Summer of Second Chances - Andrea Hurst Page 0,122
realized my heart is large enough to include another dog. And he is it.”
Everyone gathered around and petted him. Fritz seemed to love the attention, holding his chin up for a scratch and giving a few kisses back. Joann clipped off his leash and put him on the grass.
“Let’s see how this goes,” she said.
Theo watched while the other dogs trotted over, sniffed the new member, and officially welcomed him in dog language. At that moment, Mutt came running through the gate, followed by Gabe and Logan. Mutt shot right over to the new dog, Fritz, and the two seemed to recognize each other. Perhaps Mutt had once been a rescue as well, Theo thought. He certainly was one now. And a very clean and groomed one at that.
While the dogs played, Theo invited everyone to join him at the table on the deck.
“I’ll be right back,” Alice said, heading inside.
After a few minutes, Alice carried out a homemade sheet cake. Theo watched Shelby’s face glow as she read the words piped across it: Welcome Home Shelby. That girl’s arrival had certainly set off a positive chain of events for so many people and dogs. And, of course, for himself.
While the dogs pranced, chewed, and frolicked, the group talked about how much they loved these gatherings. Everyone was in agreement that as long as the weather permitted, they would keep meeting and plan them around Shelby’s school schedule. Theo assured Shelby he was flexible too.
"Since we’re all catching up…" Mindy said. She looked over at Trevor and he nodded. "I wanted to let you all know I have decided to move up and live at the lake year-round now."
"Wonderful," Alice and Theo said in unison.
"You see that dog out there?" Mindy pointed to Karma. "She taught me about unconditional love. And all of you are so special. It may take my parents awhile to come around, and my boss isn't the happiest I’ll be working remote, but I’ve learned to listen to my own heart. Right, Shelby?" she said, smiling over at her.
“So right,” Shelby answered.
Theo glanced over to Shelby and Logan. There was still one more hurdle for Shelby to face. Logan would be leaving in a couple of days. Ah, first love. Theo remembered the summer so long ago he’d fallen in love with Jean. School had separated them too for a while. But their love was strong. His leaving might be a little rocky for Shelby at first, but she had good friends who would support her now. And Logan would come up during breaks now that his family was going to be living in their lake house most of the year. Moonwater Lake was certainly getting a population boom.
Noticing the iced tea pitcher was empty, and so were many of their glasses, Theo headed into the kitchen to refresh it. Trevor followed him in.
“Can I help with anything?” Trevor asked.
“I got it,” Theo said, holding the bucket under the automatic ice maker before pouring more in.
"I want to thank you," Trevor said.
Theo looked up. “For what?”
"For our talk and encouraging me with Mindy. I realized there’s no joy possible without risking pain, and by shutting myself off to pain, I'd shut all the doors."
"Here,” Trevor said, picking up the pitcher. “Let me help you with that.”
Back outside, Theo took a seat next to Alice. Her sweet smile in his direction made him feel a bit giddy. The dogs were running up ramps, tossing toys, barking, and chasing balls. Who would have thought a few months back, when he could barely get out of bed that dark morning, that all of this joy would come into his life? Thank goodness he had not given up.
"Don't forget," Joann said, "tomorrow starts Labor Day weekend, and you know how busy it’s going to get here. Everyone keep your dogs safe."
"There’ll be fireworks too," Theo said. "I know my boy doesn't like them at all."
“Oscar, either,” Steph said. “But his thunder shirt does help some.”
"Best to keep the dogs home,” Logan said. “It'll be crazy down by the lake. We have a couple of extra lifeguards coming in just in case." He looked over at Shelby. "You might be needed, you never know."
She laughed. “Just let me know.”
"All right, everyone," Alice said. "Let's clean up and we can finish arranging the new schedule after the holiday."