Brooke’s voice broke the silence between them that had settled into the house once they’d returned. He wanted to attribute it to the long day and the fact they had a daunting task ahead of them, but he wasn’t sure. She’d been quiet before they left the park. After they met Roger and his wife. He glanced at the mantel clock, put down the instruction sheet and stood, his back protesting. “It’s nearly nine. We got a lot done in the past two hours. You were phenomenal.” “Not so much. The cleanup looked worse than it really was.” She didn’t meet his gaze as she stowed the broom in the entry closet. “Poor Oscar. He must have been so upset worrying you wouldn’t come back.” “He’s worn himself out. Look.” The dog snoozed on his bed in the corner, legs sticking straight out, snoring like a truck downshifting on the freeway. “The more I think about that day care idea, the more I like it.” “We’ll try to work on his anxiety again next time. If you want.” All business, she tugged the bag of dog treats from her purse and left them on the coffee table.
