“The best ever,” Logan said, finishing his last bite.
Shelby nodded in agreement and petted Oscar’s white-tipped nose. “He’s got lots of admirers.”
Steph nodded. “Oscar adores Joann, always has, and the feeling is mutual. He was best buds with her dog, Roxie, that passed two months ago.” Steph sighed. “Poor Joann. She had that dog over sixteen years, and she was everything to her.”
"That’s so sad,” Shelby said.
Logan joined the conversation. "I've seen her walking the beach in the early morning staring out at the lake. I remember last summer, her and the dog hobbling around in the sand. Sometimes Joann would just carry her down to the water, and they'd curl up together on the shore.”
Oscar wandered back to Joann and rested his head across her feet. Dogs could sense where they were needed, Shelby thought.
“Joann has lived here a long time,” Steph said. “When I was in high school, the kids all loved her. And she did so much for the school until she retired a few years ago. She lived alone, but always seemed quite happy. But, you never saw her without that dog."
"I'd like to meet her,” Shelby said. "Officially."
"Oh, of course," said Steph, "Come on."
She looked over at Logan. "Do you mind?"
"I'll come too. I’d like to say hi."
They followed Steph. Oscar had rolled over to get a good tummy rub, and Joann was obliging.
"Joann, I'd like you to meet our local dog walker, Shelby."
Joann looked up and smiled. "I've seen you out walking. You have the most wonderful job in the world."
"I think so too," Shelby said.
"I love being around dogs." “What could be better?” Logan said.
Joann’s expression darkened, obviously remembering her dog. Shelby’s heart went out to her. “Perhaps you’d like to walk the dogs with me some days?” Shelby asked.
“Oh yes!” Joann said.
Shelby watched the woman’s face brighten up before her. “We usually start on the path along the lake near Second Street and make our way to town and back. Just look for us anytime.”
“Thank you, dear,” she said. “You made my day.” With that, Joann rose to leave. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said, waving as she left.
Shelby and Logan watched Steph hurry back inside to help customers. Oscar retired to a shady spot near the door.
“That was kind of you to offer her a chance to walk with you and the dogs,” Logan said.
She looked up at him. It seemed such a natural thing for her to do, but it was nice to be noticed by this cute boy. “I was happy to do it.”
Logan stared at her like he was trying to figure something out. Then he shook his head, his slightly crooked, adorable smile emerging. “Some people are just good people,” he said.
Dusk was setting in and Alice was probably starting dinner at home. Shelby felt awkward suggesting they leave, and really didn’t want to.
As if he read her mind, Logan said, “Shall we start back?”
Shelby nodded. “Thanks again for the ice cream.”
“Anytime,” he said. She hoped he meant it.
They walked back along the lake path. The water’s surface was darkening by the minute as the sun dropped out of sight. A few people were wading along the shore, but mostly the beach was deserted.
“The moon will be peeking over the hills soon,” Logan said.
Shelby stopped for a moment, enjoying the panoramic view. “It is so beautiful here. A lot nicer than Las Vegas.”
Logan laughed. “Not much water there, I imagine.”
“There was a lake not too far from where we lived, but it was pretty barren.”
“Have you ever seen the full moon over the lake at night?” he asked.
Shelby thought about the few times she’d spent with her grandmother here and couldn’t remember ever seeing that. “I don’t think so.”
“Legend says the lake was named after an enormous full moon that lit up the entire lake, many years ago.”
“Really?” she said.
He turned to face her directly. A shiver coursed through her body, and it was not from the chilling evening.
“That’s what I’ve heard,” he said. “Our deck in back of our house is a great place to view it. The next full moon is in a week. Want to come over and see it?”
“Sure,” she said, her voice sounding an octave higher than normal.
“Cool. Shall we head back now? I’ll walk you home.”
Shelby laughed. “All the way across the cul-de-sac?”
“All the way.”
Chapter 12
Theo was not looking forward to his Skype call with his son, Cameron, today. He loved Cam, but