“She’s trying to herd Rocket,” Dave called out, laughing.“A Jack Russell herding a border collie.I’ve seen everything now.”
“Pixie’s got aspirations,” said Ginny.“She’s management material.”
Sam felt the last of the tension drain from her shoulders as she watched Arlo flop down in the grass, tongue lolling, clearly exhausted but happy.He looked cute but funny with his short legs sticking out at odd angles.
“Arlo’s done,” Dave observed, walking over.“That’s his ‘I gave it my all’ pose.”
“He did give it his all,” Sam agreed.“About fifteen minutes of it.”
“Hey, that’s impressive for a dog who’s basically half basset hound, half fluff.”
Sam laughed, feeling lighter than she had in days.This was exactly what she’d needed; dogs being ridiculous, friends making terrible jokes, and an hour where murder wasn’t the main topic of conversation.
Well, mostly not the main topic.
By the time Sam and Arlo made it home, the sun was setting and Arlo was moving at approximately half his normal speed.He’d given everything to keep up with the athletic dogs and was now paying the price.
“I know, buddy,” Sam said, unlocking the front door.“You’re not built for marathon running.But you had fun, right?”
Arlo’s tail gave one tired wag before he trotted straight to his bed and collapsed.
Sam smiled as she headed to the kitchen.Her appetite was starting to return.But were she and Aiden still going out to supper?It had been a really heavy afternoon for both of them.Her stomach, though, made protesting noises.Maybe a small snack would be the best course of action until she knew for sure.
But the fates weren’t interested in Sam getting to eat.The doorbell rang.Arlo lifted his head from his bed, gave a half-hearted “woof,” then put his head back down.Clearly, he was off duty.
Through the front window, Sam saw a familiar silhouette on her porch.And an even more familiar pit bull shape beside it.
She opened the door to find Nora holding a covered dish, Precious straining at the leash.The pit bull was wearing what appeared to be a burgundy smoking jacket with black satin lapels.
“Wellness check,” said Nora crisply, sweeping past Sam before she could respond.“I hear you were on the scene at the bank.I brought soup.”
“Nora, I ...”
“Don’t Nora me.I saw your car pull up a while back, and I figured you’d be standing there staring at your refrigerator like it might spontaneously generate a meal.”
It was very close to what she’d been doing.Nora could be astoundingly perceptive.
“Now, you don’t have to eat it right this second.But it’s here for you when you want it.”Nora briskly walked over to the fridge and stuck it in.
Precious trotted over to Arlo’s bed.Arlo opened one eye, assessed the situation, and apparently decided Precious wasn’t worth getting up for.Precious settled down beside him, smoking jacket and all.
“Those two,” Nora said, shaking her head.“Precious has been moping around all day.I think he missed his friend.”She turned to face Sam with gleaming eyes.“Now.Gerald Parker.At the bank.”
“You know everything that happens in this town, don’t you?”
“Not everything.But I’ll get there.You look exhausted.What happened?”Nora peered at her.“I’m right, aren’t I?You look peaked.You haven’t eaten, have you?”
Sam’s stomach chose that moment to growl, answering for her.
“That’s what I thought.I can heat up that soup right now.It’ll be perfect with some buttery crackers.”
Sam said, “Maybe in a few minutes, but thanks.On a totally different topic, any updates on the online dating front since the last time we talked about it?”
“I met someone.”Nora’s smile was cautiously optimistic.“He doesn’t seem as awful as the other guy I met.This one’s name is Harold.He’s a retired accountant, and he’s actually normal.We had coffee together this morning, and he hasn’t once tried to explain cryptocurrency to me or tell me I remind him of his ex-wife.”
“Hey, that’s wonderful, Nora!”
“We’re taking it slow.Very slow.But I think I might actually like this one.We shall see.”Nora paused.“Though I have to say, after everything that’s happened with Margaret and Gerald, it’s made me appreciate that life’s too short to waste time on people who don’t make you happy.Which reminds me.When are you going to do something about that handsome teacher of yours?
