serious. And there was such sadness in his eyes and around his mouth. Something in her wanted to alleviate it, but Molly didn’t know how. “When I was growing up, I had a dog. She was a purebred, because my father said they were the only kind to have, but it really didn’t make any difference to me. Pooky, that was her name, was a Border collie. Father wanted to get me a German shepherd or a Doberman pinscher, but my mom wouldn’t allow it, saying they were too temperamental and moody to trust around a child.
“So I ended up with Pooky.” Molly looked past Cam, the memories coming back deep and strong. “She loved me so much, and my whole life revolved around her. My brother was the firstborn, and he was always the center of attention. Pooky and I stayed in my bedroom where I served her tea, shared my dolls with her and read her fairy tales.” Molly smiled shyly down at Miracle, who had her head cocked to one side, as if listening intently to each word.
“Pooky died a month after my mother did. I never felt so alone.”
Cam frowned. “How old were you when your mother died?”
“Ten.” Molly rallied, petting Miracle fondly. “Father wanted to get me another dog, but I just couldn’t do it. Pooky was one of a kind. And even at that age, I knew nothing or no one could ever replace her.”
Pain widened in Cam’s chest—not only for himself, but for Molly. What had her mother’s passing when Molly was at such a young age done to her? He tried to ferret out the damage, but found none. Surely it had scarred her. Jeanne’s passing and the loss of Sean had certainly scarred him for life. “Did you love your mother?” The instant the words were out of his mouth, he regretted the stupid question.
“Very much. We were close. Father’s a workaholic, and it was Mom who kept things going at home for Scott and me. Yes, I loved her more than life.” Molly stroked Miracle’s neck and shoulders. “This is wonderful, getting to meet a dog like yours. She reminds me so much of Pooky—loyal and loving. I’m really glad I ran into you here on the beach, even if it was an accident.” Molly smiled, meaning it.
Uncomfortable with Molly’s openness, Cam called Miracle to his side. The black Lab hesitated, licked Molly’s hand one more time, then slowly rose and trudged hesitantly to his side. Cam felt like a heel. He wasn’t able to give Miracle the kind of open, loving warmth Jeanne had bestowed on her. Now Molly was offering what Miracle so missed. He wondered hotly what it would be like to be stroked by Molly’s small, graceful hand. For a moment, he envied Miracle.
“I’ve got to get going,” Cam stumbled. “I’ll see you at school on Monday.”
“Sure…” Molly tried to smile, but it was impossible. She’d totally embarrassed herself in front of Captain Sinclair, who was obviously uncomfortable in her presence. Miracle hesitated at the top of the dune, turned toward her and barked. Then she spun around, disappearing down the other side with her master.
Packing up her items, Molly thought she’d never felt as alive as she had in those few minutes with Cam and his dog. At least he hadn’t been icy with her, as he was at school. There had been a change in him, although it was subtle. Why was he so unhappy? As Molly shrugged into her knapsack and folded her towel, she cringed at the thought of going home. The weekend stretched in front of her. On Saturday her father would call, demanding a detailed verbal report of her week’s activities.
Slowly, Molly walked through the sand. The sun hovered on the horizon, the sky a pale pink tinged with lavender. Its setting was going to be spectacular, and the beauty momentarily raised her plummeting spirits. How she longed for the kind of freedom Miracle had.
Cam’s face swam in front of her. All her worry lifted, and a ribbon of warmth spread through Molly. What kind of magic did he hold over her to lift her unaccountably from her own private hell?
“So I ended up with Pooky.” Molly looked past Cam, the memories coming back deep and strong. “She loved me so much, and my whole life revolved around her. My brother was the firstborn, and he was always the center of attention. Pooky and I stayed in my bedroom where I served her tea, shared my dolls with her and read her fairy tales.” Molly smiled shyly down at Miracle, who had her head cocked to one side, as if listening intently to each word.
“Pooky died a month after my mother did. I never felt so alone.”
Cam frowned. “How old were you when your mother died?”
“Ten.” Molly rallied, petting Miracle fondly. “Father wanted to get me another dog, but I just couldn’t do it. Pooky was one of a kind. And even at that age, I knew nothing or no one could ever replace her.”
Pain widened in Cam’s chest—not only for himself, but for Molly. What had her mother’s passing when Molly was at such a young age done to her? He tried to ferret out the damage, but found none. Surely it had scarred her. Jeanne’s passing and the loss of Sean had certainly scarred him for life. “Did you love your mother?” The instant the words were out of his mouth, he regretted the stupid question.
“Very much. We were close. Father’s a workaholic, and it was Mom who kept things going at home for Scott and me. Yes, I loved her more than life.” Molly stroked Miracle’s neck and shoulders. “This is wonderful, getting to meet a dog like yours. She reminds me so much of Pooky—loyal and loving. I’m really glad I ran into you here on the beach, even if it was an accident.” Molly smiled, meaning it.
Uncomfortable with Molly’s openness, Cam called Miracle to his side. The black Lab hesitated, licked Molly’s hand one more time, then slowly rose and trudged hesitantly to his side. Cam felt like a heel. He wasn’t able to give Miracle the kind of open, loving warmth Jeanne had bestowed on her. Now Molly was offering what Miracle so missed. He wondered hotly what it would be like to be stroked by Molly’s small, graceful hand. For a moment, he envied Miracle.
“I’ve got to get going,” Cam stumbled. “I’ll see you at school on Monday.”
“Sure…” Molly tried to smile, but it was impossible. She’d totally embarrassed herself in front of Captain Sinclair, who was obviously uncomfortable in her presence. Miracle hesitated at the top of the dune, turned toward her and barked. Then she spun around, disappearing down the other side with her master.
Packing up her items, Molly thought she’d never felt as alive as she had in those few minutes with Cam and his dog. At least he hadn’t been icy with her, as he was at school. There had been a change in him, although it was subtle. Why was he so unhappy? As Molly shrugged into her knapsack and folded her towel, she cringed at the thought of going home. The weekend stretched in front of her. On Saturday her father would call, demanding a detailed verbal report of her week’s activities.
Slowly, Molly walked through the sand. The sun hovered on the horizon, the sky a pale pink tinged with lavender. Its setting was going to be spectacular, and the beauty momentarily raised her plummeting spirits. How she longed for the kind of freedom Miracle had.
Cam’s face swam in front of her. All her worry lifted, and a ribbon of warmth spread through Molly. What kind of magic did he hold over her to lift her unaccountably from her own private hell?
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