Hadley let out a quiet breath and shook her head.
She straightened, brushed some dirt from her hands, and then turned toward the door as it opened.
Her heart lifted with expectation before she could stop it. Was Max here? She’d be lying to herself if she said she wasn’t anticipating seeing him.
But instead of Max, Kendra stepped inside.
Her expression was bright and cheerful as she called, “Good morning!”
Hadley smiled, pushing down the flicker of disappointment. “Good morning.”
“I was hoping I’d catch you while you were here,” Kendra said as she walked farther in. “How are the puppies?”
She looked down at them again as she placed Quirkle back with the litter. “They’re doing great. Juno’s settled, and they’re all feeding well.”
“That’s good.” Kendra leaned to look into the pen, her posture relaxed and friendly. “The puppies are so tiny and adorable!”
“Aren’t they?”
Kendra straightened and looked back at Hadley, her attention shifting from the dogs. “So . . . how was the rest of your day yesterday?”
Hadley hesitated, unsure how much to say and not wanting to overshare. She thought about her canceled appointments.About the movement at the back of the property at Refuge Cove. Of the kiss she and Max had shared.
She’d share none of that.
Instead, she settled on saying, “It was fine.”
“I’m glad. After everything that’s been going on, you deserve a normal evening.”
Hadley studied her. There was nothing off in Kendra’s expression, nothing she could point to. But something about the woman made her feel uneasy.
Maybe Hadley was just reading too much into things.
Kendra smiled again. “I had a really nice time yesterday. Lunch was fun.”
“It was. Thanks for the invite.”
“We should do it again.” Kendra tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Or dinner, maybe. Something where we can actually relax and not feel rushed. Maybe tonight?”
Hadley hesitated.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to get to know Kendra better. She did. Or at least, shethoughtshe should.
But her thoughts flicked to Max. To the way things had changed between them. To the possibility of seeing him again tonight. To the fact shewantedto see him tonight.
She glanced at Kendra and realized she was waiting for an answer. Her delay was bordering on rude.
“I . . .” Hadley started then stopped. She still didn’t know how to answer.
Kendra’s eyes stayed fixed on Hadley as she waited.
Before she could finish, the door opened. Hadley’s attention snapped toward it.
Max stepped inside.
Max . . .
Her pulse quickened.
