“This way.” Magnus followed us as she led me down a narrow hallway into her living room, and it struck me how sparse it was. My own grandmother had died years ago, but I remembered her house being full of tchotchkes and knickknacks. While there was definitely a grandma vibe to the decor, with heavy burgundy drapes, a lace doily on the coffee table, and older oak furniture, there were no mementos out. No collectibles or walls full of pictures. There was, in fact, only one picture.

“Is this you and your husband?” I asked.

“Yes.” She paused. “Was. Was my husband.”

“I’m so sorry. When did he pass?”

“Last year.” I heard the way her voice caught. “My Bruce and I were married for forty-seven years.” She sat down on the couch and pointed to a stuffed, quilted armchair and said, “Sit. There.” Like I was one of the dogs.

I just did what she told me. It was easier. I usually dealt well with prickly people, because I realized that everyone had more stuff going on in their lives than they usually cared to admit, so it was easy to ignore the small, offensive things. I put Sunshine down, but he immediately turned around and tried to get back up in my lap, so I let him.

“You expecting a reward?”

“No! I just wanted to bring Sunshine home.”

She pointed to the writing on my polo shirt. “Waggin’ Wheels?”

“It’s my company,” I told her proudly. “A mobile dog-grooming service.”

“Do you ever do dog sitting?”

Huh. I’d never considered that. Maybe it would be a good idea for me to include more services beyond grooming. It could mean more clients. “I haven’t, but I guess I could. Why?”

She pointed toward the hallway, and it was then that I noticed a large suitcase. “My fool sister broke both her legs when she was taking down her Christmas lights. I’m her only living relative, and I have to fly out to Montana to look after her. Her condo complex doesn’t allow any pets, so I need someone to take care of Sunshine. He already seems to like you.”

“I’d love to, but I can’t take him home with me. My apartment doesn’t allow dogs, either.”

“Stay here. I have a guest room.”

“Here?” I asked, surprised by how sudden this all felt. “But you don’t even know me.”

“I was going to call a service and have them send a stranger over that I’d make the same offer to. How is this any different? At least this way I already know that Sunshine won’t bite you, which gives you a leg up over anyone else. I’d need you to be here for two weeks. I can pay you fifteen hundred dollars. Half now, half when I get back.”