“Harry seems to like Lou,” Sarah said in between bites of her chili. The dog had finished the plain burger Bodie had bought him and was lapping water from the bowl Bodie had gotten out of his truck earlier in the day.

Lou had made a big to-do over the dog, making sure Bodie got extras for him. Apparently, Lou had even begun to let Harry inside his place when Bodie came by for breakfast.

“Lou seems to like Harry, too. He offered to buy him from me one morning last week.”

“What?” Sarah gasped, her gaze going to the black and white dog. “Surely he knew you wouldn’t sell Harry?”

Though his mouth was full of chili, Bodie shook his head and reached down to pet the dog.

“How long have you had Harry?”

“Not nearly as long as you’d think.”

That piqued Sarah’s curiosity and she stared at him, waiting for him to elaborate. As usual, she had to prompt him.

“Where did you get Harry?”

“He was my best friend’s dog.”

There was a story there, but Sarah knew she’d have to pry it from Bodie. “How did Harry end up your dog?”

“I stole him.”

Sarah’s jaw dropped. “What?”

“Gotcha.” Bodie laughed. He popped the last bite of his chili into his mouth, put his plastic spoon back into the empty bowl, then wiped his hands over his jeans.

Pleased he’d teased her, Sarah put her hands on her hips. “You may as well keep talking, because you know I’m not letting you stop with that smug little ‘gotcha.’”

He grinned, glanced toward the dog who was lapping at his water. “Lukas gave him to me.”

The named clicked.

“The Lukas you listed as a reference?”

“Yes.”

“Your references were your stepfather and your best friend?”

He nodded. “Can’t think of any reference that would mean more than one coming from those two men. They’re the most honest, trustworthy men I know.”

When he worded it that way, Sarah couldn’t really question his choices further. But she did have questions.

“Why did your best friend give you his dog?” She couldn’t imagine anyone willingly giving up such a great pet.

Bodie hesitated a moment, then said, “Lukas has a baby on the way, and I guess he thought Harry would be better off with me.” He finished his water. “Done?”

Not by a long shot, but it was obvious he didn’t want to discuss anything personal any longer, so she nodded and gathered up her trash. He offered to take it with his, but she followed him to the bin.

They watched the end of the parade, then made their way around the booths, Sarah saying hi to her friends and neighbors, Bodie mostly watching in silence and only speaking when spoken to.