Carlos lifted a stray leaf from the top of Noah's head, holding it up. "It's a three-clover leaf," he whispered as if sharing a secret. "Do you want to see some magic with it?"
Noah watched with wide, rapt attention as Carlos placed the greenery in the center of the pup's tiny, soft palm. Carlos ran his fingers over the leaf with a slow flourish, and a second later, a tiny white flower sat where the clover had been.
"Waaa!"
Noah's eyes shone with pure wonder, his little mouth falling open. He began to babble a string of excited sounds, his tiny fingers reaching out to poke at the petal.
Carlos remained on his knees in front of the stroller, a genuine, soft smile reaching his eyes as he watched the boy's reaction.
"Did you like it?" he asked, his voice low and warm.
Noah kicked his feet in the stroller, letting out a high-pitched squeal of delight that echoed through the garden.
