“Probably not the wisest decision I’ve ever made, but the truth is, given the same options, I’d follow the same path.”

  Harry nodded without judgment or pressure to continue. “For your peace of mind, I’ll tell you that you’re wrong when it comes to Judge Walters’s interest in your case.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Your family, and any influence they might have with the courts, had nothing to do with Judge Walters.”

  Cade wasn’t sure what to make of this. In his mind, he was convinced the judge had been influenced to go light with him. His mother’s presence in the courtroom had sealed the conclusion in his mind.

  “Judge Walters’s son was a marine who served in Afghanistan. He came home a different young man than when he left. He was lost and confused, the way many veterans are. Six months after he was discharged, he ended his life.”

  Surprise must have showed in Cade, because Harry continued. “Since that time, Judge Walters has made it her goal to help other young men like her son. She read your case file and contacted me long before your court date.”

  “You’re saying my family had nothing to do with my light sentence?”

  “I can promise you they did not.”

  Cade swallowed, seeing the judge with fresh eyes. “Good to know.”

  “I wouldn’t normally share these details, but I wanted to assure you her intentions toward you and others are meant for good and not for harm. They come from her own tragic experience.”

  “I appreciate knowing this. Thank you.” Cade sipped his coffee, needing a moment to clear his head.

  Harry leaned back in his chair and looked over the notes Cade had supplied him with regarding his time commitments. “I see you’ve spent quite a few hours at the animal shelter this last week.”

  Cade enjoyed the work. “I’m glad you recommended that as a means of working off my community service. I enjoy my time there.”

  “I thought you would.” He smiled, as if congratulating himself.

  “I’d like to adopt a dog myself. Unfortunately, the apartment I’m renting doesn’t allow animals.” Several times over, Cade had found it difficult to let one of the dogs he’d worked with leave the shelter. It was ridiculous really, because he knew they were going to families and individuals who had much more to offer them than he ever would. Cade’s life was chaotic, and he was rarely home as it was.

  “How’s Shadow doing?” Harry asked.

  Cade’s head came up. “I mentioned Shadow?” He didn’t recall telling Harry about the surly animal.

  “Briefly, a couple weeks ago now.”

  This was the thing about Harry. He had the ability to see beyond the most casual comment and recognize the significance. Cade’s mind went back to their earlier conversation. It happened shortly after Hope had started volunteering and he’d taken notice of her. He’d been warned to stay away from Shadow’s kennel. They all had, and with good reason. The dog was uncontrollable. Hope hadn’t listened. Instead, she’d sat down on the floor outside the kennel and talked to Shadow in that soothing way of hers. It’d intrigued him to watch Shadow’s reaction.

  “She’s got him behaving on the leash.” It seemed almost unbelievable. Shadow wasn’t exactly licking anyone’s hand. He still growled and showed his teeth with the other volunteers. Yet, when it came to Hope, he was a different animal. Shadow accepted her. To watch the transformation in their relationship had been fascinating.

  “ ‘She’?” Harry asked.

  Lost in his musings, Cade frowned. “I’m sorry?”

  “You said, she’s got him on a leash. Who’s ‘she’?”

  “Another one of the volunteers,” he said, downplaying his interest in Hope.

  His answer immediately caught Harry’s attention. “You’d mentioned Preston felt they were going to have to put the animal down.”

  “That’s what everyone thought.”

  “Except this other volunteer.”

  Cade nodded. He’d learned from Preston that Hope taught at the local high school. None of his high school teachers had looked anything like her. She was a knockout, on the petite side, with auburn hair she wore shoulder length. Briefly, he wondered if she was involved with anyone, but quickly dismissed the thought. No way was he ready for a relationship, and no way would someone like Hope be interested in a loser like him.

  As if realizing there was more going on than what Cade was telling him, Harry motioned toward him. “Tell me about this volunteer.”

  The question drew him up short; he was unwilling to walk down this path. “What do you want to know?” he asked, as a delay tactic.

  Harry shrugged as if it was of little concern. “I don’t know. Clearly she has a lot of heart.”

  “And patience,” Cade added. He’d watched her move closer and closer to the kennel until all that stood between them was the wire. As the malnourished dog regained his strength, his aggression grew less pronounced with Hope’s attention and care. Shadow looked for her. As soon as Hope entered the kennel area, Shadow rose to his feet, as if greeting a queen.

  “It must have taken a lot of courage for her to go into his kennel.”

  Cade agreed. He wasn’t sure how she’d managed to convince Preston to let her try. He hadn’t been around at the time and hadn’t heard the details. All he knew was that on his last visit, Hope was in the yard walking Shadow. Granted, it was a short leash, and it was only the two of them. He’d been awestruck, as had the rest of the staff and volunteers. From what he’d learned, Hope had agreed to adopt Shadow.

  “Yeah, she’s got plenty of that,” Cade agreed. As far as he could see, Hope had courage in spades.

  “I notice you’ve increased your hours at the shelter. Is it because of…What’s this volunteer’s name?”

  “Hope,” Cade answered.

