The phone woke Sydney the next morning, and she was startled to see it was after nine. Clearing her throat, she reached for the bedside extension.

“Do not tell me you’re still asleep when I’ve already been up for three hours,” Maddie said.

“Okay, I won’t. I can’t remember the last time I slept past eight.”

“Were you out late last night?”

Sydney smiled, remembering the evening she’d spent with Luke. “Maybe.”

“Get your butt out of bed and get over here for some coffee and muffins right out of the oven.”

“Can’t say no to that.”

Maddie rattled off directions to her new home. “Hurry! I want every detail.”

Sydney got up to let Buddy out. She debated a quick shower but decided to wait until later. Before her date. With Luke. A flutter of anticipation had her placing a hand over her belly. Last night had been amazing, and she couldn’t wait to see him again later.

Buddy rode with his head out the window on the way to Maddie’s house and once again bounded out of the car ahead of her when they arrived. Sydney wondered if he, too, was starting to recover a bit from his terrible grief.

Maddie waited for them on a deck she’d decorated with comfortable outdoor furniture and pots full of bright, fragrant blooms.

“This is some spot you’ve got here,” Sydney said, admiring the rolling meadow that led to the water in the distance.

“We got married right there,” Maddie said, pointing to the yard.

“I bet it was beautiful.”

“It was. I’ll show you the pictures.” She gestured for Sydney to follow her into the spacious contemporary that was scattered with the toys of a busy little boy.

The two women stopped short when they found Maddie’s son, Thomas, hugging Buddy, who was making noises Sydney had never heard before. She rushed over to him. “Buddy? What is it, sweet boy?”

Maddie scooped up Thomas.

“He sad,” the boy said, a solemn expression on his cherubic face.

“Are you sad?” Sydney asked as tears filled her eyes. “Does Thomas remind you of Max?” She wouldn’t have expected the blond, blue-eyed toddler to remind the dog of Max, who’d been much older than Thomas when Buddy arrived in their lives. Not to mention her son had had his father’s dark hair and eyes. Maybe it was just because Thomas was a smaller person, like the boy Buddy had loved and lost.

Sydney hugged the wailing dog until he eventually settled. Looking up at Maddie, she said, “I’m sorry. He’s never done anything like this before.”

“Please don’t apologize,” Maddie said, subtly brushing at a tear.

Thomas wiggled free of his mother’s embrace and toddled over to pet Buddy.

The dog licked and sniffed the boy who stayed patient and still while Buddy investigated him.