Her mouth went dry and she could only stare, slack-jawed, at Cara, who seemed to think all this joyous chaos was wonderful.

“Hope, you must be still,” Cara said in her firm voice. “No loud noises or jumping up and down. You’ll scare the puppy.”

“But I’m so excited,” Hope exclaimed, trying to hold her body still by clenching her hands tight together at her chest. “Is the puppy for me?”

“Of course, it’s for you,” Cara said, her face aglow with love for her child.

“Uh, Cara?” Linnea said, finding her voice. “I don’t believe you mentioned anything about a puppy?”

“I know. I’m sorry. It was an impulse thing. So rare for me. But you told me how sad Hope was, how she cried herself to sleep, and I just thought that, well, a puppy to take care of and love might be just what she needs to focus her attention on something sweet and happy.”

“Wait.” Linnea stepped closer. “You want the puppy to live here?”

“Of course! What do I need a puppy for? I have a sick patient to take care of. The puppy is for Hope!”

Linnea wanted to scream, but she struggled to keep her voice calm. “And I have your little girl to take care of. And it’s a lot,” she added.

Cara’s smile fell and her shoulders straightened. “I’m sorry to hear my daughter is such a handful.”

Oh no, now she’s mad. “Let’s not have this conversation right now,” Linnea said, glancing meaningfully toward Hope. Fortunately, the child’s focus was completely absorbed by the puppy in the crate and she wasn’t paying attention to the women.

Cara’s face altered to reveal chagrin. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I should have asked you.”

“Do you have your mask?”

“Yes, of course. In my purse.”

“It’s awkward to talk through this glass. If you put it on, we can sit outside on the deck and talk about it.” Then she added, “Would you like a cup of coffee?”

“No, I’m good. I shouldn’t stay long. I’ve got the patient, and, as you pointed out, we need to be careful.” Cara turned to Hope. “Listen to me carefully. If I open this door, you cannot hug me or touch me because I might have germs on me. Do you understand?”

Hope, at six, was barely able to contain her disappointment. Her face fell. “But can I touch the puppy?”

Cara smiled. “Yes, you can touch the puppy. First let me put this little fence up so you have a place to play. We don’t want the puppy to run away.” She put her finger in the air. “Hold on.”

As Cara set about her task, Linnea reached out to the nearby table and grabbed her own face mask. Slipping it on, she watched Cara scurry about the deck. She hadn’t seen her aunt in nearly two weeks. She was wearing fitted faded jeans and a black form-fitting jacket, looking sleek even in her casual clothes. She looked like she’d lost a little weight, Linnea noticed with a twinge of resentment. With all the cooking she’d been doing with Hope, Linnea worried she’d put on a few pounds.