Jupiter and Venus sleep on a thick blue blanket all swirled up together on the floor, but if they get cold they crawl in bed, too. Ghost sleeps in a cat bed on the dresser right near me. It seems like whenever I wake up, Ghost is awake, too. The cats go in and out of the bedroom at night, but the dogs are pretty much down for the count.

Every night, after the dogs and I take our last walk, saying good night to the alpacas, the lambs, the goats, and the horses, we head home. I say, “Okay, everybody, it’s time for bed,” and off we go. I go to bed and read, they come up on the bed and play and roll around, but when I’m done reading, and that can take a while, especially if I’m reading a scary thriller or a biography that is particular intriguing, it’s time for quiet.

I shut out the light and say, “Good night, everyone,” and they settle down. Listening to them snoring on my white comforter with the red and purple embroidered roses makes me laugh. I mean, who does this? Three dogs, four cats on a rose comforter? I am an odd, odd woman.

* * *

“Evie, are your mother and aunts home?”

“Yes, they all are.”

Mrs. Gaddo’s face lit up. She was wearing her best Sunday church outfit, as it was Sunday and she was trotting off to church. I was in town, quiet at this early hour, my insomnia a plague last night, to check on my bookstore and to grab a piece of Kick-Quick Cowboy Coffeecake and a mocha. It’s always wise to start off the day with a healthy breakfast. I had Butch, Cassidy, and Sundance on their leashes beside me.

“Splendid. I need a tad bit of”—she leaned in and whispered—“the la la cigarette.”

Oh my goodness. Even churchgoing Mrs. Gaddo? What was the world coming to? “Ah. I understand. Well. They’re probably still sleeping.”

“Fine. I’m off to God’s home—church. You know I’m leading the choir, right? We sound like a choir of angels.”

“I’ve heard it’s a talented choir under your direction.” No, I hadn’t heard that. That was a lie. I heard that the choir sounded like frogs choking, but I liked Mrs. Gaddo.

“We lift our words up to the Lord in prayer and thankfulness.”

They also lifted up torturous noise. I was being uncharitable, and I told myself to shut the heck up, so help me God.

“I’ll come for my la la cigarette after church, then,” she said, still smiling, her steel cross swinging on her neck.

“I’ll tell them.” Sundance jumped up on my legs. Even with only three legs, he’s a fine jumper. He wanted a hug, so I hugged him. He licked my face.