Kiss Me in the Summer - Barbara Dunlop Page 0,65

do much of anything.”

Josh gave me a nudge. “Take the credit.”

“Did Cheryl seem really interested in Butch?”

“It was hard to tell.”

“Oh. They said they were from Boston. Did they mean downtown? Do they have an apartment? I mean, Butch is a pretty big dog to live in a small apartment.”

“You want me to talk them out of it?” he asked.

“No. I’m not saying that. It’s just . . .”

“You’ve bonded with Butch.”

“I wouldn’t say bonded.” That sounded quite extreme, like we were going to be best friends for life or something. It wasn’t like that. Butch and I had just been hanging out. It was natural I’d be concerned about who might adopt him. He was a very intuitive dog.

“Look,” Josh said. “They’re back.”

Before I could react, he was striding from the booth, going over to meet Cheryl and her husband.

I watched intently as they talked. They all smiled, then they laughed. Cheryl reached down and petted Butch. Josh said something more serious and shook his head. Then he took the leash from Cheryl and waved goodbye.

Moments later, he was walking back to me with Butch.

I was relieved, but I was also suspicious. “Did you just blow that deal on purpose?”

“Me?” His expression was of mock innocence. “Would I do something like that?”

*

It was late and softly dark on the edges of the festival when we headed home.

Victoria had loaded a bunch of gear and a couple of smaller dogs into the van to take them back to the shelter overnight, leaving Butch with Josh and me to walk back.

“Seven,” I said as we made our way across the grass to the sidewalk. “That seems pretty good for one day.”

“That’s very good for our first day.” Josh sounded pleased.

Butch was between us. He was on his leash, but I suspected he’d stay at our heels even if he wasn’t. He was a smart dog, eager to please, and his attachment to me was unexpectedly heartwarming.

“I’m so happy Vegas and Reno were adopted together.”

“That was a bonus,” Josh said.

Two weeks ago, I wouldn’t have given a thought to the emotional health of a dog. Now, I was delighted that they were going to have a wonderful life playing with Christy. I remembered what Josh had said about animals enriching your life. I hadn’t understood what he’d meant back then, but he was right.

“Can I show you something?” he asked.

“Sure. What?”

“This way,” he said and pointed in the direction opposite of the shelter.

“What’s that way?” It wasn’t Madeline’s house, and it wasn’t the staircase to the beach either.

“I’ll show you.”

“A surprise?”

“It’s not a party or anything.”

I pointed my thumb back over my shoulder to the park. “No kidding. The party’s that way.”

Josh smiled. “It was pretty laid-back tonight. The dance on Saturday night is when things really get rolling.”

I wanted to see what Rutter’s Point looked like when it got rolling. I knew it was hard to beat Manhattan for a good party, but there was so much warmth and friendliness here in Rutter’s Point. I knew it would have a spirit all its own.

We made our way down Oceanside, across Main Street to the south end of town. Then we turned on Blue Crescent toward the water.

“Is there another park this way?” I asked.

“There’s a really great view.”

“Oh, that sounds nice.” It was a nearly moonless night, and the sky was bright with scattered stars. “Is there anywhere to sit down and look at the view?” I’d been on my feet for hours. Even wearing my seafoam hikers, my feet were tired.

“Yes, there is.”

“Great. Lead on.”

I thought about Manhattan again, the clubs and the rooftop lounges. There was so much light there, you couldn’t see many starts. Not like here.

I tipped my head back to stare at the multi-layered pinpoints of light in the black sky and stumbled.

“Whoa,” Josh said, reaching across Butch to put a hand on my shoulder. “Steady.”

“There are millions of them,” I said.

He looked up. “I love the summer sky.”

“It’s not like this in Manhattan.”

“It’s not like this anywhere.”

“You love it here,” I said.

He grinned. “That’s not exactly a secret.”

“I mean, your family’s here. I knew that all along. And you’re great with your aunt and with Becky and Victoria. But it’s more than that.”

“It’s all the friends and neighbors.”

I nodded. “That’s the heart and soul, isn’t it? The sky and the mountains and the ocean, they’re all wonderful, but it’s the people that make the place.”

Butch nuzzled my leg.

I looked down. “And the pets.”

Josh laughed. “Boy,