Page 74

Wally licked my face.

“Yes, buddy, I’m happy to see you.”I’d taken him for a pee before we’d come into Marcie’s house last night.I eyed the clock radio to discover it was barely past seven.I met Raphael’s gaze.“How about you let me get dressed, and then we can take Wally out for a walk?”

Raphael fist-pumped the air.Then they gently petted my pooch.Finally, they bolted out of the room.

Wally licked my face one more time before sailing down the stairs and following Raphael right out the door.

Marcie will watch over them.

The kids were amazingly gentle with Wally—and he clearly adored them.He’d been around kids pretty much his entire life.The grandchildren of his elderly owner.He’d just never been taken by a walk with any of them.

Which still made me sad.But if he’d had a more fulsome life, he might not be with me.I didn’t believe in destiny per se—or divine intervention—but I could believe some things were meant to be.That the universe might nudge.I was meant to come to Gaynor Beach thanks to Anthony.I was meant to rescue Wally thanks to Arthur.I was meant to live next to Jeremy.

The house burning down had unintended consequences that had, in a weird way, landed me in Marcie’s spare room.

I should’ve been strong enough to stay alone in Jeremy’s house.Ishouldhave.I was incredibly grateful, though, that he realized I would’ve probably broken down.I still wasn’t over the fire, and even though Jeremy’s home was likely perfectly safe, I didn’t have the confidence to just wander around a stranger’s house and make myself feel at home.

After I rolled out of bed, I grabbed my bathrobe and a pile of clothes to wear, and I headed to the bathroom.Twenty minutes later, feeling very refreshed, I made my way into Marcie’s kitchen.

She grinned.“Raphael woke you, didn’t they?”

I shook my head.“Honest to God, they didn’t.”I gazed out the back sliding-glass door to find Raphael and Thaddeus throwing a ball between the two of them and Wally trying to grab it.He couldn’t jump very high, but he sure was making an effort.

Thaddeus dropped the ball.

Wally nabbed it.Then took off.As fast as his stubby little legs could take him.

The children chased him.

“He peed as soon as he went out.”Marcie handed me a plate of orange slices.“My roses needed the water.”

I winced.

She laughed.“I was joking.He’s free to do whatever.Thaddeus’s best friend owns a malamute.When the darn dog isn’t herding the kids, he’s trying to dig up my garden.”She grinned.“I don’t mind because the dog makes the kids so happy.Much like Wally is.”

“That’s good.Arthur said he’d be good with kids.”I gazed out at the squealing children and the yapping dog.My heart sang.

“He is.Now, I’m whipping up pancakes before I run Raphael to school.Thaddeus doesn’t have anything today, so he’s just hanging around the house.”

“Do you want me to keep an eye on him?”

“Sure.How about we all walk Raphael to school?Then you can see where they go every day.”

I wasn’t certain I needed to see their school, but I was certainly open to a walk.“I have plenty of baggies.”

Marcie laughed.“I think we need to teach the kids how to scoop.In case Wally goes in the backyard.”

“That’s my job.”

“Ah, but my children want a dog.Perhaps if they scoop poop a few times…but Darren will still be allergic.”

“Aren’t there hypoallergenic dogs?”That was a thing…right?

“Shh.Don’t suggest that around the kids.”

“I won’t.”

She snagged her phone out of her back pocket and tapped it at a few times.“Well, good Goddamn.”