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“Does the cat just not wake up Cleo?”

“Pye’s smart enough to know how things work around here. I’m going to work on those flyers once I’m at my desk. Cleo will give her input when she’s up and has had coffee.”

“Thanks for that. I mean it.”

“It takes a villageisn’t just a saying. Cleo and I are part of the Poole’s Bay village. Mookie can eat with Yoda and Pye when they come back in. It’ll save you time.”

“He appreciates it.” Trey let all three out on a sparkling after-the-rain spring morning. “I’m putting the manor on our subscription list.”

“For what?Vogue,GQ? Porn?”

“You don’t have to subscribe to porn as long as there’s the internet. Not that I know anything about that.”

“Of course not. And this is my I-believe-that face.”

He studied it. “You need more work on that one. Anyway. Subscription for pet food and treats. Mookie eats here often enough—Jones, too, for that matter—so he’s paying for it.”

“Out of his legal consultant paycheck.”

“Naturally. It’s good stuff, and they’ll ship it out.” He took the coffee she handed him. “Thanks.”

“I’ll grab something after the gym, but you should have a bagel, or risk your life with a Toaster Strudel. Have some cereal.”

“I’ll get something when the dogs come back in.”

She walked to the window to look out. “Look, Trey, a deer. I see her now and again.”

He glanced out, saw that the dogs hadn’t noticed the visitor yet.

“I showed you the stuff you mix up for the sprayer in the shed. The deer repellant. You’ll want to start using that.”

“Oh, but…”

“Unless you want to have a garden for the deer to eat. That doe has friends and family.”

“I don’t.” And yet. “You’re sure it doesn’t hurt them?”

Finding her worry for wildlife endearing, he tugged on her hair. “Repellant, cutie, not poison.”

“All right. Owen says no bird feeders out there because the bears would come calling.”

“He’s right.”

“We’ve got a lot to learn.”

“Lucky you’re both quick at that.”

He filled the pet bowls while she finished her coffee.

“Go on, get your workout started,” he told her. “I’ll let them in and grab that bagel. I’d rather avoid possible mutilation over a pastry.”

“Cleo might give you a pass. Once.” She put her arms around him. “Since Owen’s coming to dinner, you’ll come, too?”

“I’m planning on it.”

“And you’ll let me know how things go.”

He tipped her head back, kissed her. “I’ll let you know how things go.”