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“Don’t tell your father,” her mom joked. “You know how much he enjoys shopping for fabric and new patterns. I’m so glad you’re settling in, honey. How are the people?”

“They’re lovely. Everyone’s friendly and happy to give me advice about what to see and do. Pastor John and Shelley are so welcoming, and the community programs they have are inspiring. It feels like Sapphire Bay’s one big family.”

As she continued down the street, Eden noticed a small golden-haired dog darting across the sidewalk. She paused in her conversation, her attention captured as the cute little dog sniffed around a tree.

She looked up and down the street for his owner and frowned. “Mom, hold on a second. There’s a little dog wandering along the street without its owner.”

Eden approached the dog cautiously, not wanting to startle him. “Hey there, little guy,” she murmured.

The dog looked up at her with big, trusting eyes and trotted over, allowing her to gently check his collar for any identification. Sure enough, there was a tag dangling beneath his furry chin.

“His name’s Rex,” she told her mom. “I’ll call the owner and make sure he gets home safely. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

Her mother’s voice was filled with concern. “That’s fine. Be safe and let me know how everything goes.”

“I will. Bye.” Hanging up, Eden smiled at the pint-sized dog. He was only about nine inches tall but packed with personality. “Well, Rex. It’s nice to meet you, but I’ve got a feeling your mommy and daddy will be a little worried about you. Would you like me to hold you while I call them?”

Rex didn’t look the least bit concerned, so she picked him up and dialed the number on his dog tag.

A man answered straightaway. “Hello?”

“Hi. I’ve found a dog named Rex. Is he yours?”

“Oh, thank goodness!” the man exclaimed. “I’ve been searching everywhere for him.”

“He’s safe with me,” Eden said, trying to sound reassuring.

“I’m so sorry for the trouble. He disappeared half an hour ago and I couldn’t find him anywhere. Where can I meet you?”

Eden looked at the nearest street signs. “I’m at the corner of Main and Elm. I’ll wait here with him.”

“Thank you so much. I’m on my way.”

It didn’t take long before Eden saw a man jogging toward them. He was tall with wide shoulders and dark hair. As he came closer, she saw the stubble shadowing his jaw and his worried green eyes.

When he reached them, his expression immediately softened. “I can’t thank you enough for finding him,” he said, as Eden placed Rex in his arms. “He’s usually good at staying close to home, but he must have decided to explore the neighborhood. I’m Steve, by the way.”

“I’m Eden,” she replied, shaking his hand. His grip was firm, and she felt a surprising jolt from the simple touch. “I was on my way back to Pastor John and Shelley’s house when I saw Rex.”

Steve’s eyes widened slightly, as if he recognized who she was. “You must be the friend from Boston they mentioned. It’s nice to meet you, although I wish it were under better circumstances. I thought the fence I built was Rex proofed.”

“He’s safe now and that’s all that matters,” Eden reassured him, watching as Rex’s little mouth opened in a tired yawn. “What kind of dog is he?”

Steve adjusted his hold of the tiny dog. “He’s a toy poodle. I adopted him from the local animal shelter a few weeks ago. I’m really sorry for the trouble.”

“It’s okay,” Eden assured him. “It was a nice break in my walk. I’m glad he’s okay.”

Steve nodded, holding Rex a bit tighter as he seemed to wrestle with what to say next. “I’d better get this little guy home before he runs off again. It was nice meeting you.”

“Nice meeting you too, Steve,” Eden replied, her voice softer than she intended. She watched him turn and walk away. There was a clumsy grace about Steve, a contrast that made her smile longer than she expected.

As he disappeared around the corner, Eden shook her head, a little amused at herself for the flutter in her chest. She’d only spoken to Steve for a few minutes. But, as she started walking home, the image of his warm smile and adorable dog stayed with her.

Chapter3

Steve lifted his whistle to his mouth and blew it sharply, calling the junior basketball team to gather around him on the court. The group of eager, sweaty kids trotted over, their faces lit with the thrill of the game and the exhaustion that comes from running back and forth under the late afternoon sun.

Rex watched the scene unfold with a quiet interest, his leash securely tied to the back of the fence surrounding the court.