She was trying to do the right thing. To make Andrew happy. Her mother happy. Prove her worth to the town beyond her identity as Bianca’s daughter. Would it ever be enough?

Did any mother feel like they were doing enough?

“You haven’t proven yourself as a pet owner yet.” Gabe placed a large hand on Andrew’s shoulder and gave a squeeze. “Let’s give your mom a break, buddy. She’s really going out on a limb. Princess is going to be a transition for all of you, and you know dogs are pack animals.”

“Yeah,” Andrew agreed, turning to gaze up at Gabe. “What does that mean?”

“Well, every pack has an alpha. The leader. A person that all the others look up to.”

Gabe darted a glance at Angi.

“Princess is going to be the one to decide where she fits in, and she’ll choose her person. The one she’s most loyal to and bonded with. Often, dogs pick the person who does the most training with them or sees to their needs. Food. Walks. Making sure they have fresh water.”

“I can do those things,” Andrew offered.

“I know you can,” Gabe answered. “The question is whether you will. If your attention is caught on every shiny new goat that crosses your path, Princess might sense that. She might know you aren’t completely devoted to her the way she wants to be with you.”

“I am devoted. I promise.”

“A good place to start is meeting her, and paying close attention when Meredith goes over her training.”

“Welcome,” Meredith called from the open barn doors at that moment. “Andrew, are you ready to meet Princess?”

“Yes,” the boy whispered, and then gave Angi a hug so fierce it made her eyes sting with tears. “Thank you, Mom. I’ll take care of her. I’ll be the alpha, and I won’t bring up goats again.”

“Princess is going to love you,” Angi said as she hugged him back. “You can run ahead with Meredith and we’ll be right there.”

The boy ran toward the rescue owner with an excitement Angi hadn’t seen in him for a long time. She clutched a fist to her chest and smiled at Gabe. “You forgot to mention scooping poop.”

“We’ll cover that on the way home, once he’s fallen in love.”

“How do you know so much about bonding with animals?”

“My mom got me a dog for my birthday one year, but her next boyfriend hated animals and made me give it away.”

“I would never do that.”

“I know,” he said as if he were soothing her. “You’re a good mom, Ang. You’ll show Andrew how to take care of the dog and you’ll both fall in love.”

Angi laughed, although it came out sounding more like a choked sob. Handling the hard parts after falling in love. Wasn’t that just the way of it, and not limited to cleaning up after an animal? Angi would happily take all of Gabe’s tough stuff at the moment if only he’d be willing to share it with her.