SIX
O
n Saturday morning, Willow walked up Mae’s front porch steps and knocked on the door.As the inevitable high-pitched barking started inside, she looked up at the wooden sign hanging over the entrance beside the rainbow flag.
Everyone Is Welcome Here.
They weren’t just words.It was a motto Mae lived by, and a big part of the reason why she was so admired and beloved by so many people on the island.
Mae pulled the door open wearing her gardening uniform: overalls, rainbow tie-dyed T-shirt, sunhat, and her yellow gardening boots with little blue flowers on them.She held her three little yappy rescue dogs back with one foot.Chihuahua crosses, all of them part demon.“Quiet, you three.Willow, hi.You’re up early.”
“I know.”Because she couldn’t sleep.When she had, she’d dreamed about her brother.
And Tripp.
Those had been the most disturbing, because they’d taken a decidedly sensual turn, just like they had when she’d last seen him four years ago.While she’d still been in a relationship with her ex.Because she’d felt drawn to him on an eerily deep level from day one.
She hadn’t liked the effect Tripp had on her then, and she didn’t like it now.She’d been thinking about him way too much since seeing him at The Skelly.About the changes in him.
Not just his scars, though she did want to know exactly what had happened, what he must have gone through.He was so much quieter than he used to be.Withdrawn.
“What’ve you got on the go today?Still unpacking?”Mae asked.
“Maybe later.I was wondering if you had time to go somewhere with me.”
Mae blinked.“I’ll make time for you any day, young lady.”
Willow smiled.Today she was taking another big step in building her new life.She’d wanted a dog for years, but had never been able to have one.Her job, and the hours she worked had made taking on a dog impractical.
But the biggest barrier was that her ex hadn’t been on board with the idea.Actually, he’d flat out refused to even consider it, no matter how much she’d begged.
Now?She was free to make all the decisions on her own.Reclaiming that power and control over her life felt amazing.
“I’ve been thinking about maybe going to the shelter to look at a dog and see if there’s a good match.Will you come with me?”
Mae’s eyes lit up.“You want to adopt a dog?What kind?”
“I dunno.A rescue.”
