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“I told you about the marathon runner.”No defensiveness on Kevin’s part.Just a wide grin.

“So you did.”The slender man offered his hand.“I’m Alec.”He shook my hand first, then Jeremy’s.“Nice to meet you both.”He crouched in front of Wally.“And who is this?”

I appreciated he kept a bit of distance.

Zelda nudged against his hip, then made her way over to Wally.Almost as if saying,check out my new friend.

After a moment, I stepped forward so Wally could advance.

Alec held out his hand.

Wally sniffed.Then licked.Then lunged happily.

The man caught my dog easily even as I winced.“Wally, no.Um, sit!”

Too late.Jordan had told meNowas kind of a useless command, but it came automatically.We were a work in progress, for all of Jeremy’s praise.

“I don’t mind.”Alec grinned and set Wally down.“If you’re training him not to do that, I respect that.Overly affectionate dogs are common around here.”

Alec, Joe, and Kevin all said, “Widget,” at the same time.

Jeremy laughed.“The French bulldog.”

“Yep.”Kevin chuckled.“Oh, James told me she’s going to train to be a pet therapy dog.Colin said they want to take her to the pediatric wing of the hospital when she passes her test.”

Joe whistled.“Well, she’s certainly friendly enough.”

“And becoming well-trained.”Alec petted Zelda.“You’re still shy of strangers.That’s okay.”

Did he mean that might be why she wasn’t a therapy dog?She hadn’t been shy with Jeremy, and I hadn’t approached her.I told myself I was being respectful.In truth, dogs I didn’t know still intimidated me.

Alec rose, gave Zelda and Wally final scritches, then offered a broad smile.“We were thinking of hot dogs for dinner.Not all that healthy, but…” He caught Kevin’s grin.“A favorite.Want to join us?We know the best vendor.”

I considered.We’d eaten quite some time ago.My stomach instantly made me know how much it would welcome more food.

Jeremy glanced over at me.

I nodded.

“We’d love to join you, but I might only have half.Those dogs are filling.”Jeremy grinned.

“Oh, especially with chili and cheese.”Kevin rubbed his stomach.

Joe ruffled his hair.“Yes, you can have fully loaded.”

“Where is the place?”I gazed up and down the boardwalk.

“Back the way we came.”Jeremy grinned.“You must have been so enamored with my company that you didn’t notice.”

Not notice food?That seemed highly unlikely.Still… “Sounds great.”I gazed down to Wally.“You’ll survive.”

“There’s a place that sells healthy dog treats.Of every size.”Joe hesitated.“Unless…”

Wally perked up at thet-word.“It’s okay.He can have one if we give him less kibble for dinner.”I eyed my pup.“And you’ll survive.”

His tongue lolled.Clearly he liked the idea of spending more time with this cute family.Most especially Zelda.

Yeah, he’d be okay.