Page 136 of Steel

“I can tell you’re up to something.”

“I am not.” He acted outraged.

So I punched him in the gut. “Tell me or else.”

“I’ll let you in on a little hint,” he teased. “I don’t mind experiencing your threats.” He laughed while I punched him several more times. “Alright. Fine. I have a birthday present, but it’s going to require your help.”

“Too big to carry?”

“No, more like help for years to come.”

Leaning back, I scrunched up my face. “What does that mean?”

When he stuck his fingers into his mouth, issuing a shrill whistle, instinctively, I knew what to expect. With a hard gasp that I tried to hide, I watched as the crowd parted and Axe, who’d obviously been in on the surprise, let go of what he was holding.

Zorro.

As soon as the pup was released, he bounded away and toward only one person. His little boy.

I’d heard my son squeal before, countless times, but never in the way I heard when seeing his beloved dog who was wearing a huge red bow. Everyone in the crowd cheered.

“How did you manage?” There was no sense in bothering to try to stop the tears. I would soon be blanketed with them. Happy tears.

Steel shrugged as if it was no big deal when this was the most special gift anyone could give to my son.

“The couple who had him realized they weren’t a great fit.”

“Uh-huh.” I could tell by the fact he wasn’t looking at me that he was lying. “How hard did you yank their chain?”

“Pretty hard. I plied them with a few bucks but in the end, they heard the story and knew Damon deserved to be with the pup.”

“You are an amazing man. Even if you don’t often show it.”

“Oh, yeah?” he asked, finally turning toward me.

“Oh, yeah.” I inched closer until we were almost touching. Almost.

“Hmm…”

“Hmm…”

“Mom! Look. Look what I got for my birthday!”

In a blur, two figures came rushing toward us, one laughing up a storm. The other barking his head off.

And we were mere obstacles in the way.

“Look out.” Damon’s words were too late.

We were barreled over by one strong pup, knocked flat on the ground. The wind was knocked entirely from my body.

When the two of them tried to run off, I did my own version of whistling as Steel had done. “Hey, kiddo. What do you say to him about your present?”

“Thank you, Steel.”

As the two ran off to play, I stared at the sky. “Well, that was a hit.”

“You think?” he asked, groaning as he did.