Page 33 of Wrapped Up in Christmas Hope
“My son may be a natural, but I assure you that he didn’t get that from me.”
“His dad sewed?”
Greyson’s ears perked up at the mention of his father.
“No, Trey was a talented man, but to my knowledge he didn’t sew.”
The man must have been amazing to have won Morgan’s heart and fathered an awesome son such as Greyson.
A pang of envy hit.
Which didn’t make sense. Andrew didn’t want a wife and kids. But Morgan and Greyson were enough to make a man second-guess what he inherently knew, apparently.
“Grammy was just telling me about the time she tried to teach me to sew,” Morgan said, obviously wanting to change the subject. “From what she said, Greyson’s seams are much prettier than mine ever were.”
Morgan smiled at her son.
“Firefighter Andrew and I can teach you,” Greyson offered, looking as if he was eager to show off his newly learned skills.
“I’d like that.” The pleasure in Morgan’s eyes at the offer about undid Andrew. And the warm feelings inside of him only grew as he and Greyson tutored Morgan to complete a single block.
“Good job, Mommy. You did it.” Greyson patted her hand, looking proud.
“Woot, woot,” Morgan cheered, dancing around in her chair as she examined where she’d sewn the material together. “Not bad if I do say so myself.”
Andrew laughed. “Not bad at all.”
Her gaze met his and she smiled. “Thank you.”
Her smile reached her eyes and somehow managed to make its way inside his chest and slap his heart around. At least, that’s the explanation Andrew was going with for the acrobatics going on in his chest.
“Harry is such a great dog. Why don’t you have a dog?”
Andrew should have known Greyson would ask that question when he’d suggested they take Bodie’s dog out. Greyson had completed a full section of ten squares, but there was only so long a five-year-old could be expected to sit still. Meanwhile, Harry had been laying with his head on his paws, taking in all the day’s activities and keeping a close watch on Sarah.
Andrew had thought both dog and boy would enjoy stretching their legs on the church’s playground. Morgan had approved the outing so long as Greyson agreed to wear his coat, hat, and gloves. Harry had seemed a bit hesitant to leave Sarah’s side. But once she’d assured the dog she was fine, Harry had headed toward the exit.
“It’s really cool that Harry can catch a Frisbee,” Greyson said, tossing the plastic disk across the yard the way Andrew had shown him. He’d been stunned that Greyson hadn’t known what to do with the iconic toy.
“If I had a dog, I’d want him to be able to catch a Frisbee, too,” the boy continued. “You need a dog.”
“What would I do with a dog when I go to smokejumper training?” Applying was something he’d been thinking about more and more lately. He’d pulled up the site and stared at the application form for longer than he cared to admit. If he knew his grandparents would be okay without him, he’d be gone in a heartbeat. At thirty-five, he’d no longer be eligible to apply. He was only twenty-seven, but the clock’s countdown ticked louder and louder in his head.
“I could keep your dog for you,” Greyson offered. “I would take really good care of him while you were away, and you wouldn’t have to worry at all.”
Andrew smiled. “I imagine you would, kid. With having you for a friend, I may have to rethink my reasons for not having a dog.”
Greyson beamed. “I could help you pick one.”
“You have something in mind?”
Greyson shook his head. “Mom says when we get on our feet and move into a house of our own, that maybe we can go to the shelter and adopt one.”
On her feet. Had Morgan’s husband left her in a financial mess? Andrew had assumed Morgan had moved in with her grandmother to have help with Greyson until she found a place. He’d not considered that there might have been financial motivations as well. But thinking back on it, he remembered Cole mentioning that she’d lost her job and hadn’t been able to find another where they’d been living. What kind of man left his wife and small child without having made sure they were taken care of?
Then again, he was making big assumptions. Other than the little bit she’d told him, and that Cole had told him, he knew nothing regarding Morgan’s former husband and marriage.
“But if you needed us to watch your dog, I know Grammy would let us keep him at her house,” Greyson said. “She’s nice that way.”
