Finding Peace (Love's Compass #1) by Melanie D. Snitker Page A

to do? What are his favorite foods?”
    “He’s a very picky eater. We are blessed that he does like milk and will drink a vitamin breakfast mix every morning. He won’t eat meat or vegetables in general, though he loves tomatoes and fruits. Breads are a favorite as are pancakes. He won’t touch pasta.” Lexi paused in thought. “Oh! He loves animal cookies. He would live off them if Serenity let him.”
    Laurie chuckled. “A boy after my own heart. Except mine have to have the frosting and little sprinkles on them.”
    Lexi laughed out loud. “Those are the best!”
    “How about interests?”
    “He organizes everything by color or shape. Everything. But he does like trains. He has a small train set and plays with it all the time.” She led them outside. The sun warmed their skin despite the cool air. The smell of garlic floated with the smoke from the grill. Lexi led her to the small swing set in the corner of the yard. There was also a sandbox and that’s where she stopped. “He loves the sand. He can spend hours playing in it. I think the movement is soothing.”
    Laurie surveyed the backyard. The grass was brown now that it was winter, but the fence was a lovely dark wood and could serve as a decent background. Some ideas started coming to her mind. “I think we could definitely use this area out here for photos. I’ve done a lot of portraits in a child’s room as well.”
    The back door opened again and Gideon came running out, his short-cropped hair ruffling in the breeze. He threw himself onto a swing, draping his stomach over the seat as he used his legs to propel him forward. Once he was up as far as he could run, he pulled his legs off the ground and let it swing back again. His face displayed his joy as momentum moved him back and forth. When he started to slow down, he ran forward and began again.
    Laurie had met a few special needs kids she couldn’t connect with in some way, but she didn’t think Gideon was going to be one of them. She caught Serenity watching them from the porch.
    Sitting on the edge of the sandbox, Laurie reached for a cup that was lying half-buried. She scooped up some sand and smoothed the surface of an area at her feet. Slowly, she poured the sand from the cup to form the outline of a circle. By the time she had completed the shape, Gideon had abandoned the swing and was standing, watching her. “What do you think? Should we make another shape?” The boy didn’t move, but he didn’t object, either. “I agree. Hmm. I’m thinking a square would be good.” She smoothed out another area, shoveled up some more sand, and created the four sides. “There we go! Do you want to make a triangle?” He looked uncertain. “How about I help you?”
    She leveled out an area and helped him fill his cup with sand. Then she put a hand over his and helped him pour sand out as a triangle took shape.
    “Nice! That’s about the best triangle I think I’ve ever seen.”
    The corners of his mouth turned upwards just a bit. Yes, taking photos of this sweet boy would be a lot of fun.
     
    ~
     
    Tuck was last in line behind Laurie as they went through and got their food from the buffet set up on the kitchen counter. She chose a cheeseburger, piled lettuce and tomato next to it, and grabbed a handful of barbecue chips. When her plate was full, she hesitated.
    “Is something wrong?”
    His words caused her to whirl so quickly, she bumped into his chest. She struggled to keep her plate level and looked up at him, her face flushed.
    All he would have to do is lean down and he could kiss her. With that thought, he took a quick step back to give her some space. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
    Laurie shook her head with a laugh that sounded strained. “That was my fault. I was just trying to figure out where to sit and I wasn’t paying any attention.”
    “Let me grab some food and you can follow me.” He filled his plate as well and led the way into the adjoining dining room where