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In case this is the last message you see before you go to sleep, goodnight Hunter Stace sent, along with a picture of her sleeping dog.

I couldn’t stop myself from smiling as I took my cookies to eat in bed.

Chapter Seven

Stace

“She’ll be here. Won’t she?” I asked Buck as we waited for Hunter to meet us near the playground. I’d managed to secure a bench to myself and had brought drinks along with clementines, cheese sticks, and two brownies that one of the other moms had made. She always added something extra to them, this time in the form of butterscotch candies, and they were going to be delicious.

Buck sat next to me and twitched his ears, ignoring me in favor of glaring at squirrels. He wanted to bolt and chase every single one up a tree, but he was a good boy and wouldn’t move unless I gave him permission.

“There you are,” said a familiar voice and I turned my head to find Hunter walking toward me. Her hair was twisted back in a clip and she wore a long skirt with a soft slouchy sweater, since the air was a little chilly today. The leaves had begun their transition and soon it would be peak foliage. I couldn’t wait. Fall was my favorite season.

She had a paper bag with her.

I stood up to greet her and Buck was distracted from the squirrels by the new arrival, wiggling with excitement.

“Hey,” I said, feeling so much relief that she was here. She was here.

“Hey,” she said. “I know you said not to bring you anything, but technically this isn’t for you.”

She held out the bag and I was intrigued. I pulled out two balls and a rope toy.

“They’re for Buck. The lady at the store said these were the most popular ones,” she said, shuffling her feet a little bit.

I was touched at the gift. “These are perfect, thank you. He’s going to love them.” Buck had seen the toys, so I hastily put them away so he didn’t get too excited.

Hunter came close and crouched down.

I took Buck’s leash and led him over to her.

“Sit,” I told him. He did, even though he was vibrating with excitement to meet someone new.

“Hello,” Hunter said, reaching her hand out.

Buck leaned forward with eagerness to get close to her.

“He’s happy to see you,” I said. It was obvious from the tension in Hunter’s body that she was nervous. Her fingers were hesitant, as if she was afraid that Buck would bite her.

I got down on her level and took her hand, guiding it so Buck could sniff her. He did so with enthusiasm before butting his head against her fingers in an effort to get her to pet him.

She let out a little giggle when he licked her hand.

“Buck, that’s not very polite,” I chided him, but he was ignoring me and creeping closer to Hunter.

“It’s okay,” she said in a soft voice and there were so many thick emotions clogging my throat and inflating in my chest while I watched Hunter pet my dog and my dog falling absolutely in love with her.

“Yes, you’re a good boy,” she said as she stroked his head and he gave her the biggest heart eyes I’d ever seen.

“It’s safe to say he likes you.”

Hunter looked up at me and there was such a delighted smile on her face.

“I like him too. I didn’t think that I would.” At least she was honest.

“He has a way of winning just about everyone over,” I said, stroking the other side of his head. Buck was in heaven right now. He flopped to the ground and rolled on his back, demanding belly rubs.

“Shameless,” I said as I gave him a few loud pats and he rolled back and forth.