recliner and relax? Put your feet up. Maybe Rosebud or Sheffield will jump on your lap.”

“And you’re okay with this?”