  The name seemed to amuse Harry. “Hope,” he repeated. “She certainly seems to be giving Shadow hope for the future.”

  Cade silently agreed.

  “And just perhaps, you, too,” Harry added.

  Chapter 4

  Hope sat in her office with Dannie, a junior girl who was weeping over the breakup with her boyfriend, convinced she had lost the love of her life. Hope offered sympathy and a hug. Once Dannie’s tears had dried, she rose to leave. Hope walked her out and was surprised to see Spencer Brown standing outside her door.

  “Hello, Spencer,” she said, surprised and pleased to see him. “What can I do for you?”

  As if he regretted being seen, he said, “It’s nothing.”

  Hope arched her brows at his response. “You didn’t stop by my office by mistake. Nor did you get lost. Come on in and tell me what’s on your mind.”

  Hope’s heart went out to Spencer. He really was her favorite student, mainly because she could identify with him. She’d been supersmart, too, with grades high enough that she could gain a full-ride scholarship and then manage a double major. Spencer’s classmates had labeled him an über-geek. She knew he had friends, but, like him, they weren’t athletic or particularly popular. They hung out in the lunchroom together and were mostly ignored by the female population.

  Spencer’s steps were reluctant as he came into the office. He glanced over his shoulder before he closed the door, as though to make sure no one saw him.

  “Tell me what’s on your mind,” she said, encouraging him to speak.

  “Not much,” he said, shrugging and avoiding eye contact.

  “It’s clear to me there’s something you’d like to discuss. That’s what I’m here for, Spencer. What you tell me will remain between the two of us, so feel free to share.”

  He glanced up, as though he wasn’t convinced he believed her.

  “You’re doing well in all your classes,” she said, starting the conversation.

  “Yeah.”

  “Then whatever is bothering you doesn’t have to do with your grades.”

  “No.”

  Hope could see how difficult this was for him. She suspected she knew what had brought him into her office and broached the subject. “Does this have anything to do with Callie Rhodes?”

  Spencer’s head shot up, clearly shocked that Hope could somehow read his mind.

  “I’ve noticed the way you look at Callie in class,” she said, gentling her voice, wanting him to know she understood.

  “We were good friends at one time,” Spencer rushed to tell her. “Callie’s changed, though, and doesn’t have time for me any longer…”

  “So you two go way back?”

  Spencer nodded. “Our families are best friends, or we used to be. Ben and I used to hang out before he got involved in sports.”

  “When was that?”

  “Junior high, mostly. Ben’s athletic and that’s great. I mean, I’m happy for him, except once he started playing football and ran track, we didn’t hang out much, and now we never do. Callie and I were always friends, too, but we grew apart about the same time.”

  “I understand that Callie and Ben are twins.”

  “Yeah, they are.”

  Hope couldn’t help wondering if Callie and Ben were close the way she and Hunter had been. They had always relied on each other. For a brief moment, grief over the loss of her twin overwhelmed her as she swallowed down the emotion that clogged her throat.

  “Now that we’re all in high school, our parents still get together, but us kids aren’t included,” Spencer continued.

  Hope was grateful he didn’t notice her reaction.

  “Callie speaks to me, and Ben, too, but it isn’t like it was when we were young.”

  People and times change. Hope had come to realize over the years that there were seasons in friendships. Her best friend in college had been Tonya Harrison. Then following graduation from UC Davis, Tonya had married, and she and her husband, Justin, had moved to Texas. Hope and Tonya still kept in touch on Facebook and through text messages every now and again. But it wasn’t the same.

  “I understand relationships change,” Hope told Spencer. “That doesn’t mean they need to end.”

  “I’d like to be more than her friend, Ms. Goodwin. I’d like to be her date for homecoming.” He said this squaring his shoulders, as if releasing a long-held secret.

  “I see.” And she did.

  “I know she’s one of the most popular girls in school.” His eyes lit up, as if another thought had suddenly entered his mind. “Do you think Callie suspects the way I feel about her?” Spencer asked, wide-eyed with both dread and hope.

  Hope understood that more than anything, Spencer wanted Callie to know how he felt about her, and at the same time was afraid she did know and chose to ignore him rather than hurt his feelings.

  “I don’t know.” Hope had definitely noticed and wasn’t sure if Callie had or not.

  “I think about her all the time. I know, I know, it’s useless. Callie would never date me. I was thinking if we could go back to being friends that she might be willing to date me eventually. I want to ask her to homecoming in the worst way.”

  More than he realized, Hope wanted to help Spencer. He had a lot to offer Callie, or any girl, for that matter. Hope didn’t approve or disapprove of his choice. She didn’t know Callie well enough to say one way or the other. But it discouraged her that all Spencer saw was a pretty face.

  “Why don’t you start small. Call her.”

  “I don’t have a reason,” he insisted.

  “Come up with one.”

  He frowned, as if he’d already considered that. “I’m not good at conversation or making small talk. It would likely be one of the shortest phone calls on record. I thought, you know, if we were together more often…”

  “So Callie’s the reason you took Introduction to Computer Science.” Anyone who knew Spencer recognized his computer skills were far and away more advanced than anything the class would teach him.

