Page 33 of Second Chance At Love

Henry managed breakfast with Nick and Oliver. He learned about Oliver’s upcoming math test. He promised to help go over some problems that night to help him prepare. That might be a little tricky once he sprung the surprise but Henry would make sure Oliver stuck to his word and got in some practice.

While Cora dropped the kids off at school, Henry slowly cleaned up around the kitchen. He didn’t mind doing some chores while letting his mind think. Plus it made him feel useful which was something he didn’t necessarily feel much these days considering he was now forced to take things slowly.

Wiping down the table and setting the dishwasher to run, Henry grabbed his wallet. Michael and Noah should be here any moment. He hoped to go before Cora got back. Otherwise she might ask questions he wasn’t ready to answer.

The doorbell rang and Henry grinned. Perfect timing. He made his way to the door, perhaps too quickly because he was breathing a little hard as he opened it. “Hey.”

“Hey yourself. Slow down a little,” said a frowning Noah. “It’s not a race to come see us.”

Henry took his coat off the hook near the door. “Cora will be back in five and I would like to get going.”

“Are we supposed to go somewhere?” wondered Noah. He gave Michael a questioning look but his brother just shrugged. “Are you sick of Cora and the kids already? Trying to escape?’

“We are going on an adventure,” stated Henry, ignoring Noah’s remarks about Cora and the kids. Henry enjoyed the busyness that the family provided. It was far preferable to be around the noise and chatter than to be alone.

“An adventure? Sounds like fun,” remarked Noah as they headed to his vehicle. “Want to tell us where?”

“I will give directions. It’s a bit of a surprise. Might get us into a tiny bit of trouble,” mentioned Henry as he tried to breathe evenly and failed. Michael helped him to get situated in the SUV and Henry leaned back, trying to catch his breath. “Well, it might get me into a tiny bit of trouble.”

Noah grinned from the driver’s seat. “This is the Henry I remember. Are we pranking Ben?”

“It’s not a prank, it’s a surprise,” corrected Henry.

Michael made a motion.

“Good surprises only, right?’ interpreted Noah.

“Absolutely. Plus, Michael is sort of an expert. He can help me with choosing the surprise,” mentioned Henry as he watched the scenery go past. It was nice to see the street properly. Last time, when he moved in with Cora, he had been too tired and intent on seeing the outside of her house. It was a nice neighborhood, Henry reflected. A good place to bring up the boys. He felt that Cora had chosen wisely. Henry sent a quick text to her, saying Noah and Michael were taking him out and would return him in an hour or so.

Letting his phone navigate where they were going, Henry smiled as they pulled up to their destination.

“You’re kidding,” said Noah as he looked at the sign.

“The kids need one,” declared Henry firmly. “It will be good for them. It will teach Nick and Oliver patience and responsibility while giving them a playmate and a confidant to keep all their secrets. They are old enough to handle it.”

“What did Cora say?” wondered Noah suspiciously.

“She didn’t,” replied Henry as he quickly opened his door. He was not going to let Noah deter him. Getting out of the vehicle, Henry waited for Michael to get his walker out. “That’s why it’s a surprise.”

“She might not like it,” warned Noah. “Cora just had a baby, she’s taking care of you, she has two boys, and now you want to add this to the mix.”

“Yes,” calmly replied Henry. He looked at Michael. “A little support here? You have one even though you have four kids.”

“He also has a housekeeper and he got the dog before having the kids. FedEx is fully trained,” dryly mentioned Noah.

Michael gave them both an amused look as he went forward towards the shelter.

“See? Michael is prepared to be my partner in crime,” gloated Henry as much as he was able considering the oxygen and walker. The good news was he was now breathing normally again after resting in the car.

“Fine,” Noah capitulated, putting up his hands in the universal sign of surrender. “You win but you might regret it. And if Cora doesn’t want the dog, I am not taking it for you.”

“I wasn’t about to ask you to give it a home. Cora is going to love a dog,” confidently stated Henry as he walked after Michael towards the animal shelter.

“I hope so,” muttered Noah, getting the door for Henry..

Fifteen minutes later they were looking over the potential candidates for bringing home. At first Henry thought it might be best if the dog were mature and trained. Yet his attention was continually drawn to a half grown yellow lab. The pup kept waving its tail at him, but was quiet.

“What is the story with him?” asked Henry curiously.