EXHAUSTED THOUGH SHE WAS, Carly couldn’t get to sleep for hours, and checking her cell phone didn’t help. She got up when her alarm went off at nine. Tina had promised to drive her to visit the beagle that afternoon, but there were chores to do first.

Carly acknowledged to herself that she was truly happy being with animals—something she’d only begun to experience in her former life, with Dooley. This wasn’t an interest she’d shared with Reba. Instead, it was something she had in common with Cord.

She tried to shut down that thought, figuring there was nothing genetic about a love of animals…

But J.P., too, was a proven animal-lover. Both potential fathers who understood her, understood something important about her.

She wondered if she could adopt the little beagle. And yet, with her own situation so uncertain, she understood that it wasn’t practical. Or fair. Still, she loved the idea.

Tina spent the morning dealing with laundry, and Carly helped. “Thanks for taking care of my stuff, Tina. And Shallie’s.”

“Shallie wanted to do her own, but I said I’d handle it. I had to insist. Like I keep telling her, she’s our guest. Our paying guest, at that.”

Typical of Shallie and Tina.

After lunch, they drove into town to visit the vet’s clinic and she felt so welcomed by Barb. “You deserve a lot of credit for this dog’s survival. Come on back and visit her.” Barb led them both to the recovery area. The poor little beagle was barely conscious, but the vet assured them she’d come through the surgery well. She also planned to spay her and administer the necessary vaccinations as soon as possible.

Barb opened the cage so Carly could give her “little girl” a kiss on the forehead and ears, careful not to dislodge the IV. Then she and Tina wandered over to a local coffee shop, The Real Bean, where they ordered coffee, sat at a table for two and enjoyed the country soundtrack.

All of a sudden, Carly noticed that the two couples from Country Classics Night had entered the café. One of the girls—the one who’d tried to talk to her at the drugstore—approached and apologized. She introduced herself as Lindsey Morgan; they talked about music but Lindsey was discreet enough not to mention “Charlotte’s” YouTube channel. The guy who seemed to be her boyfriend was fairly nice-looking, but obviously quite enthralled with himself.

He walked over and joined them at their table, ignoring Tina. But he acted way too interested in Carly, which clearly didn’t please Lindsey. Or Carly for that matter. The boyfriend, if that was indeed his role, openly asked Carly for her phone number. She scowled at him and said she and Tina had to go. What a creep!