  He didn’t deny or confirm her statement.

  “You know, Spencer, there are other ways of getting Callie’s attention.”

  He sat forward in his chair. “I’m open to suggestions.”

  “I don’t have any to give you. That is something you need to figure out for yourself. I have every faith that someone as smart as you will be up to the task.”

  Spencer didn’t look convinced. “Smart in getting top grades, but when it comes to girls, I fail every time. I’ve never attended a school dance. This could well be one of my last chances.”

  “How many girls have you asked?”

  He shrugged, which was answer enough.

  “You didn’t ask anyone, did you?”

  He released a deep, frustrated sigh. “Why bother? I knew they’d all turn me down. I didn’t think I could take the rejection.”

  “Oh Spencer, I can only imagine how many girls would have jumped at the chance to attend any one of the school dances with you.”

  From his expression, it was clear he didn’t believe her.

  “Homecoming is in two weeks,” she reminded him. “You should go to that dance, Spencer. If you don’t, I think you’ll regret it.”

  “The only girl I’d want to take is Callie,” he insisted, even before Hope could suggest a few other names.

  “Then ask her.”

  He hedged, as if giving the idea consideration. Hope could see his mind brewing possibilities before his entire body seemed to slump with defeat. “She’s probably already agreed to go with Scott.”

  Hope had considered that, too, but that didn’t keep her from encouraging him. “You’ll never know unless you ask.”

  “If I ask her to homecoming, then Callie will know how I feel about her.”

  “Isn’t that the point?”

  “No,” he insisted, and then quickly changed his mind. “Well, maybe.”

  “Whatever happens is up to you.”

  “I’ll think about it,” Spencer agreed.

  * * *

  —

  All weekend, Spencer thought about his conversation with Ms. Goodwin. It was terrifying and exhilarating to think that if he were to ask Callie to homecoming, she might agree to go with him. For a time, all too short, he told himself Ms. Goodwin was right, he should ask Callie.

  There was one factor he hadn’t shared with Ms. Goodwin that kept circling in his mind. He’d heard a rumor that Callie and Scott had broken up after an argument in the school parking lot. A lot of people had witnessed them shouting at each other. But then, a day or two later, they were all chummy again. So much for that.

  Even with an effort to be optimistic, he realized it’d be ridiculous to think that Callie would go out with him. By Monday morning, he’d discarded the idea completely. No need to humiliate himself in front of the entire school. If he asked and she turned him down, news of her rejection was sure to be echoed through the halls of Oceanside High.

  The last thing Spencer thought would happen was Callie seeking him out.

  Monday, after classes were done for the day, Spencer was headed toward the school parking lot. He and his dad had worked on a 1965 Dodge Dart his father bought when he got out of the military. His dad had loved that car, and together they’d worked on getting it running again so Spencer would have a vehicle.

  “Spencer.”

  He knew that voice and turned around as Callie speed-walked toward him, her steps filled with purpose.

  Her eyes were bright, and the sun shone down on her until he was convinced a halo had formed over her head.

  “I’m glad I caught you.” She smiled at him as if they spoke every day and were the best of friends the way they had once been. “How have you been?”

  “Good.”

  His heart was beating like crazy, but he managed to smile back. “I heard you and Scott broke up. I’m sorry.”

  “We’re all right, we’ll remain friends,” Callie said, frowning.

  “Any chance you’ll get back together?”

  “Not on my part, although I don’t think Scott got the message, but that’s his problem, not mine.”

  He managed to appear sympathetic, even if the news made him want to jump up and down.

  “Is that the car you and your dad worked on?” she asked, looking at the Dart behind him.

  It surprised him she even knew about that. But then, his dad had probably mentioned it to her dad.

  It demanded all the fortitude he possessed to answer with an affirmative nod.

  “Cool.”

  “Thanks.” He wanted to tell her of all the hours he and his dad had spent rebuilding the engine. In the process, he’d learned a great deal about the inner workings of an internal combustion engine. More important, he’d gained a deepening relationship with his father. While bending over the hood, his dad had talked about his own childhood and teen years. Stories Spencer had never heard before. He’d even spoken at length about his experiences in the military. His dad said the three years he’d been with the army had matured him into the man he was today.

  Of course, Spencer told Callie none of this, which meant all he seemed able to do was stare at her.

  “Do you have a few minutes?” she asked.

  He nodded, rather than risk his voice cracking or embarrassing himself.

  “Great. It’s been a while, and I thought it was time we caught up.”

  Callie tucked her hair behind her ear. From his study of her, Spencer knew it was a nervous habit, one that had followed her all through her life. He couldn’t imagine why she would be anxious around him.

  “Yeah, sure.” She wanted to catch up with him? That told him she probably needed a favor.

  “I need your help,” she told him.

  “Okay.”

  “Okay? You don’t even know what I want you to do.”

  “Whatever you need, Callie. You know you can count on me.”

  She beamed him a smile. “I know you’ve got some impressive computer skills.”