old boys soon when the young ones arrive,” he said to the dog.
The dog whined and gave a tug to follow.
“Maybe we’ll see them tomorrow.”
After a few moments, Theo journeyed back to his special bench at the park. He took a seat to rest awhile before heading back to his empty house. Wally's tail thumped in the grass.
“Jean,” he said, “we met a new friend today. A real sweet girl. You would like her.”
Theo gazed out at the clear water, smooth and tranquil, not a cloud in the sky. Instinctively he reached out for Jean's hand to share the beauty, but the empty bench sent a wave of grief derailing his very breath. He'd seen the lake in a devastating winter storm and that memory would never completely fade. He shuddered as his breath returned.
Wally stood and offered Theo his paw. The dog’s chocolate brown eyes were overflowing with love as Theo lifted him up onto his lap. "You’re a good boy. All I have left."
Wally kissed his face, then jumped down and gave a little pull.
“You ready to go?” Theo said, rising slowly.
A light breeze brushed through his hair, carrying with it the scent of wild sage. It was not like him to wallow in self-pity. After all he’d seen in his career, he truly had a blessed life. Jean would want him to go on, and he would try.
"Okay, let's finish this walk and meet the new day, as Jean would say.”
Chapter 5
Shelby brought Scarlett in and slipped off her leash. "You're free again." The dog’s nails tap danced across the wood floors and Shelby reminded herself to see if they needed trimming. Scarlett’s coat could probably use a grooming for the summer.
The pup jumped in the air and made some twirls before running to the kitchen to her bowl of water. Shelby could hear the dog lapping it up.
"Good morning, honey,” her grandma said, standing in the kitchen still in her robe and slippers. At least Alice was out of bed, and from the luscious-smelling breakfast on the table, she had been baking too.
Shelby took a seat at the polished oak dining table, scooping up a still warm blueberry muffin off the platter and some fruit salad.
After feeding Scarlett, Alice joined her, a mug of coffee in her hand. "There's orange juice in the pitcher. Just let me know if you’d like anything else.”
She watched her grandmother sip her drink. Even the sweet, moist muffins hadn’t tempted Alice to eat breakfast.
"How was your walk?" Alice asked. “I bet Scarlett was thrilled to get outside.”
Between bites, Shelby answered. “It was good. I met a new friend. An older man named Theo, and his beagle Wally."
Her grandma paused. "I remember that dog. Your grandpa and I used to see that couple we knew from the Art Center out walking him." Her voice dropped. "I heard his wife died recently."
"He did seem a bit sad, but he was pretty nice. And the dogs got along splendidly.”
Sunlight streamed through the living room windows, brightening up the room. Shelby had only been there a few days, but already she felt the calmness of being with her grandmother in these familiar surroundings. She loved the floral wallpaper behind the china cabinet, the blue-checkered curtains in the kitchen, and the white farmhouse-style cabinets Grandpa Stan had installed.
“Oh, and by the way,” Shelby said, “Theo gave me a new idea for making money this summer."
Grandma Alice put down her coffee. "You really don’t need to worry about that while you’re here.”
Shelby did not want to be a financial burden on her grandmother. And if she could save some money of her own, she’d have more choices. Especially if her mother’s relationship fell apart and she wanted Shelby back. “I really want to work,” Shelby said. “His idea is perfect for me.”
“Oh really? Tell me."
"I could be a dog walker. While people are working or on vacation, I could walk their dogs."
"That's wonderful," Alice said. "I'll be your first customer. I bet we can think of several more. In fact, Mindy, who lives a few streets over, just had surgery. We can let her know you're available."
Seeing the enthusiasm from her grandmother made the whole idea seem even better. "I'll have to come up with a name. And what should I charge? No charge to you, Grandma, of course."
"Let me think on it,” Alice said. “You could put up a flyer on the grocery store bulletin board, too.”
“Perfect, I will. Thanks.” The dog walking business was