“Actually, that seems more like it’s Abigail’s job,” Harmony pointed out.

Virginia didn’t join in the laughter that followed. She seemed genuinely distraught and surprised by the fact that Pastor Adam could stand to lose a few—okay, more than a few—pounds. “Well, I’d hate for the poor man to be deprived. Maybe I can work out some lighter versions of some of his favorite dishes. Do you think that would help?”

Harmony studied her friend. Clearly, this matter was of the utmost importance to her and needed to be figured out right then and there. “I think he’d love that,” she said, wondering if Mrs. Clementine didn’t also sometimes imagine roles for Pastor Adam that he didn’t actually serve. It was really too bad Virginia was already married, because she and the pastor made quite a happy and well-matched pair.

Virginia nodded and speared a piece of meat with her fork. “Well, then, that’s decided. We’re all going on a diet… Um, starting tomorrow.”

“Nooooooo,” Nolan playfully shouted, but then winked at her and took a giant bite of his potatoes. “Seeing as I’m staying here for the indeterminate future, I’d love to help in any way I can,” he offered once he’d swallowed down his food.

Harmony sat silent and watched the two of them carry on. It felt just like a real family with everyone helping everyone, all while gently and lovingly teasing each other.

How had she managed to live so long without this?

And now that she knew how this felt…

How could she ever bear to be without it again?

Chapter 34

Harmony

That evening the hours stretched on endlessly before them. Following their early dinner, Mrs. Clementine set to work scouring her recipe cards for substitutions she could make to create modified healthy versions of the meals Pastor Adam liked best.

This left Harmony with Nolan, Muffin, and Pancake, and several hours before any reasonable person would turn in for the night. Harmony also felt as if it were her job to occupy their house guest, since he was, after all, there as a favor to her.

“Want to walk the dogs?” Nolan suggested when neither could find any shows they wanted to watch on TV. She’d have to talk to Virginia about the wonders of Netflix and Hulu someday soon, although she doubted very much the old woman would appreciate a reason to be more sedentary—especially now that she’d jumped feet first into this new health kick.

Harmony glanced at Muffin who popped up and wagged his tail like a tiny rudder. He seemed to get all the exercise he needed without even needing to leave the house, but the larger Irish Wolfhound who currently resided here, too, would definitely need the chance to stretch his legs. As much as Harmony would rather stay put knowing that Alan was somewhere nearby and waiting to strike, it seemed a good idea to get out of the house a bit.