Page 27 of A Perfect Target

Curtis looked around at the bedlam and shook his head. “Nah, I’m good. There are just too many munchkins around here for my taste. I’ll see you later.” The older man turned on his heels and went out the front door.

By that time, it was five o’clock and the party was officially over. Parents began to arrive to pick up their children, and there were several minutes of utter chaos.

Suzanna sat at the table and out of the way of the pandemonium while Sammy stretched out on the kitchen floor with his new puppy.

Finally, the last of the children had been picked up, and Seth returned to the table and sat. “Whew.” He expelled a deep breath.

“I should get out of here, too,” she said.

“Please, stay a little bit longer.” His eyes were warm as he gazed at her. “With all the kids here, we barely got a chance to visit.”

“Okay, I’ll hang out a little longer,” she agreed. What did she have to hurry home for? Another lonely Saturday night? She’d much rather spend more time here, enjoying Sammy’s happiness and Seth’s warm gazes.

“Dad, you never, ever have to buy me a birthday or Christmas present ever again,” Sammy exclaimed. “You got me my dream present today.”

“What are you going to name her?” Suzanna asked.

Sammy sat up with the pup in his arms. He frowned thoughtfully. “I don’t know yet. I’ve got to think about it for a little while.”

“Not only do you need to come up with a name, but you’ll be responsible for feeding and watering your dog. You’ll also need to take her outside to potty,” Seth replied. “A dog comes with a lot of responsibility.”

“That’s okay, I’ll be the most responsible boy I can be for Lady.” Sammy grinned at Suzanna and his dad. “Her name is Lady.”

“Now that’s a fine name,” Seth said.

“And she is a beautiful little lady,” Suzanna added. The dog squeaked out a tiny bark as if in agreement, and they all laughed. For a moment the warmth of family filled Suzanna. But of course, that wasn’t her reality. She was just a visitor in their world.

“Sammy, there’s a box in my bedroom that has food and bowls, a bed, and a collar and leash for Lady. Why don’t you run and get that now,” Seth said. “You can leave the dog bed in your room.”

“Okay,” Sammy replied, and then he left the room, Lady following close behind him with her entire back end wiggling happily. “That definitely looks like a match made in Heaven,” Suzanna said as boy and dog disappeared down the hallway.

Seth laughed. “I think you’re right.” He sobered. “I noticed you didn’t have any cake earlier. How about I make us some coffee, and I cut you a piece of cake now?”

“That sounds good,” she replied. “I didn’t have a piece of cake earlier because I was too full of pizza, but now cake sounds great and it’s my favorite kind.”

“So, you’re a chocolate cake kind of woman,” he said as he got up from the table.

“Definitely, what about you? What kind do you like?”

“My all-time favorite kind of cake is vanilla with raspberry filling.” He turned on the coffeemaker and got two cups down from the cabinet.

“Sounds good, but chocolate is far better,” she replied.

He laughed once again. “Well then today you’re in luck because chocolate is what’s on the menu. Chocolate is Sammy’s favorite, too.”

She looked around the room. It was more than a bit of a mess, with dirty paper plates left on the floor and countertops, along with wrapping paper and drooping party banners. “After we have coffee and cake, I’ll help you clean up the place.”

“You don’t need to do that,” he protested. “You’re a guest here. It’s my party, and Sammy and I will do the cleanup.”

“That doesn’t mean I can’t help,” she replied. “Besides, it doesn’t seem right that the birthday boy has to clean up after his own party.”

“We’ll see,” he replied. Within minutes he placed a cup of coffee in front of her, along with a generous slice of the cake. He then grabbed his own coffee cup and returned to sit across from her.

“You’re not having cake?” she asked.

“Nah, if you remember I ate a big piece when the kids were eating theirs. It’s a little too chocolatey for me to want another piece right now.”

She grinned at him. “That little too chocolatey is what makes it so good.”