“I would like to have that puppy.” Grace pointed to the curly-haired brown-and-white female. “And that one.” When did I decide on two puppies? “I’ll take them both.” How can I leave that dear little black-and-white puppy alone in a cage? “What kind of dogs are they, anyway?”

“A mix, probably cocker spaniel and terrier. The little fellow’s going to have shorter hair and look more like a terrier. He won’t shed as much.”

“Where did they come from?” Not that she cared, but her housemates and the men might ask.

“The mother belongs to one of the girls who works here. We don’t usually sell puppies, but her dog had seven pups and she needed help getting rid of them.”

“How much are they?”

“Twenty dollars each. That okay? They’ve been wormed and have had their first shots.”

Grace nodded.

“I’m so glad you’ll take them both. The black-and-white’s the runt of the litter, but he’s a dear little fellow.” The salesgirl reached inside the cage, handed Grace the brown-and-white puppy, which Grace had already named Carole, and pulled out the second puppy. “He’s cute, isn’t he? Sweet little white face, except for these few black spots. If the cage fits in your car, take them home in it. You can always bring it back, or I can let you have it real cheap, say ten dollars. They’re used to it and can sleep in it at night, at least until you get them housebroken.” She picked up the cage and started toward the cash register. “You’ll have to take them in for follow-up shots. Any vet will do. Just show him these papers.”

Grace paid and she received in exchange puppies, cage, tags, and papers. She drove home with puppies yapping, a supply of food that would last a month, a book the salesgirl recommended called Raising Your Dog Right, and a headache she knew stemmed from anxiety. Would Hannah and Amelia tolerate not one but two puppies? Blessedly, lulled by the motion of the car, halfway home Carole and her brother fell asleep.

Bob was outside mowing his lawn when Grace pulled into his driveway and beckoned to him. He laughed at her cargo. “You’re gonna have your hands full.”

“Come and help me get them inside,” Grace said. Hannah’s and Amelia’s cars were in the driveway. “I need moral support and protection if Hannah starts throwing things at me.”

Bob carried the cage into the house, and Grace released the puppies in the kitchen. Immediately, Amelia knelt to pet and hug the puppies, who climbed all over her and licked her face. “They like me already,” she said.

“The brown-and-white one is Carole,” Grace said.

“Do let’s name this little fellow Benji,” Amelia said.