Max headed toward the workstation at the back. “How’s the move been? It’s been what—two or three months now?”
Hadley noticed the subject change, and she couldn’t blame him. “It’s been good. Better than I expected, actually. I think I’m going to like it here. The town already feels like home.”
“If any place can do that, it’s Blue Ridge Hollow.”
“I can see that.” Blue Ridge Hollow was nestled in the heart of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, a good hour away from the closest cities of Staunton and Charlottesville. The whole place had a Norman Rockwell quality to it, with its brick-fronted stores on Main Street and caring community.
Max grabbed some pill pockets and gave two dogs some medicine.
Then he turned back to Hadley, still hesitant. “Listen, I think I’m done here. You sure you’re okay?”
“I’m positive.” She gave him another small smile.
He finally nodded. “All right. I’ll be nearby if you need anything. You have my number. All you have to do is call, and I’ll be there.”
“I know, and I appreciate that.”
Max hesitated another second before saying good night and turning toward the door.
When he was gone, Hadley exhaled slowly and glanced around.
The kennel suddenly felt more isolated than it had before . . . especially as she wondered what might be happening on the other side of these walls.
No, she couldn’t think like that. Kenny had no reason to come back—and if he did, he wouldn’t come to the kennel.
CHAPTER 5
As usual,Max awoke before his alarm the next morning.
The habit had settled into him years ago when he’d been in the military. Now he liked to sleep light, wake early, and check the perimeter before the day had a chance to get ahead of him.
For a moment, he lay still in his over-the-garage apartment, staring at the ceiling. His gaze moved to the wall art hanging across from him, a piece Sarah had left there. It was simple—a white background, a wood frame, and a Bible verse written in simple lettering.
Proverbs 21:21, “Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.”
Pursues righteousness . . . it was like Sarah had left that message just for him. Because that was his goal. To always do the right thing, no matter the cost.
Sarah had let him live in this room when he worked for her, and Caleb and Naomi had let him keep it. He wondered how long that would last. They were getting more calls. More women were wanting to stay here. Eventually, they’d run out of room.
But that was a problem for another day.
Right now, he swung his legs over the side of the bed, stood, and got ready for the day.
Part of him had been tempted to stay awake all night and monitor things. But they had a security system in place for a reason. Their alarms should alert them if anything happened.
That should make him feel better. So why didn’t it?
He stepped outside and glanced at the faint gray-blue that stretched across the horizon. Last night’s snow covered everything in a clean, unbroken layer. This certainly had been a snowy winter.
He was ready for some sunshine.
Max pulled his jacket tighter and started toward the driveway.
He’d taken only a few steps when something caught his attention.
A car was parked near the kennel.
Not just any car—Hadley’s.
