Page 21 of Happily Ever After

The house was empty and quiet, but not in a bad way. It had been so nice to have everyone over. She didn’t mind an empty house after a morning like that.

Not that her house was truly empty. Not with Maple in it.

Essie glanced around the room, taking in the clean kitchen, wiped-down counters, the faint smell of coffee that lingered. Breakfast had gone well. Better than she’d hoped, if she was being honest.

No one had been upset by Maude’s suggestion. In true Queen Bees style, they’d all handled it very well. Graciously, even. They’d discussed it and come to a group decision. Amazing how well they worked together.

They were such lovely women.

She picked up a dishtowel and dried the last serving plate, then slid it into the cabinet. She put a detergent pod into the dishwasher and started it. Essie wondered if she should wipe the placemats down, then decided they were fine as they were.

She was making work for herself when she didn’t need to be.

Maple appeared at her side, tail swishing, a hopeful gleam in her eyes.

“Do you want to go out?”

Maple’s tail swishing intensified. Out was one word she definitely knew.

“I think some fresh air would be good for both of us,” Essie said. “Even if it is a bit warm.”

She clipped the leash on, grabbed a roll of plastic bags made especially for cleanup, and her keys, locking up behind her as they stepped out into the day. She guided Maple to the sidewalk. They’d just go around a few blocks, nothing major.

Maple already walked more confidently than she had when Essie had first adopted her. She continued to want to sniff everything, but that was just what dogs did and Essie didn’t mind. She let Maple set the pace, content to follow along.

They passed the houses of people Essie knew and a lot she didn’t, making her realize she was still a bit of a newcomer herself. She waved to a few people and they waved back. Essie felt pleasantly tired now that the breakfast was done and had gone off so well.

She thought about Maude’s idea. About Paige’s revelation. About Cece heading home to work. About Blaise’s new modeling opportunity. About Althea and her sweet husband, Lester.

She loved this group of women. The way they listened. How they weighed things carefully. How no one had rushed to judgment or made a snappy remark.

It was a blessing to have them in her life. On the way back, she prayed for each of them in her head. She prayed for Frank and Chad, too. And then especially for Sophie, wherever she might be.

By the time they circled back toward the house, Maple’s steps had slowed, her tail no longer wagging quite so hard. Essie took that as a good sign.

Inside, Essie refilled Maple’s water bowl and watched her drink, then Maple settled into her dog bed near the couch with a small, satisfied sigh. She laid her head down on her paws.

Essie glanced at the clock.

A nap seemed like a very good idea.

She kicked off her shoes, closed the curtains just enough to dim the room, and lay down on the couch where she could see Maple. The dog let out a soft whuff, almost like she was pleased with the company.

Essie rested her head back and closed her eyes.

Just for a short while, she decided. She’d earned it after all that work in the kitchen. There wasn’t a bite of frittata left, which she was fine with. It was wonderful to cook for people who ate that well.

Which reminded her of how much she missed Frank. She thought about Italy and hoped he was at least enjoying himself a little…

Essie wasn’t sure how long she slept.

Not long enough to feel fully rested, but long enough that it was most definitely not morning anymore. The light in the living room had shifted. The air conditioner fan clicked on, a familiar sound that didn’t drown out Maple’s soft snores.

Essie had been dreaming. Nothing she could clearly remember, just fragments. A hallway. Voices. The sense that she’d forgotten something important. That wasn’t so unusual at her age.

Then Maple made a sound and Essie’s eyes opened, suddenly aware that Maple was standing next to Essie, looking at the door.

The noise wasn’t a bark or a whine. It was a low growl, coming from deep in her chest. A warning more than a threat.