“Dr. Reynolds!” Tommy’s voice carried across the crowded area. The boy waved enthusiastically from a table where he sat with Frank, Isabel, and Kathleen. “We saved you and Dr. Morth seats!”
Matt waved to Tommy, then smiled at Lynda. “Are you happy to sit at Tommy’s table?”
“It’ll be good to hear what Tommy’s been doing,” Lynda replied. “Though I warn you, Kathleen will be watching us like a hawk. I told her I’d saved you a dance, and now she thinks we’re more than friends.”
Matt’s heart pounded. “I’ll make sure I’m on my best behavior then.”
With their plates full of delicious food, they joined everyone at the table. Matt was sandwiched between Tommy and Lynda, an arrangement he didn’t mind at all.
“The shelter area looks fantastic,” Isabel said as they began eating. “I’ve seen at least four people filling out adoption forms.”
“It is going well,” Lynda agreed. “Though I’m worried we might run out of applications at this rate.”
“I’ve got extras if we need them,” Carol said, stopping by their table. “This barbecue is amazing. Have you tried the brisket?”
“It’s so good,” Lynda enthused around a bite. “Who’s the chef?”
“Pete from the deli,” Matt explained. “He smokes the brisket for twenty-four hours. The recipe’s a favorite with everyone.”
Lynda closed her eyes briefly as she savored another bite. “I can see why. We didn’t have anything like this at our Denver fundraisers.”
“That’s because those were fancy hotel ballroom events,” Kathleen teased. “You can’t have a real barbecue when everyone’s in cocktail dresses.”
“I’ll take this over rubber chicken any day,” Lynda replied, spearing another piece of brisket.
Matt enjoyed the easy banter around the table, the way everyone laughed and talked over each other. He’d lived in Sapphire Bay for a long time, but sometimes, he was still amazed at how the community had embraced him after Maria’s death. These people weren’t just neighbors—they were family.
When Tommy launched into a detailed account of his latest fishing adventure, Matt watched Lynda. She listened attentively to Tommy, asking him questions and showing genuine interest in his story. Her silver earrings caught the light when she laughed, and Matt realized he couldn’t remember the last time he’d noticed that kind of detail about anyone.
A sudden commotion near the entrance drew everyone’s attention. A large dog was backed against the wall, barking at the crowd around him. The dog’s owner, a teenager Matt recognized as Joey Williams, was trying to calm his canine buddy.
“That’s Luna,” Matt said, already rising from his seat. “She’s a rescue dog and still getting used to being around people.”
Lynda was on her feet just as quickly. “Poor thing looks overwhelmed.”
Without discussing it, they moved together through the crowd, approaching the nervous dog with careful, measured steps. Matt gestured for people to back away, creating space around the anxious animal.
“Hey, Joey,” Matt said calmly. “Luna seems a little stressed. What happened?”
The boy looked close to tears. “I thought she was ready for something like this. She’s been doing so well at home, but when she heard the band, she freaked out.”
“It’s okay,” Lynda said softly. “Let’s give Luna some space and see if we can help her calm down.”
Matt nodded as Lynda approached the dog from his left side while he took the right.
“Luna,” Matt called softly, keeping his body language relaxed and non-threatening. “It’s just me, honey.”
Lynda, meanwhile, was kneeling a few feet away, making herself smaller and less intimidating. “Hey there, gorgeous,” she murmured. “That’s a lot of noise, isn’t it? I don’t blame you for being worried.”
The dog’s barking subsided to a whine, her ears tilting at Lynda’s soothing tone.
“Joey, do you have treats with you?” Matt asked.
The boy nodded, fumbling in his pocket and producing a few small dog biscuits.
“Good,” Matt said. “Give one to Dr. Morth.”
Lynda accepted the treat but didn’t immediately offer it to Luna. Instead, she sat quietly on the floor, waiting.
