Page 6 of Falling for Brody

"Uh, that's Chip, mom. And that's his mom, Rhea."

His mother cooed softly to Roya and gave her a soft scratch between her ears as he'd just done. "Well, hello to you both," she smiled up at them and Rhea nodded, taking Chip's hand and moving him back to stand beside her.

Brody didn't know what to make of the gesture, but he didn't comment on it.

His dad was suddenly there taking up a lot of the room with his bag and his larger than life personality.

"Let's see what we can do here, hmmm? How are you feeling, Roya?"

Brody watched as his dad moved his hands gently over Roya's frame.

Chip, from the safety of the shadows of his mom's leg, spoke up. "Mister, she doesn't speak human. She's a dog."

His words were earnest and clear.

His dad, who had his back to Chip and Rhea gave Brody a big grin. "Oh? You don't say..." He stopped to take a quick look over his shoulder. "I think she can speak in her own way if we learn how to listen."

When he turned back, he gave his wife a wink before he turned back to the boy.

"Are you a good listener, Chip?"

Brody saw the young boy look up at his mother as if he was worried what his mother might say, but Rhea was looking at her son with oceans of love in her gaze.

"Sometimes..." Chip’s answer made everyone smile.

"Well," his dad turned his head back to look at Chip. "If your mom says you can come closer, maybe you can help me listen. I think you might be able to hear it, too."

Then he went back to the examination as Chip, still clutching his book moved closer.

Brody saw his dad gently slide a gloved hand over Roya's haunches and just as his eyes caught a movement in the dog's belly, he heard Chip gasp.

"That's hurting her. She's hurt."

There was a mixture of concern and pride on his dad's face. "That's right, Chip. She's hurt on her leg. It sounds like she spoke to you without knowing any English at all."

"Oh," Chip seemed to think over the words, "but I never said she didn't speak English, sir." He turned back to look at his mom with a subtle nod of his head. "I only said she doesn't speak human."

Brody felt his mother hold back a laugh. "He's got you there, Howard."

His mother turned to him. "We've got Roya, go ahead and get Avalon to the clinic. We'll be fine."

Brody nodded and gave Roya one more stroke of his fingers between her ears. "You'll be just fine, girl. And Gabriel will have your mom back in a minute. Don't worry."

Brody got back up and looked over at Rhea with a smile. “My mom and dad will take care of Roya. Let’s get Avalon back to town.”

She nodded. “Can Chip come with us?” Rhea looked a little hesitant.

“Of course. We can’t leave him out here, can we?”

He regretted the words as soon as they came out of his mouth. Chip looked up at his mom, his eyes wide with worry.

“Sorry, Chip.” He apologized. “I try to be funny, but sometimes it doesn’t work.”

He watched the little boy’s shoulders drop with relief. “It’s okay,” he looked right at Brody with the kind of earnestness that only a child could manage and nodded, “everyone makes mistakes.”

Rhea gave him a wobbly smile and mouthed ‘Thanks.’

Brody barely resisted the instinctual urge to puff his chest up like a damn rooster.

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