Page 117 of Sherry and Sunflowers
"It's good to see you, Quiet Dragon. We got our happy ever after, you know."
John grinned at Reaves and nodded. "I'm glad to hear it. You deserve one."
"So do you. We need to find you a princess."
John chuckled. "I don't know about that. But if you find one, let me know, okay?"
"I will," said Zia. "She's out there somewhere."
"Don't get too carried away with that one," John told her. "I think most princesses prefer handsome princes to quiet dragons."
Reaves could only smile when Zia said, "It doesn't matter what most of them want. You only need one. And I know there's a princess out there who needs a quiet dragon all of her own. I'll ask Prince Daddy to bring me to tell you, if I find her."
"Well, I appreciate that," John told her.
He looked up, and when Reaves followed his gaze, he saw Becca's Land Rover pulling in off the road.
"We'll get out of here," Reaves told John. "But I'll give you a call. You should come out next time we all get together."
"Thanks. Maybe I will."
"See you soon, Quiet Dragon!" Zia called.
Reaves grinned at the way John waggled his fingers in a little wave. He was relieved that Becca only waved as she passed—he enjoyed talking with her, and he knew Zia did too, but they were already going to be back later than he'd expected.
As he pulled out onto the road, Zia heaved a big sigh, and he had a feeling he knew what was coming.
"Prince Daddy?"
He smiled to himself. "Yes, Z?"
"Do you think Homer's okay?"
"I do. But I think you're right—I think he'll be happier when he can leave the shelter."
"Can we take him home?" she asked.
He inhaled deeply before he answered. He knew he couldn't say it yet, however much he wanted to. All he could do was tell her the truest thing he had.
"I hope so."
He got Zia out of her seat when they got back to his dad's place, and the minute her feet hit the ground, she ran off up the steps into the house. He collected her backpack and followed her inside.
Faye poked her head out of the kitchen and grinned at him. "How did it go?"
He went to her and kissed her cheek. "It was great. You want to see that dog, Faye."
She chuckled. "You know I do. I want to make sure it's going to be well behaved. I don't need some mutt in my kitchen, stealing sausages."
He laughed. "Stop pretending you're not as excited about it as I am."
She gave him a wry smile. "I'll stop pretending when I know it's for real." She lowered her voice. "But listen—do you know what your dad's up to tonight?"
He grinned. "Yeah, I do. Don't you?"
"No, I don't. He asked me to make a simple dinner—things we can all pick at, instead of sitting down with knives and forks. Says he wants to eat out on the terrace. He's got something uphis sleeve, but I don't know what it is." She narrowed her eyes at him. "If you know, then it must be something for the girls, right?"
"Yeah. It is. I didn't know if he was going to do it tonight, but…"
