dogs and cats. It’s easy to get attached to them.”
“Like Shadow is to you,” she said. “Would you ever adopt a dog?”
“Sure, when the time is right. Shadow’s not ready to be adopted, and a dog is like a kid. It needs stability, a life where its family is home every night. I was real close to carrying you into your bedroom last night, babe. I can’t leave a dog crossing its legs and lonely. That’s just not my style.”
She loved knowing he didn’t take his responsibilities lightly.
They found Reba, Rob, Mike, and Dwayne chatting by a bonfire pit, like a scene right out of her childhood dreams.
“We saved you two the lovers’ seat,” Dwayne said, nodding to a glider chair built for two.
“Thanks, man,” Justin said as they sat down. He put his arm around Chloe and pulled her closer.
“I want to adopt all of your animals,” Chloe said to Dwayne.
Dwayne raised his beer bottle and said, “Hear, hear. I wish you could. I’m holding an adoption event a week from Saturday. You should come by and check it out.”
“Do you accept volunteers to help with the event? If so, I’d love to be part of it. Anything to help them find homes.”
“Hell yes, I take volunteers. Your boyfriend is one of my best,” Dwayne said.
“You’re going?” she asked Justin.
“I always do.”
“Of course you do.” Chloe leaned in for a kiss without thinking.
“You two are just too cute,” Reba said.
Chloe realized that was the first time she’d initiated a kiss in public with Justin, and she liked that she’d earned his mother’s stamp of approval.
“Damn right we are,” Justin said, kissing her again.
“Okay, Casanova, let me talk to your pretty little gal,” Mike said with an air of seriousness. “Dwayne was telling us that you work at LOCAL.”
“Yes. I’m the director of the assisted living facility. Are you familiar with it?”
“Mildly,” Mike answered. “I’m losing my mind living with my son. A man needs his own space, you know what I mean?”
“Pop, come on,” Rob said.
“Don’t come on me. Do you think you’ll want your boys running your life when you’re my age?” Mike shook his head and said, “I didn’t think so. So tell me, Chloe, what’s this place got going for it?”
Chloe looked at Rob, not wanting to get in the middle of a family discussion.
“Go ahead, Chloe,” Rob said. “He’ll just keep asking until you give him what he wants.”
“So that’s where Justin gets it from,” Dwayne said with a snicker.
“Damn right,” Mike said. “Let’s hear what Chloe has to say.”
“Well, let’s see. LOCAL has several wings designed to accommodate all levels of care. The Helper’s Hand division caters to people who prefer to live alone, and the Live-in Assistance wing is for people who have full-time, live-in care providers. We also offer Nursing Care and Hospice divisions, and of course we have a full medical staff. We have residents who move in as young as sixty-five who are looking for a safe place where they can make friends, and as they advance in age, they won’t have to worry about being a burden on their families. Not that they would be a burden on their families, but I think it’s easy to feel that way when you’re used to living on your own and you find yourself in need of assistance.”
“What’s the environment like? And the food?” Mike asked.
“The environment is very upbeat and positive, and we have an amazing dining hall with top-of-the-line chefs.”
“And desserts?” Mike asked.
“Pop, come on. You know the docs don’t want you all sugared up,” Rob reminded him.
Mike swatted the air in his direction. “You see, Chloe? I’m always under his thumb.”
“This dynamic between you two is very normal. In fact, one of the biggest benefits of having a loved one move into our facility is that it takes this type of responsibility and oversight off their children. We have ways to make sure Mike’s sweet tooth is satiated without doing harm to his health.” Chloe looked at Mike and said, “But you might find you have less time on your hands to think about sweets. We offer wonderful programs and activities, like exercise classes, swimming, yoga, hiking, and gardening. We have arts and crafts, computer lessons, game and trivia nights, movie nights, group outings and bus tours. And I’m always researching new things for our residents to do. I’ve just started a program where high school students come in and spend time with our seniors, and everyone seems to