“Excellent. Thanks. I’ll be over in a few. I’m going to grab a sandwich and swing on by. Do you want anything?”

More clicks and scratches. “If they have one of those roast beef and brie, I’ll take it!”

“Roger that!” Luna waited a few minutes until Sabrina arrived.

“Thanks. I’ll be back in about ten minutes.”

“No problem.” That seemed to be her answer for most things.

Luna bounced her way to the Blonde Shallot, arriving just ahead of the lunch crowd. She checked the long wooden table for Alex’s favorite. Luna would often buy Alex a sandwich for watching Wiley. Even though Alex was on the payroll, Luna wanted to show her appreciation for the extra time and energy he spent doggie-sitting. He would reach for his wallet until one day Luna proclaimed, “You do that one more time, mister, I’m going to smack you on the back of the head!”

Alex was grateful for the kind gesture. After his gig at the center, he would go to work at one of the big-box stores for another six-hour shift. He was paying off a student loan to learn how to be a veterinarian technician. After getting his degree, he started working at a local clinic, but within a few months he wanted to be on the playful side of animals, not holding them down to draw blood, take an X-ray, or trim someone’s paws. Ellie paid him well, but he still had $30,000 of student loan payments to make. Alex was only twenty-five, but he didn’t want to cross into his next decade with a huge amount of debt. If he kept up the pace, he’d achieve his goal in the next three years.

Luna delivered the sandwich while Wiley looked on with anticipation. “And what do you think you’re getting?” She gave her pooch a big hug. He nuzzled her arm, waiting for the treat she was about to serve. That, too, had become a routine between them. After Wiley’s nap, his mom would bring him a dog chew. “Such a nice day.” She breathed in the fresh air.

“It is. If you want to leave Wiley here for the afternoon, that’s fine with me. The only other two are Ziggy and Marley.”

“Sure you don’t mind?” Luna asked, knowing the answer.

Alex laughed. “Don’t make me smack you on the back of the head!”

Luna chuckled and scratched Wiley’s ears. “You be a good boy now.” She turned and headed back to her café, stopping briefly to give Cullen his lunch. When it was available, his choice was the special smoked turkey, muenster, and coleslaw with Russian dressing. Delicious but messy.

From the back of the workshop, Cullen heard the automatic bell signaling someone had entered the showroom.

“Hey there! Oh, do I smell smoked turkey?”