Even though it was hard, Olivia resisted heading around to meet Ava and her dog—who’d already smelled her and was wagging that docked tail a mile a minute—until the kids had filed out and all been counted. “Good boy, Morgs,” she called, giving him a few seconds of petting and additional praise.

“Guys, this is my sister, Ava Graham, and as you know, my dog, Morgan.” She took the leash as Ava said hi. A new wave of happiness rolled over Olivia when Morgan seemed perfectly relaxed and content to hang by her side. Any worry that he might assume she’d be leaving him behind again washed away.

She was about to give Ava a rundown of the kids’ names when Megan, Patrick, and Tess filed out of the building, each with a cart or dolly, and Olivia started fresh with the round of introductions. She listed all the kids by name but suspected she should probably grab a handful of blank name tags before the tour and service projects started.

“So, where would you like everything?” she asked.

“We were just talking about that,” Megan said. “I think we’ll unload and get it all to the back room. Then organize it from there. The kids can help sort stuff or pick another project.”

“Sounds great,” Olivia said as she spotted Gabe’s truck pulling in out of the corner of her eye. To the kids, she added, “Let’s work hard, guys. I may or may not have packed a bag full of snacks for a break later.”

The group groaned appreciatively, and a few begged to have them now with pleading looks as sincere as Morgan’s could be.

“A half hour won’t send you into starvation, will it?”

“It could” came with a few grumbles.

Choosing to ignore the side comment, Olivia waved Gabe over. “Guys, you might recognize Dr. Wentworth from the rescue video of Morgan. I wasn’t sure if he’d be able to step out from his office this afternoon, so I didn’t tell you he was going to join us.”

Gabe nodded at the group of kids as he locked a hand over Olivia’s shoulder. “Nice to meet you, guys. Olivia has talked my ear off about you. And just call me Gabe. Honestly, if you forget that, I’m fine with ‘Hey, Ms. Graham’s boyfriend.’”

Olivia rolled her eyes at the collective snickers, shuffling of feet, and even the few gagging sounds that rolled over her students in a wave.

“Nice, Gabe,” she said, giving him a smile.

He winked, then nodded toward the back of the bus. The bus driver was opening the doors at the back so they could begin unloading the supplies that took up both sides of the last two rows. “Want me in there or down here?” he asked her.