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“What’s going on?” Allie handed her friend a mug of coffee.
“We need to go.” Belle sipped her drink.
“I know. As soon as you finish, we can.” Allie whistled to Scout. It took three times, but he finally came and sat at her feet. Reluctantly.
“No, Al. We need to leave. Matthew said that wildfire is too close. He’s not comfortable with us being out here.”
“But I thought the fire was to the east. I checked yesterday.”
Belle shook her head slowly. “It’s heading this way. According to what Matt’s buddies at the fire department said, he’s surprised they haven’t issued an evacuation order yet.”
“If they haven’t issued the order yet, we’re fine.”
“Maybe, but I told Matt I’d head home today.”
“Belle—”
“If he were here and I was back home, I’d want him to leave. I think you and Scout should leave too.”
“Leave? Now? We just got here yesterday.” She needed training time. This was her chance.
“Why don’t you come to Idaho with me? You could see our new place. You haven’t been back to Twin Valley in ages.”
And be a jolly third wheel to the honeymoon couple? As much as she missed Belle and was happy for her to have found true love, she didn’t think she could stomach five days of witnessing their happy lives together and all that Allie would never experience herself. And besides, she couldn’t leave knowing the boys were out in the Kootenai National Forest alone.
“Go ahead, Belle. But Scout and I will stay.” Allie opened up her backpack, looking for Scout’s harness.
“Don’t be like that. There’s plenty of wilderness where I am?—”
“You need to be with Matthew. I get that. But I can’t go. Not yet.” Allie slipped Scout’s harness on him, focusing on the clip, willing her eyes not to drip the tears stinging them. This was supposed to be time with her best friend. Time together and time to figure out how to get Scout to listen to her.
“Allie, you don’t have to do this alone.”
“I’m not alone. I have Scout.” Allie stood and settled her backpack straps onto her shoulders. She dug up a bright smile for her friend. “It’s okay. We’ll just stay a day or two, and maybe I’ll stop and see you on my way home.”
Belle studied her as if sniffing out any sign of caving. With a resigned sigh, her brow relaxed. “Are you sure?”
“Those boys are still out there, and Scout knows their scent. That will be our training today. And if there’s any sign of the fire getting close, I’ll leave. But for now, I’ll stay, and we’ll be fine.” Allie gave Belle a squeeze. “Really.”
“Maybe this will be good. You could hike this morning for fun. Get somebondingtime with Scout.”
Allie quirked an eyebrow. “What exactly are you implying?”
“It’s just…I’ve seen you with Scout now, and I don’t think he has a listening problem. I think you two haven’t bonded yet, and it’s because you’re holding back.”
Allie folded her arms across her chest. “I have spent every waking hour of the last few months with that dog.”
Belle didn’t stand down. She met Allie’s stare-down with a pointed look of her own. “You spend a lot of time with him, yes. But you barely touch him. You talk to him only when it’s something you need him to do. And I haven’t seen you once smile or look at him like you actually like him. Like you would with Dixie?—”
“Let’s not go there.” Allie clenched her teeth together tight, willing the emotions clogging her throat to stay down and not leak out.
Belle must’ve gotten the message. “So you’re not ready to talk about that. Fine. But I’m here for you when you are.” She wrapped her arms around Allie’s stiff shoulders. “Al, come with me. Please.”
Allie allowed herself to relax a fraction and lean into her friend’s embrace. “I love you, Belle, but you belong withMatthew.” And she belonged…well, nowhere, really. Not that she had anyone but herself to blame. “You should get going.” She pulled away and stood tall.
“What about your family? They miss you.”
“I talk to them all the time.” With her six siblings, it tended to be more texts, but still. She stayed in touch. “Mom and Dad call weekly.”