Mitch laughed. “A name proposed by a woman who likes to bake.”

“Hey—should we go with Sweet Lady?” Ted broke into the Queen song, and Carly sang along; she even knew most of the words. Ted told her how impressed he was by the number of songs in what he called her “repertoire” and how well she performed. He said Aaron had mentioned including her in a gig sometime, after a few practice sessions.

“Thank you,” Carly said, her voice almost a whisper.

“Your singing is lovely.” Mary Jean looked at Carly. “I have an idea. I think we should name her Carly. Since you’re the one who found her.”

“Thank you, but no.” Carly shook her head. “Why don’t you name her Holly? Short for Hollister, as in Hollister Ranch.”

“I like it!” Mary Jean said excitedly and Len raised his glass. “Holly it is,” he said.

The others raised their glasses and chanted, “Holl-ee! Holl-ee!” Cord chanted as loudly as anyone, a broad grin on his face. He felt deeply moved by Carly’s suggestion, grateful that she’d acknowledged this place he loved.

Brynne joined in the applause, then brought them a round on the house. “In honor of Holly and her new family. Now, what about ordering dinner, you guys?”

DRIVING BACK TO the trailer with Tina and Mitch, knowing she faced a difficult conversation in a few days, Carly settled into the backseat. She stared out at the dark, gloomy sky lit only by a few stars that appeared among the clouds. “Hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow,” Mitch was saying.

“It’s not in the forecast,” Tina said. “What’s on for next week?”

Mitch replied—something about buying wood and making repairs to a length of fencing. Tina said she planned to do some cleaning, then weed and water the garden in front of the trailer. But tomorrow she’d relax…

Carly loved hearing ordinary talk about ordinary things. It had never really been part of her life. Instead, her mother and stepfather had argued constantly about which task was whose and who should pay for what.

Mitch went on to say that early the next afternoon, he and Cord were going on their first patrol; Amos had emailed them today with details. Nothing ordinary about that, Carly told herself.

When there was silence again, a warm, comfortable silence, she told them how much she appreciated their kindness. How she felt she had two mothers now, Tina and Shallie, and that Mitch had to be one of the world’s best dads. Tina reached behind the seat and clasped her hand. “Thank you, sweetie. Now, let me ask you a question. How do you feel about Holly going to the Lewises? I know you love that little dog.”