Page 16 of Courage, Dear Heart

Is that a note of disapproval in her voice? “No, no flowers. I stopped by to apologize in person.”

She scrunches her shoulders up, making herself look smaller. “Thank you. I appreciate it, but you didn’t have to stop by or send the cupcakes.”

“I did need to apologize. I was insensitive.”And I wanted to see you again.

Heavy silence settles between us like a widening chasm. A squawking sound breaks it. Jamie comes back with Daisy on his shoulder, and the bird promptly flies to the counter and walks toward me again.

Jillian puts her hand next to the bird, nudging her to climb on her wrist, but Daisy ignores her and steps closer to the edge of the counter and me. “She really likes you. This is surprising. Daisy doesn’t usually warm up to strangers.”

I reach for the bird but stop. “Can I pet her?”

“Sure.” Jillian waves a hand. “I’m curious to see what she’ll do.”

I approach the counter slowly and give her the back of my hand.

Jillian giggles. “She’s not a dog. She can’t smell the back of your hand. You can pet her like this.” She traces a gentle finger down Daisy’s head and back.

“Okay . . . try number two, here we go.” I mimic Jillian’s movements and slide the tips of two fingers down the bird’s neck and back. Daisy closes her eyes and then turns on her back, exposing her belly, the little legs up in the air.

Jillian gasps. “Wow, she really trusts you. She only ever did that for?—”

She abruptly interrupts herself, never finishing what she was about to say, but the expression on her face is clear enough. She was going to say her husband’s name. I drop my gaze to the bird and allow Jillian a small moment of privacy.My witchy sister would say this is some kind of sign. My more cynical mind tells me it means nothing.Or does it?

I tickle the parrot’s belly, her feathers silky soft. Daisy gently grabs my hand and nibbles on my fingers. “This is a first for me, too. I’ve never petted a parrot before.”

“No?” Jillian asks.

“No, never had a pet. Always wanted a dog, though, but my mother is allergic. Or so she claims. I never saw her sneeze when we visited family or friends with pets.”

Jamie tugs at her shirt and points at himself, making a sign with his hands.

She smiles. “Yes, Jamie wants a dog, too. And we’ll adopt one next spring.”

Daisy rights herself and climbs on my hand.

I smile. “Next spring? It will be here before you know it.”

Jamie shakes his head and frowns, skinny arms crossed over his chest.

Jillian ruffles his hair. “No pouting. We’ve had this conversation before. Spring is a good time to adopt a dog. It will be nice outside and we’ll have more time to potty train her. And you’ll be seven then. The perfect age to have your first dog.”

Daisy has relocated to my wrist.

“Sounds like an excellent plan.”

Jillian pulls at her apron strings and reties it. “So no pets for you?”

“I work long hours. It wouldn’t be fair to have a dog, only to leave it alone at home all day.”

Jamie holds his thumb and index finger in front of his face, then pinches them together as if grabbing something in the air and pulling it out.

Jillian brushes the hair off his forehead. “He’s saying you could get a cat.”

I nod. “That’s true. Cats are more independent and don’t require walks. I’d have to get two, though. So they can keep each other company and have a friend to play with. That’s a smart suggestion, Jamie.”

His shoulders pull back and a shadow of a smile tugs at his lips but quickly fades.

Daisy is now on my shoulder.

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