There, she’d done the needful and casually committed to at least sixty days in Charleston, and with Muffin at her side. It probably wasn’t the worst thing in the world. She just hoped she wasn’t compounding one mistake with another.

Chapter 7

Harmony

Harmony listened as Abigail told her all about an older church lady who was in need of some company and had a room to spare. It was decided that the two of them would pay her a visit straight after the dog park, with the dogs and baby in tow.

Frankly, it was rather amazing how she’d only been in town for a couple of hours and already had a dog, a place to stay, and maybe even a friend. But that was Charleston for you. Most of the time, the people were so friendly it almost seemed suspect. Harmony had learned to no longer question the kindness of strangers. Instead, it was the known folks from her past who gave her pause.

After some time the mother Chihuahua, Mary, came back to rest in the shade of the park bench beneath them. Muffin, who had far more energy left to burn, found a stick along the fence line and began running in wide looping circles around the park to show all the other dogs his prized find.

One dog in particular took a special interest in this charade and gave chase. Of course, it was the biggest, scariest looking dog in the entire park—a lanky, gray behemoth with wiry hair and coal eyes. He had to have at least fifty pounds on Harmony and would probably be taller than her, too, if he were to stand up straight on his hind legs.

Had they been on the street, she would have crossed to the other side for safety. Instead, this great beast was galloping after her brand-new borrowed dog, and the last thing Harmony needed was to see that poor little critter get mauled to death right before her innocent eyes.

“Hey, Muffin! C’mere, doggie!” she called in a high-pitched, childish voice, bending forward and patting her knees, praying the dog would listen for his own good.

And he did… but so did the other dog, who came lumbering after.

“Hi, Pancake!” Abigail cooed. She didn’t even need to bend forward to stroke the massive dog between his ears.

“Pancake?” The name seemed ludicrous, not a good fit for the massive dog at all. Not really the best name for any dog, if she was honest. “Are all the animals around here named after foods or what?”

Abigail laughed as her baby blew spit bubbles and reached toward Pancake with chubby hands. “Just our church dogs and, of course, this big guy here.” She used a baby voice that made all three dogs wag their tails wildly with excitement. Even Mama Mary woke back up to join in the fray.

Harmony took a step back as Pancake flopped onto the ground and rolled on his back. “He’s massive,” she said with a shiver.