little. “I might feel slightly pregnant at the moment,” he admitted. “I couldn’t let you eat more than me, and yeah, the food is great. It’s why I’m careful about how often I come here.”
Without thinking twice, she reached over and slapped his stomach, which was so muscled and flat it hurt her fingers. He groaned before grabbing her hand and lifting it, kissing her palm, sending tingles all the way down her spine.
“Woman, don’t make me retaliate,” he said as they continued moving down the path, both of them going very, very slow. It didn’t take long to get back to the community area. It was close to noon and more people were out. They passed through the more populated area and into the park.
Daisy spotted an older woman with worn clothes sitting on a bench with a small dog, feeding him little bits of ham. The woman looked up and gave a sweet smile to Daisy.
Her heart full at the sight, Daisy walked toward the woman. “How old is your dog?”
“Sugar’s eight years old,” the woman replied. “She’s been my best friend for a very long time.”
“She’s beautiful,” Daisy said as she reached out a hand and let the little terrier sniff her. After a second the dog seemed to approve and licked Daisy’s fingers before rushing back to her mom’s lap and snuggling in, keeping her eye on the stranger. “Do you two come here often?”
“Yes, every day it doesn’t rain me out,” the woman said. She seemed to have a story in her eyes that Daisy wanted to hear about. Daisy knew she’d definitely have to come back to this park again. She loved to hear people’s stories.
“It’s my first time, but I think I’ll come back again. I love it here already,” Daisy told her.
“Yes, and the people are great,” the woman said. “They’ve never made me feel unwelcome like some of the nicer areas I’ve been to before. I like to be outside as my place isn’t roomy.” She paused. “But some of the parks in my neighborhood can be a little scary so I take a bus and come where I know I can keep Sugar safe.” The woman’s words broke Daisy’s heart.
“I’m really glad to hear that,” Daisy told her. Then she reached into her pocket and pulled out a twenty-dollar bill. “Here’s for Sugar to get a treat,” she said, handing it over.
The woman teared up. “You don’t need to do that, darling,” the woman said.
“It’s my pleasure. I hope to talk to you again soon.”
“Me too,” the woman said, before looking down at her dog. “I think Sugar will get a cheeseburger for lunch. And maybe I’ll get a coffee.”
“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” Daisy told her. The woman stood, thanked Daisy again, and then walked away, Sugar leashed happily at her side.
Daisy was at Hudson’s side feeling a bit sad, but also thinking a whole lot. This morning hadn’t been what she’d expected, not at all.
“She looked as if she could use a little help, but sometimes I’m afraid I might offend someone for offering,” Daisy said when they were out of earshot.
“Kindness should never offend anyone,” Hudson told her.
“It’s not always kind to offer help, though. Sometimes it steps on a person’s pride.”
“When we love someone as much as that woman obviously loves her dog, we let go of our pride,” he assured her.
“That’s very true,” Daisy said.
“Sometimes no matter how hard we try, we get kicked down again. I believe in working hard, but I also believe that we don’t need someone to come in and kick us when we’re already down.”
“You really aren’t who I thought you were,” Daisy said as they rounded their last corner, coming close to the truck.
“Is that a good or bad thing?” Hudson asked as they walked up to the truck and he stopped, not unlocking the door just yet.
“I don’t know,” she said. “You’re certainly not what I was expecting.”
“Am I winning then?” he asked with a wink.
She laughed, truly laughed, harder than she had in a very long time. When she was finished she found him grinning with her.
“Nope, but good try. I’ll give you major points for effort.”
He finally opened the truck door, but before he let her inside, he pulled her close and kissed her. When he let her go, she was slightly wobbly on her feet and accepted his help inside the cab. Her cheeks were flushed, and her body was tingly. When he climbed