how much I have to lose if my mother won’t agree.”
"I’m with you,” Logan said. “Let's just sit awhile until you’re ready to go home. How about this? I'll take you out for a special dinner tonight at the seafood place on the pier. Get your mind off things."
"I’d love that," Shelby said. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand. "I'm such a mess."
"You're not a mess," Logan said. "You're having a hard time and have every right to be upset from what you've told me. I’ll talk to my dad. His firm does pro bono work sometimes. Either way, we'll get this figured out together and we'll celebrate later. Okay?”
“Definitely.” She looked around and no eyes were on them. She kissed Logan softly on the lips. “You are the best.”
Playfully he ruffled her hair. “I'm going back to work now and tell John I’ll be leaving a little early today. I’ll pick you up about six.” Logan stood and helped Shelby to her feet and they walked together to his station.
"See you later,” she said. “I'm going to go stand in the shower, get all this sand off, and scream for a while.”
Logan chuckled. "Now, that's a good idea.”
"Maybe I'll do a little pounding on the bed, too," she said with a grin.
“Go for it. Do whatever you need to. And tonight, we’ll have fun and solidify some plans.”
Shelby purposely didn't look over at Madison and her posse, who were huddled at the base of the stairs. She could feel their eyes on her but reminded herself she didn’t care what they thought and walked right on by without a glance their way.
Shelby opened the front door eager to tell her grandmother about her dinner date. Alice was on the phone, nodding and repeatedly saying, “I see.” Alice mouthed to Shelby to hold on just a second and pointed over to the couch. Just great, Shelby thought. She hoped it wasn't Dana again.
Shelby sat down and waited until Alice hung up the phone.
"What's up?" she asked hesitantly.
"It’s mostly good news about Mrs. Williams,” Alice said.
“How is she?"
Alice sat down in her recliner and Scarlett leapt up on her lap. "She's doing fine, resting peacefully. She will be going to a private rehabilitation hospital while she recovers. It's got lovely views of the lake, just north of here, and maybe they'll even let us bring Mutt in for a visit. After that, her daughter is going to bring her home to live with her in Arizona.”
"It must have been so hard for Mrs. Williams living out there alone after her husband died,” Shelby said.
Alice nodded. “I can imagine. Now she’ll get all the care she needs.”
"What about her house?" Shelby asked.
"I guess the daughter will be selling that, too."
Shelby was afraid to ask. “And the dog?”
"They won’t allow dogs in the care home. And from what I've heard, Mrs. Williams is telling everyone what a comfort it is to know that Gabe is taking good care of her Mutt now.”
“Fingers crossed he gets to keep him.”
“Either way,” Alice said, “Gabe always has us as a backup. The dog will not be homeless.”
“Gabe really loves Mutt,” Shelby said. She hoped Iris wouldn’t have to tell her son that his father wouldn't let him keep the dog
"Miracles happen," Alice said with a smile. "Meanwhile, let’s think good thoughts and try not to worry.”
Dressed and ready for her date, Shelby took one last look in the mirror. She’d trimmed her bangs a little and loosely curled the bottom of her hair. The style, along with some light makeup, definitely made her look a bit older.
She went into the living room in search of her grandmother to say goodbye before she left, and found Alice was in bed reading. By the look of the front cover, it was a summer romance novel. Scarlett had her head on Alice’s lap and opened one eye when Shelby entered.
“I’m ready to leave for my dinner out with Logan,” Shelby said.
"The food there is the best in town,” Alice said. “Your grandpa and I used to go there. Wonderful memories.” A smile drifted across her grandmother’s face. “It’s easy to live in those memories, but I’ve come to realize and be grateful that I still have today.”
Shelby kissed her grandmother on the cheek. “I’m so glad to hear that.”
“And by the way,” Alice said shyly, “Theo asked me on a date. We’re going to the Movies in the Park in a few days.”
“Very fun,” Shelby