“So,” Linnea began. “A puppy.”

Cara had the grace to laugh. It sounded muffled behind her white face mask. She put her hand to her forehead. “I know. I must be losing my mind. It seemed such a good idea at the time. And I’m having a hard time not seeing Hope. Very hard.”

“I know.”

“I’m sorry. I seem to have created a problem where I meant to solve one,” she began.

This was more in character, and Linnea was relieved. Cara had always been level-headed and forthcoming. She came straight to the point and didn’t relish surprises. Which was why this puppy showing up on Linnea’s doorstep had thrown her. She relaxed and listened more openly.

“I’ve been so worried about Hope,” Cara continued. “I started doing research on how to help children through difficult times, and when I read about a pet, I recalled how Hope has been begging me for a puppy. You know me. I did due diligence—I studied breeds, their size and temperament. Hours and hours. I warn you, looking at dogs on the Internet is sliding down a rabbit hole. And if I’m honest, I think Cavaliers are the sweetest breed. Look at her eyes!” She turned to watch the interaction between Hope and the puppy. Hope was clasping the puppy in what looked like a choke hold. “Not so tight, honey,” Cara called out.

Cara leaned back against the cushion. “So, I called my friend who is a breeder, just to see what she might have down the pipeline. I swear, I was thinking the future. She told me she had a litter right now! I went over to see them, and, oh, Linnea, she had all these beautiful puppies. Some Blenheim, some tricolor. It was a puppy love fest. I went hoping to get on her waiting list. But when she learned of our situation, about David being sick and Hope separated from us, she bumped me up the queue and let me have the dog. It was like a gift from the universe. I said yes. How could I not? I bought a crate, the recommended puppy food, and a few toys.” Cara leaned forward intently. “Linnea, I’ll get anything else you feel you need. I promise.”

“Among all those preparations, you didn’t think to call me? To ask if it was okay?”

“It all went so fast. And to be honest, I didn’t think you’d mind.”

“Cara, I love puppies. Who doesn’t? But I’ve got my hands full trying to keep Hope distracted and not homesick.”

“Exactly! Enter the puppy. I bought the puppy to give her a focus. And it won’t be much longer.”

Linnea cocked her head in interest. “Really? Is David better?”

“So much better. The headache and fever are mostly gone. Only at night it spikes. So, we’re still in it, but we’re hoping we’re close to the end. As soon as the fever is gone, we’re out of the woods.”

“I’m so glad!”

Linnea saw Cara’s relief, even as she saw how the past few weeks had etched fatigue on her pale face, and how the usual brightness in her eyes was dimmed with worry. Linnea imagined that was how she herself must’ve looked when she’d arrived home from California the year before, without a job, kicked out by John, and with no place to land. Back then, she’d been every bit as scared as Cara was now. And who had come to her rescue? Cara. Remembering this, her answer came easily.